Are you in need of a fill-in and fantasy football RB pickup for Week 3? No worries! Here are three options for you, including Arizona Cardinals’ RB Trey Benson.
The urgency caused by injuries at the quarterback position and the wealth of wide receivers available led to running backs taking a back seat on the fantasy football waiver wire this week. To put it simply, there just aren’t a ton of great options who aren’t already rostered in the majority of leagues. In fact, the RB position feels incredibly shallow in the early stages of this season. Although the options may not be great, those in need of low-owned fantasy football RB pickups for Week 3 might be able to strike gold with one of the players highlighted below!
Looking at the positive side of things, each week of football provides us with an additional data point when it comes to snap counts and usage rates for running backs. There were also a few injuries this past week that could lead to opportunity for some of the low-owned running backs.
Let’s dive into our top fantasy football RB streamers for Week 3. Also, make sure to check out our Week 3 fantasy football rankings!
Fantasy Football RB Pickups for Week 3
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (55.1%)
Now in his second NFL season, Trey Benson appears to finally be carving out a steady role within the Cardinals’ offense. It’s clear that James Conner will continue to dominate the carries for the Arizona backfield so long as he is healthy. However, Benson saw a half-dozen targets in the passing game last week and caught four of them for 30 yards. This followed up a very efficient game on the ground in Week 1, and Benson has now surpassed eight PPR fantasy points in each of the first two games without finding the end zone.
Managers in need of fantasy football RB pickups should check whether Benson is available in their league before exploring any other options. Not only is his role defined in the short-term, but he would be in line for a much greater opportunity long-term should Conner be forced to miss time. As for Week 3 specifically, Benson and the Cardinals will clash with a San Francisco 49ers defense that is hardly the same menacing unit that it once was when it comes to stopping the run. Look for Arizona’s backfield to remain the focal point of the offense with Benson set to remain a primary target for Kyler Murray in the passing game as well.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (49.0%)
Despite having seven fewer carries than backfield cohort Bucky Irving, Rachaad White was the more efficient back for the Buccaneers in Week 2. His headline play was reaching pay dirt for the game-winning touchdown, but White had several tough, powerful runs throughout the game. He played 31% of the offensive snaps compared to just 24% in Week 1, while his 10 carries on Monday far surpassed the two he received in the season-opener. Perhaps White was held back a bit in Week 1 after sustaining an injury in the preseason.
At any rate, Week 2 would seem to suggest that White is going to be involved with regularity for the Bucs out of the backfield. It’s a possible blow to Irving truthers who believed they had a bell cow coming into the season, but I don’t see why both backs can’t provide steady production on a weekly basis. Best of all, from a fantasy football RB streamers standpoint, the narrative coming into the season has resulted in White being available in over half of ESPN leagues ahead of Week 3. He has a great opportunity on deck against a criminally overrated New York Jets defense that has allowed 4.4 yards per rush attempt thus far.
More Fantasy Football Streamers Week 3
Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers (38.3%)
As expected, Najee Harris saw more playing time and touches in Week 2 after being eased into the season due to his Fourth of July fireworks mishap. After playing only 18% of the Chargers’ offensive snaps in Week 1, Harris saw that figure jump to 34% this past Monday night. He had eight carries and a pair of receptions to show for the rise in playing time. While Harris isn’t exactly an inspiring fantasy football asset, it seems likely that he could see even more snaps and touches in the near future as rookie Omarion Hampton has been quite underwhelming thus far. A late-game fumble could also land Hampton in the dog house heading into Week 3.
Speaking of Week 3, the Chargers will be up against the AFC West rival Denver Broncos. This is hardly an appealing defensive matchup for the Los Angeles backfield, but if there’s anyone who could scheme quality running plays, it’s Greg Roman. For what it’s worth, Denver has allowed 4.5 yards per carry through two games, suggesting that run defense might not necessarily be its main strength. This, coupled with Hampton’s fumble last week, leads me to believe Harris will see enough work to put forth a competent fantasy football RB streamers performance.
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