We've come to the end of most fantasy football seasons, but one more huge matchup remains for teams fighting for bragging rights and prize money. Having the right quarterback in your lineup is crucial if you want to take home a title, and our Week 17 fantasy QB rankings are here to help you find the right guy.
Fortunately, C.J. Stroud (concussion) is expected back, which makes our rankings deeper and provides more potential studs and sleepers. Unfortunately, the matchups fall in such a way that there aren't many legit streamers you might be considering over your usual starter, but there are also aren't a lot of bad matchups for bubble QBs.
Now that we know the backdrop, let's take a look at our Week 17 QB rankings.
Who are the best fantasy QBs in Week 17?
Jalen Hurts (vs. Cardinals in Week 17) gets the top spot in a favorable home matchup, but Dak Prescott (vs. Lions), Lamar Jackson (vs. Dolphins), Brock Purdy (@ Commanders), and Patrick Mahomes (vs. Bengals) aren't far behind.
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Josh Allen (vs. Patriots) remains a must-start despite a statistically difficult matchup, and it bears mentioning that he posted 265 passing yards, 17 rushing yards, and three total TDs when he faced the Pats back in Week 7. C.J. Stroud (vs. Titans), Justin Fields (vs. Falcons), Kyler Murray (@ Eagles), and Matthew Stafford (@ Giants) round out our top 10 thanks to highly favorable matchups.
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy QB sleepers, waiver pickups in Week 17?
We already mentioned Murray (@ Eagles) and Wilson (vs. Chargers), who are typically bubble QBs but borderline must-starts this week, and the same goes for Matthew Stafford (@ Giants), who's been a top-five QB since Week 12. You can also consider streaming Derek Carr (@ Buccaneers), who's thrown for 537 yards and six TDs over the past two weeks. Tampa entered Week 16 allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs, so Carr should keep the good times rolling.
Baker Mayfield (vs. Saints) and Jordan Love (@ Vikings) are also in favorable spots, but neither really qualifies as a "streamer" based on current ownership percentages.
Unfortunately, the "streamers" with the best matchups all go to guys you don't want to start with a championship on the line. Bryce Young (@ Jaguars) has a top-five matchup, but he has only two games all season with multiple TDs. Jarrett Stidham (vs. Chargers), Tyrod Taylor (vs. Rams), Ryan Tannehill or Will Levis (@ Texans), Easton Stick (@ Broncos), Mason Rudolph (@ Seahawks), and Taylor Heinicke (@ Bears) all have top-15 matchups, too, but the risk is likely not worth the reward with any of these signal-callers.
If anything, you might be better off opting for someone like Jake Browning (@ Chiefs) or Gardner Minshew (vs. Raiders), who both have statistically below-average matchups but have at least played relatively well and should be able to provide decent floors.
WEEK 17 DFS:
Main slate DK/FD lineups | DET-DAL lineup | Best values
Who are the biggest potential QB busts in Week 17?
Trevor Lawrence (vs. Panthers) is battered and bruised, and if he shakes off his shoulder injury to suit up, he'll likely be down two of his top-three wide receivers (Christian Kirk, Zay Jones). Facing a Panthers' defense that entered last week allowing the fewest fantasy points to QBs (not a typo) makes him a major risk with a championship on the line.
The same goes for Tua Tagovailo (vs. Ravens), who should be viewed as the ultimate boom-or-bust option this week. Thanks to his big-play receivers, he's always capable of a great game, but Baltimore entered last week allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to QBs. Tua has generally struggled this year when he faces top defenses (13.98 points against Buffalo, 12.42 against Kansas City, 15.52 against Dallas, and 20.78 total in two games against the Jets), so he's definitely not a "must-start."
Jared Goff (@ Cowboys) is also riskier than usual, especially when you factor in his notorious road struggles. Fortunately, Detroit will be playing indoors, but Goff is still a lower floor and ceiling than usual. The same goes for the resurgent Joe Flacco (vs. Jets), who faces New York's No. 2 pass defense.
WEEK 17 FANTASY ADVICE:
Start 'em, sit 'em | Sleepers | Busts | Projections
What are the biggest QB injuries in Week 17?
C.J. Stroud (concussion) missed the past two games, but he seems likely to return against the Titans.
Will Levis (ankle), Kenny Pickett (ankle), and Zach Wilson (concussion) also missed last week. Levis (@ Texans) and Wilson (@ Browns) could return this week, and Pickett (@ Seahawks) got back on the practice field last week, so he also has a shot at suiting up.
UPDATE: Wilson has already been ruled out for Thursday night, and Mike Tomlin announced the Steelers are planning to start Mason Rudolph in Seattle.
Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) exited early last week, and he's once again questionable to suit up. If he can't go, C.J. Beathard (vs. Panthers) will get the start. Brock Purdy (stinger) also exited early last week, but he was cleared to return almost immediately, so we expect him to go against the Commanders. If he can't, Sam Darnold will start and be worth a look as a streamer given the matchup.
We'll be updating these QB rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.
Fantasy QB Rankings Week 17: Who to start, sit at quarterback
These rankings are based on four-point passing TD scoring
Rank Player
1 Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. Cardinals
2 Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Lions
3 Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. Dolphins
4 Brock Purdy, 49ers @ Commanders
5 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Bengals
6 Josh Allen, Bills vs. Patriots
7 C.J. Stroud, Texans vs. Titans
8 Justin Fields, Bears vs. Falcons
9 Kyler Murray, Cardinals @ Eagles
10 Matthew Stafford, Rams @ Giants
11 Derek Carr, Saints @ Buccaneers
12 Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. Saints
13 Jordan Love, Packers @ Vikings
14 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins @ Ravens
15 Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Steelers
16 Jared Goff, Lions @ Cowboys
17 Jarrett Stidham, Broncos vs. Chargers
18 Jake Browning, Bengals @ Chiefs
19 Bryce Young, Panthers @ Jaguars
20 Will Levis, Titans @ Texans
21 Mason Rudolph, Steelers @ Seahawks
22 Joe Flacco, Browns vs. Jets
23 Gardner Minshew, Colts vs. Raiders
24 Tyrod Taylor, Giants vs. Rams
25 Aidan O'Connell, Raiders @ Colts
26 Taylor Heinicke, Falcons @ Bears
27 C.J. Beathard, Jaguars vs. Panthers
28 Jaren Hall, Vikings vs. Packers
29 Sam Howell, Commanders vs. 49ers
30 Easton Stick, Chargers @ Broncos
31 Bailey Zappe, Patriots @ Bills
32 Trevor Siemian, Jets @ Browns