One of the most universal strategies among fantasy football managers is QB streaming. Let’s discuss QB tiers and streamers you should have on your radar as you set your lineups for Week 3.
Week 3 QB tiers
While individual rankings will always be valuable for weekly decisions, a tier-based approach at QB can help find similar production ranges.
Tier 1
Kyler Murray | Arizona Cardinals @ JAX
Patrick Mahomes II | Kansas City Chiefs vs. LAC
Tier 2
Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens @ DET
Russell Wilson | Seattle Seahawks @ MIN
Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills vs. WAS
Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles @ DAL
Tier 3
Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers @ KC
Tom Brady | Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ LAR
Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys vs. PHI
Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers @ SF
Tier 4
Matthew Stafford | Los Angeles Rams vs. TB
Ryan Tannehill | Tennessee Titans vs. IND
Teddy Bridgewater | Denver Broncos vs. NYJ
Kirk Cousins | Minnesota Vikings vs. SEA
Daniel Jones | New York Giants vs. ATL
Tier 5
Derek Carr | Las Vegas Raiders vs. MIA
Sam Darnold | Carolina Panthers @ HOU
Justin Fields | Chicago Bears @ CLE
Baker Mayfield | Cleveland Browns vs. CHI
Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals @ PIT
Tier 6
Matt Ryan | Atlanta Falcons @ NYG
Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CIN
Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. ARI
Jameis Winston | New Orleans Saints @ NE
Mac Jones | New England Patriots vs. NO
Carson Wentz | Indianapolis Colts @ TEN
Jimmy Garoppolo | San Francisco 49ers vs GB
Tier 7
Tua Tagovailoa | Miami Dolphins @ LV
Zach Wilson | New York Jets @ DEN
Jared Goff | Detroit Lions vs. BAL
Davis Mills | Houston Texans vs. CAR
Tier 8
Andy Dalton | Chicago Bears @ CLE
Taysom Hill | New Orleans Saints @ NE
Trey Lance | San Francisco 49ers vs. GB
Jacob Eason | Indianapolis Colts @ TEN
QB streamers for Week 3
The general premise of a QB streaming strategy in fantasy is to play the matchup each week rather than riding the entire season with one player at the position. It is all about identifying favorable matchups that week and adding the appropriate QB off waivers.
When identifying streamers, I consider these things: Vegas betting lines, a defense’s fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and pace trends.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the QB streamers for Week 3.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Jones completed 22 of 32 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown against Washington in Week 2. He also had 9 carries for 95 additional yards and a touchdown. Jones has started the season with two consecutive QB1 performances. This trend should continue in Week 3 against the Falcons.
Atlanta’s defense has allowed an astounding 29 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. With the offensive weapons surrounding him in New York, Jones can be viewed as a QB1. Imagine the possibilities once Jones and wide receiver Kenny Golladay get calibrated.
Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos
Bridgewater completed 26 of 34 passes for 328 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Jaguars. That performance showed he’s still a viable streamer without receiver Jerry Jeudy.
It is good to see Bridgewater attack defenses vertically. He is tied with Trevor Lawrence and Josh Allen for the most pass attempts of 20+ yards with 13 through two games. Bridgewater and the Broncos will face an injury-riddled Jets team in Week 3. He can be viewed as a high-end QB2 with upside.
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Cousins had a stellar performance against the Cardinals last week. He went 22-of-32 for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns. Cousins’ 2 rushing attempts for 35 yards came as a welcome surprise. Now, he’ll face a plus matchup against the Seahawks in Week 3. Seattle’s defense has allowed 271.5 passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks in 2021.
Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers
Darnold eviscerated the Saints’ defense in Week 2. He completed 26 of 38 attempts for 305 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. A change of scenery this offseason has been a great thing for Darnold. He’s surrounded by a quality coaching staff and a plethora of playmakers at multiple skill positions.
The 24-year-old has a plus matchup against the Texans this week. The Panthers follow that up with games against the Cowboys, Eagles, and Vikings. Carolina also has two contests against the division-rival Falcons later this season. Darnold can be viewed as an upside QB2.