Minshew, Jackson among 5 must-start fantasy football QBs for Week 3

MIAMI, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Gardner Minshew and Lamar Jackson are among my five must-start fantasy football quarterbacks for Week 3.

Jackson also leads my Top 20 quarterback rankings, which are below. Josh Allen, Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes are among my other Top 5 plays. C.J. Stroud, Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, Anthony Richardson and Derek Carr round out my Top 10.

My Week 3 running back, tight end and wide receiver rankings remain available for your preparation. My free-agent targets article is available here.

Those with stock in Tua Tagovailoa should remove him from starting lineups -- and possibly drop him from your roster -- because of his placement on injured reserve. Jordan Love stock owners should continue to monitor his injury status before placing him in starting lineups.

My positional rankings will continue to be updated for developments, including injuries. Aaron Rodgers, who was ranked No. 20 in my quarterback rankings, was removed after leading the New York Jets to a win over the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football.

Burrow, Murray and Carr join Minshew and Jackson as my must-start options. Several streaming options can also be found within my rankings.

Each of my must-start options land inside the Top 14 of my quarterback rankings.

Lamar Jackson

Jackson averaged the fifth-most fantasy points among quarterbacks through the first two weeks of the season. He averaged more than 250 passing yards and 80 rushing yards during that span.

This week, Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens will face the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys just allowed 243 passing yards to Derek Carr in Week 2. They also surrendered 39 rushing yards to Deshaun Watson in Week 1.

Look for Jackson to eclipse both of those totals, and to find the end zone at least three times in a shootout Sunday in Arlington, Texas.

Kyler Murray

Murray is my No. 3 quarterback for Week 3. The Arizona Cardinals playmaker threw for just 162 yards and a score in Week 1, but bounced back with three passing scores, 266 passing yards and 59 rushing yards in a Week 2 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

This week, Murray and the Cardinals will face a Detroit Lions defense that surrendered 317 passing yards to Matthew Stafford in Week 1. The Lions also allowed two total touchdowns and 34 rushing yards to Baker Mayfield in Week 2.

Murray is a near lock for at least 70 rushing yards in this matchup. I also expect the Cardinals quarterback to account for at least two scores.

Joe Burrow

Like Murray, Burrow was underwhelming in Week 1, but responded with a much better performance (258 yards and two scores) in Week 2.

This week, Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals will host the Washington Commanders. The Commanders allowed six passing scores through two weeks, including four from Baker Mayfield and two from Daniel Jones.

I expect Burrow to log at least 250 passing yards and three scores in this matchup. He could provide even better production if injured wide receiver Tee Higgins returns to the Bengals lineup.

Derek Carr

Carr is a stream-worthy QB1 this week for leagues with at least 10 teams. The New Orleans Saints quarterback ranks second in fantasy points at the position so far this season, trailing only Baker Mayfield.

Carr is tied with Mayfield for the league lead in touchdown passes (five) and leads the NFL with a 142.4 passer rating through two weeks. He also logged just one interception though his first two starts of 2024.

This week, the Saints will host the Philadelphia Eagles, who allowed more than 240 passing yards and two scores in each of their first two games, which came against Jordan Love and Kirk Cousins.

I expect the Eagles to win this game, but Carr should find the end zone at least twice. He could finish the week as a Top 5 play if he eclipses 250 passing yards.

He is No. 10 in my Week 3 rankings.

Gardner Minshew

Minshew can be used as a low-end streamer in Week 3. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback leads the NFL with 55 completions and ranks second with 533 passing yards.

Minshew threw for 276 yards and a score in a Week 2 win over the Baltimore Ravens. He started the season with a 257-yard, one-score performance against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Minshew and the Raiders are set to host the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. The Panthers allowed three touchdowns from Carr in Week 1 and another two passing scores from Justin Herbert in Week 2.

Look for Minshew to air it out against this defense, finding the end zone at least twice and throwing for more than 200 passing yards. He is my No. 14 option.

Week 3 fantasy football quarterback rankings

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens at DAL

2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills vs. JAX

3. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals vs. DET

4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals vs. WAS

5. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs at ATL

6. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans at MIN

7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys vs. BAL

8. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles at NO

9. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts vs. CHI

10. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints vs. PHI

11. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions at ARI

12. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers at LAR

13. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders at CIN

14. Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders vs. CAR

15. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. DEN

16. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers at PIT

17. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks vs. MIA

18. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons vs. KC

19. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings vs. HOU

20. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers at TEN