Week 3 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Deep Sleepers to Target

Heading into Week 3, the NFL landscape has already been marred by notable injuries. Players like Tua Tagovailoa, Christian McCaffrey, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp have already missed significant time or are set to do so.

This has, of course, impacted the fantasy landscape as well. Many managers have already been forced to turn to their benches or the waiver wire just to field functional lineups, and we haven't even reached bye weeks yet.

The good news is that some sleepers are likely available who can help managers navigate the upcoming schedule. They're probably not going to replicate the production of players like McCaffrey or Kupp, but they can help add a few points at a key position.

Here, you'll find a look at some of our favorite sleepers for Week 3, along with updated flex rankings for the upcoming slate.

All rankings and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

1. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

2. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

3. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

5. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

6. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

7. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

8. Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

9. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

10. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

11. Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers

12. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

13. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

14. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

15. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

16. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

17. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

18. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

19. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints

20. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills

21. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

22. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

23. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

24. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

25. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers

26. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers

27. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens

28. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

29. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

30. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

31. D.J. Moore, WR, Chicago Bears

32. Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders

33. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

34. Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

35. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots

36. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals

37. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

38. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

39. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

40. Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks

With Tagovailoa on IR and the status of Jordan Love (knee) still uncertain, managers may need a quarterback to stream in Week 3. New Orleans Saints signal-caller Derek Carr is a solid option.

While new Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has relied heavily on the run (third in rushing attempts), Carr has had his moments. He's thrown for 443 yards and five touchdowns with one interception through two weeks.

This week, New Orleans will host the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The Eagles added quite a bit of defensive talent in the offseason, but so far, the unit looks as underwhelming as it did a year ago.

Carr should be worth a start in larger leagues and could be worth keeping around for the foreseeable future. Opponents may eventually catch up with Kubiak's scheme, but at this point, New Orleans has the top scoring offense in the league.

Carr is rostered in only 27 percent of Yahoo leagues and four percent of ESPN leagues.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle doesn't have the most enticing matchup in Week 3. The Cowboys will host a desperate Baltimore Ravens team that has been solid against the run through two weeks.

Baltimore has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

However, volume could still make Dowdle a serviceable play this week. While longtime Cowboys starter Ezekiel Elliott—who returned after a one-year stint with the New England Patriots—was expected to lead the Cowboys' backfield committee, Dowdle may already be emerging as the top option.

Dowdle logged seven carries to Elliott's six last week, as the Cowboys were largely playing from behind. He tallied just 30 yards rushing but also caught four passes for 29 yards.

Against Baltimore, Dowdle should again be utilized in the passing game, and that gives him a decent PPR floor for Week 3. He may also be worth a stash because Elliott's inefficiency may eventually lead to Dowdle taking over the lead role.

Dowdle is rostered in 40 percent of Yahoo leagues and 37 percent of ESPN leagues.

With Kupp and Nacua both out, Los Angeles Rams receiver Demarcus Robinson should be a popular fantasy pickup ahead of Week 3. Managers who need to dig a little deeper, though, should consider San Francisco 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings.

Jennings had a strong Week 1, catching five passes for 64 yards, but he regressed in Week 2, finishing with just two catches for 37 yards. However, the 27-year-old is likely to see an expanded role in Week 3, as fellow receiver Deebo Samuel is dealing with a calf injury.

"When you lose real good players, it's always tough," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "... We've got to deal with it."

San Francisco will likely deal with it by relying more on Jennings. This week, they'll do so against a Los Angeles Rams team that has surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

The 49ers may lean heavily on backup running back Jordan Mason against L.A.'s 30th-ranked run defense, but Jennings should get opportunities to shine.

Jennings is rostered in less than five percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

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*Fantasy scoring and roster information via FantasyPros.