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In standard scoring formats, a whopping twenty (yes, twenty) quarterbacks eclipsed 15 fantasy points during Week 2. On top of that, ten of those twenty quarterbacks scored over 20 fantasy points. Among those ten QBs were guys named Ryan Tannehill, Jimmy Garappolo, Ryan Fitzpatrick and even Blaine Gabbert — All of whom we expected would be top-10 options before the week started, and players we were targeting in our drafts just a few weeks ago, right?
Wrong.
This is a prime example of how “stream-able” quarterbacks are in fantasy football these days. Every week there will be not-so-talented signal-callers sliding their way into the top-10 on the scoreboard. Get used to it. Playing QBs by the matchup is not only an acceptable way to get by in season-long fantasy leagues, it’s oftentimes the most ideal method.
Now that I’ve gotten my “late-round QB” rant out of the way, here are my top 32 QBs for Week 3, with the help of FantasyPros’ ECR ranks:
Fantasy Football rankings - Week 3
View Available Players| # | Player (team) | Matchup | ECR™ | vs. ECR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drew Brees (NO) | vs. ATL | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Cam Newton (CAR) | vs. MIN | 4 | +2 |
| 3 | Matt Ryan (ATL) | at NO | 5 | +2 |
| 4 | Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | at PHI | 6 | +2 |
| 5 | Andrew Luck (IND) | vs. SD | 3 | -2 |
| 6 | Aaron Rodgers (GB) | vs. DET | 2 | -4 |
| 7 | Carson Palmer (ARI) | at BUF | 8 | +1 |
| 8 | Philip Rivers (SD) | at IND | 7 | -1 |
| 9 | Russell Wilson (SEA) | vs. SF | 12 | +3 |
| 10 | Blake Bortles (JAC) | vs. BAL | 11 | +1 |
| 11 | Derek Carr (OAK) | at TEN | 13 | +2 |
| 12 | Eli Manning (NYG) | vs. WAS | 9 | -3 |
| 13 | Matthew Stafford (DET) | at GB | 10 | -3 |
| 14 | Ryan Tannehill (MIA) | vs. CLE | 14 | 0 |
| 15 | Tyrod Taylor (BUF) | vs. ARI | 21 | +6 |
| 16 | Joe Flacco (BAL) | at JAC | 16 | 0 |
| 17 | Dak Prescott (DAL) | vs. CHI | 18 | +1 |
| 18 | Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) | at KC | 17 | -1 |
| 19 | Kirk Cousins (WAS) | at NYG | 19 | 0 |
| 20 | Marcus Mariota (TEN) | vs. OAK | 15 | -5 |
| 21 | Jameis Winston (TB) | vs. LA | 20 | -1 |
| 22 | Carson Wentz (PHI) | vs. PIT | 23 | +1 |
| 23 | Brock Osweiler (HOU) | at NE | 25 | +2 |
| 24 | Sam Bradford (MIN) | at CAR | 28 | +4 |
| 25 | Jacoby Brissett (NE) | vs. HOU | 29 | +4 |
| 26 | Andy Dalton (CIN) | vs. DEN | 22 | -4 |
| 27 | Alex Smith (KC) | vs. NYJ | 26 | -1 |
| 28 | Trevor Siemian (DEN) | at CIN | 31 | +3 |
| 29 | Blaine Gabbert (SF) | at SEA | 32 | +3 |
| 30 | Brian Hoyer (CHI) | at DAL | 24 | -6 |
| 31 | Cody Kessler (CLE) | at MIA | 33 | +2 |
| 32 | Case Keenum (LA) | at TB | 30 | -2 |
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Notes & Analysis:
- Cam Newton played one of the league’s most elite defenses (Denver) followed by one of the league’s weakest defenses (San Fransisco), and he scored 21 points and 29.7 points, respectively. He may have shown his 2016 floor, but probably not his ceiling.
- Matt Ryan is fantasy’s second-best QB through two weeks and now he gets a MNF matchup against a soft Saints defense that’s allowing 343.5 passing yards per game. I see him as a high-end QB1 this week, before going on a brutal three-game stretch (CAR, @DEN, @SEA).
- Aaron Rodgers is averaging 206 passing yards per game after Weeks 1 and 2, with three TDs and two turnovers. If it weren’t for a pair of short rushing scores, he’d be looking like one of fantasy’s biggest busts at this point. He’s a mid-range QB1 at home before his bye.
- Philip Rivers will need to score his fantasy points with volume over efficiency now that he’ll be without Allen and Woodhead. Still, his more-than-capable remaining weapons plus a potential shootout in Indy have Rivers in back-end QB1 territory.
- Russell Wilson hasn’t been worth his preseason ADP, but he still possesses some of the highest upside at the QB position. If Baldwin gets his knee ready for Sunday, he could (and should) have his best game yet.
- Derek Carr has looked tremendous through two weeks but a road game versus Tennessee’s relatively stout defense doesn’t project to be a very high-scoring affair. He’s still a safe, borderline QB1.
- Ryan Tannehill could be forced into a pass-heavy game plan, even against the inept Browns, as Miami’s run game looks like it will be finishing near the bottom of the league. Landry, Parker and Stills form a quietly solid trio of receivers.
- Tyrod Taylor proved he can “bust” in Week 1, but then went on to “boom” in Week 2. He’ll be a volatile fantasy player until the Bills get their offensive scheme settled, but he could be playing catch-up during this week’s game against the Cardinals, which fantasy owners will surely approve of.
- Dak Prescott has played conservatively, if not effectively, in his first two professional starts. If he can start throwing TDs, starting this week against a deteriorated Bears defense, he’ll soon enter the QB1 streaming discussion.
- Kirk Cousins currently has less fantasy points than 23 other quarterbacks. He’ll look to rebound at MetLife Stadium this week, but the Giants’ defense looks vastly improved.
- Carson Wentz has been talked up like a future HOF quarterback after his two weeks in the NFL. Sunday’s game against the Steelers, who prey on rookie signal-callers, will be his first true test in this league after game-managing his way past the Browns and Bears.
- Sam Bradford looked very impressive in the Vikings’ win over the Packers on Sunday night, but a road trip to Carolina renders him an uninspiring QB2 this week.
- Jacoby Brissett might be the next QB to step in and win games for the Patriots, but he’s impossible to trust outside of daily fantasy lineups, where he’ll be dirt cheap. Belichick will likely implement a run-heavy game plan for the rookie on Thursday night.