Championship week is upon us, and if you’ve had the luxury of making it to the title game, kudos. Most championship-caliber rosters likely have a stable plug-and-play signal caller, but with a slew of injuries and QB changes throughout the league, that might not actually hold true. As always, our Week 17 fantasy QB rankings serve to help guide you in the right direction on who to start at fantasy’s highest-scoring position.
Right off the bat, we’ll be monitoring Jalen Hurts (right shoulder), Lamar Jackson (knee), Mike White (ribs), and Colt McCoy (concussion) throughout the week, adjusting our rankings when news breaks regarding their injury statuses. All four are truly up in the air, and at least three could be started this week depending on the size of your league.
For those searching for a championship-winning QB off the waiver wire, we highlighted Gardner Minshew (vs. Saints in Week 17), Russell Wilson (@ Chiefs), Brock Purdy (@ Raiders), and McCoy (@ Falcons) as potential adds in last week’s waiver wire watchlist. While it’s tough to stomach running Wilson out as your QB1 in championship week, he faces a Chiefs defense that’s allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to QBs and recently put forth his best fantasy point output of the season back in Week 14 (247 passing yards, three TDs, 57 rushing yards).
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Purdy and McCoy also draw plus matchups against two defenses that rank within the bottom of the league in EPA/drop-back this season. Given Purdy’s elite supporting cast, he’s always a threat to toss two TD passes while McCoy could exploit a Falcons defense sporting the second-highest drop-back success rate (51.7 percent). Given the matchups, both have solid floors. (Update: McCoy will remain out, and David Blough will start for Arizona.) That's also true for Minshew, who proved last week that he can produce in any matchup thanks to Philly's stable of stud playmakers. For those in very deep leagues, you could also try Mac Jones (vs. Dolphins), as Miami is allowing the second-most fantasy points to QBs.
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Jared Goff (vs. Bears) and Aaron Rodgers (vs. Vikings) are the main bubble QBs who get a nice bump because of matchups. Goff faces a lackluster Bears defense allowing the highest EPA/drop-back this season (0.192) inside cozy Ford Field. He didn’t have a massive game against the Bears in Week 10 (236 passing yards, one TD), but he's in line to torch a Bears defense that sports PFF’s lowest pass-rush grade (53.1). Assuming Goff receives solid pass protection, he’s thrived in a clean pocket, posting the third-highest clean pocket accuracy rating. Rodgers could also see an increase in his start percentage when matched up against a Vikings defense that’s allowed the 27th-highest EPA/drop-back since Week 10 (0.150) and most recently allowed Daniel Jones to throw for 334 yards.
WEEK 17 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
On the flip side, Tua Tagovailoa (@ Patriots), Geno Smith (vs. Jets), Trevor Lawrence (@ Texans), Daniel Jones (vs. Colts), and Derek Carr (vs. 49ers) profile as risky starts against some of the top defenses in terms of the fewest EPA/drop-back allowed this season. (Update: Jarrett Stidham will start in place of Carr.) We understand starting Tagovailoa despite a tougher matchup, as he's virtually matchup-proof. Smith and Lawrence are tougher calls, but they've been solid enough lately to merit starts in most 12-team leagues. (Update: Tagovailoa has been placed in concussion protocol, and Teddy Bridgewater is preparing to start.)
Week 17 DFS: Best values
Jones and Carr owners should pivot to more stable signal-callers. The 49ers' defense has posted the second-lowest EPA/drop-back this season (-0.103 EPA) and could really limit the Raiders' offensive output, while Jones' relatively low ceiling limits his appeal against Indy's 10th-ranked pass defense.
WEEK 17 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Note: We'll be updating these QB rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes.
Week 17 fantasy QB Rankings
These rankings are based on four-point passing TD scoring
Rank Player
1 Josh Allen, Bills @ Bengals
2 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Broncos
3 Justin Fields, Bears @ Lions
4 Dak Prescott, Cowboys @ Titans
5 Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. Rams
6 Joe Burrow, Bengals vs. Bills
7 Aaron Rodgers, Packers vs. Vikings
8 Kirk Cousins, Vikings @ Packers
9 Jared Goff, Lions vs. Bears
10 Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Jets
11 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars @ Texans
12 Gardner Minshew, Eagles vs. Saints
13 Deshaun Watson, Browns @ Commanders
14 Tom Brady, Buccaneers vs. Panthers
15 Brock Purdy, 49ers @ Raiders
16 Russell Wilson, Broncos @ Chiefs
17 Mac Jones, Patriots vs. Dolphins
18 Tyler Huntley, Ravens vs. Steelers
19 Kenny Pickett, Steelers @ Ravens
20 Teddy Bridgewater, Dolphins @ Patriots
21 Daniel Jones, Giants vs. Colts
22 Davis Mills, Texans vs. Jaguars
23 Baker Mayfield, Rams @ Chargers
24 Desmond Ridder, Falcons vs. Cardinals
25 Mike White, Jets @ Seahawks
26 David Blough, Cardinals @ Falcons
27 Carson Wentz, Commanders vs. Browns
28 Nick Foles, Colts @ Giants
29 Andy Dalton, Saints @ Eagles
30 Sam Darnold, Panthers @ Buccaneers
31 Jarrett Stidham, Raiders vs. 49ers
32 Josh Dobbs, Titans vs. Cowboys
Week 17 QB fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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