NFL Photos | NFL Photography Gallery | NFL.com
Fantasy Franchise Tag lineup: Week 3
My nickname around the NFL Media office is "Franchise" and since I'm playing in eight fantasy football leagues this season, I decided to continue my series of fantasy "Franchise Tag" players every week. Basically, it's my approved lineup of players, some well-known, some not so much, who I think will have a big week and will likely be starting in many of my leagues. Keep in mind that the fantasy "Franchise Tag" is a prestigious nomination, as not just any average Joe fantasy player gets the honor. I've narrowed my Week 3 list down to nine options in the format of a standard league lineup with one flex for your content consuming pleasure. Plus, be sure to check out my full positional player rankings, and if you're all up on the Twitter, be sure to send me some feedback @mfranciscovich with #FantasyFranchiseTag and get this thing trending!

The sophomore signal caller is coming off a game where he threw three touchdown passes and a career high 351 passing yards in a win against a Ravens defense that restricted Peyton Manning to just 175 pass yards and zero touchdowns one week prior. Carr showed poise in the pocket, made quick decisions and was accurate with his throws throughout the game and finished as the week's QB5 overall. Carr produced two 100-yard receivers against Baltimore, Amari Cooper (109) and Michael Crabtree (111), and now faces a Cleveland defense that just surrendered over 250 pass yards and two touchdowns to an ill equipped, Marcus Mariota-led Titans passing attack. That's why I have him ranked as my QB10 for Week 3.

Even in a blowout game where Hyde got banged up and struggled to get anything going, San Francisco still deposited 17 touches to their young runner ... in the first half (he was held out for most of the second half due to concussion concerns). Hyde has cemented himself as the lynchpin of the 49ers offense and will likely carry this team on his shoulders throughout the season. Although he faces a tough matchup against a Cardinals defense that has allowed just 137 rush yards against in two games, I like Hyde to bounce back in a big way for fantasy owners in Week 3.

I'm drinking the Kool Aid and I'm taking the plunge into the Washington backfield with Matt Jones in several of my leagues where I implemented the "zero RB" draft strategy. You could argue that the Kool Aid I'm drinking has been spiked since I have Jones ranked as my RB10 for Week 3, but that's neither here nor there. Our amazing research team has noted that 60 percent of Jones' carries this season have gone for 4 or more yards hence his ridiculous 6.0 YPC average through two games. Even if he splits the workload with Alfred Morris, Jones should be able to eat against the Giants running back-friendly defense on Thursday Night Football. (Disclaimer: This is either going to end really well, or really badly. The best/worst part is that it's a nationally broadcast game, so my whole world will come crashing down on Friday morning if I swing and miss.) So, who's with me!?

This week, Cobb will enjoy a home game at Lambeau Field against a Kansas City secondary that has allowed more FPG to wide receivers this year than any other team. Through two games (and at less than 100 percent as he recovers from a preseason shoulder injury) Cobb is leading the Packers in receptions (13) and receiving yards (154). You can rest easy if you're waiting to unleash Cobb against your Week 3 opponent on Monday Night Football.

So you're afraid of the matchup against Joe Haden right? That's fair. But we saw Haden struggle against Brandon Marshall in Week 1. There's also a good chance that Haden's mission in this game is to shadow Michael Crabtree who saw five more targets and two more receptions than Cooper did for the Raiders last week. If that is the case, Cooper should be a main target for Derek Carr early and often in Week 3.

They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease, right? Well if the days following the Seahawks Week 2 loss against the Packers are any indication, Graham is overdue for a tune up. After being basically ignored by Russell Wilson last week, the play-making tight end is in line for a huge game against a Bears defense that's surrendered seven touchdowns to opposing pass-catchers through two games.

There's a saying that cautions against "chasing the points" from the previous week, but when it comes to sheer talent and upside it's okay to simply ignore that warning. Like Matt Jones, some think Johnson might just be the flavor of the week and is too risky of a start after just two games. But I'm not buying that. I'm going all in on these guys because YOLO, right? Plus, have you seen the highlights? Johnson has proved he has a knack for getting into the end zone one way or another. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said that the rookie deserves to be, and will be, more involved in the offense going forward. Toss him into your flex spot and watch the magic happen. I am too, so we're in this together.

No Demarco Murray, no Dez Bryant and no Tony Romo. Bailey might be the only player on the Cowboys to score any points this week. Heck, maybe they should give him some rushing attempts. Wait, that's actually a horrible idea. He should stick to kicking, something I have a feeling he's going to be doing a lot of at home against Atlanta in Week 3.

The Broncos are the highest scoring fantasy defense through two weeks, yet the unit is owned in less than 60 percent of NFL.com leagues. After scoring 16 points in Week 1 and 21 points in Week 2, apparently fantasy fans still haven't caught on. If they're available on your waiver wire, go scoop them up before it's too late. Oh, and against a Detroit offense that may be sans Matthew Stafford (or at least a less than 100 percent healthy Stafford), Denver is a must-start this week.