The waiver wire is rarely rich at the QB position, and the options are thin now that we are in Week 15. At this point, the surprise QB1s have already been added. Unfortunately, all we really have are glorified streamers, but options like Jake Browning and Joe Flacco may be able to help some fantasy football managers as they head into the playoffs.
Top QB Waiver Wire Targets in Week 15
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals (27% Rostered)
So … I guess Jake Browning is good. He’s now scored 26 and 24 fantasy points in his last two starts. With so many quarterbacks hurt, there’s a legitimate chance that fantasy managers with playoff teams need a quarterback.
Browning gets the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the playoffs, and he’s more than proven himself to be a viable fantasy starter. Pick him up if you need a QB.
FAAB Recommendation: 10-15%
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns (6% Rostered)
Is Joe Flacco elite? The age-old question continues. While I can’t answer that for you, I can tell you that Flacco has now posted consecutive 17+ point performances.
More Waiver Wire Targets: WR | TE | RB
I don’t really see how the Browns go back to Dorian Thompson-Robinson next week, as Flacco clearly gives them the best chance to win. With matchups against the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans left, Flacco could be legitimately startable over the next two weeks.
FAAB Recommendation: 2-5%
Zach Wilson, New York Jets (4% Rostered)
No. Your eyes do not deceive you. That is, in fact, me recommending fantasy managers add the New York Jets QB who has already been benched no fewer than four times in his career.
This advice is personal, too. I have a fantasy team with a bye that just lost Justin Herbert. This is currently my plan for Week 16: Zach Wilson.
I would argue Wilson’s performance against the Texans was the best of his career. He threw for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and did not turn the ball over. Yet, I would like to see how he performs against the Miami Dolphins next week before confidently starting him in Week 16, as he’s yet to ever put together consecutive quality performances. But right now, the plan is Wilson.
In Week 16, the Jets play the Washington Commanders. No team has been worse against the pass this season than Washington. They’ve surrendered 29+ points in five straight games and nine total times this season.
If you lost your starting QB and have a bye, grab Wilson now with the hope of using him in Week 16.
FAAB Recommendation: 0% (I think you can get him for free)
Which QBs Should You Roster in Fantasy Football?
Should You Roster Browning or Baker Mayfield?
Over the past two weeks, Browning has posted better fantasy outings than Baker Mayfield has all season. If all things were equal, I would much prefer Browning. But it’s fantasy playoff time, and decisions can no longer be made based purely on who the better player is. Matchups are key.
For Week 15 specifically, Browning has a middling matchup against the Vikings. I definitely trust him for that game. After that, though, he gets the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs on the road. Those are not spots in which I would want to use him.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Mayfield has a tough road date with the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 but a soft matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. He closes out at home against a beatable New Orleans Saints pass defense in Week 17.
If you have a bye, go with Mayfield, as he is the better Week 16 QB. If you are playing this week, I much prefer Browning.
Should You Roster Flacco or Kyler Murray?
As great as Flacco has been the past two weeks, he still lacks Kyler Murray’s upside. Murray gets the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15, and while I don’t love that matchup, his rushing ability will raise his floor high enough to still justify starting him over Flacco.
Then, in Weeks 16 and 17, Murray gets the Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles, two of the softest pass defenses in the league. While Flacco has favorable matchups in Weeks 15 and 16, he gets the Jets in Week 17, which is a no-go.
Additionally, it’s not all about matchups. The caliber of the player does matter, too. Murray is a vastly superior fantasy asset overall. One potentially tough spot against the 49ers is not going to sway me to prefer Flacco.
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