Two weeks of football are in the books, and Bryce Young is BALLING. Ian Hartitz ranks his top 32 quarterbacks for Week 3, sorts them into six tiers, and stops after every tier for a bigger question about the position. Only Josh Allen has scored more fantasy points than Bryce so far this season, and he is still only 34% rostered.
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Two weeks of football are in the books, and Bryce Young is BALLING. Ian Hartitz ranks his top 32 quarterbacks for Week 3, sorts them into six tiers, and stops after every tier for a bigger question about the position. Only Josh Allen has scored more fantasy points than Bryce so far this season, and he is still only 34% rostered.
TIER 1: THE BIG FIVE
Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy, Patrick Mahomes.
Key question: what are the worst defenses we should be targeting after two weeks? Using defensive EPA per dropback in 2025 and 2026, the Cowboys, Commanders, Dolphins, Cardinals and Titans stand out as bad last year and bad again this year. You were already starting Lamar and Purdy, but don't be surprised if Drew Lock keeps on keeping on and the Patrick Mahomes comeback season rolls on in Miami.
TIER 2: STARTING THEM AND FEELING GOOD ABOUT IT
Trevor Lawrence, Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Tyler Shough.
Key question: what offenses have most consistently pushed the easy buttons, pre-snap shift/motion and play-action, through two weeks? Zac Robinson's Buccaneers are doing everything we could ask for. The Bears went from 6th and 2nd in motion and play-action last season to 29th and 9th, and the Packers from 9th and 14th to 24th and 26th. Too many new play-callers sit in the bottom-left corner.
TIER 3: WE HAVE QUESTIONS
Jordan Love, Drake Maye, Justin Herbert, Bryce Young, Kyler Murray, Bo Nix.
Key question: how have offenses performed relative to preseason Vegas expectations? The Panthers (26th in preseason implied totals, 2nd in points per game), Raiders, Saints, Jets and Chiefs are the most pleasant surprises. The Rams, Patriots, Chargers, Bengals and Packers have disappointed, and the Packers, Chargers and Patriots are where things have looked ROUGH.
TIER 4: SUPERFLEX ONLY IF YOU CAN HELP IT
Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield, Malik Willis, Drew Lock, Geno Smith.
Key question: what offensive lines might be BAD? Using average time to pressure and RB rush yards before contact, the Bills and Rams are the class of the league, with the 49ers, Bucs, Bears, Jets and Commanders also doing more good than bad. The Packers, Bengals, Giants, Saints, Chargers and Vikings have struggled.
TIER 5: YIKES, BUT HEY, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY
C.J. Stroud, Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Daniel Jones.
Key question: who are the best streaming options for the next few weeks? For Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart managers: Bryce Young, then C.J. Stroud, then Geno Smith and Jacoby Brissett, with Mariota ahead of Jameis after that.
TIER 6: NOT GOOD. IN FACT, BAD
Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix, Tyson Bagent, Cam Ward, Aaron Rodgers.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:26 Tier 1: The big five
4:16 Key question: the worst defenses to target
5:43 Tier 2: Starting them and feeling good about it
11:33 Key question: who is pushing the easy buttons
14:49 Tier 3: We have questions
20:04 Key question: offenses vs. preseason Vegas expectations
21:38 Tier 4: Superflex only if you can help it
24:51 Key question: which offensive lines might be bad
25:39 Fantasy Genius
26:52 Tier 5: Yikes, but hey, any given Sunday
30:03 Key question: the best streaming options
31:41 Tier 6: Not good. In fact, bad
33:25 Wrapping up
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