Fire & Ice: Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers For Week 3
Fantasy 101

Fire & Ice: Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers For Week 3

By Optimus Staff · September 26, 2026

Two weeks down, and we're finally starting to learn a little more about these teams. We've seen enough football to have some early ideas about which offenses are clicking, which players are earning bigger roles, and, perhaps most importantly, which defenses we want to avoid.

That doesn't mean we have everything figured out, far from it. But Week 3 is where those early trends start to become a little more useful, especially when we start looking at matchups. A defense that looked tough on paper in August might not be quite as intimidating after seeing what it has actually done through two weeks. On the other side, a matchup that looked appealing before the season might deserve a little more caution now that we have some real game data to work with.

There are still plenty of questions to sort through, though, and our rankings have a few notable disagreements with consensus this week. Let's get into the players we're ready to fire up and the ones we're cooling off on for Week 3.

Fire & Ice: Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers For Week 3

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Fire Players:

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots

Consensus Rank: RB27

Kyle's Rank: RB20 (+7)

We got our first 2026 dose of Henderson's explosiveness last week. After backfield mate Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled early in the game, the Pats' second-year back took advantage of a 16-carry workload and finished as the RB9 of the week. 

It appears as though Stevenson has avoided the "doghouse." Coach Vrabel gave his veteran back a vote of confidence after the game, stating, "...we're going to need everybody…" But we know Henderson does not need a full workload to pay off for us in fantasy. 

This week, New England travels to Jacksonville. Henderson could take advantage of Jacksonville's defense the way he does most defenses, with explosive plays. The Jaguars have allowed eight this year already, tied for fourth most. Plug the former Buckeye in your flex this week. 

Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Consensus Rank: RB30

Lou's Rank: RB22 (+8)

Yes, I want to see Davante Adams go bonkers again this week. That was fun. And what's the best way to beat Denver's defense? To lean on their smallish front 7 and mash them in the running game. Well, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are enough to do exactly that. Especially if the Rams get out to a lead again. Just look at what the hard-running Kenneth Walker did to Denver in Week 1.

With the two RBs alternating series, it's difficult to say either will be a high-end option this week. But this is a good week for Corum to get his first TD of the year. Combine that with the rather uninspiring crop of RBs ahead of him like Quinshon Judkins, Tony Pollard, and Jaylen Warren, and give me the Rams' "backup" RB as a good start as a low-end RB2 for Week 3.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Washington Commanders

Consensus Rank: WR35

Nate's Rank: WR22 (+13)

I know Jayden Daniels (dislocated left elbow) is out, and the Washington Commanders will be strapped with Marcus Mariota behind center for the next few weeks. Even so, I might be too low on Stefon Diggs this week. 

Let's not forget, once upon a time, Mariota was a Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft. 

While his work as a full-time starter wasn't stellar, he can still deal. In a little less than half a game last week, Mariota completed 11 of 16 passing attempts for 111 yards and a TD (to Diggs, one of his two on the day).

As for Diggs, his merits stand on their own. He currently ranks WR11 in half-PPR despite Daniels struggling through the first one-and-a-half games of the season. Mariota has a tough task ahead, captaining a seemingly sinking ship, and the 11-year veteran knows enough to hyper-target his best and most productive WR.  

Week 3 brings the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks to town, making it likely that the Commanders will be playing from behind all day. I like Diggs to easily beat his WR35 consensus ranking, and seriously, WR22 might be his floor on Sunday.

Ice Players:

Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Consensus Rank: WR9 

Kyle's Rank: WR15 (-6)

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Parker Washington has delivered thus far in 2026 for fantasy gamers who took him at his 6.04 ADP. He seems to have established himself as the clear WR1 on his team. And on a Liam Coen offense, that's certainly cause for excitement. 

This week, however, Washington draws a tough matchup with the New England Patriots, and likely a heavy dose of Christian Gonzalez. At WR15, I'm suggesting we lower expectations this week, rather than benching Washington.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Consensus Rank: WR23

Lou's Rank: WR38 (-15)

Brian Flores is an evil genius, man, I don't know what to tell you. He's able to take a 15-year safety and combine him with a 5'10" linebacker, among others, to create the most chaotic defense in the NFL. It doesn't tell us anything about this year, but in 2025 Minnesota was #1 in limiting fantasy points of opposing QBs and WRs. They're sure off to a good start this year, too.

Enter Baker Mayfield, Emeka Egbuka, and the suddenly foundering Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Right now, Egbuka is tied for 34th in targets with notable stud WRs Kendrick Bourne and Keenan Allen. Meanwhile, Mayfield is tied for 3rd most sacks taken and is 24th in passing yards through two games. 

Don't get me wrong; Egbuka is good enough that he shouldn't be benched outright. But we're looking at a flex option this week, among the likes of Denzel Boston and Jordan Addison at WR. So you might, and hopefully do, have better options this week.

Malik Willis, QB, Miami Dolphins

Consensus Rank: QB21

Nate's Rank: QB28 (-7)

I know this seems like a fringe player, but given injuries and the scarcity of waiver-wire options this early in the season, some will be tempted to roster Willis. I get it. 

Against a less-than-top-tier Las Vegas defense in Week 1, he was serviceable, but even against a banged-up San Francisco defense, the fifth-year QB struggled to get anything going, completing 14 of 23 pass attempts for 197 yards and a TD, and adding two carries for six yards on the ground.

We can bake in a million conspiracy theories, and, given the Dolphins' ownership's history of controversy, any theory would be valid. However, the fact is, this team is bad. 

And no matter how ridiculously athletic he is, or how much potential Willis has, he will be stifled by even mediocre defenses. Week 3 brings the resurgent (I cringe, but it's appropriate) Kansas City Chiefs to town, and barring a miracle in Miami, Willis is in for a long day. 

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