Week 3 of fantasy football is here, and we are officially starting to tilt. In dynasty, we’re supposed to be less concerned with the early ups and downs that our redraft brothers in arms deal with every week — but we tilt nonetheless.
And there’s plenty of reason to tilt. The 2025 rookie running back class has been much slower out of the gate than anticipated. Joe Burrow has been lost for the season once again. Players are breaking out while others are getting left behind. Veterans like Keenan Allen and Javonte Williams are currently the WR12 and RB3, respectively — did I mention tilting?
We’re also navigating the information age, when injury news trickles out in real time — often in fragments, rarely with the full story. A Tucker Kraft Thursday injury scare set off the most terrifying two hours imaginable for fantasy managers everywhere… only for it to turn out minor.
Anyway, tilting rant over. Let’s take a collective deep breath in and out. The season is only two weeks old — we’re still 97 days away from Week 17.
Stock Up
Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks
I’ll take the L on last week’s overreaction to Kenneth Walker. Seattle won a big road game in Pittsburgh, and Walker was sensational — rushing for 105 yards and a TD on just 13 carries. He was still out-touched by Zach Charbonnet, but the production gap was noteworthy. Walker looked explosive and fully healthy. The split usage isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though a 60/40 split in his favor of Walker would be ideal. Seattle is going to be run-heavy under Klint Kubiak.
Walker is such an explosive player, and he can flip a fantasy matchup with a long run at any moment. Against Pittsburgh, he took a 3rd and 19 sacrificial draw to the house for a score. There may be ups and downs this season, but I am betting on way more ups for him the rest of the way. He is on his way to an RB1 finish if he can stay healthy.
NOTE: It is also a great week for a buy-low trade offer for Charbonnet — especially if you are a Walker manager. Charbonnet is dealing with a foot injury that may keep him out of Week 3.
Justin Herbert, QB, LA Chargers
Could this be Justin Herbert’s MVP season? Herbert has been sensational, wheeling and dealing with surgical precision as the Chargers jumped out to a 2-0 start with wins over Kansas City and Las Vegas. They’re in the driver’s seat in the AFC West and look like one of the league’s most improved teams.
The narrative that Herbert would struggle under Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh is quickly being dispelled. Notably, L.A. has deemphasized RB and TE targets in favor of a highly consolidated WR attack featuring Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and a rejuvenated Keenan Allen — the prodigal son back in form. Allen’s return has given Herbert another “easy button” target to pair with McConkey, while Johnston provides the big-play threat downfield.
The Chargers have been in complete control through two games. We haven’t even seen Herbert and this offense function while trailing — a scary thought for opponents, but an intriguing one for fantasy managers. Herbert is a legitimate threat to post a career-high in TD passes and enter the MVP race. With Joe Burrow sidelined, Herbert also has a pathway back into the dynasty top-five QB conversation. In Superflex, enjoy the ride. In 1QB formats, he’s back to being a true edge pick at the position.
Quentin Johnston, WR, LA Chargers
Speaking of Johnston, are we witnessing a year three breakout? After a two-touchdown performance in Week 1 performance — and a spot on our Watch List — Johnston is officially in the Stock Up category.
He scored another long touchdown in primetime - a ridiculous 60-yarder with two minutes to go in the first half as LA opened things up against Las Vegas. He has now scored 11 touchdowns over his last 17 games played.
Narratives change in the NFL every season. QJ has gone from “rookie-year bust,” to “year-three breakout.” He just 24 years old.
Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Wan’dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants
“Wow Theo! thanks for letting us know Malik Nabers is a great dynasty asset.” Okay, but how about Wan’Dale Robinson?
Last year I raved about Robinson’s target ceiling — and he went on to earn 140 targets, catching 93. The problem? He averaged just 10.8 PPG. Few players have ever turned so much volume into so little fantasy value. Dynasty managers mostly wrote him off as a bye-week fill-in.
Through two weeks, Robinson is back with a new twist. He’s seen 18 targets but is averaging 14.1 yards per reception (up from 7.5 last year). His 8-142-1 line against Dallas was the best game of his career. Russell Wilson has unlocked a new level, and while Week 2 was probably Robinson’s peak, he now has spike-week potential. Robinson looks like a WR3/Flex option right now.
