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Fantasy Football: Week 3 wide receiver rankings

By Alex Butler
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch during the second half of an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 6 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch during the second half of an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 6 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- All-Pro pass catcher Julio Jones is my No. 1 wide receiver for Week 3 of the 2018 fantasy football season.

New Orleans Saints star Michael Thomas, Houston Texans target DeAndre Hopkins, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and New York Giants star Odell Beckham Jr. round out my top five at the position for the week.

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If you don't have the most elite players at the position, there are still plenty of wide receivers with great matchups in Week 3. There are also some young talents working their way up the list after big performances to kickoff their 2018 campaigns.

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You can also check out my top add/drops from the waiver wire for Week 3 if you are needy at the position.

Here are my Top 50 options at the position this week.

TOP 50 WEEK 3 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

Jones is an obvious must-start every week, but I forecast a ton of work for the Falcons star in Week 3 against the Saints. The Falcons' top target has the third-most targets in the league, trailing only Brown and Thomas. Jones had 10 catches for 169 yards in Week 1 and had five grabs for 64 yards in Week 2. The Saints have allowed the most fantasy points and yards to opposing wide receivers this season. All signs point to a huge day from Julio.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the second half of the NFC Divisional round playoff game on January 14 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs is my No. 6 option at the position for Week 3. Diggs went off in Week 2 for 128 yards and two scores on nine catches. He also scored in Week 1. I love him in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills, who have already allowed a league-high six touchdowns to opposing wide receivers. Diggs is a WR1 until further notice.

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SNEAKY PLAYS

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Keelan Cole is my No. 30 wide receiver for Week 3. Cole had the catch of the year -- so far -- in Week 2. But that shouldn't blind you from seeing how good of a season he is having. Cole turned three catches in 54 yards in Week 1, but had his coming out party in Week 2 with seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. He is a low-end WR2 in deeper leagues for me against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have allowed the second-most fantasy points and yards to opposing wide receivers this season and allowed the fourth-most touchdowns to the position in 2017. Cole should stay in your lineup while hot, especially when he has a matchup like this one.

RANKNAMETEAMOPPONENT
1Julio JonesAtlanta Falconsvs. NO
2Michael ThomasNew Orleans Saintsat ATL
3DeAndre HopkinsHouston Texansvs. NYG
4Antonio BrownPittsburgh Steelersat TB
5Odell Beckham Jr.New York Giantsat HOU
6Stefon DiggsMinnesota Vikingsvs. BUF
7A.J. GreenCincinnati Bengalsat CAR
8Tyreek HillKansas City Chiefsvs. SF
9Davante AdamsGreen Bay Packersat WAS
10Mike EvansTampa Bay Buccaneersvs. PIT
11T.Y HiltonIndianapolis Coltsat PHI
12Nelson AgholorPhiladelphia Eaglesvs. IND
13Amari CooperOakland Raidersat MIA
14Kenny GolladayDetroit Lionsvs. NE
15Emmanuel SandersDenver Broncosat BAL
16JuJu Smith-SchusterPittsburgh Steelersat TB
17Adam ThielenMinnesota Vikingsvs. BUF
18Keenan AllenLos Angeles Chargersat LAR
19Kenny StillsMiami Dolphinsvs. OAK
20Brandin CooksLos Angeles Ramsvs. LAC
21Jarvis LandryCleveland Brownsvs. NYJ
22Allen RobinsonChicago Bearsat ARI
23Larry FitzgeraldArizona Cardinalsvs. CHI
24Will FullerHouston Texansvs. NYG
25Marvin JonesDetroit Lionsvs. NE
26Cooper KuppLos Angeles Ramsvs. LAC
27Demaryius ThomasDenver Broncosat BAL
28Quincy EnunwaNew York Jetsat CLE
29Golden TateDetroit Lionsvs. NE
30Keelan ColeJacksonville Jaguarsvs. TEN
31DeSean JacksonTampa Bay Buccaneersvs. PIT
32Chris HoganNew England Patriotsat DET
33Michael CrabtreeBaltimore Ravensvs. DEN
34Devin FunchessCarolina Panthersvs. CIN
35Randall CobbGreen Bay Packersat WAS
36Sammy WatkinsKansas City Chiefsvs. SF
37Tyler LockettSeattle Seahawksvs. DAL
38Robert WoodsLos Angeles Ramsvs. LAC
39John BrownBaltimore Ravensvs. DEN
40Chris GodwinTampa Bay Buccaneersvs. PIT
41Corey DavisTennessee Titansat JAC
42Pierre GarconSan Francisco 49ersat KC
43Sterling ShepardNew York Giantsat HOU
44Robby AndersonNew York Jetsat CLE
45Antonio CallawayCleveland Brownsvs. NYJ
46Josh GordonNew England Patriotsat DET
47Danny AmendolaMiami Dolphinsvs. OAK
48Dede WestbrookJacksonville Jaguarsvs. TEN
49Tyler BoydCincinnati Bengalsat CAR
50Calvin RidleyAtlanta Falconsvs. NO

DeSean Jackson should not be anywhere near your bench right now. The speedster is the second-highest scoring fantasy football wide receiver through two weeks. Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing as hot as it gets at the quarterback position. Jackson went off for 146 yards and two scores on five catches in Week 1. He followed that with a 4-catch, 129-yard performance in Week 2, featuring a 75-yard touchdown. Based on his history of inconsistency, a drop-off is coming soon. But you should enjoy the ride of top-end production while it lasts. Jackson is my No. 31 option for Week 3 as he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have allowed four touchdowns to opposing wide receivers this year and I think more "Fitz-Magic" is on the way for the Buccaneers in Week 3.

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LONGSHOTS

John "Smokey" Brown is my No. 39 option this week at wide receiver. The Baltimore Ravens pass catcher appears to be Joe Flacco's top option. Brown scored in each of the first two games to begin his 2018 campaign. This week he goes up against the Denver Broncos and I'm expecting WR3 production. Brown is worth a shot in your lineup if you are weak at the position and are playing in a deeper league.

Pierre Garcon is my No. 42 wide receiver for Week 3, putting himself in the streaming category if you need help at the position. The San Francisco 49ers pass catcher faces the Kansas City Chiefs this week, a defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points this season to opposing wide receivers.

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