We are now in the third week of the fantasy football season. As always, it is crucial to know what players are the preferable starts. Taking player talent, performance, and matchup into account, here are my Week 3 QB rankings.
Top 32 Fantasy QB Rankings
1) Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills (vs. JAX)
2) Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals (vs. WAS)
3) Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens (at DAL)
4) Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles (at NO)
5) Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs (at ATL)
6) Kyler Murray | Arizona Cardinals (vs. DET)
7) C.J. Stroud | Houston Texans (at MIN)
8) Anthony Richardson | Indianapolis Colts (vs. CHI)
9) Jayden Daniels | Washington Commanders (vs. CIN)
10) Brock Purdy | San Francisco 49ers (at LAR)
11) Baker Mayfield | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DEN)
12) Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys (vs. BAL)
13) Jared Goff | Detroit Lions (at ARI)
14) Derek Carr | New Orleans Saints (vs. PHI)
15) Justin Fields | Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. LAC)
16) Geno Smith | Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIA)
17) Sam Darnold | Minnesota Vikings (vs. HOU)
18) Kirk Cousins | Atlanta Falcons (vs. KC)
19) Aaron Rodgers | New York Jets (vs. NE)
20) Matthew Stafford | Los Angeles Rams (vs. SF)
21) Gardner Minshew II | Las Vegas Raiders (vs. CAR)
22) Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars (at BUF)
23) Deshaun Watson | Cleveland Browns (vs. NYG)
24) Caleb Williams | Chicago Bears (at IND)
25) Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers (at PIT)
26) Andy Dalton | Carolina Panthers (at LV)
27) Daniel Jones | New York Giants (at CLE)
28) Will Levis | Tennessee Titans (vs. GB)
29) Bo Nix | Denver Broncos (at TB)
30) Malik Willis | Green Bay Packers (at TEN)
31) Jacoby Brissett | New England Patriots (at NYJ)
32) Skylar Thompson | Miami Dolphins (at SEA)
The Top Quarterbacks To Start in Week 3
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. WAS)
This is now the third year in a row Joe Burrow has gotten off to a cold start. He may be “Joe Brrrr,” but it would be great if he could be a little hotter over the first couple of weeks of the season. Fortunately, the stage is set for Burrow to smash in Week 3.
Burrow is already starting to look more like himself. He was much better in Week 2, throwing for 258 yards and two touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception.
Burrow’s 17.6 fantasy points were solid but still not quite QB1 numbers, at least in the historical sense. QB scoring is down, in general, but we want to see QB1s reach 20 fantasy points. That looks to be in play this week.
The Washington Commanders are just what the Bengals need to truly unlock their offensive upside. Last year, they allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Through two weeks this season, the Commanders’ pass defense does not look to have improved at all.
Look for Burrow to post a top-five finish with his first three-touchdown game. Getting Tee Higgins back wouldn’t hurt either.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR)
This is the week Brock Purdy really gets on track. It may not seem that way, given he’s down Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel Sr., and possibly George Kittle, but the matchup couldn’t be juicier.
The Los Angeles Rams are a mess. They’re allowing a league-worst 9.9 yards per attempt to opposing quarterbacks. They are one of just five teams to have allowed 4+ passing touchdowns.
Purdy’s fantasy struggles are largely because three of their four offensive touchdowns have come on the ground. That is bound to regress and this looks like the perfect week for it to happen. Look for Purdy to hit both Brandon Aiyuk and Kittle (if he suits up) for touchdowns this week and post his first top-five finish of the season.