As for Nabers? At 22, he might be the league’s best WR. He’s hit double-digit targets in 12 of his first 17 NFL games. He’s a pure target magnet with spike-week upside. His 37.7 PPR points in Week 2 set a new career high (topping his 36.1 from Week 17). A WR1 overall season is squarely in his range of outcomes, and barring injury, Nabers should remain in that mix for years.
This week in our dynasty rankings, I am moving Nabers ahead of Justin Jefferson as my WR2 overall just behind Ja’Marr Chase.
Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
This offseason, there was plenty of debate about which wide receiver would benefit most from Ben Johnson taking over as head coach in Chicago. DJ Moore backers argued that the veteran could return to his 2023 numbers. There were also plenty of Luther Burden enthusiasts. And while the rookie’s story has not fully been told, he is certainly off to a very slow start.
But the storyline of the early season in Chicago has been the rapid ascension of Rome Odunze. His numbers have been outstanding — 13 catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns — making him the WR4 overall through two weeks.
His usage has been downright dominant compared to everyone else in Chicago. He holds a 27.9% target share, a 46.4% air yards share, and a 33.3% first-read rate. This breakout looks absolutely sustainable. Odunze was the ninth overall pick in last year’s draft, and it looks like the Bears made the right decision. If you have him on your roster, enjoy the Year 2 breakout.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns
So about that Judkins ramp-up…
The Browns wasted no time getting their second-round draft pick on the field and force-feeding him touches. He rushed 10 times for 61 yards and caught three passes for 10 yards - hardly jaw-dropping numbers but noteworthy for just how little time Judkins has had with the first team offense in any capacity.
Judkins makes the “Stock Up” category simply by being here. There was so much fear in the marketplace this summer — the off-the-field issues combined with a lack of a signed contract — but Cleveland clearly has big plans for him. If Judkins can produce against a loaded Green Bay defense in week three, expect him to move up significantly in many rest-of-season redraft rankings.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers
Sam LaPorta was 2023. Brock Bowers is 2024. Tucker Kraft is 2025?
Kraft was one of my favorite late-summer TE targets. I argued he could lead the Packers in targets (a huge fantasy indicator) and become a league-winning TE. Through two weeks, he looks like it.
Last Thursday night, Kraft dominated Washington on national TV with 6 catches for 124 yards and a TD. He’s currently 2nd among TEs in YAC after finishing 5th in 2024. In Matt LaFleur’s scheme, he consistently finds soft spots in coverage for big gains.
With Jayden Reed on IR and Matthew Golden slow to fire, Kraft’s target volume could explode. In dynasty, he’s a locked-in top-5 TE with a case for TE3 overall at just 24 years old. He just might not help you this week as he got dinged up in Thursday practice.
Stock Down
Omarion Hampton, RB, LA Chargers
Speaking of tilting… Hampton is not going to free-fall in the dynasty rankings. But he needs to drop from being a mid RB1 down to somewhere in the RB10-12 range. His early-season role has been just average, with little to no passing game usage (3 catches in two games). There was never any great expectation of him catching a high number of passes, but there was plenty of it surrounding his production as a runner. 23 carries for 71 yards - a dreadful 3.1 yards per carry — is not exactly what drafters signed up for.
I take plenty of early blame when it comes to Hampton offseason enthusiasm, and I have a considerable amount of exposure to him in redraft and dynasty. There is still a chance that he provides a good deal of RB1 production this year, but the ramp-up could be a slow one.
On a contending roster, I traded Hampton for James Cook, Ray Davis, and a 2026 2nd rounder — a cash out that gives me RB1 production right now with Cook.
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
I will keep this one short and sweet since Burrow managers (me included) are suffering. Burrow has lost dynasty value with this injury. It seems obvious, but it must be stated. Injuries have now derailed two of his last three seasons, with a monster 2024 in between. Availability matters in fantasy football, not just talent and ceiling potential. Could Burrow give us a QB1 overall season in the future? Yes. Does he deserve to drop behind Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, and several others in the rankings? You bet.
