Drake Maye vs Jalen Hurts
Who should you start in Week 3? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 3
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Drake Maye by 0.4 projected points (19.0 vs 18.6), close enough that either call is defensible.
Drake Maye faces JAX, the 19th-friendliest matchup a QB can draw this week. Jalen Hurts faces CHI, the 16th-friendliest matchup a QB can draw this week.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
The model takes Drake Maye: a clear but modest edge of 13.1 points of value over replacement (58.2 vs 45.1).
The draft market agrees: Drake Maye goes first at ADP 51.8 vs 75.9 for Jalen Hurts.
| Drake MayeNWE | Jalen HurtsPHI | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | JAX | CHI | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 19.0 | 18.6 | Maye +0.4 pts |
| Matchup rank (QB vs defense, of 32) | #19 | #16 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 329.6 | 316.5 | Maye +13.1 pts |
| Points per game | 19.4 | 18.6 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 58.2 | 45.1 | Maye +13.1 |
| Overall rank | #29 | #38 | Maye by 9 |
| Position rank | QB3 | QB6 | |
| Market ADP | 51.8 | 75.9 | Hurts +24.1 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 5 | Rd 7 | |
| Bye week | 11 | 10 |
Should I start Drake Maye or Jalen Hurts in Week 3?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Drake Maye by 0.4 projected points (19.0 vs 18.6), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Drake Maye or Jalen Hurts in 2026 fantasy football?
Drake Maye. He projects 329.6 fantasy points with 58.2 value over replacement, vs 316.5 points and 45.1 for Jalen Hurts (QB, PPR).