James Cook or Kyren Williams Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy football projections for RBs

Fantasy football managers are spoiled for choice in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season with running backs of the caliber of the Buffalo Bills' James Cook and Los Angeles Rams' Kyren Williams providing two appealing options.

Both had stellar seasons in 2023 and they featured in the Pro Bowl. Here's a closer look at how fantasy football owners should approach who to start and who to sit in this week's matchups.

Is James Cook a good pick in Week 3?

James Cook has been a useful weapon for Josh Allen over the past year and it was as evident as it could be in the Bills' win over the Dolphins last week that gave them a 2-0 record to start the season. The running back rushed for 78 yards in just 11 carries and accounted for two touchdowns. In their first game against the Cardinals, he had similar numbers in yardage but could not score.

The Bills face the Jaguars next, who have not had the best start to the season, to put it mildly. However, Jacksonville has given up 103 yards per game this year, which is in the top half among teams with the best rush defense, albeit nowhere near the top. It should be an interesting matchup for fantasy football managers to consider.

Is Kyren Williams a good pick in Week 3?

The Los Angeles Rams were supposed to make good on last season's playoff appearance and kick on this year. That has yet to materialize so far. They are 0-2 and now need a win to stabilize the ship. Kyren Williams will be a vital cog in that.

Thus far, he has just 75 yards in two games, far behind his Bills counterpart. But he has shown consistency in getting in the endzone, having scored a touchdown in both games. With the entire offense misfiring, that is not the worst production.

They next face the San Francisco 49ers, who are coming off a chastening defeat against the Minnesota Vikings last week. Their run defense is similar to the Jaguars, Buffalo's opponent in the next match, and they have allowed 107 yards per game on average. Therefore, it is tough to make a choice between James Cook and Kyren Williams for fantasy football managers.

James Cook vs Kyren Williams: Who should I start in Fantasy Football Week 3?

Luckily for fans, Sportskeeda's "Who Should I Start?" tool is available to crunch all the numbers. It does the analytics on this matchup and its advice is to start James Cook over Kyren Williams. But the numbers are close, as is expected.

James Cook v Kyren Williams Start 'Em Sit 'Em 2024 NFL Season Week 3

James Cook is expected to shade Kyren Williams' yards in both rushing and reception but what makes this close is that both of them have similar points in touchdowns. That should not surprise fantasy football managers since they both have two for the season.

It is going to be a close call either way, but leaning toward the Buffalo running back makes more sense, according to our experts, than the Rams star.