If you are rebuilding, Burrow becomes a great trade target. He is a better dynasty asset than any QB in the 2026 class. But if you are a contender? You have the green light to use him in a deal to acquire talent that helps you win right now. Championship windows close - do not let your chance at a title get nuked by a week three injury.
DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
In the NFL, when one door opens, another often closes. Rome Odunze made our Stock Up list, and to keep everything balanced, Moore enters the discussion as one of the most notable stock down players this week. Odunze outscoring him isn’t shocking, but Moore’s lack of production to start the season is alarming. He’s averaging only 9.6 PPG with just 11.9 expected fantasy points (XFP). Right now, Moore is basically unplayable.
Placing him in the stock down category is risky this week, as Chicago faces a very soft Dallas defense, and I expect Moore to post a much better performance than we’ve seen in Weeks 1 or 2. Still, he belongs here. Colston Loveland and Luther Burden — Chicago’s first- and second-round picks this year — have been completely invisible through two weeks, though I’d expect that to change as the season progresses.
What’s even more concerning is that Moore is trailing Olamide Zaccheaus in first-read rate. That signals there may still be more downside to his profile than what we’ve already seen. There is a potential bailout this offseason if Moore changes teams, so don’t sell him for pennies on the dollar. But if you receive an offer that clearly improves your team and involves moving Moore, you have the green light.
Watch List
Blake Corum, RB, LA Rams
Blake Corum is starting to display the sort of running ability that made him one of college football’s biggest stars while at Michigan. He scored a short TD and flashed enough to demand attention. Kyren Williams’ snap share is already dipping from its 2023 and 2024 levels. Sean McVay has talked about using two backs this season, and GM Les Snead echoed it. The Rams even spent a 4th-round pick on Jarquez Hunter, but Corum has made Hunter irrelevant early and is now eating into Williams’ role.
Corum belongs on benches for now, and Williams is not a sell, but this week was noteworthy. Move Corum into the elite handcuff category. This could be a Charbonnet-like ascension in terms of dynasty trade value in the near future.
Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Mason is in prime position to shine. With Aaron Jones headed to IR, Mason suddenly inherits massive opportunity. At 25, he could rise quickly in dynasty rankings.
Minnesota may lean even more run-heavy while J.J. McCarthy mends. Mason already flashed with three RB1 finishes in 2024 filling in for Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco. Don’t underestimate his potential to repeat that success in a bigger role now. Kevin O’Connell even used the phrase "Bell Cow" when describing Mason’s potential Week 3 role.
Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos
Through two games, Troy Franklin has 137 receiving yards compared to Courtland Sutton’s 67. All offseason, we hyped Year 2 breakout WRs but rarely mentioned Franklin. Unlike Odunze, Ricky Pearsall, or Marvin Harrison Jr., Franklin lacked draft capital and was buried in dynasty by names like Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims, Sutton, and even Evan Engram.
But Franklin emerged in the preseason as an electric talent. He scored twice in a game, climbed draft boards, and was going in the 14th round of NFFC Primetime and FFPC Main Event drafts by September. He now holds a 21.4% target share.
The Bo Nix–Franklin connection was special at Oregon, where Franklin led the nation with 14 TD catches in 2023. He fell to the 4th round due to a poor combine — a slower-than-expected 40 and underwhelming drills — but the signal is strong. Expect Franklin to solidify as Denver’s WR2 and possibly surpass Sutton. Don’t underestimate his chemistry with Nix and his ability to turn into a surprise WR1.
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans
Ayomanor scored his first NFL touchdown on Sunday and finished the game with four catches for 56 yards. The fourth-round draft pick fell to day three due to injury concerns, and the Titans may have stolen a very good one. He is quickly establishing himself as a significant part of their weekly game plan.
His usage has been outstanding. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, Ayomanor has a 21.3% target share, a 41% air yards share, and a 26.8% 1st read rate (tying Calvin Ridley). The Cam Ward-Ayomanor connection should grow this season, and could do so rapidly.
