Fantasy football running back rankings: Top 60 RBs in standard leagues for Week 3, plus four viable flex plays

09/18/2024 08:16 AM

Kate Magdziuk shares her Week 3 running back rankings for standard scoring leagues and highlights several streaming options.

As if the injury to Christian McCaffrey wasn't enough to break the hearts of fantasy football managers, the injury bug just couldn't quit here in Week 2. It dealt another blow to close out Week 2, as Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula that will sideline him for a significant period of time.

Whether you're looking for an injury replacement for McCaffrey or Pacheco (or Kenneth Walker, or any of the other group of already-injured running backs), we've got you covered. Here, I'll highlight my top-60 running back rankings for standard-scoring leagues in Week 3, as well as discuss several viable flex plays to consider if you're in need.

Week 3 RB flex plays

Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Falcons)

How the Chiefs' backfield shakes out longterm is just about anybody's guess. The team brought in Samaje Perine just ahead of the season, though his role has been quite limited to this point, and they also signed former Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt back to their own practice squad. Despite the other names in the mix, this week it seems likely that it will be Carson Steele asked to step up in the greatest role in terms of total touches while Perine mostly dominates receiving-down work.

Steele, an UDFA of the 2024 NFL Draft class, runs a 4.50 40-yard dash while listed at 6-foot tall and 228 pounds but still runs like a bruiser back, and it became apparent how much the team liked him early on. He earned plenty of hype through training camp and the preseason to eventually earn a spot on the final 53-man roster.

Among running backs with 10+ carries in the preseason, Steele ranked fourth with a 86.1 PFF rushing grade, totaling 76 rushing yards and two scores on 11 attempts. His 82% missed forced tackle rate and 7.4 yards after contact per attempt led that cohort. Steele makes a fine volume-based flex play this week as a likely-starter on a Patrick Mahomes-led offense.

Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Dolphins)

Seattle Seahawks starting running back Kenneth Walker suffered an oblique injury that sidelined him in Week 2, and if the recent reports are any indication, the team could hold him out for the weeks to come as he recovers. That means another week of second-year man Zach Charbonnet as the starter. Charbonnet wasn't exactly a powerhouse in Week 2's start, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry on 14 total attempts. However, he was the only running back to notch a carry in Walker's absence, and those touches are invaluable... particularly when they come inside the five to be converted as a touchdown (just as one did last week).

This week, they should have more opportunities to run the ball than they usually would going up against the Miami Dolphins, who could see their pace slow a bit to limit the overall scoring in this matchup without QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) under center.

Other more-obvious-but-still-noteworthy starter/flex plays for Week 3: Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Rams); Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (vs. Packers)

RB deep sleeper of the Week:

Rostership percentage in Yahoo! Fantasy leagues are indicated in parentheses.

Cam Akers, Houston Texans (vs. Vikings, 2%)

Akers may technically be third on the Houston Texans' depth chart right now, but make no mistake, he could have a key role heading into Week 3 after a promising preseason. Joe Mixon is dealing with an ankle injury suffered on Monday night's outing against the Chicago Bears which could limit him in this contest against the Minnesota Vikings, while second-stringer Dameon Pierce manages a minor hamstring injury.

If neither of these assets make progress in their return from injury, Akers could get a shot to start in intriguing revenge game against the Vikings having played there last season before suffering a torn Achilles in Week 9. The Vikings have looked much stronger on defense tha was anticipated in most circles around the league this year, but they weren't unbeatable on the ground last week, giving up 100 yards and a score to Jordan Mason.

Fantasy football: Week 3 standard RB rankings

Kate Magdziuk is an editor and contributor for Yahoo Fantasy and co-host of the Locked On Dynasty Football podcast. She is also the managing editor for Behind The Steel Curtain, SB Nation's exclusive Pittsburgh Steelers blog. Her previous bylines include Pro Football Focus, NBC Sports Rotoworld and 4for4 Football, among others.