Finding the right fantasy football RB sleepers can make a huge impact in Week 3, especially for managers dealing with injuries, difficult matchups or tough start-sit decisions. Aside from the obvious weekly starters, several running back sleepers could be positioned for increased opportunities this week.
Each week, we highlight five running backs who have a path to outperform expectations because of their role, matchup, recent usage or opportunities in their offense. These picks can help season-long fantasy football managers looking for a sleeper or FLEX option, while DraftKings salaries are included for players who are also in good spots to provide DFS value.
Best Fantasy Football RB Sleepers for Week 3
Here are five fantasy football RB sleepers to consider for Week 3. Quick analysis for each running back is below.
- Kaelon Black, San Francisco 49ers ($4,800)
- Raheim Sanders, Cleveland Browns ($4,500)
- Emmett Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs ($4,400)
- Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens ($4,200)
- Travis Homer, Pittsburgh Steelers ($4,000)
Kaelon Black, San Francisco 49ers ($4,800)
Why he’s a Week 3 fantasy football sleeper: The 49ers are heavily favored at home against the Cardinals, which could lead to garbage-time work for Black as Christian McCaffrey’s primary backup. Black had 16 carries for 45 yards in Week 1 and seven carries for 25 yards in Week 2. He played 43% of snaps in Week 1 and 33% of snaps in week 2, making him one of the top backups to consider each week.
Raheim Sanders, Cleveland Browns ($4,500)
Why he’s a Week 3 fantasy football sleeper: Sanders only played 11 snaps in Week 2, but he contributed a seven-yard catch, two rushes for four yards, and returned two kickoffs for 50 yards. While his return abilities don’t result in FPTS, they do speak to his big-play ability and his upside as a receiving back as he serves as the primary backup behind Quinshon Judkins.
Emmett Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs ($4,400)
Why he’s a Week 3 fantasy football sleeper: Johnson and the Chiefs face the Dolphins, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to RBs this season. The rookie had 8.8 FPTS and 5.5 FPTS in his first two games of the season. He has two catches in each game and has played 26% of snaps, but coach Andy Reid said he could earn more playing time going forward, and this favorable matchup could be just the spot.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens ($4,200)
Why he’s a Week 3 fantasy football sleeper: Hill continues to split time with Derrick Henry. He played 46% of snaps in Week 1 and 47% of snaps in Week 2. In a potentially high-scoring matchup in Rio, Hill could get more touches after posting exactly 3.8 FPTS in each of the first two weeks of the season.
Travis Homer, Pittsburgh Steelers ($4,000)
Why he’s a Week 3 fantasy football sleeper: Jaylen Warren (shoulder) is questionable, and Rico Dowdle (toe) has already been ruled out, which could leave more work for Homer against the Bengals. Homer and rookie Eli Heidenreich ($4,000) would likely share work if Warren is out as well, but Homer has more experience, especially in passing downs. He had two carries for 16 yards along with 10 special-teams snaps in Week 2, and he seems to be next up for work ahead of Heidenreich, who doesn’t have a carry yet this season.
Last Week’s Fantasy Football RB Sleeper Results
Here’s how our five fantasy football RB sleeper picks performed last week:
- Woody Marks, Houston Texans: 8.5 FPTS
- Braelon Allen, New York Jets: 8.5 FPTS
- Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens: 3.8 FPTS
- Raheim Sanders, Cleveland Browns: 2.1 FPTS
- Deejay Dallas, Minnesota Vikings: 3.0 FPTS
Fantasy Football RB Sleepers FAQ
Who are the best fantasy football RB sleepers for Week 3?
Kaleon Black, Emmett Johnson, Justice Hill, Raheim Sanders and Travis Homer are five running backs to consider as fantasy football sleepers for Week 3.
What is a fantasy football RB sleeper?
A fantasy football RB sleeper is a running back outside the most obvious weekly starters who has an opportunity to outperform expectations because of factors such as an expanded role, increased targets, injuries, recent usage or a favorable matchup.
Can these RB sleepers also be used in DraftKings DFS lineups?
Some fantasy football RB sleepers can also provide DFS value when their DraftKings salary does not fully reflect their projected role or upside. DraftKings salaries are included above to help identify players who may be useful in both season-long fantasy football and DFS contests.
