Player Outlooks
Week 3 QB Waiver Wire: Bryce Young and Tyler Shough Lead the Streaming Options
Bryce Young and Tyler Shough are both available in at least half of ESPN leagues and have opened 2026 with legitimate fantasy production. Here's how to prioritize the Week 3 quarterback wire.
Week 3 is the point where quarterback streaming starts becoming less about preseason expectations and more about what offenses are actually showing us.
Two names stand above the rest of the widely available group: Bryce Young and Tyler Shough.
Both are rostered in 50% or fewer ESPN leagues, and both have given fantasy managers real reasons to believe their early production can continue.
1. Bryce Young — Panthers (34% rostered)
Young is the priority if he's available.
After another strong performance in Week 2, Young has opened the season with six passing touchdowns and has Carolina's offense playing far more aggressively than the version fantasy managers became accustomed to earlier in his career.
The biggest reason to buy in isn't simply the touchdown total. Carolina is creating explosive plays through the air, and Young has multiple receivers producing around him. Tetairoa McMillan has immediately become a major part of the offense, while Jalen Coker has caught eight passes in each of the first two games.
Young now gets Cleveland in Week 3.
He has moved beyond desperation-streamer territory. If your current quarterback is struggling, injured or stuck in a bad matchup, Young is worth treating as a legitimate weekly option.
Priority: High
2. Tyler Shough — Saints (50%)
Shough has quietly been one of fantasy's biggest early-season surprises.
Through two weeks, he has scored at least 20 fantasy points in both games and entered the week among the league leaders in passing yards. In Week 2 at Baltimore, he completed 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown while adding 23 rushing yards and a rushing score.
The rushing production matters. Shough doesn't need to become a high-volume runner to raise his fantasy floor; a few designed runs or scrambles can turn an ordinary passing day into a usable fantasy performance.
New Orleans gets Las Vegas at home in Week 3.
The concern is the Saints' offensive line after left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. left Week 2 with an ankle injury. Still, Shough has shown enough volume and efficiency to be more than a one-week fluke.
Priority: High
3. Kirk Cousins — Raiders (3%)
Cousins is the deeper option.
He has thrown three touchdown passes in consecutive games, and Brock Bowers hasn't even been available to give the offense its full complement of weapons.
The weekly ceiling isn't as exciting as Young's, and Cousins won't give you much on the ground. But in the right matchup, a veteran quarterback throwing multiple touchdowns is perfectly usable as a streamer.
Priority: Medium in deeper leagues
4. Drew Lock — Seahawks (3%)
Lock is a situation to monitor rather than an automatic add.
He threw three touchdown passes against Arizona and produced a useful fantasy day while filling in for Sam Darnold. If Darnold's glute injury keeps him out again, Lock would draw a favorable matchup with Washington.
The key is waiting for Seattle's injury updates before putting in an aggressive claim.
Priority: Watch list / deep streamer
Who should you add?
Young is the best combination of upside and potential staying power. Shough is close behind and may be the cleaner pure streamer if you want to ride passing volume.
Cousins and Lock are better options for deeper leagues or managers who miss on the top two.
The larger lesson after two weeks is that Young and Shough shouldn't be treated like emergency quarterbacks anymore. Both have done enough to force their way into the weekly fantasy conversation.
FF Draft Boards Week 3 QB priority
- Bryce Young
- Tyler Shough
- Kirk Cousins
- Drew Lock
Roster percentages are ESPN figures reported in current Week 3 waiver coverage and may change as claims are submitted.