One of the most universal strategies among fantasy football managers is QB streaming. As we quickly approach the Sunday slate of Week 3 of the NFL season, let’s discuss QB tiers and streamers you should have on your radar as you set your lineups.
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.
The below rankings are intended as a guide for half-PPR formats. They do not take into account individual league rules and setups. The Week 3 QB rankings and tiers are consensus rankings from PFN Senior Fantasy Analyst Eric Moody and Fantasy Analyst Tommy Garrett.
Tier 1
1. Kyler Murray | Arizona Cardinals @ JAX
2. Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens @ DET
3. Patrick Mahomes II | Kansas City Chiefs vs. LAC
Tier 2
4. Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills vs. WAS
5. Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys vs. PHI
6. Russell Wilson | Seattle Seahawks @ MIN
7. Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles @ DAL
Tier 3
8. Tom Brady | Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ LAR
9. Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers @ KC
10. Matthew Stafford | Los Angeles Rams vs. TB
11. Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers @ SF
Tier 4
12. Ryan Tannehill | Tennessee Titans vs. IND
13. Kirk Cousins | Minnesota Vikings vs. SEA
14. Daniel Jones | New York Giants vs. ATL
15. Teddy Bridgewater | Denver Broncos vs. NYJ
16. Derek Carr | Las Vegas Raiders vs. MIA
Tier 5
17. Justin Fields | Chicago Bears @ CLE
18. Matt Ryan | Atlanta Falcons @ NYG
19. Baker Mayfield | Cleveland Browns vs. CHI
Tier 6
20. Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CIN
21. Jimmy Garoppolo | San Francisco 49ers vs. GB
22. Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. ARI
23. Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals @ PIT
Tier 7
24. Jared Goff | Detroit Lions vs. BAL
25. Mac Jones | New England Patriots vs. NO
26. Jameis Winston | New Orleans Saints @ NE
Tier 8
27. Zach Wilson | New York Jets @ DEN
28. Jacoby Brissett | Miami Dolphins @ LV
29. Jacob Eason | Indianapolis Colts @ TEN
30. Carson Wentz | Indianapolis Colts @ TEN
31. Taysom Hill | New Orleans Saints @ NE
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 out the entire season with one player at the position. It is all about identifying favorable matchups that week and adding the pertinent QB off waivers.
When identifying streamers, I consider three 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
Through two weeks, Daniel Jones (50.9 points) has more fantasy points than Russell Wilson (50.4), Lamar Jackson (50.2), Matthew Stafford (41.6), Dak Prescott (34.9), Josh Allen (33.9), Justin Herbert (28.1), and Aaron Rodgers (28.1). Bet you saw that one coming, didn’t you?
Jones has been great for fantasy purposes. He has a 64% completion rate on his passes (44 of 69) for 516 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding 122 yards and 2 more TDs on 15 carries. For QBs, rushing upside is massive. Jones has seen his rushing totals rise from 21.5 yards per game in 2019 and 30.1 in 2020 all the way to 61 yards per game this season.
Yes, I hate using a small sample size — but it’s only Week 3, so we can’t be too picky. Also, I don’t see Jones’ ground production changing too much.
Ride the hot hand (or legs) while you can, and take a shot on Jones as a starter in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons, who are dead-last in fantasy points allowed to QBs at 29.05 ppg.
Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos
Last week, I bought up Teddy Two Gloves as a streamer, and he is back once again in Week 3 as the Denver Broncos take on the New York Jets.
Teddy Bridgewater put up another solid game in Week 2, completing 26-of-34 for 328 yards and 2 touchdowns in a win. The narrative around Bridgewater is that he’s a check-down king who simply dinks and dunks his way down the field. Sure, he takes what the defense gives him, — as all good QBs do. But he is far more aggressive than currently being given credit for in 2021.
In fact, no QB has attempted more throws 20+ yards downfield this season than Bridgewater. Not only is he fifth in intended air yards (668), but his average throw depth of 9.5 yards is second only to Trevor Lawrence (9.8), per Sports Info Solutions. Heck, he has two receivers averaging almost 20 yards in average depth of target with Courtland Sutton (20) and K.J. Hamler (19.7). It’s rare to see one on a team, let alone two.
He’ll look to continue his success against the Jets this week, who are one of the better fantasy matchups to target for QBs.
Justin Fields, Chicago
Yes, I know head coach Matt Nagy has said Andy Dalton will be Chicago’s starting quarterback once again when he returns from a knee injury. But did you hear the latest quotes from Nagy? When he said this is the first time the Bears are getting to look at Justin Fields with the first-team offense? I’m sorry — what? You had all offseason to look at your first-round pick, and we literally have video of him with the ones.
It’s beside the point, however. All that matters is that once Fields shows what he can do for an entire game following a week of preparation, he is going to shine in the NFL. Even if he makes a few mistakes, his incredible athletic ability and rushing upside are what we dream of for fantasy football. Do not be surprised if he has over 80 yards on the ground in Week 3.
Once Fields is given the reins of the offense, I have a hard time seeing him going back to the bench if he plays the way we believe he can.