Week 3 of the 2025 fantasy soccer season featured a bit little bit of all the pieces, from huge scores by rookies to surprisingly quiet video games from a number of the high gamers within the NFL.
Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft supply their analyses.
1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts: He is benefiting in an enormous approach from the Colts’ offensive rebirth, as he adopted up his 29.5 PPR fantasy factors in Week 2 with 32.8 factors Sunday, and he is now averaging 20 carries and 22.7 touches by way of three video games. Taylor has had a number of explosive runs (10-plus yard carries) in every of his three contests for seven on the season, tied for the league’s lead, and he has 61 extra speeding yards than anticipated per Subsequent Gen Stats. He is shaping up as a transparent fantasy RB1, which he ought to be once more in Week 4 in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams. — Cockcroft
2. Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders: What a breakthrough by the third-year receiver, who grew to become the primary participant to interrupt the 40-point barrier in PPR scoring this season (career-best 40.9), carving up the Washington Commanders’ zone-heavy protection. Tucker’s 9 targets simply paced Raiders receivers, and approaching the heels of the eight he had in Week 2, it appears he is changing into a bigger a part of their recreation plan. Count on large jumps in his roster (1.95%) and begin charges (0.18%) in ESPN leagues subsequent week in opposition to the Chicago Bears, although he is greatest regarded a threat/reward fantasy WR3 for that matchup. — Cockcroft
3. Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings: With Aaron Jones Sr. on IR due to a hamstring harm, Mason had 23.6 factors within the Vikings’ blowout win over the Bengals. In a recreation wherein Minnesota completely managed tempo (extra on their protection later), Mason completed with 116 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Although Mason is not going to rack up huge numbers as a receiver (three receptions on the season), he’ll stay the Vikings No. 1 runner heading into the Week 4 on the Steelers. And meaning extra run recreation quantity. Mason will probably be an RB2 for me subsequent week. — Bowen
4. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns: Judkins had 95 complete yards and a landing on 19 touches (16.5 factors) within the Browns’ Week 3 win over the Packers. Judkins paced the Browns’ backfield with 18 of the crew’s 19 speeding makes an attempt, plus he has the traits of a lead runner in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. With the short-area velocity to hit creases of daylight, plus the contact steadiness and pad degree to interrupt tackles, Judkins ought to proceed to play a quantity function in Cleveland. With a Week 4 recreation at Detroit, Judkins will probably be in my flex ranks. — Bowen
5. Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots: His 29.0 PPR fantasy factors had been the second-best single recreation rating of his 10-year NFL profession (30.0, Week 9 of 2019), they usually got here in a recreation wherein he had greater than twice as many targets (11) as some other Patriots receiver. Henry has had his moments as a go-to goal for Drake Maye, with seven video games of a 25%-plus goal share and 9 finish zone targets because the starting of 2024. Even when Henry could be maddeningly robust to foretell — he was a bust going through a positive matchup final week — he brings the mandatory upside to be value a go for individuals who went a budget route on the place. — Cockcroft
6. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles: Within the Eagles’ comeback win over the Rams, Hurts’ 29.04 factors led all quarterbacks within the early window, and the cross recreation numbers jumped for the primary time this season. Trailing 26-7, we noticed a way more aggressive play script from Philly, with Hurts finishing 21 of his 32 throws for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Hurts additionally added 40 yards speeding and a rating on 9 carries, plus, his high targets, A.J. Brown (22.9 factors) and DeVonta Smith (20 factors), posted their greatest numbers of the season. Hurts will stay a top-five play in Week 4 in opposition to the Bucs. – Bowen
7. Minnesota Vikings ST/D: Brian Flores’ unit went to work on the Bengals’ offense within the Week 3 win, scoring 32 factors, probably the most factors by a fantasy protection because the Cowboys dropped 35 on the Giants in Week 1 of the 2023 season. The Vikings created constant chaos for the Bengals, racking up 4 sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two defensive scores. Ridiculous. With Pittsburgh (Week 4) and Cleveland (Week 5) up subsequent, the Vikings’ protection will stay a top-five unit within the rankings. — Bowen
8. Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears: After Russell Wilson tore up the Dallas Cowboys’ secondary in Week 2, Williams loved a career-best 29.12 fantasy level efficiency in opposition to the identical opponent Sunday. Williams was cash when throwing it deep, finishing seven of his 13 makes an attempt of at the least 10 yards downfield for all 4 of his touchdowns, after he had struggled in that regard as much as that time in his profession (39.8% completion and 4.2% landing charges). It is in all probability extra of an announcement on the Cowboys’ defensive points than the quarterback’s personal expertise, however this can be a good step ahead for him to absorb his improvement. If it results in one other aggressive method in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4, it might solely assist Williams’ probabilities at a one other top-10 level complete. — Cockcroft
9. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos: What a distinction every week makes. After Bo Nix focused him solely 4 instances, leading to a 1.6 PPR fantasy level Week 2, Sutton had eight targets Sunday and turned them into 23.8 factors. That he did it in opposition to a aggressive Los Angeles Chargers’ protection solely additional underscored the efficiency, which included a pair of 20-plus yard catches. Sutton will get one among his softest matchups all season within the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4, making him a locked-in fantasy WR2. — Cockcroft
10. Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers: Hampton had a season-high 24.9 factors within the Week 3 win over the Broncos. With Najee Harris leaving the sport within the first half due to a decrease leg harm, Hampton had a rise in quantity, ending with 129 complete yards and a landing on 25 touches. Hampton was held to three.7 yards per carry in opposition to Denver’ protection, however he produced as a receiver, catching six passes for 59 yards. If Harris is out for an prolonged time period, and Hampton continues to get No. 1 utilization as a dual-threat again, he may climb into the RB1 ranks quickly. — Bowen
Rating fantasy losers of Week 3
1. Bengals passing offense: The Bengals’ offense was a bust with backup quarterback Jake Browning making his first begin for injured Joe Burrow. Browning accomplished 19 passes for 140 yards, and he threw two interceptions. An excessive amount of stress from the Vikings right here. Ja’Marr Chase? He caught 5 of six targets for 50 yards, added one carry for 9 yards, but additionally misplaced a fumble (8.9 factors). And Tee Higgins caught just one cross (on two targets) for 15 yards (2.5 factors). Certain, the Vikings’ protection dictated the move of this soccer recreation, however that does create some concern for managers of Chase and Higgins. And with a troublesome Week 5 matchup in opposition to the Broncos up subsequent, I will transfer Chase down as a lower-tier WR1, with Higgins dropping to the WR3 vary. — Bowen
2. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders: He has now been quiet in back-to-back weeks, following up Week 2’s 8.8 PPR fantasy factors with 9.8 on Sunday, the latter approaching a mere 5 targets. He could not appear to seek out any open area in opposition to the Commanders’ zone-heavy protection, catching solely two passes on 26 routes run in these conditions per Subsequent Gen Stats. Bowers’ fantasy managers ought to keep in mind that he had a equally so-so begin to 2024, his 37.7 factors at this level of the yr not far off the 33.9 he has at present. Stick to him and hope that he can break by way of in Week 4 in opposition to the Bears. — Cockcroft
3. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: The amount wasn’t a problem for Barkley as he had 22 touches within the Eagles’ Week 3 win over the Rams. Barkley bought his appears to be like, which included carries within the low pink zone, plus he had 4 receptions. However with out the explosive performs or touchdowns, Barkley completed with 55 complete yards and a season-low 9.4 factors. I assumed the Rams’ defensive entrance actually restricted Barkley’s potential to get to the second degree Sunday, closing working lanes and squeezing the sides. Barkley will look to rebound in Week 4 in opposition to the Bucs. — Bowen
4. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders: His fantasy managers, who chosen him No. 10 on common, cannot be pleased together with his lackluster play so far. Jeanty managed solely 6.3 PPR fantasy factors in Week 3, stuffed at or earlier than the road of scrimmage on 5 of his 17 speeding makes an attempt, and he has now averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry in every of his first three NFL video games. However in his protection, he did have three explosive runs Sunday after two in Week 2, and if the Raiders can pave him extra working lanes, he may properly take off statistically. Jeanty is a buy-low goal with rebound potential for a Week 4 matchup in opposition to the injury-riddled Bears protection. — Cockcroft
5. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons: He noticed his begin price in ESPN leagues leap by 7.5%, to 12.7%, in Week 3, however couldn’t capitalize upon a positive matchup in opposition to the Carolina Panthers, scoring solely 3.78 fantasy factors earlier than being relieved by Kirk Cousins together with his crew down 27-0 within the fourth quarter. Penix was extraordinarily erratic together with his throws, finishing a career-low 50% of his cross makes an attempt whereas being intercepted twice. He is unlikely to generate wherever close to as a lot curiosity over any of the following 4 weeks (WSH, bye, BUF, @SF). — Cockcroft
6. Breece Corridor, RB, New York Jets: Corridor posted his second straight recreation with fewer than 10 factors within the Jets’ Week 3 loss to the Bucs. Corridor did have 4 receptions for 31 yards, however he was restricted to solely 21 yards speeding on 9 carries (9.2 factors). Corridor, who’s averaging 2.6 YPC over his previous two video games, will get a a lot better matchup in Week 4 in opposition to the Miami protection, which ought to maintain him within the RB2 combine. However his lack of run recreation effectivity is regarding. Let’s examine if Corridor can again on monitor subsequent Monday night time. — Bowen
Damage impression
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
What we all know: Lamb suffered an ankle harm within the first quarter of the Week 3 loss to the Bears. He tried to return on the primary play of the second quarter however confirmed clear indicators of discomfort and left for the remainder of the sport. He didn’t have a goal Sunday.
What’s subsequent: If Lamb is down for the Week 4 matchup in opposition to the Packers, George Pickens would transfer into the WR2 vary, and each KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert may very well be performed as deeper league WR3s. — Bowen
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What we all know: He got here up limping whereas working a fourth-quarter route, was pressured to depart the sport and was visibly annoyed upon exit. Preliminary experiences indicated a hamstring harm.
What’s subsequent: Evans in all probability will probably be a questionable itemizing for Week 4, and if he is unable to play, Emeka Egbuka will function Baker Mayfield’s clear No. 1 goal in an enormous recreation in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles, whereas Sterling Shepard, Ryan Miller and Tez Johnson in all probability will get extra targets behind Egbuka. — Cockcroft
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
What we all know: He left Sunday’s recreation shortly after having a 57-yard landing reception reversed to a 56-yard catch downed on the 1-yard line throughout the third quarter, and was unable to return due to a quadriceps harm.
What’s subsequent: Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane noticed a lift in routes and targets following McLaurin’s exit, with the previous catching a landing cross. McCaffrey may have deep-league sleeper worth if McLaurin misses additional time. — Cockcroft
Najee Harris, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
What we all know: He suffered an Achilles’ harm on a noncontact play within the second quarter, was helped to the sidelines and was dominated out for the sport. Early indications are that Harris has a torn Achilles’, which might be a season-ending harm, although additional assessments are forthcoming to find out the severity.
What’s subsequent: If Harris is certainly out for an prolonged interval, rookie Omarion Hampton may have the backfield principally to himself, making him an instantaneous high-end fantasy RB2. Kimani Vidal may have an uptick in work as Harris’ backup. — Cockcroft
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants
What we all know: He suffered a proper shoulder harm close to the tip of the primary quarter after colliding with Kansas Metropolis Chiefs CB Jaylen Watson, and was shortly dominated out for the remainder of the competition.
What’s subsequent: Rookie Cam Skattebo took over because the Giants’ starter and scored a landing within the second quarter, and he’d most stand to profit from an expanded workload ought to Tracy must miss extra time. — Cockcroft