Fantasy Football Week 3 RB Preview: James Conner a low-end start if he goes, Darrel Williams a flex if not

The Arizona Cardinals lost James Conner to an ankle injury in Week 2, and while they don’t think it’s serious, we aren’t currently expecting Conner to play, which makes his replacement the top waiver wire add … if one only knew exactly who that was. Last week both Darrel Williams and Eno Benjamin had eight carries, with Benjamin earning four targets and Williams seeing three. We lean towards Williams because of goal-line work, but we’re also not sure how much of that there will be in Week 3 against a very good Rams defense.

Week 3: QB Preview | WR Preview | TE Preview

If Conner is in fact out, as the projections below suggest, we rank Williams as a touchdown-dependent flex and Benjamin as more of a Desperation flex. But even if Conner is able to play in Week 3 both are fine stashes. Conner is 27 years old and he’s missed at least two games every year of his career. His career-high in carries is 217.

The other question is whether Conner himself is a must-start if he’s active. If he’s questionable all week then the answer is no. If he gets a full practice in by Friday it’s more questionable. This Arizona offense has generated excellent running back production each of the past three years, averaging more than one running back score per game. But Conner has only picked up 51 yards on 17 carries despite the fact that they haven’t faced a good defense yet. They certainly will in Week 3.

I’ll add Conner to the projections below if he’s cleared. While I can’t say exactly where he’ll rank, it will likely be lower than where you drafted him. He’s a flex at best if he’s a true game time decision and a borderline No. 2 running back if he’s cleared on Friday or Saturday. Either way, make sure you have a backup plan.

Now Let’s get to the rest of the Week 3 RB Preview:

Week 3 RB Preview

The following players are not being projected to play Week 3 at this time. Here’s what it means:

RB Preview

Numbers to know

• 48% – Jerick McKinnon received 48% of the Chiefs’ running back snaps compared to Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s 43% in Week 2. McKinnon was also on the field for all four of the Chiefs’ snaps inside the 10-yard line.
• 26% – Breece Hall received just 26% of the Jets’ running back snaps compared to Michael Carter’s 61% in Week 2.
• 252 – Dalvin Cook hasn’t faced the Lions since November 2020, but he was a Monster in the last meeting, storming to 252 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. In six career matchups against the Lions, Cook averages 127.8 scrimmage yards.
• 10 – Just 10 touches for Jonathan Taylor versus the Jaguars. That should be rectified this week.
• 94.5 – Rushing yards per game surrendered by the Steelers when facing the Browns last year. Against all other opponents, the Steelers gave up an Astonishing 150.1 rushing yards per game.
• 48 – David Montgomery leads all running backs with eight broken tackles through two weeks. That’s a big part of why he’s averaging a career-best 4.6 yards per carry through two games.
• 6.2 – D’Andre Swift is averaging more than 6 yards per carry before contact. This Lions’ front is dominating.

RB Preview

Matchups that matter

RB Preview

Waiver Wire Targets

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Heath’s Projections