The 2025-26 NFL season has been outstanding so far. Already there have been a ton of breakout players and fantasy duds that have made the game so entertaining. The playoffs have begun in your fantasy leagues. During the playoffs Fantasy Managers will have full utilization of their roster and need to make sure they have backup options on their roster incase their stars get hurt. There have plenty of injuries this season to crucial players that make the pool of players to choose from on waivers that much thinner. It’s always a great idea to evaluate backup options so that way fantasy managers are prepared if star players miss time. Here are the fantasy football week 16 quarterback rankings.
[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to Injured Reserve List]
[Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week]
Key:
Must Start- a player who should definitely be in your lineup that week because of the combination of matchup and talent. They will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and could repeat the production most weeks.
Starter- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.
Low-End Starter- a player who should be started in most lineups but can possibly bottom out and finish below average on a given week. A high ceiling play in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Streamer- a player who could be a perfect replacement for a starter for a week or two. Starting this player may not win you your lineup but they will make sure that your production out of that position will not lose you your matchup either. Also a viable option in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Deep League Streamer- a player who could fill a void at a position in a deeper league. Their ceiling may be close to average point production at the position but their floor is enough to get through the week. A reasonable player to have in your lineup in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.
| Category | Name | Opponent | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must Start | Josh Allen | vs Cleveland Browns | QB1 |
| Must Start | Jalen Hurts | vs Washington Commanders | QB2 |
| Starter | Drake Maye | vs Baltimore Ravens | QB3 |
| Starter | Brock Purdy | vs Indianapolis Colts | QB4 |
| Starter | Jacoby Brissett | vs Atlanta Falcons | QB5 |
| Starter | Joe Burrow | vs Miami Dolphins | QB6 |
| Starter | Dak Prescott | vs Los Angeles Chargers | QB7 |
| Starter | Jordan Love | vs Chicago Bears | QB8 |
| Low-End Starter | Jared Goff | vs Pittsburgh Steelers | QB9 |
| Low-End Starter | C.J. Stroud | vs Las Vegas Raiders | QB10 |
| Low-End Starter | Justin Herbert | vs Dallas Cowboys | QB11 |
| Low-End Starter | Matthew Stafford | vs Seattle Seahawks | QB12 |
| Low-End Starter | Lamar Jackson | vs New England Patriots | QB13 |
| Low-End Starter | Bo Nix | vs Jacksonville Jaguars | QB14 |
| Low-End Starter | Caleb Williams | vs Green Bay Packers | QB15 |
| Low-End Starter | Jaxson Dart | vs Minnesota Vikings | QB16 |
| Streamer | Tyler Shough | vs New York Jets | QB17 |
| Streamer | J.J. McCarthy | vs New York Giants | QB18 |
| Streamer | Baker Mayfield | vs Carolina Panthers | QB19 |
| Deep League Streamer | Trevor Lawerence | vs Denver Broncos | QB20 |
| Deep League Streamer | Bryce Young | vs Jacksonville Jaguars | QB21 |
| Deep League Streamer | Marcus Mariota | vs Philadelphia Eagles | QB22 |
| Deep League Streamer | Kirk Cousins | vs Arizona Cardinals | QB23 |
| Deep League Streamer | Gardner Minshew | vs Tennessee Titans | QB24 |
| Leave on the Bench | Sam Darnold | vs Los Angeles Rams | QB25 |
| Leave on the Bench | Aaron Rodgers | vs Detroit Lions | QB26 |
| Leave on the Bench | Tua Tagovailoa | vs Cincinnati Bengals | QB27 |
| Leave on the Bench | Cam Ward | vs Kansas City Chiefs | QB28 |
| Leave on the Bench | Tyrod Taylor* | vs New Orleans Saints | QB29 |
| Leave on the Bench | Philip Rivers | vs San Francisco 49ers | QB30 |
| Leave on the Bench | Shedeur Sanders | vs Buffalo Bills | QB31 |
| Leave on the Bench | Geno Smith* | vs Houston Texans | QB32 |
Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday
QB29 Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets
Tyrod Taylor missed last week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a groin injury. There is a chance that he returns this week. If Taylor misses Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints Brady Cook becomes QB31 between Shedeur Sanders and Geno Smith.
QB32 Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
Geno Smith missed last week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles with shoulder and back injuries. It is unclear if he will return this week. If Smith misses Week 16 against the Houston Texans Kenny Pickett becomes QB32 below Shedeur Sanders.
Players that are currently not expected to play
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Last week was extremely devastating for the Kansas City Chiefs. Not only was their decade long playoff steak end, but Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL. This ends his 2025-26 season. This has massive ramifications in the NFL and in fantasy football for the next calendar year. From a fantasy standpoint there isn’t a clear timeline for Mahomes return. The soonest he could be ready is the beginning of next season. However depending on the severity of the tear and other knee damage Mahomes will realistically miss time from any point from October to the beginning of the 2027-28 season. It would be hard to rely on Mahomes as your only quarterback in fantasy if he returns on the earlier side. Mahomes fantasy value is contingent on the rushing he brings to the table. Even though he is a phenomenal passer, his rushing gives a floor to him every week that makes him a clear top-10 fantasy quarterback.
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