Rankings are great; they give us a great starting point for making lineup decisions. But they’re also just one data point. Experts also have substantial differences in how they view player values compared to the consensus ranks. It’s all a gamble in the end.

Here at Optimus Fantasy, we want you to feel confident about your lineup decisions. So every week, we’re going to bring you a roundtable from our experts highlighting players they’re significantly higher or lower on than consensus ranks, and why. You know, just like the card game. Simple enough, right? Come on down and play Higher/Lower with us!

Higher or Lower? Fantasy Football Players We’re Backing or Fading in Week 3

Players We Are Higher On:

Nick Chubb, RB, Houston Texans

Consensus RB31

Evan’s Rank RB12

No Joe Mixon, no problem! Nick Chubb may not be the same running back he was during his Browns days, but he did well against a tough Tampa Bay Buccaneers rush defense. He even caught two passes for 29 yards, which is a rare occurrence for him. The Texans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, who haven’t faced much tough competition so far.

Currently sitting at RB26 in point per reception (PPR) formats, not many people are looking at Chubb as a startable running back. If you need a safe Flex option and you’re not confident in your bench, then Chubb is definitely worth starting on Sunday.

Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears

Consensus: WR16

Lou’s Rank: WR5

And here I was, thinking I might still be too low on Odunze! The breakout is real, folks; it’s OK to lean in.

Let’s have some fun with numbers. Through two games, Odunze ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in targets, receiving yards, snap share, and receiving TDs, as well as in the top 15 in receptions. There’s no question who the WR1 in Chicago is; it’s Rome Odunze.

Conversely, the Dallas Cowboys have allowed the second-most fantasy points to WRs through two weeks. They’ve allowed the most yards to WRs in the NFL despite tying for 15th in receptions allowed to WRs. The Dallas defense has allowed big play after big play so far, and that’s precisely the area Odunze excels.

What’s more, the Cowboys and Bears both have yet to score fewer than 20 points so far this year. The fireworks promise to happen early and often for both teams as they struggle to stop the other team’s offense. Take advantage, and put Odunze in wherever you can.

Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Consensus: WR28

Nate’s Rank: WR16

Panic is setting in for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins fantasy managers as we approach the beginning of the Jake Browning Era (at least until December) in Cincinnati. However, I’m here to tell you not to fret.

Browning has been here before. In 2023, the veteran backup signal caller started seven games in relief of an injured Joe Burrow, and Higgins had his two best performances of the season, logging two top-10 WR finishes. 

This matchup doesn’t look superb on paper, with Minnesota’s defense giving up a paltry 16.8 half-PPR fantasy points per game to WRs. However, their two games have been against Atlanta and Chicago, whose WR rooms aren’t exactly deep. With the inefficiency of Bengals RB Chase Brown, this should remain a pass-heavy script for the Bengals despite being without Burrow, and Higgins should be a solid WR2 or Flex play for your Week 3 fantasy lineups. 

Players We Are Lower On:

QB Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Consensus QB4

Evan’s Rank QB10

The Chicago Bears are without Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, T.J. Edwards and Jaylon Jones. Coming off a blowout loss to the Lions in Week 2, the Bears’ defense will be looking to make a statement against a Cowboys offense that needed overtime to beat the lowly Giants. Dak will have little trouble finding CeeDee Lamb and, occasionally, George Pickens. 

Otherwise, the Cowboys will try to run the ball down the Bears’ throats with Javonte Williams. Dak will still be a top 10 quarterback by passing yards, but don’t expect a top 5 performance from him in an offense that’s unlikely to generate many passing touchdowns.

A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Consensus Rank: WR17

Lou’s Rank: WR30

It’s really tough to look at the WR91 on the season and think, “Am I too low on him, having him at WR30?” You read that correctly, WR91. He’s tied for 58th in targets with nine, tied for 52nd in receptions with six, is 87th in receiving yards with 35, and, of course, has no receiving TDs on the year. And on top of all of this, the Eagles are playing the Rams this week, who are top 10 in limiting opposing WRs’ fantasy points.

That’s really as simple as my ranking is. Until we see the Philadelphia passing offense find an easy button, it’s time to treat Brown as a boom-bust WR3.

Brian Thomas, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Consensus: WR11

Nate’s Rank: WR22

Before you start yelling, please understand this has less to do with the talent of Brian Thomas – a prospect I had, and still have, more faith in than Marvin Harrison Jr. – and more to do with the talented LSU alum’s situation.

To be clear, the situation I speak of is QB Trevor Lawrence. 

The former overall No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence has been, at best, disappointing. Thomas, the 24th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is suffering because of it. Despite seeing 19 targets from Lawrence through 2 games, the talented wideout has managed only five catches for 60 yards and has yet to cross the goalline.

To be even clearer, I’m not suggesting sitting Thomas this week for a lesser asset. You should still be starting him ahead of WRs such as Wan’Dale Robinson, Terry McLaurin and Chris Olave. However, tempered expectations are warranted this week.

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