Best available QBs on Week 4 waivers

Three weeks in the 2019 NFL season are in the books, and Week 3 saw some impressive performances from new quarterbacks. New York Giants QB Daniel Jones looked like a budding superstar in his first career start, and Carolina Panthers QB Kyle Allen threw four TD passes in place of an injured Cam Newton (foot). Newton has already been ruled out again for Week 4, joining a hefty list of other notable QBs that will be sidelined, including New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees (thumb), Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) and New York Jets QB Sam Darnold (illness).

Here are some QBs with under 50 percent ownership on mainstream traditional leagues that fantasy owners can consider picking up if they are in need of a QB:

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Daniel Jones, New York Giants (15 percent)

Jones had a superstar-like performance in his first career start, which was made even more impressive after having to play without star RB Saquon Barkley (ankle) for most of the game. Jones passed for 336 yards and scored four total TDs, showcasing outstanding ball placement and an impressive ability to throw the ball on the run. Jones also displayed impressive athleticism, scoring two of his TDs on the ground, one on a designed run play and one on a broken play after nobody was open. Jones ranked second in fantasy points scored among all QBs in Week 3 and showcased a very high ceiling. He draws Washington at home in Week 4, and because the Giants will be without Barkley, Jones could be in line for strong volume as the undisputed playmaker in the Giants’ offense. Jones’ running element also gives him a second dimension to score fantasy points.

Case Keenum, Washington (10 percent)

Keenum’s waiver appeal stems from a matchup against a foul Giants defense that can’t stop anybody. The Giants have allowed the most passing yards per game to opponents by a comfortable margin and have allowed a ton of fantasy points to opposing QBs. The Giants lack good pass rushers, and their secondary has been playing very poorly, creating a good combination for opposing QBs. Keenum is not the long-term answer in Washington, as rookie first-round pick Dwayne Haskins waits in the wings, but he has fantasy appeal in Week 4.

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (18 percent)

Dalton has showcased boosted passing volume under the new Bengals coaching staff, attempting 43 passes per game, up from 33 passes per game last season and up from his career mark of 33 passes per game. The boost in volume has contributed to Dalton averaging a healthy 22 DKFP per game through three weeks. Dalton is coming off a tough matchup against the Bills in Week 3 and is set for a much softer matchup against the Steelers on Monday night. Pittsburgh ranks in the bottom third of the league in fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs through three weeks.

Kyle Allen, Carolina Panthers (2 percent)

The Panthers announced that they want Newton to be 100 percent healthy before he takes the field again, so Allen will start at QB again this week. Carolina also announced that there is no timetable for Newton’s return, so Allen could be in line for playing time for the foreseeable future. Allen was excellent in Week 3’s start against the Cardinals, passing for 261 yards and four TDs, a strong 25.34 DKFP showing. Allen’s advanced metrics were also outstanding, outperforming his expected completion percentage based on throw difficulty by the fourth best margin among all QBs in Week 3. Allen faces a tougher matchup against the Texans on Sunday, but Houston has still allowed a healthy amount of passing yards and fantasy points to opposing QBs. Allen is a deep league option who is available in almost all leagues.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (38 percent)

Stafford has an appealing matchup at home against the Chiefs in Week 4. The Chiefs’ offense is incredibly explosive, and opposing QBs are often forced into pass mode in an effort to try to keep pace. Stafford could be forced into expanded passing volume in the matchup and is a streaming option if he’s available.