Week 16 Fantasy QB Rankings: Several surprising quarterback sleepers on the start 'em, sit 'em bubble

Matt Lutovsky

Week 16 Fantasy QB Rankings: Several surprising quarterback sleepers on the start 'em, sit 'em bubble image

It's easy to think that Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson or Patrick Mahomes are the starting QBs in every fantasy football championship game, but you might be surprised by how many owners are streaming quarterbacks this time of year. In the Sporting News Experts League, Ryan Tannehill and Ryan Fitzpatrick were starting in the semis (the Tannehill team is in position to win, the Fitzpatrick team lost) against Jameis Winston and Drew Brees -- nary a Jackson, Mahomes, Watson, or Russell Wilson to be found. Does that mean our Week 16 fantasy QB rankings are irrelevant...or more important that ever?

Eh, let's say both. If you've made your title game, chances are you're set at QB -- either because you have a stud or you've been preparing for this week and have your stream safely tucked away on your bench. But if you just want to weigh your options, there are several interesting candidates, starting with a Toilet Bowl matchup in Miami, where Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andy Dalton are squaring off. 

WEEK 16 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Both the Dolphins and Bengals are in the top 10 in fantasy points allowed to QBs, so statistically, these are good matchups. And, statistically, these are QBs who can take advantage of favorable matchups. Realistically, though, you probably don't want to trust either with your fantasy championships on the line. However, they are the top widely available streamers, and they're better than a lot of bigger-name QBs this week, such as Tom Brady (vs. Bills), Derek Carr (@ Chargers), Carson Wentz (vs. Cowboys), Josh Allen (@ Patriots), Baker Mayfield (vs. Ravens), and even Kirk Cousins (vs. Packers). If you were counting on any of those guys, you might be forced to go with FitzMagic or the Red Rifle. 

WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiverTight end

If you have to dig even deeper, you should be able to live with Gardner Minshew (@ Falcons) or Drew Lock (vs. Lions) thanks to highly favorable matchups, and even Mitchell Trubisky (vs. Chiefs), who's averaged 298.5 passing yards, 28.5 rushing yards, and 2.5 TDs over his past four games, is in play. The Chiefs are quietly solid against the pass, especially WRs, so Trubisky doesn't have as much upside as you might think, but clearly he's playing well and could be in position to run a lot next Sunday night. 

MORE WEEK 16: 
Waiver pickups | FAAB planning | Stock watchSnap counts | Fantasy playoff tips

But, again, do you trust Trubisky with a fantasy title on the line? Probably not, but we see crazy Week 16 performances every year, and given all the tough matchups for decent starters this week, someone like Fitzpatrick, Dalton, Minshew, Lock, or Trubisky just might be who you have to turn to. 

WEEK 16 DFS LINEUPS:
FD Cash | FD GPP | DK Cash | DK GPPY! Cash | Y! GPP

Note: These rankings will be updated throughout the week, so check back for player movement and individual analysis.

MORE WEEK 16 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup Builder

Week 16 Fantasy QB Rankings

These rankings are for standard leagues with 4-point passing TDs.

Rank Player
1 Lamar Jackson, BAL @ CLE
2 Russell Wilson, SEA vs. ARZ
3 Deshaun Watson, HOU @ TB
4 Patrick Mahomes II, KC @ CHI
5 Jameis Winston, TB vs. HOU
6 Dak Prescott, DAL @ PHI
7 Drew Brees, NO @ TEN
8 Ryan Tannehill, TEN vs. NO
9 Matt Ryan, ATL vs. JAX
10 Philip Rivers, LAC vs. OAK
11 Aaron Rodgers, GB @ MIN
12 Kyler Murray, ARZ @ SEA
13 Ryan Fitzpatrick, MIA vs. CIN
14 Andy Dalton, CIN @ MIA
15 Mitchell Trubisky, CHI vs. KC
16 Drew Lock, DEN vs. DET
17 Gardner Minshew, JAX @ ATL
18 Jimmy Garoppolo, SF vs. LAR
19 Kirk Cousins, MIN vs. GB
20 Carson Wentz, PHI vs. DAL
21 Jacoby Brissett, IND vs. CAR
22 Josh Allen, BUF @ NE
23 Derek Carr, OAK @ LAC
24 Jared Goff, LAR @ SF
25 Daniel Jones, NYG @ WAS
26 Baker Mayfield, CLE vs. BAL
27 Tom Brady, NE vs. BUF
28 Devlin Hodges, PIT @ NYJ
29 Dwayne Haskins, WAS vs. NYG
30 Sam Darnold, NYJ vs. PIT
31 Will Grier, CAR @ IND
32 David Blough, DET @ DEN

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.