Stars of Week 3

QB: Drew Brees 29-46, 342 yards, 3 TDs 

RB: DeMarco Murray 26 carries, 175 yards, 1 TDs

WR: Antonio Brown 9 catches, 196 yards, 2 TDs

TE: Jordan Cameron 6 catches, 66 yards, 3 TDs

First, it was Peyton Manning, then Aaron Rodgers, and now Drew Brees finds his way on the quarterback honor roll list. Not much analysis needed for Brees, but the other three names will be looked at more closely below. 

Week 3 Takeaways – A Closer Look

Each week we’ll take a closer look at a handful of performances and sort out what such performances mean going forward. 

- Jake Locker: 23-37, 299 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs (5 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD)

Analysis: So if prior to this season you were told that Jake Locker and Eli Manning would both appear on this list, and one would be applauded while the other would be rebuked, then you certainly would have switched Locker and Manning’s places in this space. But no, this is not an error. Jake Locker had one of his finest games as a pro on Sunday, playing virtually mistake free football while leading the Titans to a last second win. One game does not make a star, but Locker finally showed signs that he just might be on his way to becoming a good QB, and for our purposes, a good fantasy QB. His ceiling this season is no higher than a mid-level QB2, but that has value in leagues. He belongs on your watch list.

- Eli Manning: 12-19, 123 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT 

Analysis: One of the very biggest disappointments in fantasy football this season, Manning looks terrible. No other way to describe it. Why the awful season thus far? For starters, Manning has no time to throw – he was sacked seven times against the Panthers, and hurried several other times. The o-line is absolutely atrocious, and despite having some great weapons at his disposal (Cruz, Nicks, etc.), unless the line can be fixed (not likely in 2013) and the running game finds itself (that’s you, David Wilson), Manning will continue to disappoint. Manning will play much better than he did this past Sunday, but at this moment he moves down to mid-level QB2 status.

- DeMarco Murray: 26 carries, 175 yards, 1 TDs

Analysis: Murray has always flashed talent, but at the same time, has always come with major injury concerns. Can Murray be trusted to stay healthy for the whole 2013 season? Doubtful, so his owners should enjoy the production he’s providing now. Kudos to Murray for a great game against the Rams, but don’t go overboard with last week’s performance (i.e. view him as an RB1). Murray remains a solid RB2 when healthy.

- Bilal Powell: 27 carries, 149 yards, 0 TDs

Analysis: Powell was an under-the-radar sleeper come draft time, and those who drafted him have found themselves with a useful player. Powell has made his case to run away (pun intended) with the Jets RB job. While Chris Ivory remains a threat to steal some carries, Powell should get the most touches. He should be owned in all leagues, so if he’s available in your league, make room for him. Powell is straddling the RB2/RB3 line, and has room to move himself solidly into RB2 territory.

- Antonio Brown:  9 catches, 196 yards, 2 TDs

Analysis: After a relatively quite first two weeks, Brown exploded onto the scene in week 3. With Mike Wallace gone, Brown has assumed the mantle as Ben Roethlisberger’s top target. So what should be expected from Brown going forward? Solid numbers, even if a bit uneven week to week. Brown has RB2 talent and ceiling, but due to the depth at WR this season, he’s in the low end WR2/high end WR3 range.

- Stephen Hill: 3 catches, 108 yards, 1 TD

Analysis: Two Jets on this list, both on their merits? Yup, crazy for certain. But, Stephen Hill deserves your attention for his strong start to the season. He certainly has developed some chemistry with Geno Smith, so if you’re in the market for a WR, Hill’s a solid choice. Hill is more of a flex play, but that means he’s roster worthy, and he should continue to improve as the season goes on.

- Jordan Cameron: 6 catches, 66 yards, 3 TDs

There’s no hotter name in fantasy football right now than Jordan Cameron. Well, three TDs from a sleeper tight end will get folks talking. At this point, Cameron has found his way onto rosters in most leagues. If he’s available in your league, go grab him ASAP. Much like Julius Thomas, Cameron has thrust his way into TE1 status. At this point, Cameron needs to be viewed as a top-5 TE. He’s a must start in all formats.

