Week 3 fantasy preview centers on elite ceilings and cleanly favorable matchups. Josh Allen faces a Dolphins defense that has shown vulnerabilities, making Allen a top QB staple this week. Drake Maye keeps pushing in a favorable Pitt matchup, while Bijan Robinson awaits a run-friendly date with Carolina. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery carry Week 3 upside against Baltimore, with Jefferson and Boutte delivering high-target potential against weaker pass defenses. Sam LaPorta and Jake Ferguson offer solid streaming TE options, and Nabers remains a flexible play against Kansas City. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp provide strong stacks in the right games. Derrick Henry’s spot versus Detroit remains nuanced, but upside exists in short-yardage and goal-line packages.

Two-paragraph summary: Allen’s Week 3 ceiling centers on a shootout pace in Miami, backed by Bills’ balanced attack. Maye’s growth continues as New England leans into his dual-threat ability against Pittsburgh, while Robinson’s Carolina matchup anchors a safe volume floor for Week 3. Jefferson’s move to feast against Cincinnati hinges on evolving chemistry with Wentz, and LaPorta’s mid-range TE appeal grows as Detroit leans into the air game to counter Baltimore. The slate rewards lineups that combine high-volume RBs, clearWR targets, and efficient streaming TEs in favorable matchups.

Aaron Jones is placed on injured reserve with a hamstring, joining J.J. McCarthy on the Vikings’ sidelined list. Jordan Mason steps into the lead-back role, and early Week 2 touches hint at a clearer, steadier workload as Minnesota waits on quarterback clarity. Jones is out a minimum of four weeks, reshaping the backfield for fantasy expectations.

With Mason handling more carries and Minnesota likely leaning toward a patient, run‑first script, the offense may ride the ground game while the QB situation behind center remains unsettled. Mason could be the steady source of fantasy points for the near term even as the Vikings figure out their passer situation behind center.

Aaron Jones is out four weeks after going on IR with a hamstring injury, shifting major early-season workload to Jordan Mason in a new every-down role. Austin Ekeler is done for the year with an Achilles tear, leaving Washington Commanders’ backfield trio of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Jeremy McNichols to absorb volume. Tyjae Spears could return in Week 5, giving Tennessee a much-needed boost behind Tony Pollard’s workload. Jaylen Wright is a strong bet to debut for Miami against Buffalo if cleared, while Rasheen Ali is sidelined by a concussion and Keaton Mitchell looms as the Ravens’ next specialist option. Kyle Juszczyk’s concussion further thins San Francisco’s blocking defense, joining George Kittle and Brock Purdy on the injury report. In short, backfields across the league are in flux heading into Week 3.

Specify your lineups with an eye on pass-catching upside and changing handcuff dynamics: Mason for immediate RB2–flex value, Croskey-Merritt and Rodriguez Jr. sharing volume in Ekeler’s absence, and Mitchell nudging into meaningful snaps if Ali remains out. Spear’s return would immediately restore Titans’ backfield depth, while Wright’s status could unlock Dolphins’ late-week upside against Buffalo for fantasy rosters in need of a boost.