The Week 3 matchup between the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings is surrounded by some extremely intriguing questions for fantasy football managers. One of those questions is at the RB position, where a former Viking in Cam Akers will go up against his former team with the Texans, while Aaron Jones will be hoping to build on a promising start with his new team.
With injury having ruled Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce out for the Texans, Akers has the chance to be the lead back, but with Dare Ogunbowale also in the mix, his exact usage is tough to judge. Is Akers a better bet for fantasy managers than Jones, who is dealing with competition from Ty Chandler, in Week 3?
Projecting Cam Akers’ and Aaron Jones’ Fantasy Output in Week 3
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that Jones is the player to start. His projected 10.8 points include 55.6 rushing yards, 1.7 receptions, and 12.5 receiving yards. That stat line outperforms the consensus for Jones (5.9 points, 22.7 rushing yards, 1.6 receptions, and eight receiving yards).
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My ranking of these two wide receivers aligns with the consensus. With Jones, fantasy managers can expect at least 10 fantasy points, but with Akers, it’s anyone’s guess what his production will be. We do not have a true indication of what his role will be versus that of Dare Ogunbowale.
Jones’ Week 3 Fantasy Outlook
A fumble at the goal line and an in-game injury aren’t exactly what Jones’ managers were looking for after his impressive team debut against the Giants in Week 1 (109 yards and a touchdown). To make matters worse, Ty Chandler proved himself more than capable in the extended work, leading me to believe that this backfield is trending close to a timeshare.
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I still prefer Jones given the investment they made this offseason and the strong returns in the pass game up to this point (seven catches on eight targets for 51 yards), but he’s fallen out of my RB2 tier. For this week specifically, I’d rather take my chances on David Montgomery finding the end zone against the Cardinals or Tony Pollard ripping off chunk plays against the Packers.
Akers’ Week 3 Fantasy Outlook
The Texans ranked 19th in pass rate over expectation last season as Stroud broke out and are up to 11th through two weeks this season.
It’s difficult to see that changing if Mixon sits, thus leaving Akers as a low-end flex play at best, even if he assumes the lead role.
Cam Akers getting more carries for the Texans isn’t a bad thing IMO
Akers was the best RB against Chicago and is a great scheme fit which he showed in preseason & week 2
Hopefully Mixon gets ready to go soon but Akers will be fine holding it down. pic.twitter.com/cQcNqMDrhJ
— Jacob (@Stroud4MVP)
He looked healthy this preseason and that is enough to put him in the conversation, but with a few of the running backs that I’m usually lower than the industry on having plus matchups (Jerome Ford takes on the Giants and Zamir White the Panthers), Akers isn’t a top-30 play for me.
Stats in this article are from TruMedia unless otherwise stated
