Ten Things We Learned From Week 3 (Fantasy Football)
Just when we think we have the 2026 NFL season figured out, Week 3 swoops down and kicks us in the teeth. We collect data to spot tendencies, but three games can also make us feel a whole lot smarter than we actually are (sup’, Dunning-Kruger effect). Here is what we learned.
Reminder: On Monday’s Fantasy Footballers podcast, we react to all the performances in the Studs & Duds segment.
The Michael Penix Experience Might Actually Be a Good One
We did not need Michael Penix to become a fantasy superstar. We needed the Falcons to stop making an offense built around Bijan Robinson and Drake London look like such a difficult assignment. Bijan piling up 213 scrimmage yards with two TDs, and London catching nine passes for 194 yards is a pretty convincing argument for getting your best players the friggin’ ball. That is why you should be encouraged by Penix. Beating GB at Lambeau field 35 – 14 is a solid confidence boost.
Brock Bowers Is Elite
Bowers returned from his knee injury with 10 catches, 116 yards, and a TD. Three catches came on the opening drive, so he did not have to ease back into the offense. Apparently, two weeks off was enough rest for the entire season and will pay off the early-round investment. The difference from Pete Carroll to Klint Kubiak is staggering: the Raiders have already matched last season’s three wins.
Michael Wilson Is a Target Hog
Wilson caught 11 of 17 targets for 89 yards and a TD. Trey McBride added nine catches for 75 yards, while MHJ managed three for 40. Brissett threw 52 passes, and Harrison still only saw five targets. Sure, they were playing from behind, but 17 targets is something we can’t ignore.
Be Patient with Rookie RBs
Jeremiyah Love played 55 snaps to Allgeier’s 31, but the touches were much more lopsided: 26 to six. Allgeier still handled passing-down work, particularly pass protection, but received just two carries. Love getting five carries on the opening drive also tells us ARI wanted him involved immediately.
Jaylen Warren Has a Ceiling
Warren entered Sunday with 150 scrimmage yards through two games, then delivered 176 against CIN. His 49 receiving yards remind us he has multiple ways to produce when PIT cooperates. Even ole’ A A Ron looked like a HOF QB. Rico Dowdle can certainly suck the life force out of starters unless he is not on the field to do so. Warren’s floor/ceiling combo might be asset during a fantasy team’s playoff run.
Drake Maye Is NOT an Auto Start
Maye finished with 199 passing yards, two INTs and a lost fumble, bringing him to seven giveaways through three games. His depleted supporting cast helps explain the struggles, but explanations do not score fantasy points. In one-QB leagues, streaming alternatives deserve a look. It may be a better idea to stream until the Patriots right the ship…especially in tough matchups.
Jordan Addison Is Back on the Radar
Addison caught five of nine targets for 90 yards and a TD after totaling just 21 receiving yards through two weeks. Justin Jefferson leaving with an ankle injury makes his availability the next thing to watch. If Jefferson misses time, those additional opportunities could make Addison considerably easier to start. He saw more targets Sunday (nine) than he did in the first two games combined (seven) and the Vikings WR depth is not deep.
How to Handle the MIA Backfield
Ollie Gordon finished with 20 touches for 55 yards and a TD, but Jaylen Wright was inactive, leaving him with little competition after De’Von Achane went down. Gordon is the waiver priority if both remain out, while Wright deserves consideration if he can return. Wright is listed ahead of Gordon on Miami’s depth chart, so do not assume Sunday’s workload carries over with both available. Check on the injuriews before making a bid, and treat Gordon as a volume play rather than expecting anything close to Achane’s production. Jarquez Hunter and Carlos Washington Jr. (who?) are the practice squad RBs.
The Cowboys Offense Is Fantasy Gold
DAL put up 415 yards + 31 points and still lost, but Javonte Williams gave fantasy managers something to feel good about with 98 rushing yards and a TD. The Cowboys had not reached 100 team rushing yards in either of their first two games, so getting the ground game going will only help the air game. CeeDee Lamb finished with 112 receiving yards, while George Pickens added 82 to keep both productive in the same offense. Jake Ferguson caught a 19-yard TD after losing a fumble, salvaging his afternoon for anyone who started him.
Kyren Williams is an RB1
Kyren piled up 158 scrimmage yards on 21 touches against DEN, including six catches for 70 yards. Blake Corum finished with eight touches for 15 yards. We can live with Corum getting a few carries when Kyren is contributing this much as a receiver. That is a solid fantasy night without a TD, and nothing about this workload suggests we should panic about the split.