Week 3 Streaming QBs and DSTs: Two of the biggest positions for streaming in fantasy are quarterback and defense. Here in this article, we will break down the best options at quarterback and defense. We hope to steer fantasy managers into decisions that create wins. This article will focus mostly on players less than 50-percent rostered.
Week 3 Streaming QBs
Kirk Cousins (vs SEA)
At this point into the season Cousins is cruising. In Week 1 he scored 24 fantasy points and in Week 2, he followed that performance up with 25.26 fantasy points.
Facing off against the Seahawks this week, this game looks to be the juiciest on the slate for fantasy points. With a 55.5 OU, these two teams position fantasy stakeholders to have reliable floors with their players. Cousins will likely benefit from this game due to Seattle’s ability to score points in a hurry which will force the Vikings to throw the ball in order to keep up.
Your biggest risk is a Dalvin Cook takeover game, but this match-up does not project towards that risk. Lastly, the Seattle defense is nothing to be scared of, even going back to last season, so Cousins will be the top streaming option for Week 3.
Cousins is available in 75 percent of ESPN leagues.
Daniel Jones (vs ATL)
‘Ole Danny Dimes’ week is upon us as he and the Giants will take on the flimsy Atlanta defense who have allowed 40 points per game through two weeks.
In Week 2 Jones really showed the NFL world what he has to offer should he progress his talents: a solid pocket quarterback that posses elite rushing ability. The problem is Jones has not flashed much progression since coming into the league. Against teams like Atlanta however, Jones can easily become a great fantasy streamer for your team. Even against a tough Washington defense in Week 2, the third-year quarterback turned in 29 fantasy points.
It also helps Jones’ case because stud running back Saquon Barkley has been getting eased back into this offense (very slowly, if you ask his fantasy managers). The more that this team cannot rely on Barkley, the more the burden is shifted towards Jones. That creates a bullish sentiment for Jones in Week 3 since Barkley is far from being fully back into game shape.
Plus, Jones can be a cheat code in the right matchup because he can rush the ball very well. He picked up 95 rushing yards and one touchdown in Week 2 and you should see more of the same in Week 3 against Atlanta.
Jones is available in nearly 90-percent of fantasy leagues heading into Week 3.
Sam Darnold (vs HOU)
The progression of Sam Darnold will continue to be a topic of conversation throughout the 2021 season. Darnold has been extremely solid for Carolina so far, leading them to a 2-0 record and even upsetting the New Orleans Saints.
From a fantasy perspective, he is averaging 20-FPPG. Granted Week 1 was against the Jets, but his Week 2 performance against the Saints was very impressive. Heading into Week 3, Darnold will be facing off against the Houston defense who have allowed 26 points per game to their opponents.
The biggest issue for Darnold has been turnovers (still a thing for him, unfortunately) and he has logged one turnover in each week. These turnovers are the biggest thing impacting his ceiling. If the former USC product can clean these turnovers up, he could eclipse 25-plus fantasy points in this matchup.
You should also love the fact that his running back is also the team’s best receiver (see Christian McCaffrey) which makes Darnold less susceptible to being game-scripted out by the team’s running game.
Darnold is in a great position to improve upon his first two weeks as the Panthers’ quarterback. Fantasy managers should be able to find Darnold in 94-percent of leagues heading into Week 3.
Honorable Mentions:
- Matt Ryan (@NYG)
- Teddy Bridgewater (NYJ)
- Ben Roethlisberger (CIN)
- Carson Wentz (@TEN)
Week 3 Streaming D/STs
Carolina Panthers (@HOU)
There are a lot of questions that Houston has to answer surrounding their starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Honestly, Taylor was seeing a resurgence before he went down with a hamstring injury during Week 2. If Taylor doesn’t start in Week 3, Carolina becomes the locked-and-loaded play of the week for defense.
Through two weeks the Panthers’ defense leads the league in sacks with 10 and is currently second in pressures at 18. Carolina pressures the quarterback on 25-percent of dropbacks, which is well above average on a 17-week sample. In Week 2 against Jameis Winston and the Saints, the Panthers also forced two turnovers which are the money-makers for fantasy defenses.
The Panthers are in a position to possibly win fantasy managers their match-up in Week 3, something you don’t get to say often when streaming defenses in fantasy football. If Taylor gets ruled out prior to your league’s waivers running, Carolina would be worth a 5–to-8-percent FAAB investment and/or a high priority waiver claim.
The Panthers are rostered in only 13-percent of all ESPN leagues.
Arizona Cardinals (@JAX)
With already seven sacks and 14 pressures on the season, the Arizona Cardinals are quickly becoming a fantasy option for managers in 2021. In Week 3 they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars who have been a dream for fantasy defenses thus far.
This matchup starts with Trevor Lawrence who is tied for the most turnovers by a single player, which is five. Further, five turnovers are the most by any team, tying Tampa Bay and the New York Jets.
You don’t have to be a genius to know that sacks and pressures will increase the likely hood of turnovers. Arizona is also touchdown-favorites so the game is projected to go well for them from a betting standpoint.
Arizona is available in 70-percent of all ESPN leagues heading into Week 3.
Las Vegas Raiders (vs MIA)
Las Vegas is not the sexiest pick of the bunch, but one that could easily move the needle for your fantasy team. So far in 2021, the Raiders’ defense has scored 4 and 5 fantasy points respectively, which stemmed from facing the Ravens and Pittsburgh – two respectable offenses.
In their first two games, the Raiders have recorded five sacks and registered three takeaways. This becomes a nice supporting metric given that Miami has allowed eight sacks through two weeks. In addition to this, the Dolphins also have recorded four giveaways.
The biggest question will be the health of Miami’s quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. If Tagovailoa is out, this matchup becomes much more attractive from a fantasy defense perspective; keep an eye out for developments early or even late in the week.
The Raiders are currently available in 95-percent of ESPN leagues.
Probably rostered, but should be started if not:
Bills (WAS), Browns (CHI), Ravens (@DET), Saints (@NE), Broncos (NYJ)
Honorable Mentions:
- Giants (ATL)
- Atlanta (@NYG)
- Bears (@CLE)
- Bengals (@PIT)
