Steve Smith Sr, Jake Locker impress fantasy owners during week 3 of the preseason. Smith is starting a new chapter in his NFL career after playing with the Carolina Panthers for the first 13 years. After being released this off-season Smith didn’t have to take wait long as the Baltimore Ravens as well as a handful of other teams battled for his service.

Steve Smith SR

The Ravens receiver pulled in six catches for 80 yards including a touchdown. Smith Sr showed fantasy owners around the country that he still has a ton of gas in the tank with his diving touchdown grab before half time. For fantasy owners Smith Sr could be a sleeper as he slowly becomes Joe Flacco’s security blanket.

Jake Locker also was very impressive with his week 3 preseason performance Locker completed 12 of 17 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. Fantasy owners should be impressed with the fourth year quarterback. In three preseason games this season Locker has completed 21 of 30 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns.

Jake Locker

If healthy Locker has the opportunity to become one of the NFL’s next wave of talented quarterbacks. The other important part of Lockers success could be head coach Ken Whisenhunt who we saw last year elevate and revive Philip Rivers career.

Here are some key performances to help fantasy values during week 3 of the preseason.

Daniel Herron, Running Back: Herron put together a solid performance for the Indianapolis Colts rushing for 68 yards on eight carries. Bulk of the yards came on one carry but still managed to average over three yards a carry on the other seven attempts more than Trent Richardson. Herron as well as the other teams running backs have an opportunity to get carries in 2014.

Emmanuel Sanders, Wide Receiver: It didn’t take long for Peyton Manning to find a replacement receiver for Eric Decker. The former Pittsburgh Steeler wide out pulled in five catches for 125 yards and five touchdowns. His stock could be a little high as fantasy experts and players have high expectations for Sanders in 2014.

Philip Rivers, Quarterback: Rivers is slowly emerging as one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the NFL. The San Diego Chargers quarterback connected on nine of 10 passes for 85 yards and one touchdown. In three preseason games this season Rivers has only thrown three incompletions in 18 attempts.

Austin Davis, Quarterback: The second year quarterback will be Shaun Hill’s backup entering the season but that could change very quickly. Davis connected on 14 of 22 attempts for 198 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Not that the performance increases his fantasy draft status but if Hill comes out of the gate slow Davis’s could become a nice sleeper option at quarterback.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Running Back: Jones-Drew gets a new chance in Oakland this season and showed during week 3 of the preseason he still has some gas in the tank. The Raiders running back rushed for 45 yards on three carries and one touchdown.