Fantasy Football Studs: Keenan Allen, Sam LaPorta, Lamar Jackson (Week 3)

Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season is mostly in the books, with two Monday Night Football games remaining, giving us plenty of players to react to from a fantasy football context. There were many stud performances, especially for the Miami Dolphins, who scored 70 points in a lopsided rout of the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, there were plenty of dud performances to go around, ranging from Breece Hall (RB – Jets) and CeeDee Lamb (WR – Cowboys), to Justin Fields (QB – Bears) and Darren Waller (TE – Giants).

Matt MacKay gives us his latest analysis on some of the best and worst fantasy football performances that occurred in Week 3. Using half-PPR scoring, let’s dive further into the players who won and lost fantasy football league matchups during a highly entertaining weekend in the NFL.

Fantasy Football Studs

Keenan Allen (WR – Chargers)
Keenan Allen has tapped into a different level this season and more should be expected following Mike Williams’ (WR – Chargers) ACL tear suffered during Sunday’s win over Minnesota. Allen caught 18 of 20 targets for 215 yards, which was more than enough to get him into the overall WR1 in half-PPR scoring formats, despite not finding the end zone. Allen is clearly Justin Herbert’s (QB – Chargers) favorite target, and now that Williams is done for the season, expect his target share to rise even more, if that’s even possible. Allen is an unquestionable WR1 with top-five rest of season upside at the wide receiver position.

Sam LaPorta (TE – Lions)
It took a big downfield reception to get to the top of the tight end performances, but rookie tight end Sam LaPorta caught eight of 11 targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in a low-scoring win over the Atlanta Falcons. LaPorta is second on the Lions in target share at 22.7 percent, and he’s caught 18 of 22 balls thrown his way, so LaPorta is looking like a bonafide TE1 in fantasy football moving forward, even when Jameson Williams (WR – Lions) returns from suspension in Week 7.

Lamar Jackson (QB – Ravens)
The Ravens may have lost to the Colts to end their undefeated streak, but Lamar Jackson returned to 2019 MVP form on Sunday, handling 14 carries for 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns as the Ravens’ primary ball carrier. Passing production was more sparse, as Jackson failed to throw a touchdown, but he did complete 71 percent of his pass attempts for 202 yards. The injury-riddled Ravens’ backfield benefits Jackson, so keep him valued as a top-tier fantasy QB1 due to the rushing floor he provides.