Fantasy ballers: AFC rookies look to score big in Week 3

These NFL players are just getting started but each should put up big fantasy numbers against lesser opponents in Week 3.

Braelon Allen (RB) - New York Jets

Teammate Breece Hall led the way with 114 total yards and a score against the Titans last week but the Jets fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft wasn’t far behind with two scores on nine touches for 19.60 fantasy points in Yahoo leagues.

Allen had just one reception and a carry against San Francisco in Week 1 but New York’s 20-year-old rookie made up for lost time with an RB6 finish in Week 2. 

At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Allen has 15 pounds on Hall and appears to have a nose for the end zone as he demonstrated on a game-winning, 20-yard touchdown run against the Titans with 4:31 left to play.

This week, the Jets face the Patriots on "Thursday Night Football." New England held the Seahawks to 46 yards rushing last week but Seattle was without leading rusher Kenneth Walker III. 

The Pats won’t be so lucky against Allen, who looks equally comfortable playing the “thunder” or “lightning” role for the Jets. Expect him to score well above his 5.40 projected fantasy points.

Brock Bowers (TE) - Las Vegas Raiders

Unlike Allen, Bowers has yet to score an NFL touchdown, something he’ll likely accomplish in Week 3. The former Georgia Bulldog and 13th pick in this year’s draft had a respectable six catches for 58 yards against the Chargers in his NFL debut and fell just short of the century mark with 98 yards on nine catches against the Ravens in Week 2.

After two games, Bowers trails only Davante Adams for the team lead in targets, and in Week 3, he’ll face an 0-2 Panthers team that’s allowing the third-most fantasy points per game (18.45) to tight ends.

Carolina will start quarterback Andy Dalton in favor of Bryce Young, whose rookie struggles have carried over to 2024. That should mean more points for the Panthers and a more aggressive game plan for the Raiders and Bowers’ first game at Allegiant Stadium.

Xavier Worthy (WR) - Kansas City Chiefs

For the second straight week, the rookie speedster saw just three touches but unlike his 20.80-point fantasy performance in Week 1, he managed just 4.20 points against the Bengals last Sunday.

He’s projected to score 9.42 fantasy points in Week 3 but that should change with Chiefs leading rusher Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve for a prime-time road matchup with the Falcons on "Sunday Night Football." 

In his absence, head coach Andy Reid should look to use his dynamic wide receiver all over the field with more than the one carry per game he’s seen so far.

The Falcons defense has been fairly stingy to wide receivers so far, allowing 23.70 points per game to the position. With increased opportunity, Worthy is a big play waiting to happen, especially against a Falcons team coming off a short week after beating Philadelphia on "Monday Night Football."