Fifty-one quarterbacks have started at least one game this NFL season. That’s a crazy amount of turnover at what can be argued to be the most important position in the NFL. On top of that, 14 teams have started at least two quarterbacks this year, and four have gone with three different signal callers.
With Arizona on the verge of starting Logan Thomas in Week 17, that will be the fifth team this year to start three different quarterbacks. Add the potential of Connor Shaw starting in Cleveland, and that number would rise to six.
If both Shaw and Thomas start this week, the 2014 NFL season will have ended with 53 different quarterbacks starting at least one game.
With the fantasy season winding down, it’s an important stat to remember heading into your 2-QB draft next season, as you’ll have to attack the quarterback position not just with an eye on the early part of the season, but you need to also keep tabs on potential revolving doors at quarterback for some teams, and monitor the top backups during the year.
You don’t always win or lose your league on draft day, as in-season management is just as big of a (or sometimes even bigger) part of the equation.
Below are my quarterback rankings for Week 17, followed by a quick stock watch report, and waiver wire musings. Remember, some teams might not have much to play for this week, and could either rest starters or pull them early from games.
Week 17 2-QB Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings:
1. Eli Manning vs PHI
2. Ryan Tannehill vs NYJ
3. Russell Wilson vs. STL
4. Tony Romo @ WAS
5. Matt Ryan vs. CAR
6. Cam Newton @ Atlanta
7. Teddy Bridgewater vs CHI
8. Case Keenum vs JAC
9. Derek Carr @ DEN
10. Josh McCown vs NO
11. Aaron Rodgers vs DET
12. Philip Rivers @ KC
13. Tom Brady vs BUF
14. Mark Sanchez @ NYG
15. Peyton Manning vs OAK
16. Jay Cutler at MIN
17. Drew Brees @ TB
18. Ben Roethlisberger vs. CIN
19. Colin Kaepernick vs ARI
20. Andrew Luck @ TEN
21. Matthew Stafford @ GB
22. Robert Griffin III vs DAL
23. Andy Dalton @ PIT
24. Alex Smith vs SD
25. Geno Smith @ MIA
26. Kyle Orton @ NE
27. Joe Flacco vs. CLE
28. Blake Bortles at @ HOU
29. Charlie Whitehurst vs IND
30. Shaun Hill @ SEA
31. Logan Thomas @ SF
32. Connor Shaw @ BAL
33. Matthew Hasselbeck vs. TEN
34. David Fales @ MIN
35. Jimmy Garoppolo vs. BUF
36. Luke McCown @ TB
37. Brock Osweiler vs. OAK
38. Brandon Weeden @ WAS
Week 17 Quarterbacks on the Rise
Russell Wilson has been on a torrid fantasy football pace to end the season. Minus Week 15 vs. the 49ers, where he scored under 10 fantasy points, Wilson has scored 16 or more fantasy points in six of his last seven games. During that span he has a a 8:3 passing touchdown to interception ratio, and has also added 449 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns.
According to PFF, Wilson is the fantasy QB1 from Week 12 to Week 16. If you were lucky enough to snag Wilson in the mid-rounds of your 2-QB draft you’re probably pretty happy with his production, especially in championship week, where he was the highest fantasy scoring quarterback,
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has put together a nice campaign to end his freshman season. He’s thrown two touchdowns in four of his last five games, with two 300+ passing yard performances in that span, has four straight games of completing at least 70 percent of his passes, and has scored 14 or more fantasy points in five straight games.
With a Week 17 matchup vs the Chicago Bears coming up, look for Bridgewater to cap off a very solid rookie season, and solidify himself as a top dynasty signal caller in 2-QB leagues.
Week 17 Quarterbacks on the Slide
In his first start, Johnny Manziel scored 0.5 fantasy points. He followed that up with a 1.58 fantasy outing thanks to a hamstring injury that ended his Week 16 early, and that will sideline him for Week 17.
It was not a good end-of-season for Manziel, and doubts have risen to the surface on whether or not he will be a good quarterback going forward. If you’re a Manziel believer, and weren’t able to draft him in 2-QB dynasty leagues now is a good chance to make a buy-low offer on him.
You wouldn’t expect to see the highest overall fantasy scoring quarterback on the season to be listed here, but after a Week 16 performance that most likely helped many fantasy owners lose their championships it’s kind of hard not to say his stock his down.
Prior to his 0.36 fantasy scoring performance in Week 16 vs. the Cowboys, where he was ultimately benched (thanks to a blow out), Luck’s lowest scoring outing was in Week 12 against the Jaguars (15.02 fantasy points). Nine times this year Luck scored 20 or more fantasy points in a game, so if you owned him, he helped you plenty this year.
Unfortunately, the one week you needed him the most he let you down.
Week 17 2-QB Waiver Wire Future Planning
1. Jay Cutler
Jimmy Clausen suffered a concussion Week 16 and has been ruled out for Week 17. In steps Jay Cutler. Last week on Twitter someone asked me if they should drop Cutler in a league that played through Week 17. I suggested to keep him, if possible, as you never know what might happen.
Well, here we are, and Cutler will be back under center. Needless to say, if you play in a league that’s still going and Cutler was dropped, make him your top priority add.
2. Logan Thomas
The second Ryan Lindley era in Arizona was much like the first, which isn’t really a good thing. I think these stats might say it all: 225 pass attempts – 0 touchdowns, 8 interceptions. Enter rookie Logan Thomas, who is scheduled to get the start for the Cardinals this week.
A matchup against the 49ers in Week 17 isn’t really one to be confident about, but you’re most likely hard-pressed to find a starting quarterback on the waiver wire in your 2-QB league at this point in the season.
3. Connor Shaw
Johnny Manziel is out for the season, Brian Hoyer banged up his shoulder in relief of Manziel, and Rex Grossman is more into kite surfing with the family during the holidays than playing football for the Browns this week. Enter practice squader Connor Shaw.
Shaw was an undrafted free agent signing by the Browns this year, and saw action in only one preseason game for the team, completing 8-of-9 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown against Washington.
There’s no guarantee Shaw starts this week, but he might be the last healthy man standing for the Browns.
4. David Fales
Jay Cutler is expected to start, but what if Marc Trestman changes his mind? Could we see David Fales this week, even if it’s to relieve Cutler in-game? Maybe. Read up on who David Fales is.
*There are still some playoff seedings to be figured out, but there are some situations in which neither a win or a loss would do much for a team, which means we could see some starters rest or not play a full game.
Here are a few quarterbacks to monitor during the week to see if the starters they back-up could see less than a full compliments of snaps this week: Luke McCown (Saints), Brandon Weeden (Cowboys), Matthew Hasselbeck (Colts), Jimmy Garoppolo (Patriots), and Brock Osweiler (Broncos).
**Stats used in this article from FantasyData, PFF, and ESPN
