Overview

• With the preseason complete and 53-man rosters set, this week marks the prime window for fantasy drafts.
• Post-Week 3 expert mocks from Sports Illustrated, ESPN and Yahoo consistently slot Ja'Marr Chase at No. 1 in many PPR formats while elevating scarce every-down running backs into the early rounds.
• Results differ by league settings, but multiple mocks pushed Raiders TE Brock Bowers into early Round 2, a placement analysts caution is risky given comparable options like Trey McBride and George Kittle later.
• Some drafts were finalized before the announcement of a six-game suspension for Chiefs WR Rashee Rice, a development that materially shifts his early-round viability.
• USA TODAY spotlighted late-round value targets including C.J. Stroud, Chuba Hubbard, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Calvin Ridley, Emeka Egbuka, Dont'e Thornton Jr., Tucker Kraft and the Texans D/ST.