Carson Steele or Samaje Perine Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy football projections for Chiefs RBs

Carson Steele and Samaje Perine received a boost to their fantasy football outlook following Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season. Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula and is expected to miss significant time. Steele and Perine are likely the biggest beneficiaries, but who makes for the better player to target in Week 3 lineups?

Is Carson Steele a good pick in Week 3?

Carson Steele

The Kansas City Chiefs recently announced that Carson Steele will be given the first opportunity to fill in for Isiah Pacheco. The rookie was signed as an undrafted free agent this year and entered the season with minimal fantasy value. With his new situation in one of the best offenses in the NFL, he suddenly carries a ton of upside into Week 3.

Through two games, Steele has recorded just nine carries for 27 yards, but his workload is expected to significantly increase this week. If he can capitalize on this ideal opportunity, he could be a valuable fantasy football running back, at least until Pacheco is able to return.

Is Samaje Perine a good pick in Week 3?

Samaje Perine

Samaje Perine joined the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 NFL offseason to add depth to their running back group. He has been most effective as a pass-catcher out of the backfield in his career, registering 115 receptions across the past three years.

The veteran has yet to make an impact for the Chiefs so far, recording just three receptions in his first two games, but that could change in Week 3. Even if Steele is used as their starting running back, Perine's NFL experience and receiving skills should earn him much more playing time without Pacheco in the lineup. He makes for an intriguing target in fantasy football this week.

Carson Steele vs Samaje Perine: Who should I start in Fantasy Football Week 3?

Both Carson Steele and Samaje Perine offer plenty of upside in Week 3 of the 2024 fantasy football season, but also carry significant risk. It's unclear exactly how the touches will be distributed between the two Chiefs running backs, but both are likely to see an increase in playing time.

With the announcement that Steele will get the first opportunity to be the starter, he has the edge over Perine in Week 3 fantasy football lineups. Managers debating tough decisions like this should reference Sportskeeda's Who Should I Start tool to evaluate their fantasy projections.