The 2026 NFL season is finally starting to take shape as Week 3 kicks off in just a few days. Some of the league's best teams and players are starting to emerge and establish themselves in this new season. From a fantasy football perspective, that means more predictability and less guesswork.
Multiple quarterbacks suffered major injuries in Week 2, which should shake up the fantasy football landscape. Now is the time to adjust your lineup if any of those injuries have left you high and dry.
So which QBs should you prioritize this week?
Here are three start and sit candidates at the quarterback position ahead of Week 3 of the 2026 fantasy football season.
Week 3 Start ‘Em Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson, Ravens at Cowboys
Lamar delivered a bit of a dud in Week 2. He only managed 14.8 fantasy points against a plucky Saints team that is giving everyone headaches this season.
Fortunately, a date with the Cowboys may be just what the doctor ordered.
Dallas has not been as bad of a trainwreck on defense this season. But the defense is far from being the best unit on the team.
Jackson is already a top-tier quarterback in fantasy football. Everyone knows that. The matchup against the Cowboys is what makes him a must-start quarterback in Week 3.
One X-factor to watch is the health of Zay Flowers leading up to Sunday. Flowers did not practice on Wednesday and his availability for Week 3 is currently unknown. But there is certainly a chance that he will play.
Either way, you should start Jackson with confidence this week.
Brock Purdy, 49ers vs. Cardinals
This is another case of a good fantasy quarterback going up against a weak opponent.
Purdy is currently ranked fourth among all quarterbacks in terms of fantasy points following Week 2. He crushed the Dolphins last week, logging 28.48 fantasy points in a blowout win. The same thing could happen this week.
On paper, Arizona actually has a middle-of-the-road defense. But their subpar offense often leaves them in tough situations, leaving them vulnerable to eventually giving up a big play or two.
The 49ers have plenty of weapons for Purdy to choose from and should face little resistance on their road to victory.
Purdy has a high floor and is a solid QB1 in Week 3. He makes the start 'em list because of this game's blowout potential.
Jalen Hurts, Eagles at Bears
Hurts struggled against the Titans in Week 2 but still put up a solid fantasy performance. Fortunately, Philly faces the perfect get-right opponent in Week 3.
Chicago's defense has not been a strength in 2026 after feasting on turnovers last season. To make matters worse, Caleb Williams is a complete unknown ahead of Monday Night Football and Tyson Bagent is concussed. That could mean Case Keenum plays significant snaps for the Bears this week.
That would be great news for Hurts because it would mean a favorable game script against a weak defense.
If this were another team, or another quarterback, that might not be that good. After all, it may result in plenty of rushing plays. But remember, the tush push is alive and well and could net Hurts plenty of fantasy points if Philly tries to beat the life out of Chicago on the ground.
On the flip side, Hurts could easily thrive through the air if this game (somehow) becomes a shootout.
Hurts may be the strongest start on this entire list and that's really saying something.
Week 3 Sit ‘Em Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. Vikings
It is no secret that Mayfield has started the 2026 season out pretty slow. Tampa is 0-2 under Mayfield's leadership despite giving him a whopping $165 million extension just before the regular season.
The biggest problem for fantasy football is that Mayfield has been incredibly reckless through two games. That means lots of turnovers (negative fantasy points) and overthrown passes (huge missed opportunities).
Case in point, Mayfield has yet to score more than 12 fantasy points in a given week this season. That makes him unplayable in almost every format except for deep superflex leagues. And even then, is he really better than a mid-range wide receiver?
If all of those concerns scare you, then stay away from Mayfield against the Vikings.
Minnesota's defense has been absolutely incredible this season, as per usual. The Vikings make life incredibly uncomfortable for quarterbacks, and Mayfield will be no different.
Don't start Mayfield unless you have no other choice.
Daniel Jones, Colts vs. Texans
Jones has not been playing much better than Mayfield.
Fantasy manager should be worried about Jones' lack of rushing ability after last season's Achilles injury. He only has four carries for 14 rushing yards through two games. The complete disappearance of his rushing production suggests that he's still getting his Achilles back to 100%. Or he lacks the confidence in his legs to take off as a runner.
Regardless of the reason, the outcome is that Jones doesn't earn extra fantasy points on the ground anymore. That alone makes him borderline unplayable as it is.
As for Week 3, Jones has a terrible matchup against an incredible Texans defense. They may play with an extra edge this week after starting the season 0-2.
Stay away from Jones this week.
Jameis Winston, Giants vs. Titans
Winston will be thrust into action for New York after Jaxson Dart's devastating knee injury.
The veteran quarterback was absolutely dreadful against the Rams in Week 2. In fact, he only put up a measly 2.54 fantasy points. That is terrible at any position, but especially at quarterback.
There is an argument to be made that Winston could play better with a full week of preparation. It also helps that he'll be going up against the Titans instead of the Rams in Week 3.
To be honest, those arguments sound like cope more than anything else. From a fantasy football perspective, there just isn't a good argument for starting Winston unless you absolutely have to.
Forget about Winston for fantasy purposes unless he seriously turns things around for multiple games in a row.