The fantasy football semifinals are this week. As always, it is crucial to know what players are the preferable starts. Here are my Week 16 rankings for the quarterback position.
Which QB Should You Start in Fantasy Football?
MORE: Katz’s Week 16 Rankings — RB | WR | TE | K | DST
1) Josh Allen | BUF (at SF)
2) Jalen Hurts | PHI (vs. NYG)
3) Dak Prescott | DAL (at MIA)
4) Lamar Jackson | BAL (at LAC)
5) Patrick Mahomes | KC (vs. LV)
6) Justin Fields | CHI (vs. ARI)
7) Brock Purdy | SF (vs. BAL)
8) Kyler Murray | ARI (at CHI)
9) Jared Goff | DET (at MIN)
10) Tua Tagovailoa | MIA (vs. DAL)
11) Matthew Stafford | LAR (vs. NO)
12) Baker Mayfield | TB (vs. JAX)
13) Joe Flacco | CLE (at HOU)
14) Gardner Minshew II | IND (at ATL)
15) Geno Smith | SEA (at TEN)
16) Jordan Love | GB (at CAR)
17) Nick Mullens | MIN (vs. DET)
18) Russell Wilson | DEN (vs. NE)
19) Jake Browning | CIN (at PIT)
20) Derek Carr | NO (at LAR)
21) C.J. Beathard | JAX (at TB)
22) Sam Howell | WAS (at NYJ)
23) Tommy DeVito | NYG (at PHI)
24) Aidan O’Connell | LV (at KC)
25) Case Keenum | HOU (vs. CLE)
26) Bailey Zappe | NE (at DEN)
27) Easton Stick | LAC (vs. BUF)
28) Bryce Young | CAR (vs. GB)
29) Trevor Siemian | NYJ (vs. WAS)
30) Taylor Heinicke | ATL (vs. IND)
31) Mason Rudolph | PIT (vs. CIN)
32) Ryan Tannehill | TEN (vs. SEA)
33) Trevor Lawrence | JAX (at TB)
34) Kenny Pickett | PIT (vs. CIN)
35) Desmond Ridder | ATL (vs. IND)
36) Zach Wilson | NYJ (vs. WAS)
37) Will Levis | TEN (vs. SEA)
38) C.J. Stroud | HOU (vs. CLE)
Top QBs To Start in Week 16
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fantasy managers are definitely pleased with Baker Mayfield after last week’s 381-yard, four-touchdown performance, but they still don’t trust him as a locked-in QB1, which is entirely fair. It’s still a weekly thing with Mayfield. And this week, he remains on the menu.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been awful against the pass this season. They allow 20.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the third-most in the league. Additionally, they are great against the run.
Given how much Rachaad White struggles on the ground compared to how incredible he is through the air, we should see a pass-heavy game plan from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week.
It’s a great week to start Mayfield once again.
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
It is the year 2023, and Joe Flacco is almost a QB1 in the fantasy semifinals. What a time to be alive!
What more can you really say about the greatest Joe to ever play QB (that’s a joke, everyone)? The man spent three months at home on his couch, got a call from the Cleveland Browns, walked in, and started airing it out like 2012 Matthew Stafford.
Flacco has attempted a staggering 133 passes over his three starts with the Browns. He’s thrown 2+ touchdowns in each game, and they’ve won two straight.
Now, Flacco gets a Houston Texans defense allowing 18.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the 10th most in the league.
Flacco hasn’t scored fewer than 17 fantasy points in any of his three starts. Fantasy managers who need to start Flacco will gladly accept that floor. If he can limit the interceptions (five in three games), Flacco can deliver a top-eight performance when we need it most.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!