We have many high-end quarterbacks to pay up for in week three, and all are highly viable. We also have some mid-range and cheaper possibilities if you go for different roster constructions, allowing you to pay up at other positions. I’m going to take a look at some of our top options for the week.
Top Ceiling Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray – DraftKings – $8,300 | FanDuel – $9,000
Kyler Murray’s price tag is definitely prohibitive, but that only lowers the ownership of a potentially slate-breaking quarterback every time he takes the field. Kyler is a true dual-threat quarterback. He can put up QB1 performances on the week without even flashing his actual rushing upside. Kyler is close to 700 yards passing already on the year with nine touchdowns through two games. He’s barely even touched the scoresheet on his feet.
The game environment between Arizona and Jacksonville should serve to bolster Murray’s production, with a 52.5 total, and Arizona with the second-highest implied team total on the slate. The game should play at a fast pace, with both teams in the NFL’s top ten. If there is a concern, it would be a blowout with the Cardinals sitting as seven-point favorites. Assuming the game stays close, we should have real fireworks on our hands.
Murray also benefits as a DFS asset from many good stacking options with rookie sensation Rondale Moore and the always viable DeAndre Hopkins. Christian Kirk and A.J. Green are also in play. If there is a downside, he has too many targets, making it difficult to hone in on one or two. Some would choose to run him alone, which, while usually not advisable, could be viable in his case. Particularly if he gets it going in the run game in week three.
Lamar Jackson – DraftKings – $7,800 | FanDuel – $8,400
Lamar is clearly in play any time he takes the field but particularly stands out this week against a woeful Lions defense that allows the worst Plus/Minus in the league. On top of it, they haven’t even faced a dual-threat quarterback like Lamar yet this year.
It could get ugly quickly, and a blowout might be our only concern here. However, Goff and company have done a decent job of keeping games close enough to result in fantasy production for their opposition. Jackson has also historically performed in games in which the Ravens were heavily favored.
His ceiling is right up there in multiple models with Mahomes and Murray, but he comes at a slight discount, further adding to his appeal in week three.
Ceiling + Mid-Range Value Quarterbacks
Josh Allen – DraftKings – $7,000 | FanDuel – $8,000
Josh Allen has seen a sizable dip in his fantasy production through weeks one and two. The preseason buzz was that the Bills would be an unprecedentedly pass-happy offense. Between that and Allen’s running capability, it looked like he would be a top ceiling quarterback week in and week out.
This hasn’t proven true thus far this season, as he’s failed to eclipse 20 DKP through weeks one and two. The Washington Football Team is also a less-than-ideal matchup. Yet, the Bills have a sizable team total approaching 27, and Allen’s price has considerably decreased. Particularly on DraftKings, where it sits at just 7K. On FanDuel, he may not qualify as a value but is viable for his ceiling nonetheless.
It is indeed possible that Allen has regressed to his pre-2020 form, but if he’s the guy we saw last year, now would be the time to buy low before his price increases.
Justin Herbert – DraftKings – $6,500 | FanDuel – $7,500
Herbert’s price is very low for this game environment and his potential ceiling if this turns into a shootout. He just let us down in week two, failing to perform in the chalk stacking game of the week. This should only serve to suppress ownership in what could easily be just what we expected last week from the Cowboys/Chargers matchup.
You could just as well play Mahomes on the other side, and he is one of the top ceiling options of the week. But it’s mainly the game environment I’m after, and Herbert is a bargain while Mahomes is extremely expensive. Especially when stacking him with Hill or Kelce, which you would want to do. Due to the nature of the Chiefs offense, opposing teams generally pass at a much higher rate. The Chargers should be trailing as +6.5 dogs. The total on this game is 55.5, and if it stays close, Herbert should be in for a big game. You can also pair him with two super solid stacking options in Keenan Allen and what appears to be a revamped big Mike Williams in 2021. Run it back with Tyreek or Kelce, and you have a perfect game stack.
Bonus: Cheap Value Quarterback
Justin Fields – DraftKings – $5,200 | FanDuel – $6,500
Justin Fields has been announced at last as the starting quarterback in Chicago over what’s left of the “Red Rifle” turned “Red Ryder BB Gun” Andy Dalton. However, according to coach-speak, the downgraded Dalton will be back after recovering from a bone bruise sustained in week two. Still, for now, we get to see our first authentic look at Fields. We don’t really know what we’re getting with him in his first-ever career start. Still, the bottom line is that he is a dual-threat quarterback who showed great potential in college, and he’s $5,200 on DraftKings and $6,500 on FanDuel. He would likely be more expensive if sites knew that he would be starting in week three when prices were released.
It’s definitely not safe, and the Bears have had their share of issues on the offensive line. Still, this price on a promising young starting quarterback playing all the snaps is simply too low and worth taking advantage of while we can.
I'm a DFS player (JackG1111), DFS content provider, and musician.
You must log in to post a comment.