The waiver wire is rarely rich at the QB position, and the options are thin now that we are in Week 16. At this point, the surprise QB1s have already been added. Unfortunately, all we really have are glorified streamers, but options like Gardner Minshew and Joe Flacco may be able to help propel some fantasy football managers into the finals.
Top QB Waiver Wire Targets in Week 16
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (25% Rostered)
With all the quarterback injuries, there are certainly those of you out there with a bye or who managed to advance that need someone for Week 16. Why not Gardner Minshew?
The Colts QB threw for 215 yards and three touchdowns against the Steelers. Next week, he gets a soft Falcons pass defense that entered Week 15 allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the position.
Be sure to monitor Michael Pittman Jr.’s status. If he’s out, Minshew becomes a bit less appealing. But he’s on the streaming radar nonetheless.
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns (24% Rostered)
It was yet another 300-yard passing day for Joe Flacco. For the third consecutive game, Flacco threw for multiple touchdowns. While the three interceptions were less than ideal, he’s now attempted 40+ passes in each of his three starts this season.
More Waiver Wire Targets: RB | WR | TE
Next week, the Browns get the Texans’ pass defense that entered Week 15 allowing the eighth-most PPG to quarterbacks. Flacco is a worthwhile streaming option in Week 16.
Which QB Should You Roster in Fantasy Football?
Should You Roster Joe Flacco or Russell Wilson?
It is wild to think about the notion of starting a guy who was literally on his couch a month ago in a fantasy semifinal. Yet, here we are. Flacco’s three starts have produced an average points per game higher than Russell Wilson’s all season.
Wilson has been solid, though. He’s one of just two quarterbacks with a passing touchdown in every game. There just hasn’t been much of a ceiling.
At this point in the season, if you’re picking up one of these guys, it’s going to be to start this week. Flacco gets the Houston Texans. Wilson has a tough matchup against the New England Patriots. For Week 16 specifically, give me Flacco.
If you’re trying to look ahead to Week 17, Flacco gets the New York Jets, while Wilson gets the Los Angeles Chargers. It would be Wilson for me in the fantasy final.
Should You Roster Gardner Minshew or Baker Mayfield?
Minshew has now scored 15+ fantasy points in four straight games. Baker Mayfield is coming off the best game of his season, throwing for 381 yards and four touchdowns. He’s now posted two straight 20-point games, but before that, he was under 15 for three straight.
Mayfield has a lower floor than Minshew but undoubtedly a higher ceiling. Both of these guys have very tough Week 17 matchups, so they are exclusively Week 16 streaming options. With that being said, the matchups for Week 16 are juicy, with Minshew getting the Atlanta Falcons and Mayfield getting the Jacksonville Jaguars.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Both are viable starters this week. All things being equal, I would probably prefer Minshew. But if he’s throwing to the likes of Alec Pierce and D.J. Montgomery without Jonathan Taylor or Zack Moss at RB and Michael Pittman Jr. at WR, I would be hesitant to start him. At least with Mayfield, he gets to throw to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. I lean toward Mayfield, but not by much.
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!