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2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks for Week 3

Heath ranks the signal-callers.

Minnesota Vikings v Cincinnati Bengals Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

It’s Kyler Murray’s world, and the rest of us are just living in it. After back-to-back QB1 efforts against the Titans and Vikings, he now draws the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3. Move on over, Pat Mahomes...

Multiple backup quarterbacks will get the nod this week due to injuries. Notably, it’s Week 3 and Justin Fields is already taking over for an injured Andy Dalton (knee). If you drafted him, stop joking around and get him into your lineups.

Davis Mills takes over for Tyrod Taylor in Thursday Night Football, and that would be a desperation QB2 heave. If you’re starting him—even in superflex leagues—your situation is dire. I feel similarly about Jacoby Brissett (in for Tua) and Taylor Heinicke (in for Ryan Fitzpatrick). Lastly, watch the news on Carson Wentz (knees). If he can’t go, Jacob Eason becomes another desperation heave at QB, though slightly less so than Mills.

Week 3 QB Rankings

Rank Player Name Team Opponent Notes
Rank Player Name Team Opponent Notes
1 Kyler Murray ARI @ JAC Two weeks in a row his matchup has warranted ranking him ahead of Pat Mahomes.
2 Lamar Jackson BAL @ DET His running ability and this matchup make him an elite QB1.
3 Patrick Mahomes KC vs LAC The Mike Trout-before he got injured all the time-of QBs, but he doesn't have the matchup the other two guys do.
4 Russell Wilson SEA @ MIN Only 54 passing attempts so far, but with his trademark efficiency. Great matchup makes him a top 5 option despite being on the road.
5 Jalen Hurts PHI @ DAL He was the QB6 in Week 1, and his QB10 finish last week could have been better had Jalen Reagor not stepped out of bounds on a would-be long TD.
6 Dak Prescott DAL vs PHI He was great at TB but LAC held him in check last week. This is Dallas' home opener, though. Expect fireworks.
7 Josh Allen BUF vs WAS PIT, MIA, now WAS...rough stretch for Allen to navigate so far. Don't be worried.
8 Justin Herbert LAC @ KC Having to chase the mighty Chiefs? Give me all that volume!
9 Kirk Cousins MIN vs SEA "Vegas" likes this game for a ton of scoring, as they should. Cousins hasn't been the issue in MIN this year. He's a legitimate QB1 option this week.
10 Matthew Stafford LAR vs TB DAL (58) and ATL (48) QBs put up tons of volume against what looks like a unit that NFL teams are choosing to attack via the air. That's good for Stafford...
11 Tom Brady TB @ LAR Likely no Antonio Brown and on the road vs. a tough unit...this could be a "down" week for Brady.
12 Aaron Rodgers GB @ SF Will the real A-Rod please stand up?
13 Ryan Tannehill TEN vs IND He didn't throw a TD last week and this is a tough defense...tread lightly.
14 Baker Mayfield CLE vs CHI Honestly, more play action and usage of Austin Hooper and David Njoku might simplify things a bit. I still like Baker this week.
15 Daniel Jones NYG vs ATL A big move up my rankings this week given this matchup.
16 Teddy Bridgewater DEN vs NYJ Another quality matchup and even though Jerry Jeudy is out he's still got Sutton and Fant to soak up targets.
17 Sam Darnold CAR @ HOU He's been really solid and he should post a solid performance in a plus matchup.
18 Trevor Lawrence JAC vs ARI They should be in chase mode, which equals volume, which generally is a good thing for fake football.
19 Justin Fields CHI @ CLE Andy Dalton (knee) is not expected to play. Now we walk in fields of gold...
20 Derek Carr LV vs MIA The upstart Raiders should have the edge at home over a Miami team with Brissett under center.
21 Jimmy Garoppolo SF vs GB San Fran is 2-0 despite Jimmy G's uneven play.
22 Joe Burrow CIN @ PIT Tough matchup on the road, and you worry about his protection.
23 Mac Jones NE vs NO He's not doing too much. Just what Wild Bill ordered. Let that defense do work.
24 Carson Wentz IND @ TEN His status for Sunday is in question (ankles) so we will wait and see. If not, Jacob Eason is a desperation heave--I'd have him ahead of only Wilson and Mills.
25 Ben Roethlisberger PIT vs CIN He was listed with a pectoral injury on Wed, so be mindful. But is expected to play, as is Diontae Johnson.
26 Jared Goff DET vs BAL He hasn't played THAT poorly. Five scores against two picks, and averaging 292 passing yards per game.
27 Jameis Winston NO @ NE After a rough loss to CAR last week, on the road to NE is not a "get right" spot.
28 Matt Ryan ATL @ NYG Ryan is better than what he's showed, but he's under constant duress this year. That won't change on the road to NYG.
29 Jacoby Brissett MIA @ LV Tua is out for at least this week (fractured ribs).
30 Taylor Heinicke WAS @ BUF You're hoping for some magic with his legs.
31 Zach Wilson NYJ @ DEN He's coming off an awful performance and on the road against Denver is NOT a "get right" spot.
32 Davis Mills HOU @ CAR He wasn't good in relief of TyGod last week, and the CAR pass D is strong.