It’s that time of the week to set those lineups for week three of the fantasy football season. In order to help you do so, I’m going to share the top 24 quarterback and tight end rankings I constructed through statistical analysis, matchup data, sportsbook data and film. On top of that I’ll also share my must start player who is on the border according to ESPN projections.
If you have any sit/start questions that I can’t get to on Reddit or want personalized team advice, click the link below and shoot me a message! That being said, let’s dive right into it!
Week 3 Quarterback Rankings (2024 Fantasy Football)
Excluded - Josh Aaron Rodgers, Jacoby Brissett, Hunter Henry, Tyler Conklin
Tier 1
1. Josh Allen vs JAC
2. Lamar Jackson @ DAL
3. Jalen Hurts @ NO
4. Kyler Murray vs DET
Tier 2
5. Anthony Richardson vs CHI
6. Patrick Mahomes @ ATL
7. Joe Burrow vs WAS
8. C.J. Stroud @ MIN
Tier 3
9. Jayden Daniels @ CIN
10. Baker Mayfield vs DEN
11. Jared Goff @ ARI
12. Dak Prescott vs BAL
13. Derek Carr vs PHI
Tier 4
14. Sam Darnold vs HOU
15. Brock Purdy @ LAR
16. Justin Fields vs LAC
17. Geno Smith vs MIA
Tier 5
18. Trevor Lawrence @ BUF
19. Kirk Cousins vs KC
20. Deshaun Watson vs NYG
21. Caleb Williams @ IND
Tier 6
22. Daniel Jones @ CLE
23. Matthew Stafford vs SF
24. Gardner Minshew vs CAR
Must Start: Quarterback
Anthony Richardson vs CHI
ESPN Projection - QB13
From an NFL perspective, Anthony Richardson has looked horrible. However, this doesn’t matter for fantasy football because he can run the football at an elite rate. Let’s not forget that Richardson scored 26.1 points in week one. Richardson has the rushing upside to score 30 points on any given week and for that reason you have to start him.
Moving onto week three, Richardson takes on the Chicago Bears. Even though Richardson was really bad in week three throwing three interceptions, I expect a bit of a bounceback next week. While the Bears defense has looked very good, I’m expecting Richardson to have to pull the ball down a lot and run. Even though I don’t love the matchup I’m still starting Richardson this week.
Week 3 Tight End Rankings (2024 Fantasy Football)
Tier 1
1. Sam LaPorta @ ARI
2. Trey McBride vs DET
Tier 2
3. Travis Kelce @ ATL
4. Dalton Kincaid vs JAC
5. Brock Bowers vs CAR
6. Kyle Pitts vs KC
Tier 3
7. Mark Andrews @ DAL
Tier 4
8. Isaiah Likely @ DAL
9. Dallas Goedert @ NO
10. Dalton Schultz @ MIN
11. Jake Ferguson vs BAL
Tier 5
12. Pat Freiermuth vs LAC
13. Colby Parkinson vs SF
14. Taysom Hill vs PHI
Tier 6
15. Mike Gesicki vs WAS
16. Hunter Henry @ NYJ
17. Noah Fant vs MIA
Tier 7
18. Zach Ertz
19. Cade Otton vs DEN
20. Chig Okonkwo vs GB
21. Cole Kmet @ IND
22. Greg Dulcich @ TB
23. Jonnu Smith @ SEA
24. Tucker Kraft @ TEN
Must Start: Tight End
Dalton Kincaid vs JAC
ESPN Projection - TE11
I’ve been getting a lot of questions this week about if you should still start Dalton Kincaid. I understand that he hasn’t been great but he was being drafted as a top five tight end to start the year. In week two Kincaid was still underwhelming but he still had 7.3 points last week. In a tight end landscape that has been a crapshoot anyways, I don’t believe Kincaid should be anywhere near his TE11 ranking.
When looking at his week three matchup, I love this game for Kincaid as well. After taking a knee to the head last week, Kincaid should be at full strength for this week. On top of that looking at PFF’s TE Matchup Tool, Kincaid has the 2nd highest advantage at 42%. Please don’t do bench Kincaid this week despite his disappointing past few weeks.