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Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers - Week 17

Quarterback waiver wire pickups and streamers for Week 17 of the fantasy football season. Dan Fornek recommends QB free agents to consider adding off waivers.

Well, folks, this is it. It has been a wild ride this season thanks to a litany of injuries and quarantines throughout the NFL season. We have seen veteran quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger continue to show they are fantasy viable while a crop of new talented players like Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert prove the future at the quarterback position looks bright.

Week 16 saw nine quarterbacks surpass the 300-yard passing threshold, including surprising names like Andy Dalton and Brandon Allen. Tom Brady paced quarterbacks through the air, throwing for four touchdown passes and zero interceptions against the hapless Lions secondary. Six other quarterbacks threw for three touchdown passes with another eight adding two passing scores.

In this article, I will be focusing on players who are under 65% rostered in fantasy leagues while adding a couple of deep sleepers for two-quarterback leagues (less than 20% rostered).

Editor's Note: Access RotoBaller’s trusted fantasy football rankings for PPR, Standard, Dynasty, Super Flex, and Best Ball formats. Get tiered cheat sheets, expert analysis, and player outlooks to dominate your draft from every angle.

 

Top QB Streamers and Adds

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Yahoo: 56% rostered 

After navigating a rough three weeks of matchups against the Buccaneers (17.1 fantasy points), Bears (19.34 fantasy points), and Saints (23.64 fantasy points), Kirk Cousins finds himself in a nice, easy game to close out the 2020 NFL season. Since the Vikings’ Week 7 bye, Cousins has five games with over 20 fantasy points. In that time, he has six games with over 270 passing yards and has five games with three passing touchdowns, and two other games with two scores through the air. In his last nine games, Cousins has thrown only three interceptions.

The Vikings will get a shot at a weak and depleted Lions Defense that will likely be playing without Matthew Stafford at quarterback. The Lions have allowed an average of 23 fantasy points per game and have generated just seven interceptions on the season. Detroit has allowed the most passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season (35). Cousins completed 13 of 20 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns in their first matchup and could easily put up numbers that meet or exceed that total again.

 

Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts

Yahoo: 40% rostered 

Philip Rivers struggled in his Week 16 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing for 270 yards with just one touchdown and an interception. His 12.8 fantasy points were his lowest output since Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens. Before Week 16, Rivers was on a nice little streak. He had thrown for at least 285 yards in four of his last seven games. Since Week 10, Rivers has a 13 to 3 touchdown to interception ratio. Rivers was feasting on inadequate defenses and picking apart opposing secondaries. The good news for fantasy players with a Week 17 championship game? Rivers and the Colts are still fighting for playoff position and will have a game against a Jacksonville team with nothing to play for except the number 1 overall pick in next year’s draft.

Jacksonville has been contending with Detroit for the worst defense against quarterbacks in fantasy football this season and just allowed Mitchell Trubisky to pass for 265 yards and two touchdowns with just one interception in a 41-17 blowout for the Bears. Rivers and the Colts will be on the revenge warpath after the Jaguars handed them a Week 1 loss and Rivers could be poised for a big day with a playoff berth on the line.

 

Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders

Yahoo: 39% rostered 

After leaving the Chargers game Week 15 with a strained groin, Derek Carr returned to the starting lineup to take on a difficult Dolphins’ secondary in a must-win game for the Raiders. The Raiders didn’t win, but it certainly wasn’t because of Derek Carr. Carr completed 21 of 34 passes for 334 yards and a touchdown while also adding a one-yard dive into the end zone. Carr looked solid for somebody who was knocked out of his last game with a seemingly major injury although it wasn’t enough to take down the Dolphins behind Tua and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Carr’s status in a relatively meaningless Week 17 game, but if he does play he will be in a fantastic matchup.

Carr and the Raiders face a Denver team that features Drew Lock’s turnover-prone ways and a defensive secondary that has struggled to generate turnovers all season. Denver is allowing only 19.8 points per week to quarterbacks but has only eight interceptions on the season. In Week 16, Denver allowed Justin Herbert to throw for 253 yards and a touchdown despite missing Hunter Henry and Keenan Allen in the passing game. If Carr is rested to heal up in Week 16, Marcus Mariota offers the same passing ability with rushing upside, so keep an eye on the waiver wire for this one.

 

2QB League Options and Stashes

Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears

Yahoo: 17% rostered 

Mitchell Trubisky continues to play well as a game manager with rushing upside as the Bears play themselves into playoff position. Since returning to the starting lineup, Trubisky is averaging 18.8 fantasy points per week, putting him in the QB1 conversation since Week 12. Trubisky has thrown for 1,243 yards and 10 touchdowns with just four interceptions since the Bears’ Week 11 bye week and remains a weekly threat for a rushing touchdown once the Bears get inside the 10-yard line. The Packers will have to play their starters in this game to try and clinch the #1 seed in the NFC, which could lead Trubisky to put the ball in the air to keep the Bears’ playoff hopes alive.

In their first matchup, Trubisky threw the ball 46 times, completing 26 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Nobody will feel great putting Trubisky in their starting lineups, but given the quarterback landscape and the number of teams that could be resting starters, he has a very interesting upside as a dual-threat option.

 

C.J. Beathard, San Francisco 49ers

Yahoo: 1% rostered 

C.J. Beathard played well for the 49ers in his first start since Nick Mullens got hurt. Beathard completed 13 of 22 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Beathard also added three carries for 18 yards in a surprising win against a Cardinals team fighting for their playoff lives. Beathard isn’t the most impressive quarterback but he can move the ball and has some major weapons to utilize in the form of George Kittle and rookie receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Beathard gets a fantastic Week 17 matchup against a weak Seattle secondary. The Seahawks Defense has been much stronger since figuring out how to generate a pass rush, but Beathard still has starting upside and could be a difference-maker in a moment of pure fantasy desperation.



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
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