As we enter the final weeks of the fantasy football regular season, making the right start 'em, sit 'em decisions at fantasy’s highest-scoring position is more crucial than ever. Fortunately, we have a much larger player pool this week thanks to zero byes, but extra options can sometimes make lineup decisions even more difficult. Never fear, though -- our Week 12 fantasy QB rankings are here to help you find the right sleepers and avoid potential busts.
While some start-or-sit discussions get rushed with six teams playing on Thanksgiving, we’ll undoubtedly take having Tua Tagovailoa (vs. Texans in Week 12), Geno Smith (vs. Raiders), Tom Brady (@ Browns), and Trevor Lawrence (vs. Ravens) back in our QB rankings. All four QBs profile as startable options, with Tagovailoa and Smith being must-starts in juicy matchups.
Injuries are the only thing that could cause problems this week, as Matthew Stafford (concussion), Justin Fields (left shoulder), and Kyler Murray (hamstring) will all need to be monitored. Considering Stafford has now been in the concussion protocol twice in the past three weeks, we don't have high hopes for him suiting up against the Chiefs.
WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Even with no teams on bye, you might be looking for a streamer, and if that's the case, Matt Ryan (vs. Steelers), Marcus Mariota (@ Commanders), Taylor Heinicke (vs. Falcons), Mac Jones (@ Vikings), and Davis Mills (@ Dolphins) were the QBs we highlighted as formidable options in last week’s waiver wire watchlist. (UPDATE: Kyle Allen will start ahead of Mills in Week 12).
WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Since Ryan’s returned from riding the pine, he’s put together two decent weeks under new offensive coordinator Parks Frazier. Mariota always can accumulate a handful of points via his legs, and Heinicke just finds a way to have a decent floor. Jones and Mills draw solid matchups against defenses that have struggled to contain QBs, but they're only for the deep-league/superflex crowd, as most owners in single-QB leagues shouldn't need to reach for such low-ceiling options.
The aforementioned Stafford (@ Chiefs) is likely going to be involved in a lot of start ‘em, sit ‘em decisions this week if he is on track to play. He would have a great matchup against a Chiefs' defense that entered Week 11 allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to QBs, but without Cooper Kupp (ankle), his ceiling would be lower than usual. Still, we would like him more than Kirk Cousins (vs. Patriots), Jimmy Garoppolo (vs. Saints), and Brady (@ Browns), who are all in tough spots.
Cousins draws a tougher matchup against a well-rounded Patriots defense, but he's always capable of putting up a QB1 performance thanks to his weapons. Garoppolo is in a similar situation, as a solid Saints’ defense can hold its own but he always has a chance to toss multiple TDs to his talented supporting cast. Brady and the Buccaneers' offense got going in Week 10 in Germany, and hopefully, they’re able to continue their success against a middle-of-the-road Browns defense. None of these QBs are truly "off-limits" (not like Aaron Rodgers against the Eagles), but we simply think Mariota, Lawrence, Heinicke, and Stafford, if active, have slightly higher floors.
Overall, there are plenty of solid options this week, so finding a capable starter shouldn't be an issue. Problems could raise if you have two capable options, and if that's the case, just decide if you need a higher-floor or higher-ceiling QB and go from there.
Note: We'll be updating these QB rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes.
Week 12 fantasy QB Rankings
These rankings are based on four-point passing TD scoring
Rank Player
1 Josh Allen, Bills @ Lions
2 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Rams
3 Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. Packers
4 Joe Burrow, Bengals @ Titans
5 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins vs. Texans
6 Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ Jaguars
7 Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Raiders
8 Justin Herbert, Chargers @ Cardinals
9 Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Giants
10 Kyler Murray, Cardinals vs. Chargers
11 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars vs. Ravens
12 Marcus Mariota, Falcons @ Commanders
13 Taylor Heinicke, Commanders vs. Falcons
14 Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. Patriots
15 Tom Brady, Buccaneers @ Browns
16 Matt Ryan, Colts vs. Steelers
17 Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers vs. Saints
18 Derek Carr, Raiders @ Seahawks
19 Mac Jones, Patriots @ Vikings
20 Russell Wilson, Broncos @ Panthers
21 Kenny Pickett, Steelers @ Colts
22 Aaron Rodgers, Packers @ Eagles
23 Daniel Jones, Giants @ Cowboys
24 Andy Dalton, Saints @ 49ers
25 Jared Goff, Lions vs. Bills
26 Jacoby Brissett, Browns vs. Buccaneers
27 Kyle Allen, Texans @ Dolphins
28 Bryce Perkins, Rams @ Chiefs
29 Ryan Tannehill, Titans vs. Bengals
30 Trevor Siemian, Bears @ Jets
31 Mike White, Jets vs. Bears
32 Sam Darnold, Panthers vs. Broncos
Week 12 QB fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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