Stocks up, stocks down: It's time to accept Sam Darnold as starting fantasy quarterback

After three weeks of NFL football, we're starting to see how some teams want to present themselves. With so many injuries to star players across the league, it can still be difficult to discern what's real and what's not. Unsung hero Jauan Jennings has risen to the challenge and was WR1 in fantasy for the week (MNF pending) despite losing. Kudos to Mailk Willis for leading the Packers to another win and a QB4 ranking despite strong doubts from football fans. That's how crazy fantasy football can make people, it's a week-to-week thing and we have to accept it.

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Sam Darnold, quarterback, Vikings

Through Week 3 (again, MNF pending), Darnold is QB2 in fantasy football after another great performance in a win over the Texans. Not only is he playing well from a fantasy perspective, he's playing like a top-10 quarterback and that's why the Vikings are 3-0. Justin Jefferson is WR5 with Darnold at quarterback after being troubled by fantasy managers over the summer. Now the biggest question for Darnold will be if he can keep that up. The Vikings will get a couple of good tests against the Packers (with Jordan Love potentially returning) and the Jets before their off week. Either way, Mr. Darnold is doing his damn thing.

Diontae Johnson, WR, Panthers

You want to say a turnaround? Johnson entered Week 3 as the WR77 in fantasy, but scored 26.2 (PPR) fantasy points with Andy Dalton at quarterback. The change had an immediate impact on the Panthers offense, which scored 36 points against a Raiders team that had just beaten the Ravens a week earlier. Dalton gave the Panthers offense a veteran quarterback with nothing to lose. Johnson had a decent number of targets in the first two games, with six tackles each, but Dalton gave him 14, resulting in an 8-122-1 record. Johnson should enter with confidence as long as Dalton is at quarterback.

Carson Steele, RB, Chiefs

The Chiefs went all out and surprised me again. They made a fullback the natural leading running back in their offense and still won the game. Steele had 18 touches for 74 yards and played 62% of the snaps. In comparison, Samaje Perine finished with nine touches for 40 yards and played 38% of the snaps. If things continue like this for Steele going forward (until Isiah Pacheco returns), he could be a solid weekly FLEX player. The problem lies here: What happens when Kareem Hunt gets going? Or has Perine's new addition to the team limited his snap count? We'll see, but one thing is for sure: It doesn't seem to matter to the Chiefs. Right now, Steele is the leading running back in Kansas City.

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Anthony Richardson, quarterback, Colts

My preseason QB1 is currently QB14 in fantasy on a points-per-game basis and it looks even worse to the naked eye. After a solid performance in Week 1, Richardson wasn't accurate or throwing passes directly into the hands of defenders. He followed up his QB21 performance in Week 2 with a QB27 performance (MNF pending) in Week 3. Let me be clear: I am entirely in Richardson's direction and have no plans to jump ship. Honestly, his game can only get better from here on out, and once he starts hitting his routine throws, he'll be good. The reality, though, is that after three weeks, he hasn't been what I expected him to be, but at the same time, it's only been three weeks (and seven NFL starts in his career).

DJ Moore, WR, Bears

In a game where Caleb Williams completed 33 of 52 passes for 363 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, Moore finished the game as the WR19 (with players left on MNF). That's not bad on its face, but considering he finished as the WR41 in Week 1 and the WR30 in Week 2, there were no “breakout” weeks (as the fantasy folks say). The good thing is that Moore has been consistently targeted, as he has at least eight in every game this season. How will that work out when Keenan Allen returns? How will the targets be divided up now that Rome Odunze is starting to get going? Time will tell, but it's been a rough start for the Bears' best wide receiver.

Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers

Bucky Irving is breathing down White's neck in terms of usage. Irving's vision and talent are already clear, so it may only be a matter of time before he takes over. While the Bucs could continue to use both backs, White's start to 2024 doesn't come close to the volume that made him valuable in fantasy last season. So far this season, White has averaged just 2.1 YPC and is outscored by Irving 154 to 66 yards despite having six more carries. White has caught 12 passes for 98 yards and those numbers are keeping him by a thread. The game script may have played a role in the Bucs' 26-7 loss to the Broncos, but Irving's presence all season will keep White from repeating a top-10 season in fantasy.