Updated Fantasy Football QB Rankings Week 17: Who to start, best sleepers at quarterback

Michael OHara

Updated Fantasy Football QB Rankings Week 17: Who to start, best sleepers at quarterback image

If you started Jalen Hurts in your semifinal matchup last week, my heart goes out to you. But at the end of the day, football is a physical sport, and in-game injuries are very much a part of the game. Injury risk is assumed every week, and Hurts' concussion just came at an unfortunate time for fantasy managers. At the end of the day, the most important thing is Hurts' recovery.

On the other side of the coin, rookie sensation Jayden Daniels likely carried plenty of teams to the fantasy championship this week. He just put together his best game of the season, throwing for five touchdowns and rushing for 81 yards on his way to 34.42 fantasy points. This individual performance, coupled with a victory over the Eagles, all but locked up the OROY award for Daniels.

With championship matchups taking place this week, every fantasy manager would certainly appreciate a 30-piece from their quarterback. We've examined all 16 NFL matchups this week to provide the rankings that should set your fantasy team up for success.

WEEK 17 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers

Fantasy QB Rankings Week 17: Who to start, sit at quarterback

Rankings based on four-point passing touchdown scoring. These rankings were updated on Dec. 26 and will be updated throughout the week, so check back often

RANKPLAYER NAMETEAMOPPONENTCHANGE
1Josh AllenBUFvs. NYJ 
2Lamar JacksonBALat HOU 
3Jayden DanielsWASvs. ATL 
4Joe BurrowCINvs. DEN 
5Jared GoffDETat SF 
6Brock PurdySFvs. DET 
7Anthony RichardsonINDat NYGUp 1
8Bo NixDENat CINUp 1
9Baker MayfieldTBvs. CARUp 1
10Jordan LoveGBat MINDown 3
11Kyler MurrayARIat LAR 
12Sam DarnoldMINvs. GBUp 2
13Caleb WilliamsCHIvs. SEADown 1
14Matthew StaffordLARvs. ARIDown 1
15Justin HerbertLACat NE 
16Patrick Mahomes IIKCat PIT 
17Geno SmithSEAat CHI 
18Tua TagovailoaMIAat CLE 
19C.J. StroudHOUvs. BAL 
20Drake MayeNEvs. LAC 
21Bryce YoungCARat TB 
22Aaron RodgersNYJat BUF 
23Russell WilsonPITvs. KC 
24Michael PenixATLat WAS 
25Kenny PickettPHIvs. DAL 
26Cooper RushDALat PHI 
27Aidan O'ConnellLVat NO 
28Mason RudolphTENat JAX 
29Mac JonesJACvs. TEN 
30Drew LockNYGvs. IND 
31Dorian Thompson-RobinsonCLEvs. MIA 
32Spencer RattlerNOvs. LV 

Who are the best fantasy QBs for Week 17?

Coming into the season, Houston vs. Baltimore was circled on fantasy managers' calendars for championship week. Houston hasn't exactly held up its end of the bargain, but fantasy managers should be thrilled to start Lamar Jackson this week. He continues to produce on the ground and is in the midst of the best season of his career through the air. 

Jayden Daniels has been highly effective as a rookie, both as a passer and rusher. Daniels had yet another productive fantasy outing last week, exploding for 30-plus fantasy points for the second time in his last four games. Against a suspect Atlanta defense in Week 17, Daniels is a must-start quarterback once again.

There hasn't been a more valuable quarterback than Josh Allen down the stretch this season. He's cleared 40 fantasy points in two of his last three games while putting his name in the record books for several historical performances. Fire him up without a second thought this week.

Who are the best fantasy QB waiver pickups for Week 17?

It's been a rocky month or so for Bryce Young. He's played the best football of his career in some games while turning the ball over four times in another. He's coming off one of his stronger performances last week against the Cardinals, throwing for two touchdowns while tacking on 68 yards and a score on the ground. He's an intriguing streamer with the porous Tampa Bay defense on the schedule this week.

Who are the best fantasy QB sleepers for Week 17?

Anthony Richardson has been among the most frustrating quarterbacks in fantasy this season. His struggles as a passer make his production rather volatile, but what he's able to do on the ground always makes him a candidate to put together a solid outing in fantasy. With the horrific Giants defense on the schedule this week, we should get a high-end outcome out of Richardson.

The Chicago defense has struggled in recent weeks, particularly through the air. They have surrendered at least 325 passing yards in three of their last five games, most recently giving up 336 yards to Jared Goff and the Lions. Geno Smith will travel to Soldier Field this week and certainly has the offensive weaponry to put together a strong outing. We've seen Smith deliver five top-10 finishes on the back of big-time passing numbers and this could certainly be the sixth.

What are the biggest QB injuries for Week 17?

Jalen Hurts took a massive hit last week on a scramble against the Commanders. He sustained a concussion on the play and did not return to the game. He'll have to clear concussion protocol in seven days in order to play against the Cowboys this week. Eagles' backup QB also sustained an injury to his ribs last week. Practice reports this week will give us an idea of his availability.

Giants' de facto starter Drew Lock injured his shoulder last week. It seems that he'll draw a questionable tag heading into Week 17.

Derek Carr has been dealing with a slew of injuries, most recently an issue with his left hand. There's a chance Carr won't play another snap this season, but the team has not made an official announcement just yet.

Michael OHara

Michael OHara Photo

Michael O'Hara is a Fantasy Sports Intern at The Sporting News, with a focus on fantasy football. Michael has been a fan of the NFL since childhood and began writing for fantasy football websites as a student at Ohio State University, including the Roto Street Journal and Fantasy Football Today.