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Fantasy managers who rode Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen throughout the season and into the playoffs were certainly disappointed by their production in Week 16. Many managers were likely knocked out of the playoffs thanks to their underwhelming fantasy performances due to injuries and ineffectiveness.
Still, some awesome quarterback performances could have swung fantasy matchups. 11 quarterbacks finished with at least 20.2 fantasy points led by Jayden Daniels (34.4) and Bryce Young (27.1). Fantasy managers could be searching for the best matchups possible if they made their finals, which means we could get some active waiver wires if the teams with Hurts and Allen have been knocked out.
In this article, I will be focusing on players under 65% rostered in fantasy leagues while adding a couple of deep sleepers for two-quarterback leagues (less than 25% rostered).
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
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- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
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- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Single-QB Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Yahoo: 59% rostered
Anthony Richardson continued to produce big fantasy numbers in Week 16, hitting 20.2 fantasy points despite attempting just 11 passes against the Tennessee Titans. Richardson was still able to have an excellent fantasy performance thanks to nine carries for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Anthony Richardson with blockers ahead 💪
📺: #TENvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/LJ01fI1cxM— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
Richardson’s passing continues to be inconsistent since taking over the starting quarterback job again in Week 11 (52.6% completion percentage for 856 yards and four passing touchdowns with five interceptions), but he keeps hitting his ceiling outcome thanks to his rushing acumen. Over the last five games, Richardson has totaled 45 carries for 257 yards and five rushing scores.
Indianapolis has a great matchup in Week 17 against a Giants defense that has struggled against mobile quarterbacks this season. The Giants have surrendered the third most rushing yards to quarterbacks this season (398) and the eighth-most fantasy points per game (17.9).
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Yahoo: 62% rostered
Bo Nix continues to put together strong fantasy performances. He had his fifth game with 20+ fantasy points in Denver’s Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Nix has scored at least 13.0 fantasy points in 11 straight games. He has eight consecutive games with at least 30 passing attempts and three straight games with at least three rushing attempts. The rookie has been getting it done despite lacking a good receiving threat outside of Courtland Sutton.
The Broncos will have a chance to have another strong offensive week against the Bengals' defense. Cincinnati is coming off a strong game against the Browns, but that was due to the general struggles of Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Cincinnati had been allowing 20.0 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks prior to this week.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Yahoo: 7% rostered
Bryce Young continued to impress in Week 16, putting up a season-high fantasy total (27.1) thanks to another efficient day as both a passer and runner. The second-year quarterback completed 17 of 26 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns while adding five carries for 68 yards and a touchdown against a solid Cardinals defense.
Bryce Young bounce back this season has been amazing to watch. No one I’m rooting harder for than Bryce.
— Kevin (@Daboys_22) December 22, 2024
Young now has six straight games with at least 12.0 fantasy points. He’s also had over 20.0 fantasy points twice during that span. The young quarterback has been able to elevate his floor in fantasy thanks to a willingness to scramble since the Panthers’ bye week. He has at least three carries and 12 rushing yards in each of the last five games. He’s also scored three rushing touchdowns during that time.
The Panthers have one of the best matchups for fantasy quarterbacks in Week 17 with a game against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has allowed 20.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season and gave up 23.6 to Young in their Week 13 matchup.
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Yahoo: 41% rostered
The Jets season is over, but Aaron Rodgers is still airing the ball out. Since New York’s Week 12 bye, Rodgers has three of four games with at least 39 passing attempts. The only game he missed that mark was a game where he attempted 20 passes.
Rodgers has also been a steady producer in fantasy with his connection with wide receiver Davante Adams re-kindled for the Jets.
Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams helping the Packers playoff chancespic.twitter.com/bskFAZ3E5A
— Packerfan Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) December 22, 2024
Rodgers now has five straight games with at least 12.0 fantasy points while throwing for nine touchdowns with just one interception. Week 17’s matchup against Buffalo isn’t the best for quarterbacks, but their defense has not been as stingy against opposing quarterbacks in recent weeks.
Two-QB Waiver Wire Pickups and Stashes
Mason Rudolph, Tennessee Titans
Yahoo: 2% rostered
Week 16 had highs and lows for Mason Rudolph and the Titans’ offense. Rudolph had his second straight game with two passing touchdowns but threw three interceptions. Still, Rudolph was able to have a respectable day (14.3 fantasy points) in a shootout against the Colts.
Gorgeous deep ball TD from Mason Rudolph to Calvin Ridley.
Brian Callahan feeling vindicated early. pic.twitter.com/yqjQSSgDVa
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) December 22, 2024
Rudolph now has consecutive games with over 14.0 fantasy points since taking back the starting quarterback position. If you look back to all of his starts this season, he has four straight games over 14.0 fantasy points.
The veteran quarterback cannot have explosive fantasy performances thanks to his lack of rushing upside. However, he is getting plenty of volume thanks to Tennessee’s awful defense and has some solid weapons that can generate big plays after the catch.
Tennessee’s Week 17 opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars, is the worst defense against quarterbacks in fantasy this season.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Yahoo: 15% rostered
Michael Penix Jr. had an unremarkable first start for Atlanta, completing 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards and an interception against the Giants. Atlanta was able to get to a big lead and was never pushed in this game, leading to a run-heavy approach that utilized Bijan Robinson (22 carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns).
Michael Penix Jr. was comfortable in the pocket, threw out breakers on time, and was able to work over the middle of the field
Penix Jr. also didn't take a sack despite being pressured 14 times pic.twitter.com/sdPmB0sSJO
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) December 22, 2024
Still, Penix Jr. did flash his big arm and ability to utilize Darnell Mooney (five receptions for 82 yards) and Drake London (five receptions for 59 yards) against New York.
The rookie will have a slightly tougher matchup against the Commanders in Week 17, but the game script should allow him to throw the ball more. There is a considerable amount of risk starting an unknown player this deep in the fantasy season, but Penix Jr. has the arm and weapons to put up a big day in fantasy.
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