Nerds! The Dynasty Nerds writers are here to provide you with weekly starts and sits all season long. We will be making our recommendations based on weekly consensus PPR rankings. Here are the quarterback starts and sits from staff writer Mike Hicks.
One thing to keep in mind when making start/sit decisions; it will ALWAYS depend on who your other options are. Don’t take the players below out of (or put them into) your lineups unless the alternates are worth it.
NOTE: Rankings are sourced from FantasyPros expert consensus rankings (ECR) and our terminology is for a 12-team PPR league.
Our writers answer all start/sit questions on Discord before the games exclusively for the #Nerdherd. The advanced metrics used in this article are courtesy of Fantasy Points Data Suite, use code NERDS for 25% off your own data suite subscription or All-in bundle.
1 QUARTERBACK START
DEREK CARR I V. PHI I 22.1 FPPG I ECR 14 I 75% CONFIDENCE
The New Orleans Saints have been on fire to start the 2024 season, and quarterback Derek Carr has played a significant role in their success. Through 2 games, Carr is QB2 (22.1 FPPG) with 443 passing yards and 6 total touchdowns. He has a pass-completion percentage of 76.9% (3rd) and a 1st-read completion percentage of 74.4% (7th), according to Fantasy Points Data Suite. His most impressive stat through 2 weeks might be his league-leading 1.05 Fantasy points per dropback (Fantsypros).
The New Orleans Saints have the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. Carr’s ECR (Expert Consensus Ranking) is QB14. My key stat to watch in this game for Carr is plays against Cover 3. Carr and the Saints have faced Cover 3, at 53.5% which leads the NFL. Also, the Eagles run Cover 3 42.6%, which is 6th amongst NFL defenses. I look for Carr to continue his early season success, and he has the upside to be a top-10 QB in Week 3. Go ahead and start Carr in all fantasy formats.
1 QUARTERBACK SIT
ANTHONY RICHARDSON I V. CHI I FPPG 20.0 I ECR 9 I 55% CONFIDENCE
The Indianapolis Colts’ Anthony Richardson has had an up and down start to the season. He is QB8 averaging 20 FPPG. That includes a down week 2 where he finished as QB25. In 2024, Richardson has 461 passing yards and 3 TDs, running for 93 rushing yards and 1 TD. He has leaned on the long ball for most of his production, having 2 touchdowns go for over 50 yards. At 13.6 yards, Richardson has the highest ADOT in the NFL.
Anthony Richardson has an ECR (Expert Consensus Ranking) of QB9 in Week 3. Richardson is facing a Chicago Bears defense that is 7th in the NFL, giving up 11.5 FPPG to QBs (FantasyPros). To meet his no. 9 ranking, Richardson will need to overcome a completion rate of 49.1%, which is the lowest of all 32 starting quarterbacks. The matchup against the Bears is tough for Richardson, especially with the Bears only giving up 193.5 passing yards per game. It might be a hard pill to swallow, but I recommend sitting Richardson in 1QB leagues and expect him not to finish in the Top 12 this week.
SUPERFLEX QUARTERBACK START
BO NIX I V. TB I 11.7 FPPG I ECR 29 I 50% CONFIDENCE
The Denver Broncos and quarterback Bo Nix have struggled mightily in 2024. Through 2 games, Nix has thrown for 384 yards. He’s had troubles with ball security and has thrown 4 INTs. Nix is tied for QB24 with 11.7 FPPG. He has struggled in the passing game, averaging .27 fantasy points per drop back (FP/DP) which is 31st in the NFL (FPDS).
Bo Nix’ Week 3 ECR is QB29. The Denver Broncos are facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. The Buccaneers should be up early and often against the Broncos. Nix could have a quintessential garbage time opportunity in a Week 3 matchup where they lay as a 6.5-point underdog. Go ahead and start Nix in Superflex leagues, where he has an opportunity to be a top-20 QB in Week 3.
SUPERFLEX QUARTERBACK SIT
JUSTIN FIELDS I V. LAC I 11.7 FPPG I ECR 17 I 45%
The Pittsburgh Steelers started 2024 with major uncertainty at the quarterback position. Justin Fields is now the starter and is trying to keep a grasp on the job. Fields is tied for QB24 with 11.7 FPPG. He has 273 yards but is 29th in pass attempts. Fields only has 1 total TD, and 55 of his 84 rushing yards are from off-scheduled scrambles.
Justin Fields’ Week 3 ECR is QB 17. The Pittsburgh Steelers face the Los Angeles Chargers in week 3. The Chargers stout defense has given up 7.4 FPPG which is best in the NFL (FPDS). The Over/Under in this week’s matchup is 36. This is a game with two strong defenses,2 and I don’t expect either team to have much fantasy success. If at all possible, put Fields on your bench, as I expect him to finish outside the top 24 in Week 3.
QUARTERBACK SPOTLIGHT | SIT
ANDY DALTON I V. LV I 0.0 FPPG | ECR 28 | 10%
The Carolina Panthers have benched quarterback Bryce Young after two weeks in favor of veteran backup, Andy Dalton. In 2023, Dalton started 1 for the Panthers, finishing as QB7 with 23.5 fantasy points. Dalton will be the Panthers’ starter for a few weeks at a minimum. How he does in Week 3 could go a long way toward determining his future for the 2024 season. With the weapons at Dalton’s disposal, he could turn into a top-24 QB if he continues to start for the Panthers. Do not start him in any format this week, but in week 4, he could be poised to be a low-end QB2 in Superflex formats.
