Hey Nerds! Week 3 of the NFL season is in the books. After an exciting start to the season, some players’ fantasy stock is on the rise due to injury opportunities while others’ have fallen due to poor performance. In this article, we dive into some “stock up” and “stock down” players from Week 3.
Quarterback Fantasy Stock Up
Sam Darnold 📈 | 19.9 FPPG | QB4 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #177 | Current Value – 2025 Mid 2nd
Many fantasy managers thought Justin Jefferson’s fantasy numbers would suffer with Kirk Cousins’ departure to the Atlanta Falcons. Especially after J.J. McCarthy was being placed on season-ending injured reserve. That hasn’t been the case at all, and it’s thanks to Sam Darnold. In back-to-back weeks, Darnold has finished as a QB1. Darnold leads the NFL in touchdown passes (8) and has led Minnesota to a 3-0 record. Darnold signed a 1-year, $10,000,000 contract with the Minnesota Vikings and has set himself up another nice payday.
Running Back Fantasy Stock Up
Braelon Allen 📈 | 10.7 FPPG | RB30 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #164 | Current Value – Mid 2025 2nd
Many fantasy managers were not pleased with the landing spot for Braelon Allen which caused him to fall in most rookie drafts to the third round. At that time, it was hard to argue that Allen would be anything more than a handcuff for Breece Hall. But after three weeks, it appears that Allen does have stand-alone value, as well as being one of the top fantasy running back handcuffs. Allen has seen his snap count, carries, and rushing yards increase weekly. Don’t forget, Allen is only 20-years old and the sky’s the limit for this 6’1”, 235-lb. running back.
Wide Receiver Fantasy Stock Up
Allen Lazard 📈 | 14.6 FPPG | WR15 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #N/A| Current Value – Mid 2025 Second
Many expected 2024 to be Garrett Wilson’s breakout season, but fantasy managers failed to recognize that Aaron Rodgers has “his guys”. One of “his guys” is Allen Lazard, and after three weeks into the Jets season, Lazard leads all Jets wide receivers in fantasy points per game (14.6). Lazard’s 17% target share is second among Jets wide receivers and his 3 touchdowns is tied for the league lead. The chemistry that Rodgers and Lazard shared in Green Bay appears to have carried over to New York.
Quarterback Fantasy Stock Down
Bryce Young 📉 | 7.3 FPPG | QB34 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #137 | Current Value – 2025 Late 2nd
After just 18 games into his NFL career, Bryce Young was benched in favor of Andy Dalton. Young was 2-16 as Carolina’s starting quarterback after Carolina traded up in the 2023 draft with the Chicago Bears and traded away what ultimately became the 2024 No. 1 pick (Caleb Williams), to get him.
Young’s career seemingly replicates that of Baker Mayfield. Perhaps Mayfield said it best at Tampa Bay’s media day when asked about Bryce Young: “Quarterback is hard, especially for young guys when you’re not surrounded with the pieces and not given the opportunity to have success,” Mayfield told reporters. “A lot of times guys have the talent, they might have the brains, but they don’t have the right opportunity, the right fit.
“I’m sitting here right now in a way better fit than other places I’ve been. That’s not to put other teams down, but it’s a matter of the pieces around you and the coaches.” And for Bryce [Young], a guy that — I can relate to this — finding that belief within yourself again. He’ll get it. His story is far, far from finished.”
Running Back Fantasy Stock Down
Audric Estime 📉 | 1.4 FPPG | TE82 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #230 | Current Value – 2025 Late 3rd
Audric Estime was a preseason dynasty sleeper by many among the fantasy community. Unfortunately, Estime was placed on the injured reserve after Week 1 with an ankle injury. With Tyler Badie’s impressive rushing performance in Week 3 against Tampa Bay, Estime will have an uphill battle once he is eligible to return.
Wide Receiver Stock Down
Marvin Mims Jr 📉 | 1.3 FPPG | WR123 FPPG | Dynasty Nerds Overall #208 | Current Value – 2025 Early 4th
Many expected Marvin Mims Jr. to make a second-year leap in fantasy after a disappointing rookie season. In the off-season, Head Coach Sean Payton even took accountability with Mims’ lack of production stating: “Without making a comparison first, I’d say with Mims, we saw him flourish as a returner, I really think the only thing that stopped his progress as a receiver was us.”
According to Fantasy Points Data Suite, Mims’ 2 receptions on the season ranks him 6th among Broncos wide receivers 3.5% of the teams’ targets and continues to be used sparingly in the offense. His fantasy stock is tied solely to his special team’s usage right now.
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2 Responses
Gotta love how 2 of the Stock Down players are Sean Payton victims. This guy is killing his player’s fantasy value – Estime, Javonte, Mims, Franklin, Dulcich. Meanwhile the offense is in dead last in TDs scored. I WONDER WHY?
He seems to be living off his New Orleans reputation that Drew Brees built him.