Rapid Fire Pickups 

One suggested free agent pickup at each position (in each case a player available in most leagues):

QB: Jake Locker

RB: Bilal Powell

WR: Stephen Hill

TE: Zach Miller

Week 4 Rankings

Quarterbacks 

1. Peyton Manning, Broncos (PHI)

2. Drew Brees, Saints (MIA)

3. Tony Romo, Cowboys (at SD)

4. Robert Griffin III, Redskins (at OAK)

5. Andrew Luck, Colts (at JAC)

6. Tom Brady, Patriots (at ATL)

7. Michael Vick, Eagles (at DEN)

8. Matt Ryan, Falcons (NE)

9. Matthew Stafford, Lions (CHI)

10. Terrelle Pryor, Raiders (WAS)

11. Andy Dalton, Bengals (at CLE)

12. Jay Cutler, Bears (at DET)

13. Colin Kaepernick, 49ers (at STL)

14. Alex Smith, Chiefs (NYG)

15. Sam Bradford, Rams (SF)

16. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (at MIN)

17. Philip Rivers, Chargers (DAL)

18. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (at HOU)

19. Carson Palmer, Cardinals (at TB)

20. Eli Manning, Giants (at KC)

Running Backs 

1. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs (NYG)

2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (PIT)

3. LeSean McCoy, Eagles (at DEN)

4. Matt Forte, Bears (at DET)

5. Alfred Morris, Redskins (at OAK)

6. Doug Martin, Buccaneers (ARI)

7. Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks (at HOU)

8. Bernard Pierce, Ravens (at BUF)

9. Darren McFadden, Redskins (WAS)

10. Trent Richardson, Colts (at JAC)

11. DeMarco Murray, Cowboys (at SD)

12. Frank Gore, 49ers (at STL)

13. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos (PHI)

14. Giovani Bernard, Bengals (at CLE)

15. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (IND)

16. Reggie Bush, Lions (CHI)

17. Arian Foster, Texans (SEA)

18. Le'Veon Bell, Steelers (at MIN)

19. Ahmad Bradshaw, Colts (at JAC)

20. Darren Sproles, NO (MIA)

21. Lamar Miller, Dolphins (at NO)

22. Stevan Ridley, Patriots (at ATL)

23. Chris Johnson, Titans (NYJ)

24. Daryl Richardson, Rams (SF)

25. Jason Snelling, Falcons (NE) 

Wide Receivers 

1. Calvin Johnson, Lions (CHI

2. Dez Bryant, Cowboys (at SD)

3. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (PHI)

4. Brandon Marshall, Bears (at DET)

5. Julio Jones, Falcons (NE)

6. A.J. Green, Bengals (at CLE)

7. Pierre Garcon, Redskins (at OAK)

8. DeSean Jackson, Eagles (at DEN)

9. Wes Welker, Broncos (PHI)

10. Josh Gordon, Browns (CIN)

11. Torrey Smith, Ravens (at BUF)

12. Marques Colston, Saints (MIA)

13. Reggie Wayne, Colts (at JAC)

14. Victor Cruz, Giants (at KC)

15. Antonio Brown, Steelers (at MIN)

16. T.Y. Hilton, Colts (at JAC)

17. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (at TB)

18. Cecil Shorts, Jaguars (IND)

19. Eric Decker, Broncos (PHI)

20. Anquan Boldin, 49ers (at STL)

21. Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers (ARI)

22. Mike Wallace, Dolphins (at NO)

23. Kenbrell Thompkins, Patriots (at ATL)

24. Steve Johnson, Bills (BAL)

25. Julian Edelman, Patriots (at ATL) 

Tight Ends

1. Jimmy Graham, Saints (MIA)

2. Julius Thomas, Broncos (PHI)

3. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots (at ATL)

4. Jordan Cameron, Browns (CIN)

5. Jason Witten, Cowboys (at SD)

6. Martellus Bennett, Bears (at DET)

7. Jared Cook, Rams (SF)

8. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons (NE)

9. Heath Miller, Steelers (at MIN)

10. Vernon Davis, 49ers (at STL)

11. Antonio Gates, Chargers (DAL)

12. Tyler Eifert, CIN (at CLE)

13. Brandon Myers, Giants (at KC)

14. Coby Fleener, Colts (at JAC)

15. Owen Daniels, Texans (SEA)

- Neema Hodjat is the fantasy sports writer for RealGM.  He can be reached via email at nhodjat@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @NeemaHodjat.