Fantasy RB Rankings: Week 3 Start-Sit Advice for Jordan Mason, Tony Pollard, Bucky Irving, and Others

Take a look at our Week 3 consensus RB fantasy rankings to help with your lineup choices, including start-sit recommendations, waiver wire targets, and trade opportunities.

Week 3 of the fantasy football season has arrived, and it’s more important than ever to know which players deserve a place in your starting lineup. Considering player talent, recent form, and matchups, we’ve put together our PFSN consensus Week 3 RB rankings.

These rankings were last updated at 7:00 AM ET on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

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Week 3 RB Fantasy Rankings

1) Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons (at CAR)
2) Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
3) Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles (vs. LAR)
4) Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens (vs. DET)
5) Jahmyr Gibbs | Detroit Lions (at BAL)
6) James Cook | Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA)
7) Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts (at TEN)
8) De’Von Achane | Miami Dolphins (at BUF)
9) Bucky Irving | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NYJ)
10) Chase Brown | Cincinnati Bengals (at MIN)
11) Ashton Jeanty | Las Vegas Raiders (at WAS)
12) Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers (at CLE)
13) Travis Etienne Jr. | Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU)
14) Kenneth Walker III | Seattle Seahawks (vs. NO)
15) Breece Hall | New York Jets (at TB)
16) Chuba Hubbard | Carolina Panthers (vs. ATL)
17) Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints (at SEA)
18) James Conner | Arizona Cardinals (at SF)
19) Jordan Mason | Minnesota Vikings (vs. CIN)
20) Javonte Williams | Dallas Cowboys (at CHI)
21) Kyren Williams | Los Angeles Rams (at PHI)
22) Jaylen Warren | Pittsburgh Steelers (at NE)
23) D’Andre Swift | Chicago Bears (vs. DAL)
24) Omarion Hampton | Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN)
25) Tony Pollard | Tennessee Titans (vs. IND)
26) David Montgomery | Detroit Lions (at BAL)
27) Rhamondre Stevenson | New England Patriots (vs. PIT)
28) J.K. Dobbins | Denver Broncos (at LAC)
29) Quinshon Judkins | Cleveland Browns (vs. GB)
30) Jacory Croskey-Merritt | Washington Commanders (vs. LV)
31) Nick Chubb | Houston Texans (at JAX)
32) TreVeyon Henderson | New England Patriots (vs. PIT)
33) Bhayshul Tuten | Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU)
34) Isiah Pacheco | Kansas City Chiefs (at NYG)
35) Tyrone Tracy Jr. | New York Giants (vs. KC)
36) Cam Skattebo | New York Giants (vs. KC)
37) Trey Benson | Arizona Cardinals (at SF)
38) Tyler Allgeier | Atlanta Falcons (at CAR)
39) RJ Harvey | Denver Broncos (at LAC)
40) Kareem Hunt | Kansas City Chiefs (at NYG)
41) Braelon Allen | New York Jets (at TB)
42) Dylan Sampson | Cleveland Browns (vs. GB)
43) Rachaad White | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NYJ)
44) Brian Robinson Jr. | San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
45) Najee Harris | Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN)
46) Jerome Ford | Cleveland Browns (vs. GB)
47) Jeremy McNichols | Washington Commanders (vs. LV)
48) Kenneth Gainwell | Pittsburgh Steelers (at NE)
49) Woody Marks | Houston Texans (at JAX)
50) Miles Sanders | Dallas Cowboys (at CHI)

Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CIN)

The stage is set for Jordan Mason to absolutely smash in Week 3. It’s certainly not ideal that the Minnesota Vikings are forced to start Carson Wentz, but it’s not as if JJ McCarthy was lighting up anyway. Plus, it’s even on both sides, as the Cincinnati Bengals are also starting their backup quarterback.

Through two weeks, Mason has looked like the better running back between him and Aaron Jones Sr. The former San Francisco 49ers back is averaging more yards per carry (4.1-3.5) and has been nearly as effective in the passing game (three receptions each). If not for Jones’ 27-yard touchdown reception in Week 1, this wouldn’t look close.

MORE: Free Fantasy Start/Sit Optimizer

Mason appeared to be on his way to taking over the Vikings’ backfield. For at least one week, Jones is guaranteeing it, as the 30-year-old back is likely to miss the game against the Bengals due to a hamstring strain.

With Ty Chandler on IR, the only other healthy back on the Vikings’ roster is 2023 UDFA Zavier Scott, who has exactly zero career regular season touches. Playing with a backup quarterback, we could see heavy volume for Mason against a defense that has allowed the third most fantasy points to running backs through two weeks.

Ashton Jeanty | LV (at WAS)

Ashton Jeanty has either run into the MonStars from Space Jam or his teammates are letting him down.

The data says the ladder, but if you have proof of the former and some skill extraction tool, I’m all ears.

We saw Jeanty truck a safety on Monday night, but everything has been so difficult for the rookie to open his career and this bottom-10 offensive line doesn’t offer much in the way of hope moving forward.

Highest percentage of rush yards coming after contact, Weeks 1-2

  • Rhamondre Stevenson: 104.3%
  • Jeanty: 103.7%
  • Dylan Sampson: 97.4%
  • Tyrone Tracy Jr.: 97.3%
  • Zach Charbonnet: 96.6%

He was only on the field for one-third of Vegas’ third-down snaps against the Chargers, and that shows a lack of understanding of the prospect in my eyes.

Jeanty was used as an elite player in the pass game in 2023. That wasn’t the case in 2024 because handing him the ball was simply easier to do. But we need role expansion before we get anything close to a meaningful return on this investment.

I’m still playing Jeanty this week, in part because I think there’s a decent chance this game stays close, but I can’t deny that I’m nervous, mainly for everything surrounding Jeanty.

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