Week 3 of the NFL season has arrived, and the fantasy quarterback landscape has taken quite the turn. Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr currently reign supreme, but who will stand out this week?
Let’s break down my Week 3 start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football quarterback picks.
Start ‘Em: Joe Burrow (Bengals) vs. Commanders
Burrow was one of my sits last week and I have to give credit where credit is due, he greatly exceeded my expectations. 17.2 points isn’t anything to write home about, but the numbers were impressive. 23-of-36 for 258 yards and a pair of passing touchdowns is the step in the right direction I needed to see from Burrow to trust him this week.
This week, the Bengals draw a Washington defense that is notoriously vulnerable through the air. I mean, Daniel Jones just racked up 18.3 fantasy points against them. Enough said.
The emergence of Mike Gesicki as a legitimate playmaker is a good sign, and it looks like Tee Higgins will make his regular season debut after missing the first two games with a hamstring strain. Everything is trending towards the first truly dominant outing for Burrow in Week 3.
Sit ‘Em: Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) at Bills
I’m at my wits’ end with this Jaguars offense.
The talent is there. I’m not as high on Lawrence as some, but he’s still very gifted. Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis are all more than competent. Travis Etienne is one of the best backs in the game. Evan Engram — when healthy — is a monster over the middle of the field.
All of that said, it’s just not working. The offensive line is a clear issue, but even when Lawrence gets time it seems like everything is so painstakingly tedious for this unit. There will be a couple of bounce-back opportunities for Jacksonville’s quarterback over the coming weeks, but a matchup with the Bills isn’t one of them. Buffalo is forcing opposing QBs to take the little stuff, limiting big play opportunity.
Until we see consistent production from Lawrence, keep him on your bench.
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Start ‘Em: Derek Carr (Saints) vs. Eagles
Heading into Week 2, I highlighted the reigning QB2 (Baker Mayfield) as a start. While Mayfield didn’t put up otherworldly numbers, his 19.8 points finished fourth among those at his position.
This time around, I’m highlighting the reigning QB2 once again. Now, a month ago if you told me Baker and Derek Carr would be the best fantasy quarterbacks through two weeks, I would’ve called you nuts… but here we are.
Carr has been unbelievable through two games, racking up 443 passing yards and six total touchdowns with a 76.9% completion rate. He only completed 11 passes against the Cowboys and still racked up over 25 fantasy points. The matchup with Philly isn’t ideal, but at this point Carr has earned the right to start in fantasy lineups until he cools off.
Sit ‘Em: Dak Prescott (Cowboys) vs. Ravens
It hasn’t been the start fans were expecting from Prescott after Dallas made him the highest-paid player in NFL history on September 8.
The Cowboys’ franchise quarterback was coming off the best season of his career in which he racked up 4,516 passing yards with 36 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. That positive momentum hasn’t carried over into the 2024 campaign, as Dak has already thrown two picks and holds a passer rating of 81.4 — which isn’t worth overreacting about through two weeks but would be the worst of his career — with a 64.8% completion rate.
After being embarrassed by the Saints at home, it’s hard to trust Prescott against an elite Ravens defense — that will be especially eager to make a statement following their Week 2 loss — coming to town on Sunday.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 3 fantasy football quarterback picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice next week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
