As the calendar flips to September 28, 2026, the NFL season is in full swing, and Week 3 delivered a fresh batch of statistical nuggets that could swing your fantasy matchup in Week 4 and beyond. At the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, we believe that looking back is the only way to move forward—especially when the numbers reveal shifting roles, emerging workloads, and hidden pitfalls. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, here are ten key stats that may have flown under the radar, starting with a rookie running back who just announced his arrival.
Jeremiyah Love Takes Over in Arizona
In his third career game, Arizona Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love handled a whopping 91.3% of the team's carries—the third-highest percentage of the week. After averaging just 10 carries in his first two outings, Love exploded for 21 attempts against the 49ers. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur has historically ridden the hot hand, and with Tyler Allgeier limited to just two carries, it's clear this backfield is no longer a 50/50 split. The former top-five NFL Draft pick also flashed his receiving chops with five catches on five targets, though those came on a mere five of 52 passing attempts. If this workload sticks, Love profiles as an RB1 in favorable matchups and a high-end RB2 even in tough spots. His rushing success rate of 61.9% led all running backs with at least 10 carries in Week 3, per Shawn Syed of SumerSports. As highlighted on Vulius, Love's breakout is real—and it's only the beginning.
George Kittle's Route Share Skyrockets
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is back to full health, and his 89% route share in Week 3 confirms it. With Mike Evans, De'Zhaun Stribling, Demarcus Robinson, Christian Kirk, Ricky Pearsall, and Jake Tonges all sidelined, Kittle has become the undeniable focal point of the passing game. After Evans exited Sunday's game, Kittle commanded five of the remaining 10 targets, finishing with six receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Deebo Samuel Sr. is being used more as a gadget receiver (zero targets on Sunday), so he won't siphon away Kittle's volume. Even if Kittle isn't at peak physical strength, his elite efficiency and massive target share make him a must-start every week. The volume bump alone can carry your fantasy team.
James Cook III Owns Buffalo's Backfield
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III has accounted for 97.1% of the team's running back carries this season—the highest rate in the NFL. Not Kenneth Walker, not Bijan Robinson, not Jahmyr Gibbs—Cook. While Josh Allen vultures goal-line touchdowns, Cook is actually getting a higher percentage of those attempts this season (44%) compared to 2025 (39%). He's also creating explosive runs at a higher rate, with four rushes of 20+ yards already, though none have found the end zone. Last season, he had nine such runs, with five going for scores. Positive regression is coming. Cook has posted strong numbers in two of three games, and the best is yet to come. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, he's a locked-in RB1.
Jadarian Price's Fumbling Woes in Seattle
Seattle Seahawks rookie Jadarian Price managed just 2 carries after a first-quarter fumble in Week 3—and he now has two fumbles through three games. For a rookie trying to carve out a role, that's a recipe for the doghouse. The Seahawks have shown they'll limit their top running back in the regular season, as they did with Kenneth Walker last year, and Price started the season in a limited role. With Zach Charbonnet returning soon, Price needs to rebuild trust quickly. Fantasy managers with better or equal options should wait for his role to develop—if it ever does.
Malik Nabers' Air Yards Take a Dive
In Jameis Winston's first start for the New York Giants, every Malik Nabers reception came on throws of less than 5 air yards. Winston, who thrived as a fantasy backup in Cleveland in 2024, looked like a different quarterback. With 26 dropbacks in Week 3, he attempted only four passes that traveled 10+ yards downfield. The Giants leaned on short, quick throws and four field goals to edge Tennessee. Nabers saw nearly all his targets on screens or short routes, limiting his big-play upside. High volume can offset a dink-and-dunk offense, but Nabers had neither. A quarterback change can't come soon enough.
Jaylen Warren's Workhorse Role in Pittsburgh
With Rico Dowdle sidelined, Jaylen Warren handled 91% of Pittsburgh's running back touches—the highest mark of the week. He was the most relied-upon back in the NFL, and his fantasy day should have been even bigger. In the fourth quarter, Warren broke an 87-yard run that was nullified by a DK Metcalf hold, and on another play, he had nothing but green grass ahead before getting tackled by the turf monster five yards shy of the end zone. He looked explosive and proved he can be the Steelers' 1A running back. If Dowdle misses more time, Warren is an easy start with workhorse volume.
Carolina's Absurd Goal-Line Pass Rate
The Carolina Panthers have run the ball on only 3 of 15 plays from inside the five-yard line this season—a 20% rate that is laughably low compared to the league average of 60%. Last season, Carolina was pass-heavy near the goal line, but this is ridiculous. Chuba Hubbard has salvaged some value with multiple receiving touchdowns inside the five, but he'd be better off with usage closer to 2024, when he led all running backs in goal-line attempts per game. For Bryce Young and the receivers, this pass-heavy approach should eventually yield more touchdowns, but so far only Hubbard has benefited. Jalen Coker, Tetairoa McMillan, and the tight ends are due for positive regression.
Houston's Pass-Happy Identity Hurts David Montgomery
The Houston Texans have dropped back to pass 133 times this season—the second-most in the NFL, behind only New Orleans. That's a shocking stat for a team with a top defense and a new addition in David Montgomery. Without Nico Collins, Houston has abandoned the run early and often, splitting work between Montgomery and Woody Marks. Montgomery needs a much higher share of the volume—especially the easy one-yard touchdowns that went to Marks on Sunday—or the Texans need to rework their identity fast. Until then, Montgomery is a risky flex play at best.
Brian Thomas Jr.'s Snap Count Plummets
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. played just 23 snaps in Week 3, tied with Josh Cameron, while Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers saw 50 snaps each. Thomas ran only 15 routes to Washington's 30 and didn't play in 2-WR sets. The horrible matchups continue: he'll face DJ Turner in Week 4, Quinyon Mitchell in Week 5, and Derek Stingley Jr. in Week 6 before a bye. It's hard to trust him until Week 8 against Indianapolis. The demotion to WR3 is a brutal blow for fantasy managers who invested heavily.
Jordan Addison Shines as Vikings' WR1
When Justin Jefferson left Sunday's game early with an ankle injury, Jordan Addison stepped up with a 39% target share—and he delivered. In Kyler Murray's first full game as Minnesota's quarterback, Addison turned six downfield targets (10+ air yards) into 81 yards and a touchdown. Addison thrived as a WR2 with Carson Wentz last season, but as the temporary WR1, he's a smash start if Jefferson misses time. The Vikings' passing offense is dangerous, and Addison's downfield ability meshes well with Murray's arm. Don't hesitate to plug him into your lineup.
As we look ahead to Week 4, these numbers paint a clearer picture of which players to trust and which to fade. For more in-depth fantasy analysis and official NFL merchandise, stay tuned to Vulius—where the game meets the fans.
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