Pressure makes diamonds. There is no pressure quite trying to plug in the right fantasy football options from a roster full of similar options. I’m happy to help you make those final decisions when it comes to your QB start/sit call.
Data from TruMedia, unless stated.
Which Quarterbacks Should Fantasy Managers Start in Week 3?
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (vs. CIN)
You’re welcome to nitpick Daniels’ game based on NFL expectations all you want, but I’m happy to take him to the bank for fantasy purposes. The rushing is something we knew would translate, but I’m encouraged by Washington’s scheming around him.
By no means is this a loaded offense and that often puts rookie QBs in a tough spot. Heck, Caleb Williams is struggling, and we talked all summer about him walking into the greatest supporting cast ever for a rookie. The Commanders have implemented a conservative game plan when it comes to airing the ball out, and Daniels is executing.
He’s completed over 70% of his passes with 10+ runs in both games, making him one of four quarterbacks to post a streak like that since 2000 (minimum 20 pass attempts). The others included fantasy royalty like Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, and Cam Newton.
Daniels is a ways from being considered in the same stratosphere as that trio, but there is no denying that how he plays and how our game is scored is a perfect fit. He, again, sits inside my top 10 at the position, and I’d play him over a proven option in his opposing number.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (vs. PHI)
The owner of the longest multi-pass TD streak in the NFL has this offense clicking at levels we didn’t think possible. His Saints have posted the third-highest EPA per play (0.30) through Week 2 of any team in the past decade, not bad for an offense that few labeled as anything more than average this offseason.
The Eagles’ defense was systematically picked apart by Kirk Cousins in the fourth-quarter two-minute drill that was nearly too efficient, and it will face a much tougher task, on short rest, in New Orleans.
Klint Kubiak, Derek Carr, and the New Orleans Saints were playing the Shanahan hits in a huge game against the Cowboys:
*Effective zone run game
*Attacking the middle of the field
*Motion to manipulate the defense
*A deep shot TD off play action pic.twitter.com/zCkG14CDU2— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 15, 2024
The QB position is loaded with upside — yet, Carr, with virtually no running potential and a top target that doesn’t yet have 100 yards, cracks my top 12 this week. To answer your questions – yes, I’d play him ahead of Dak Prescott (vs. BAL) and the smoking-hot Baker Mayfield (vs. DEN).
Which Quarterbacks Should Fantasy Managers Sit in Week 3?
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. BAL)
Prescott has yet to post top-15 numbers at the position in a game this season, and this generally isn’t the type of spot where I call his number if I have a better option.
Splits last season, by opponent:
- Against playoff teams: 17.7 FP PPG, 0.48 FP per pass, 8.6 aDOT
- Against non-playoff teams: 21.9 FP PPG, 0.54 FP per pass, 7.7 aDOT
The Ravens have the potential to bleed clock given their running game and the ability to win with short passes, increasing the importance of efficiency for Prescott. Is he up for the challenge?
I’m not so sure. He completed just 59.4% of his passes against a stingy Browns defense in Week 1, and if that is the version of him we get on Sunday, he’s going to have a hard time keeping up with the streaking Derek Carr or Baker Mayfield, the two QBs who round out my starting tier at the position.
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (vs. KC)
We will see if the game-winning drive against the Eagles on Monday unlocks this offense, something that Cousins hinted at following the contest.
I think it very well could, but that doesn’t mean that a pocket-locked Cousins is worth our while. If Philadelphia closes down that game, Cousins fails to produce top-15 numbers, and no one is tempted to play him this week.
Don’t be a prisoner of the moment. Cousins is a fringe top-20 QB this week. If you want to rank him ahead of Matthew Stafford and/or Trevor Lawrence, be my guest, but getting him into the top 15 requires more number-bending than I am comfortable doing.
I was encouraged by Monday night, but Cousins isn’t yet a must-roster player in one-QB leagues.