One of the most universal strategies among fantasy football managers is QB streaming. As we quickly approach Week 6 of the NFL season, let’s discuss QB rankings and tiers along with some streamers you should have on your radar as you set your lineups.
Week 6 QB Tiers
While individual rankings will always be valuable for weekly decisions, a tier-based approach at QB can help find similar production ranges.
Please check back regularly as we update the Week 6 QB fantasy football rankings throughout the week.
Tier 1
1. Patrick Mahomes II | Kansas City Chiefs @ WAS
2. Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills @ TEN
3. Kyler Murray | Arizona Cardinals @ CLE
4. Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens vs. LAC
Tier 2
5. Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys @ NE
6. Tom Brady | Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ PHI
7. Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers @ BAL
8. Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles vs. TB
Tier 3
9. Matthew Stafford | Los Angeles Rams @ NYG
10. Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers @ CHI
11. Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals @ DET
12. Kirk Cousins | Minnesota Vikings @ CAR
Tier 4
13. Sam Darnold | Carolina Panthers vs. MIN
14. Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. MIA
15. Taylor Heinicke | Washington Football Team vs. KC
16. Derek Carr | Las Vegas Raiders @ DEN
Tier 5
17. Ryan Tannehill | Tennessee Titans vs. BUF
18. Justin Fields | Chicago Bears vs. GB
19. Carson Wentz | Indianapolis Colts vs. HOU
20. Teddy Bridgewater | Denver Broncos vs. LV
Tier 6
21. Mac Jones | New England Patriots vs. DAL
22. Jared Goff | Detroit Lions vs. CIN
23. Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. SEA
24. Baker Mayfield | Cleveland Browns vs. ARI
Tier 7
25. Jacoby Brissett | Miami Dolphins @ JAX
26. Davis Mills | Houston Texans @ IND
27. Geno Smith | Seattle Seahawks @ PIT
28. Mike Glennon | New York Giants vs. LAR
Tier 8
29. Daniel Jones | New York Giants vs. LAR
30. Drew Lock | Denver Broncos vs. LV
31. Mason Rudolph | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. SEA
QB streamers for Week 6
The general premise of a QB streaming strategy in fantasy is to play the matchup each week rather than riding out the entire season with one player at the position. It is all about identifying favorable matchups that week and adding the pertinent QB off waivers. Without further ado, let’s dive into the QB streamers for Week 6.
Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team (rostered in 40% in FleaFlicker leagues)
Taylor Heinicke continues to outperform expectations. While he did have an off game in Week 5, that’s as much a credit to the New Orleans defense as anything. Heading into Sunday, Heinicke was one of just three QBs (including Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts) who had finished every game they started as a QB1 (top 12). Through four games and change, Heinicke has thrown 8 touchdown passes to 5 interceptions while completing 102 of his 159 pass attempts for 1,208 yards.
What may have gone unnoticed is Heinicke’s sneaky rushing upside in the past few games. He’s rushed 25 times for 127 yards and a TD. Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick remains week to week, but the notion of him taking back the starting job in Washington may have put more pressure on Heinicke to perform. He knows he is not just playing for his job, but for his NFL career.
In Week 6, Washington takes on Kansas City, who is No. 32 in points allowed to QBs per game (28.08). But in their defense, the Chiefs have faced a gauntlet of Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, and Josh Allen. I expect Kansas City to take an early lead on Washington, placing the game on Heinicke’s right arm. Heinicke is a mid-to-high QB2 in Week 6 and a solid streaming option for those affected by the bye week.
Mac Jones, New England Patriots (rostered in 47% of FleaFlicker leagues)
Did New England draft the best rookie QB of the 2021 class at No. 15? Mac Jones leads all rookie QBs in completions (135), completion percentage (71.1%), yards (1,243), and second in TDs with 5. I don’t actually think Jones is the best first-year signal-caller, but he’s been better than many believed he could be.
In three of his first five career games, Jones has thrown for 270 or more yards and has tossed a touchdown in four of five outings. He has no rushing upside, but as a passer, Jones has the skills to be a threat to defenses by picking them apart with his accuracy.
Jones and the Patriots take on the Dallas Cowboys, who — despite the presence of Trevon Diggs — have been vulnerable to passers. They are 25th in points allowed at 21.36 per game and 32nd in passing yards allowed (327.6).
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (rostered in 63% of FleaFlicker leagues)
I’ll be honest — this is a recommendation based more on faith than stats. Sometimes in fantasy, you have to go with your gut and take a shot on a guy because of his talent or situation. That’s Justin Fields.
After throwing for 68 yards in his first start, Fields managed 209 in Week 4 before dropping back to 111 in Week 5. That’s not a trend you want to see. As a starter, Fields has completed 29 of 57 attempts for 388 yards,1 TD, and 1 INT, while adding 25 yards on 9 rushes.
It’s that last number that is egregious. There is absolutely no reason Fields should be averaging 3 carries per game. He is one of the most athletic QBs in the NFL — so start using him like one. Fields’ rushing ability can elevate his floor as his arm develops. The numbers don’t show it, but the film shows Fields is progressing.
He’s being held back by Matt Nagy. Fields has talented receivers in Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney, a talented RB duo of Damien Williams and Khalil Herbert, plus a TE ready to break out in Cole Kmet. He just needs to be unleashed.
I have the feeling we might see that breakout this week, at least to a point where Fields is fantasy-relevant. The Packers are No. 16 vs. QBs (19.34 ppg) and just lost Jaire Alexander, which should leave both Robinson and Mooney with better matchups. Fields is on my shortlist of QB streamers for Week 6 in fantasy.