5 breakout fantasy football stars to pick up for Week 3

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders passes the ball in the first half of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Carolina Panthers throws the ball during the first half in the game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

4. Top fantasy football pickups for Week 3 – Panthers QB Sam Darnold

Darnold is a repeat entrant from our Week 1 column after he lit up the New York Jets for 279 yards and a touchdown in an efficient performance. Perhaps a bit hesitant to invest in Darnold due to the fact he was facing a terrible Jets’ team, many fantasy owners missed out on a great performance by him in Week 2.

The New Orleans Saints’ strong pass defense, which bottled up Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers last week, was shredded by Darnold in a 26-7 win. Darnold completed 26-of-38 passes for 305 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, a strong outing that helped Carolina improve to 2-0.

Getting away from the Jets has proven to be a huge difference maker for Darnold, who has a better offensive line and supporting cast than he ever had in New York. There is some significant post-hype sleeper potential here with Darnold, who was once regarded as the top quarterback prospect in his draft class.

The upcoming schedule for the Panthers is very juicy for fantasy purposes with matchups against Houston, Dallas and Philadelphia coming up in the next three weeks. Darnold, who is rostered in just 15 percent of Yahoo leagues, is a strong streaming play for Week 3 against a shoddy Texans’ pass defense.

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