The 2024-25 NFL season has begun which means fantasy football is back! The fantasy landscape has already changed since the preseason due to breakout players and major injuries across the league. This makes it the appropriate time of year to begin deferring from some of the players originally drafted to be starters and play some of the players that have overperformed this season as opposed to performing at their preseason expectation. Since every week is important it would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one that is ranked or projected to perform similarly. Here are fantasy football Week 3 quarterback rankings.
[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to Injured Reserve List]
[Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week]
Key:
Must Start- a player who should be in your lineup that week because of the combination of matchup and talent. They will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and could repeat the production most weeks.
Starter- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.
Low-End Starter- a player who should be started in most lineups but can bottom out and finish below average on a given week. A high ceiling play in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Streamer- a player who could be a perfect replacement for a starter for a week or two. Starting this player may not win you your lineup but they will make sure that your production out of that position will not lose you your matchup either. Also a viable option in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Deep League Streamer- a player who could fill a void at a position in a deeper league. Their ceiling may be close to average point production at the position but their floor is enough to get through the week. A reasonable player to have in your lineup in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Quarterback Rankings
Category | Name | Opponent | Ranking |
Must Start | Patrick Mahomes | vs Atlanta Falcons | QB1 |
Must Start | Josh Allen | vs Jacksonville Jaguars | QB2 |
Must Start | Jalen Hurts | vs New Orleans Saints | QB3 |
Must Start | Lamar Jackson* | vs Dallas Cowboys | QB4 |
Starter | Kyler Murray | vs Detroit Lions | QB5 |
Starter | Anthony Richardson | vs Chicago Bears | QB6 |
Starter | Jayden Daniels | vs Cincinnati Bengals | QB7 |
Starter | C.J. Stroud | vs Minnesota Vikings | QB8 |
Low-End Starter | Baker Mayfield | vs Denver Broncos | QB9 |
Low-End Starter | Joe Burrow | vs Washington Commanders | QB10 |
Low-End Starter | Brock Purdy | vs Los Angeles Rams | QB11 |
Low-End Starter | Dak Prescott | vs Baltimore Ravens | QB12 |
Streamer | Derek Carr | vs Philadelphia Eagles | QB13 |
Streamer | Geno Smith | vs Miami Dolphins | QB14 |
Streamer | Jared Goff | vs Arizona Cardinals | QB15 |
Streamer | Kirk Cousins | vs Kansas City Chiefs | QB16 |
Streamer | Justin Fields | vs Los Angeles Chargers | QB17 |
Deep League Streamer | Justin Herbert | vs Pittsburgh Steelers | QB18 |
Deep League Streamer | Sam Darnold | vs Houston Texans | QB19 |
Deep League Streamer | Deshaun Watson | New York Giants | QB20 |
Deep League Streamer | Aaron Rodgers | vs New England Patriots | QB21 |
Leave on the Bench | Matthew Stafford | vs San Francisco 49ers | QB22 |
Leave on the Bench | Trevor Lawerence | vs Buffalo Bills | QB23 |
Leave on the Bench | Caleb Williams | vs Indianapolis Colts | QB24 |
Leave on the Bench | Gardner Minshew | vs Carolina Panthers | QB25 |
Leave on the Bench | Will Levis | vs Green Bay Packers | QB26 |
Leave on the Bench | Andy Dalton | vs Las Vegas Raiders | QB27 |
Leave on the Bench | Daniel Jones | vs Cleveland Browns | QB28 |
Leave on the Bench | Bo Nix | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | QB29 |
Leave on the Bench | Skylar Thompson | vs Seattle Seahawks | QB30 |
Leave on the Bench | Jacoby Brissett | New York Jets | QB31 |
Leave on the Bench | Malik Willis | vs Tennessee Titans | QB32 |
Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday
QB18 Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert suffered a lower leg injury last week against the Carolina Panthers. It is unclear to this point what the injury is or if it will affect Herbert’s status going forward. If Herbert misses Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers Taylor Heinicke becomes the QB30 between Skylar Thompson and Jacoby Brissett.
Players that are currently not expected to play
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
During the final drive of the Green Bay Packer’s Week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jordan Love suffered an injury. That injury ended up being an MCL sprain. That is expected to hold Love out for the next 3-6 weeks. The Packers are hopeful he can return sooner rather than later by not placing in on Injured Reserve. Recent acquisition Malik Willis is expected to continue being the starting quarterback for Green Bay until Love returns.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Last week against the Buffalo Bills Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion on a scramble. Tagovailoa has a history of concussions that has shifted the conversation to whether Tagovailoa should continue playing or retire. Miami has put Tagovailoa on Injured Reserve allowing Tagovailoa to meet with specialists to see what his future should be. While Tagovailoa is out Skylar Thompson will be Miami’s starting quarterback. The Dolphins also picked up Tyler Huntley to back up Thompson.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Two weeks ago Russell Wilson suffered a calf injury in practice that has held him out of the first two games of the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers were cautious with Wilson sitting him for his debut with the team for backup Justin Fields. The Steelers are expected to continue rolling Fields out and let Wilson get healthy.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
The major news that has shaken up the NFL is that the Carolina Panthers have decided to bench 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young for Andy Dalton going forward. It is no secret that the Panthers offense has not looked good so far this season. New Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales has made the bold decision to bench Young going forward. Andy Dalton is a journeyman quarterback with a ton of experience starting. This Panthers offense should have a higher ceiling on a week-to-week basis with Dalton under center.
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers like Chris ThomasNFL Football is back! Wondering who to start at quarterback in fantasy football? Here are the fantasy football week 2 quarterback rankings.