After three weeks of action in the NFL, there's been some clarity as to which fantasy football players are good and which are bad. With this information, let's look at which quarterbacks you should consider starting in Week 4 and which quarterback you should hold off on this week.
Start ‘Em Quarterbacks in Week 4 of 2026 NFL Season
Tyler Shough, NO
If you haven't been starting Shough since the end of the 2025 season, you're already missing out. The New Orleans Saints quarterback has been one of the best-performing quarterbacks through the first three weeks of the season, and he's not slowing down anytime soon. Shough went for 255 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders for 24.2 fantasy points.
Shough will be going up against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4. It's a divisional matchup, but Atlanta's defense has been so-and-so against quarterbacks in fantasy specifically. Shough owners should ride the hot hand and go with the Saints quarterback in Week 4.
Dak Prescott, DAL
Prescott has been one of the better quarterbacks in fantasy this season, averaging around 22 fantasy points through three weeks. Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, he was excellent, throwing for 276 yards and one touchdown for 18.9 fantasy points. One of the more turnover-prone quarterbacks in the league, Prescott has done an excellent job this season limiting his turnovers.
A matchup against the Houston Texans should scare managers on paper, given the team's reputation as one of the best defensive units in the league. However, their passing defense has been surprisingly suspect to start the year. They've given up the eighth-most points to quarterbacks through three weeks. With their passing defense in a bit of a slump as of late, you can count on Prescott to help out your fantasy team.
Brock Purdy, SF
Brock Purdy's ascension through the NFL ranks has been fascinating to watch. Even with a depleted wide receiver room, the 49ers quarterback is still playing the best football of his career. He's coming off two starts of 28+ fantasy points, the latest of which was a 31.3 FPTS outing in Week 3 where he threw for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns without a single turnover.
Purdy will take on a tough Denver Broncos defense, yes. But Denver has been middle-of-the-pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, and a favorable game-state should force the 49ers to throw the ball more.
Sit ‘Em Quarterbacks in Week 4 of 2026 NFL Season
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Drake Maye, NE
Oh, how far Drake Maye has fallen. After an MVP-level campaign in 2025, Maye has severely struggled through the first three weeks of the season. The Patriots quarterback has seven turnovers through three games, most of which were interceptions. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3, he threw up a dud, throwing two interceptions, fumbling once, and throwing no touchdowns.
The Buffalo Bills' defense started off slow, but they're starting to show their teeth with a few standout performances. Until Maye can prove that he's shaken off whatever's affecting his play, he's not worth a starting spot in any fantasy league.
Justin Herbert, LAC
The Chargers' Mike McDaniel-Justin Herbert experiment has not worked out well. In fact, it's been absolutely dreadful. The Chargers offense looks like one of the worst units in the league this season, and Herbert's struggles are part of the issue. He's thrown an interception in each of his first three games, and has just averaged 12.6 points to start the year.
A matchup against the in-form Seattle Seahawks defense should make things even worse for Herbert. Like with Maybe, Herbert has to prove that his mojo is back first before being entrusted with a starting role in fantasy leagues again.
Kirk Cousins, LV
Kirk Cousins has shown impeccable form through the first three games of the season. He's been remarkably consistent to start the year, finishing with more than 15 fantasy points in each of the first three weeks of the season. He's coming off an incredible performance against the Saints, throwing for 248 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
Unfortunately, Cousins and the Raiders are running into a buzzsaw named the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs defense has allowed the fewest points to quarterbacks in fantasy this season. While Cousins' strong start is a great feel-good story to start the year, there's nothing to indicate that he can overcome one of the stingiest defensive units in the league.