So, what do consensus fantasy first-round picks Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill and Bijan Robinson have in common?

These assumed standouts have produced almost nothing in the season’s first three weeks, either because of injuries or more debilitating factors. They haven’t proven to be game changers like, say, Andy Dalton.

Yes, the Red Rifle came out of mothballs on Sunday to salvage the Carolina Panthers’ season, at least for one week, and top the fantasy statistical chart for Week 3.. He threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns as the winless guys from Charlotte upset the Raiders in Las Vegas.

He’s not the only pleasant surprise of the opening three weeks. Here are some names that might surprise you:

— Zach Charbonnet (Seahawks RB): With Kenneth Walker III out, his understudy has filled his shoes successfully. Three rushing touchdowns and 176 total yards in the past two weeks for the former UCLA standout. This likely guarantees him a solid share of work even after Walker returns.

Zach Charbonnet #26 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after a first down during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field on Sept. 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images)

— David Montgomery (Lions RB): Detroit’s offense isn’t running on all cylinders yet, but Montgomery surely is. He has run for 231 yards and three touchdowns, surpassing supposed No. 1 back Jahmyr Gibbs. And he is leading his teammate in carries, 51 to 40.

David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball against Garrett Williams #21 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

— Alexander Mattison (Raiders RB): Every season there’s at least one player who scores an ungodly number of touchdowns despite limited touches. This former Viking might be 2024’s resident TD vulture. Despite only 19 touches for 107 yards, he has hit paydirt three times.

Running back Alexander Mattison #22 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after rushing for a touchdown agains the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

— Jauan Jennings (49ers WR): This reserve receiver might have been the Super Bowl MVP in February after throwing a TD pass and catching one. He rose to the occasion again Sunday with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle out, tallying 11 catches for 175 yards and three TDs.

Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass for a first down against Cobie Durant #14 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

— Allen Lazard (Jets WR): Are we THAT surprised Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay buddy has become his go-to security blanket. Eleven catches for 148 yards and three TDs. More importantly, he never busted out in laughter when his buddy was floated as a potential vice president.

Allen Lazard #10 of the New York Jets celebrates with Aaron Rodgers #8 after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 19, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Sitting stars

We’re thinking Aaron Jones’ old team in Green Bay will do its best to slow the Vikings’ running back. … Whoever starts at QB for the Packers (Jordan Love or Malik Willis) will have their hands full with the Minnesota blitz. … Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins will be kept in check by Kansas City. … The Bears’ offensive line is so poor that you should think twice before using any of Chicago’s stars, such as Caleb Wiliams, DeAndre Swift and D.J. Moore. … Cleveland’s Amari Cooper will be mostly quiet against Las Vegas. … Same goes for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk. … And don’t even think of using Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence against Houston.

Aaron Jones #33 of the Minnesota Vikings dives into the end zone and scores a touchdown past Azeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Matchup game

Week 3 taught us the value of banking on desperate teams and players. So start Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott vs. the Giants …. New Orleans RB Alvin Kamara will get back on track vs. Atlanta. … Cincinnati WR Ja’Marr Chase looked his old self against Washington and will look better vs. Carolina. … The Cardinals and Commanders should have a great QB duel between Kyler Murray and Jayden Daniels. … We also like Washington WR Terry McLaurin in that one, as well as Houston WR Nico Collins against flailing Jacksonville. … And Philly tight end Dallas Geodert should continue his strong play against Tampa Bay.

Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Nnamdi Madubuike #92 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Injury watch

This section gets longer every week. Added to the list of the wounded in Week 3 are Chargers QB Justin Herbert, four top RBs (Texans’ Dameon Pierce, Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker, Texans’ Joe Mixon, Dolphins’ Raheem Mostert), four top WRs (49ers’ Deebo Samuel, Eagles’ A.J. Brown, Bears’ Keenan Allen, Vikings’ Jordan Addison) and two TEs (Browns’ David Njoku, Niners’ George Kittle).

Elandon Roberts #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Deepest sleeper

Green Bay running back Emanuel Wilson has been a most pleasant surprise in his second season. He has moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart after teammate MarShawn Lloyd went on injured reserve. Wilson rushed 14 times for 85 yards and his first career touchdown last Sunday in Tennessee. While he’s still comfortably behind Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs in the Packers’ plans, he’s worth stashing. In his last 17 games at Fort Valley State in Georgia, Wilson rushed for 2,206 yards and 24 TDs.

Emanuel Wilson #31 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by Roger McCreary #21 of the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

The Thursday pick

Cowboys at Giants (+4½):
Pick: Cowboys by 7

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) walks off the field after throwing a pick-6 during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

Related Articles

Jordan Love or Malik Willis? Vikings preparing for both Packers quarterbacks

Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre says he has Parkinson’s disease

Dane Mizutani: Sam Darnold has won over the Vikings fan base

How the home crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium helped the Vikings force a punt

Five takeaways from Vikings’ 34-7 win over Texans