Fantasy Football Week 3: Top 5 sleepers to consider

BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns jogs off the field against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Heading into Week 3 fantasy football, here are the top five sleepers to consider starting.

Week 3 fantasy football is finally upon us and to start things off, did anything really expect to have such a great game played this past Thursday? On Thursday Night Football, the Los Angeles Rams edged out the San Francisco 49ers in a game that everyone thought would be a dud but ended up being one incredible matchup.

The Rams ultimately won 41-39 but the 49ers almost tied it late in the 4th quarter but ultimately failed. Fantasy football owners that owned Todd Gurley undoubtedly woke up happy on Friday but there are still the majority of games to be played this week on Sunday and Monday.

This week, expect to see a few sleeper picks step up and rise to the occasion. It’s hard to find a quality sleeper pick but that’s what the waiver wire is for. Remember, always look at key matchups and see how opposing defenses handle certain positions when considering to acquire a sleeper pick.

Without further ado, here are the top five sleepers to consider starting heading into Week 3 fantasy football action.

Next: 5. Keep an eye on this Raven

BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Javorius Allen #37 of the Baltimore Ravens gets past outside linebacker Jamie Collins #51 of the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

5. Running Back Javorius Allen

The Baltimore Ravens are just one of the many undefeated teams heading into Week 3. They’ve won thanks to their top-notch defense and committing to the run in matchups. Not only does this help their passing game but wins the time of possession battle.

Running back Javorius Allen is a sleeper pick as he hits the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their run defense leaves much to the imagination as opposing running backs have enjoyed strong days doing what they do best.

Considering that Allen continues to get a lot of reps as the Ravens starting running back, bodes well for him to rack up a plethora of fantasy points. Terrance West might be out of this matchup against the Jaguars due to a thigh injury.

Start Allen as a FLEX option this week as he should be able to run up and down against the defense of the Jaguars and might very well score a touchdown or two. Keep an eye on him as he continues to have his fantasy football value rise this season.

Next: 4. A Jet worth starting

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Jermaine Kearse #10 of the New York Jets catches a thirty four yard touchdown pass over David Amerson #29 of the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

4. Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse

I know, I know. It’s hard to imagine anyone starting a player from the New York Jets in their fantasy football lineups but trust me when I say, this one is worth it. Last week, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse enjoyed a great game despite the Jets losing to the Oakland Raiders.

Last week, Kearse totaled 64 receiving yards, four receptions, and two touchdowns. He’s a big playmaker and the only member on the Jets offense that’s worth starting this week.

Kearse’s matchup this week is against the Miami Dolphins. Make no mistake about it, if the Jets plan to win their first game of the season, they’ll need to heavily use Kearse in this game to put him in a position to make big plays like he has been doing so far.

It’s best to put Kearse in as a FLEX option as he’s not there yet to be anything higher. Expect to see Kearse in on a lot of plays and possibly continue his touchdown streak from Week 2.

Next: 3. A Colt that should easily score

3. Running Back Frank Gore

This week, running back Frank Gore and his Indianapolis Colts welcome in the visiting Cleveland Browns. Both teams are 0-2 and the good news is one of them will obviously end their losing streak. But then again, imagine how the football world will react if it ends in a tie?

Don’t think that will happen but expect to see both teams do their best and play to the weaknesses of their opponent to leave this game victorious. For Gore, he should see a plethora of reps coming his way since reality says quarterback Jacoby Brissett is no Andrew Luck and has struggled immensely so far.

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What helps a struggling quarterback? A consistent and successful ground game which should be on the horizon for Gore. The run defense of the Browns has been terrible, to say the least.

Expect to see Gore tear it up and run wild all over the defensive front of the Browns. He’s worth starting as a FLEX option this week as he should easily score several touchdowns, especially in 1st and goal situations.

Next: 2. A Brown that will bounce back

BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns runs against the Baltimore Ravens in the four quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. Quarterback DeShone Kizer

Speaking of playing towards the weakness of an opponent, the Browns will undoubtedly take advantage of the lack of pass defense by the Colts. Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer has struggled but will bounce back in this Week 3 matchup.

1. Tight End Coby Fleener

If it’s one thing to know about tight end Coby Fleener, it’s that he tends to do very well when going up against the Carolina Panthers. His New Orleans Saints hit the road to face the Panthers and they could very well shock the football world as they earn their first win of the season.

Early on this fantasy football season, Fleener has already started a streak as he’s scored at least one touchdown in every game so far. He’s made the most out of his opportunities considering that tight end Willie Snead is serving a three-game suspension due to violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

It remains to be seen if the Saints will continue with Fleener as their premier tight end but for now, he faces a team in which he’s historically done very well against. In both games against the Panthers last season, he also came through in the clutch and again, scored touchdowns.

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Fleener is worth starting this week as a FLEX option or even as a TE1 since he’s riding a hot streak at this point in time. Considering that the Panthers aren’t good at all when it comes to containing tight ends, Fleener is the top sleeper pick to consider starting in Week 3.