Late-round quarterback drafter? Had an injury to your starter? In need of a bye-week replacement? In this article, you'll find a couple of quarterback options likely available in most leagues (we'll use players rostered in fewer than 60% of Yahoo leagues) who could provide some punch at the quarterback position.
Unless most teams in your league carry a backup quarterback, there should be plenty of starting quarterbacks on your waiver wire each week. Instead of starting a low-end QB1 facing an elite secondary, look to the waiver wire and play the matchups. Ideally, a player who appears in this space gets hot and becomes an every-week starter. If not, throw him back to the wire and come back here next week. Quarterback is one of the most predictable positions in fantasy football. Simply by using matchups, fantasy GMs can start a mid-to-high QB1 every week by using the waiver wire.
Disclaimer: This column will typically be written on Monday evenings. Should any relevant events occur on Monday Night Football, the article will be edited. Any post-publication edits will be noted.
Last Week's Results
Let's take a look at how last week's recommendations fared.
KIRK COUSINS - VS. PHILADELPHIA
We knew the matchup was right against Philadelphia's funnel defense, and Cousins came through in a big way. 333 yards, 4 touchdowns, and the week's QB6 performance (pending Monday night) were exactly what the doctor ordered.
GARDNER MINSHEW - VS. NEW ORLEANS
Entering Week 6, Minshew was one of just four quarterbacks in the NFL with at least 16 standard league fantasy points in each of his first five games. But the ceiling he showed in Week 5 was juxtaposed with a floor game in Week 6, which coincidentally was the first time he appeared in this column. Unfortunately, that's life in the Rent-a-Quarterback world.
KYLE ALLEN - AT TAMPA BAY
Much like Philadelphia, Tampa Bay is a pass funnel defense. Allen was able to exploit them for 19.65 fantasy points and the QB14 showing, pending Monday night. It's not the top-12 we're looking for, but using Allen didn't submarine your chances.
This Week's Candidates
Here are the players available in at least 40% of typical leagues who could provide QB1 production this week.
Josh Allen - vs. Miami (Team Total: 28)
When Allen appeared as the cover boy of this article in Week 2, we said the following about his opponent:
The concern here is that the Giants are so bad that Buffalo can control the clock and not let Allen do his "frantic-scramble-followed-by-chucking-it-downfield" thing.
It turned out that Allen produced one of our better showings of the season. That same analysis could apply to Miami, but they're so bad at everything, they can't be ignored. Allen is a stronger recommendation this week than he was back in Week 2.
Daniel Jones - vs. Arizona (Team Total: 26.25)
Arizona continues to yield significant production. They should get Patrick Peterson back this week, but one player won't overcome the shortcomings of the entire defense. And we know that Kyler Murray and company can force opponents to keep their foot on the gas. Jones has struggled since his electric debut, but this is a prime spot to turn things around.
Deep Leagues Only
These selections are best saved for deeper leagues and/or 2QB/Superflex leagues.
- Jacoby Brissett - vs. Houston: This selection could easily appear in the section above. Check back later in the week to see if it moves up.
- Gardner Minshew - at Cincinnati: It's a strong Rent-a-QB week when the player facing Cincinnati isn't even considered for the top-three. 10/16/19 edit: Cincinnati will be missing both starting cornerbacks this week, making Minshew a high-floor play.
- Kirk Cousins - at Detroit: It's always a risk that Minnesota goes back to its run-centric ways. But Cousins has a favorable schedule stretch upcoming (at DET, vs. WAS, at KC).
Looking Ahead
If others in your league are also playing the "Rent-a-Quarterback" game, it might be wise to get a jump on next week's potential choices.
- Josh Allen - vs. Philadelphia: We know that Philadelphia is a funnel. This game could be a surprise shootout, providing even more reason to prioritize Allen this week. Allen also has Washington in Week 9, giving him three straight weeks of excellent matchups.
- "Pittsburgh Quarterback" - vs. Miami: Considering he practiced last week and traveled with the team to Los Angeles, it stands to reason that Mason Rudolph will be cleared to play after the team's bye in Week 7. The team hasn't opened things up too much with its backups under center, but they're throwing touchdowns despite the low-aDOT throws.
- Kirk Cousins - vs. Washington: We mentioned it above also. The main concern here is the legitimate question of whether Minnesota needs to attempt any forward passes to dispose of Washington.
- Teddy Bridgewater - vs. Arizona: The Cardinals are a team we'll continue to target.
- Gardner Minshew - vs. N.Y. Jets: The Jets looked better against Dallas, but Amari Cooper's injury contributed. This defensive backfield is still exploitable.
Questions, comments, suggestions, and other feedback on this piece are always welcome via e-mail hester@footballguys.com
