The best fantasy QB options to stream for Week 3

Just as we all expected, through two weeks, our top three fantasy quarterbacks are none other than Trevor Siemian, Alex Smith, and Carson Wentz. The fact that none of these three QBs were even drafted in most leagues should lend plenty of credence for not spending an early draft pick on the position.

DeShone Kizer (migraines) and Sam Bradford (knee) both had health issues, but early reports indicate they are both more likely than not to be under center in Week 3. For those with a top-tier QB locked into their weekly lineup, we’re still a couple of weeks away from the first scheduled byes, although it’s always a good idea to plan ahead of the waiver rush.

First off, let’s look at how last week’s streaming candidates did.

Notes: Eagles coach Doug Pederson has drawn criticism for his play-calling and lack of commitment to the run game, with several players even voicing displeasure at the lack of balance after the Eagles called 56 pass plays to only 13 runs in a game that was tied in the fourth quarter. Wentz should be streamed with caution, as Pederson acknowledged the need to dial back the number of throws his second-year QB is asked to make… As anticipated, Carson Palmer rebounded from a rough season-opener and racked up 332 passing yards against the Colts’ struggling pass defense. His fantasy day could have been better had he hit Larry Fitzgerald on a fourth-down red-zone pass. Palmer was also without John Brown (quad) in this one… Alex Smith came back down to earth a bit, although he has certainly played well enough to quiet any remaining Pat Mahomes chatter for the time being… I regret not listing Trevor Siemian as a Week 2 streaming option, and he’s certainly in the mix moving forward. Still, expectations should be dialed back this week when he hits the road for the first time this season to face a tough Bills defense.

Below are the most attractive options for QB streaming for Week 3 who are either widely available, on your bench, or priced cheap in daily formats. Each player is listed along with current ownership and start percentages from ESPN leagues as well as FanDuel salary rank.

Week 3

Jay Cutler (MIA @ NYJ) – 4.1% owned/1.3% started/priced QB17 on FanDuel

The Jets rank second-worst in PFF coverage grade and third-worst in pass-rush grade, with no team coming even close to New York’s dead-last overall defensive grade. All told, the Jets have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing QBs, and a team that struggles to cover and to generate pressure is one to attack in fantasy. One player Cutler will no doubt target is Jets’ CB Buster Skrine, who has been targeted only four times on 58 coverage snaps but has allowed three catches for 50 yards and a score for a league-worst, nearly perfect 156.3 passer rating.

It wasn’t the gun-slinging, mistake-prone version of Cutler that we saw in his Dolphins debut, but rather an efficient signal-caller who was in control of Adam Gase’s offense. Cutler’s 100.92 PFF passer rating was fifth-best for Week 2, while his 81.3 accuracy percentage was seventh-best. He was effective when taking shots down field against the Chargers, completing 3-of-7 deep passes (20-plus yards) for 91 yards and a score, good for a 129.5 QB rating. Look for the Dolphins to continue utilizing play fakes, as Cutler boasts an 84.6 completion percentage and a 137.2 passer rating on play-action, compared to a 65-percent completion rate and a 75.0 rating the rest of the time.

Eli Manning (NYG @ PHI) – 22.4%/3.3%/QB21

This one will take some gusto, even in deep leagues, with Manning coming off a dreadful Monday night performance and Ben McAdoo seemingly all but ready for his last rites as the Giants’ offensive coordinator. Still, it’s a fact that Manning’s 76.8 accuracy percentage ranks eighth-best out of 28 QBs through two weeks. And while the offensive line has had its problems, it bears mention that Manning has been under pressure on only 26.9 percent of his dropbacks, fourth-lowest among 28 qualifiers. Why is that important? His current 86.0 QB rating when kept clean is a mark that is due for some positive regression:

The health of Odell Beckham Jr. will obviously factor into Manning’s Week 3 outlook, but there is some intrigue for any quarterback facing a reeling Eagles secondary that is minus top cornerback Ronald Darby and ranked 27th in PFF pass-coverage grade. Thrust into the No. 1 CB role, second-year man Jalen Mills has given up a catch every 5.4 cover snaps, tied for worst in the league. Mills has also allowed the fifth-most yards per cover snap (2.11) through two games, after last year ranking second-worst in the league in that category (2.07). In two games against Mills and the Eagles last season, Manning averaged 307 passing yards with five TDs and five INTs.

Deshaun Watson (HOU @ NE) – 10.1%/2.0 %/QB26

Aside from a scintillating, 49-yard touchdown scamper, Watson’s first start left plenty to be desired. Watson was downright dreadful under pressure with a 26.0 passer rating. What’s more, his 59.6 adjusted completion percentage is currently the worst in the league, and he was off target on all four of his deep shots downfield.

However, Watson was one of the nation’s more effective deep passers playing with Mike Williams his final year at Clemson, and he’s certainly got a legit downfield threat in DeAndre Hopkins. He also didn’t get much help from Houston’s offensive line, which is PFF’s worst-rated unit in pass-blocking efficiency with 44 pressures on 79 pass plays. For his part, Watson must do a better job getting the ball out of his hands and improving on his average of 2.93 seconds to throw, which is fifth-longest out of 33 qualifiers.

With all of that said, we also have to remember the offensive horror show that has become Thursday Night Football, and that it marked Watson’s pro debut. With 10 days to prepare, he now gets a much more appealing matchup in Week 3. Through two games, the Patriots have allowed 724 yards and six TDs through the air, with opposing QBs averaging 27 fantasy points. Only the New Orleans Saints have been more generous.

Honorable mention

Carson Palmer (ARI vs. DAL) – 18.6%/5.5 %/QB20

Palmer has to be licking his chops after watching Trevor Siemian and the Broncos receivers have their way with the Cowboys. Nolan Carroll has allowed a 118.8 passer rating on six targets, having yielded six catches for 94 yards. He figures to be in Palmer’s crosshairs early and often. Palmer has been accurate on 5-of-12 deep passes, including a drop, for 166 yards with one TD and one interception.

Why didn’t Palmer make the top-three streaming options this week? The Cardinals’ O-line has been a sieve (second-worst pass-blocking efficiency), and Palmer has only a 30.1 QB rating under pressure thus far. It’s fair to wonder how many QB1 fantasy weeks he has left in his career.

DeShone Kizer (CLE vs. IND) – 4.5%/1.2%/QB27

Kizer sat out for nearly two quarters on Sunday due to a migraine, yet he still threw for 182 yards against a tough Ravens defense. The loss of Corey Coleman is a concern for Kizer, as are the four turnovers. But whereas this week’s opponent, the Colts, have held opposing RBs to only 2.5 YPC, they have also allowed a conference-worst 9.3 yards per pass attempt. Corners Quincy Wilson (137.5 passer rating when targeted) and T.J. Green (124.0) have been easy targets for opposing passers thus far.