Ashton Jeanty is currently experiencing a significant amount of volume in the Las Vegas Raiders' offense. Despite some inefficiencies, Jeanty is effectively running the ball and receiving early-down snaps at a much higher rate than many of his peers. This substantial volume is crucial and outweighs any concerns regarding his matchup this week.
In addition to Jeanty's performance, Kyle Pitts Sr. is stepping into a larger role within the Atlanta Falcons' offense. With a recent shift in how the Falcons utilize their tight ends, Pitts is back in contention as a reliable fantasy starter, making him a player to keep an eye on in your fantasy leagues.
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As part of my ongoing research, I reached out to fantasy managers on the PFF Discord and Bluesky platforms to gather insights on which players they feel least certain about this week. Based on their feedback, I compiled a ranked list to help you make informed decisions. When considering multiple players, prioritize starting with the highest-ranked individual.
At the end of each position section, I will highlight players you should consider starting instead of the featured players, as well as those you might want to bench. If a player is not mentioned, it indicates they are closely ranked with those who have blurbs, and factors such as injuries on opposing defenses or weather conditions could impact their rankings.
Injuries are generally avoided in these rankings, as clarity often only emerges closer to kickoff. To ensure you have the most up-to-date information, always refer to the weekly PFF fantasy rankings for assistance with your start-sit decisions.
1. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Despite disappointing fantasy managers in the first two weeks of the season, averaging just 9.7 PPR points per game (ranking 28th among running backs), Jeanty has still managed to maintain a significant role in the Raiders' offense. His playing time was notably reduced in Week 2, losing snaps during critical situations like third downs, two-minute drills, and short-yardage plays. Nevertheless, he has participated in 84% of normal early-down snaps, the most critical scenario for running backs in fantasy football, which ranks as the fourth highest in the league this season.
Jeanty has garnered 30 rushing attempts, placing him 13th among all running backs. Impressively, he has accounted for 74.4% of the Raiders' rushing attempts thus far, ranking fourth in the league. This week, he faces off against the Washington Commanders, who present a challenging matchup due to their strong run defense, which currently holds the second-highest team PFF run-defense grade. While the game script might lean negative, especially with Jayden Daniels dealing with a knee sprain, this could result in a closer contest than expected.
In summary, while Jeanty may not be performing at his peak yet, his volume and opportunities make him a running back to monitor closely, especially in your fantasy lineups.
