Two weeks into the NFL season, Lamar Jackson and… Daniel Jones… are atop the fantasy quarterback leaderboard. With multiple key injuries and tough matchups in play at the position, let’s break down my QB start/sit Week 3 fantasy football picks!
Check out my main Week 3 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Caleb Williams (Bears) vs. Cowboys
The Bears haven’t been able to improve upon last year’s struggles from a record standpoint yet, but the offense has objectively looked much cleaner under Ben Johnson so far. Unsurprisingly, Caleb Williams has been the biggest beneficiaries. The second-year signal caller is getting off his reads quicker, not holding onto the ball as long, and just being more decisive in general.
As a result, Williams’ fantasy production has been that of a low-end QB1. The former No. 1 overall pick checks in as QB9 entering Week 3 with 24.2 and 18-point outings, respectively. We’ve also seen legitimate rushing upside from Williams, similar to his USC and Oklahoma days.
This week, Williams and the Bears draw a pitiful Cowboys secondary. Dallas has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, fresh off a nightmarish showing against Russell Wilson, who dropped 450 passing yards and three touchdowns. Fire up Chicago’s QB with hopes of a strong QB1 finish.
Sit ‘Em: Jordan Love (Packers) at Browns
Love has been decent from a fantasy standpoint to open the year, racking up at least 15 points in both outings. However, we know Green Bay’s gameplan will likely result in 30-or-fewer passing attempts, especially against such a lesser opponent. The Packers want to run the ball, and that will likely be their path to consistent success due to their banged-up receiving corps.
It’s also worth noting that, while 0-2, the Browns have given opposing quarterbacks some problems. Joe Burrow couldn’t get anything going against them in Week 1, and Lamar Jackson was stymied for most of their matchup until Baltimore broke the game open in the fourth quarter. Love is a very talented playmaker and is certainly capable of leading this team, but his fantasy ceiling is somewhat limited thanks to how the Packers operate offensivey.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL WEEK 3 START/SIT PICKS AT EACH POSITION!
Start ‘Em: Daniel Jones (Colts) at Titans
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s time to fire up Danny Dimes as a strong QB1.
A week of elite production is one thing, but back-to-back fantastic outings have firmly put Jones on the fantasy radar ahead of Week 3. The 28-year-old drew a tough matchup last Sunday against a formidable Broncos defense and proceeded to make light work of it, racking up 318 total yards and two touchdowns, finishing with 22.8 fantasy points.
Playing alongside Jonathan Taylor has paid dividends for the dual-threat QB, as Jones can operate successfully as a rusher and passer out of play action. The veteran has already eclipsed one-fourth of his total 2024 numbers through two contests with the Colts. Tennessee does boast a capable secondary, but after that performance against Denver, you should start Jones with confidence.
Looking for more QB start/sit Week 3 picks? Stay tuned for my MNF fantasy start/sit article! New start/sit quarterback picks drop weekly!
Sit ‘Em: Kyler Murray (Cardinals) at 49ers
J.J. McCarthy was originally primed to earn the “Sit of the Week” title at quarterback, but he dodged it because he will be unavailable for Sunday’s contest.
As a result, I’m pivoting to a player whose fantasy potential I actually have relative optimism about for the year. Murray’s litany of offensive weapons and rushing capabilities gives him a decent fantasy floor, but we haven’t necessarily seen the upside through two contests. Kyler has racked up 18.3 and 15 fantasy points respectively, to open the year, slotting him in as QB16.
That’s not what fantasy managers who drafted Murray in the sixth or seventh round were hoping for. Still, there’s room for improvement. That said, I don’t expect it to occur in Arizona’s upcoming tilt with the 49ers. Despite losing a myriad of defensive playmakers, San Francisco has been dominant against opposing quarterbacks, holding them to 13.6 fantasy points per game thus far. With Arizona’s offense not operating up to its fullest potential, there are better options at QB out there this week.
Those are my QB start ’em, sit ’em Week 3 fantasy football picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice throughout the remainder of Week 3.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
