Fantasy Football Quarterback Streamers & Waiver Wire Targets (Week 17)

Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season is in the books. Hopefully, your team pulled out the victory. However, the only easy win was last week’s win. So, let’s look at the top streaming quarterback options for Week 17.

All the quarterbacks in this article are rostered in under 50% of ESPN 1QB leagues and under 25% in superflex leagues.

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• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
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Streaming Targets in 1QB Leagues

Derek Carr (NO) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22.4% Rostered)

When Carr faced the Buccaneers in Week 4, he scored only 3.2 fantasy points, a season-low. However, the veteran played a week after leaving the Week 3 matchup with an AC joint sprain. While he has had some up-and-down moments on the field, Carr has been outstanding for fantasy players lately. Over the past two weeks, the veteran has averaged 268.5 passing yards, three touchdowns, and 22.6 fantasy points per game, totaling 20 or more in both contests. Furthermore, he has only one turnover over the past two weeks.

Tampa Bay has struggled to slow down opposing passing attacks this season. They have given up 18.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, one of the highest averages in the NFL. Last week, the Buccaneers gave up over 300 passing yards and 17.7 fantasy points to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterbacks despite Trevor Lawrence leaving the game with a shoulder injury. Tampa Bay has allowed quarterbacks to score 17.5 or more fantasy points in three consecutive games. Expect Carr to push that streak to four games in a row.

Gardner Minshew (IND) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (16.5% Rostered)

Last week, Minshew struggled against a talented Atlanta Falcons defense. The veteran quarterback had zero passing touchdowns and scored only 9.1 fantasy points in the loss, his lowest fantasy output since Week 10. However, he didn’t have Michael Pittman Jr. for that game. Minshew was coming off a three-touchdown performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers the week before. More importantly, the veteran was the QB11 from Week 12 through Week 15, averaging 1.5 passing touchdowns and 17 fantasy points per game, totaling 14.1 or more in every matchup.

Many were surprised to see the Raiders score two defensive touchdowns on Christmas Day. Yet, Patrick Mahomes had 16.7 fantasy points against Las Vegas. More importantly, the Raiders have struggled to slow down quarterbacks lately. They have surrendered 18.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks not named Joshua Dobbs or Nick Mullens over the past six weeks. Furthermore, Las Vegas gave up three passing touchdowns to Easton Stick two weeks ago. Minshew won’t have a massive fantasy performance but should be serviceable, especially if Pittman can play.

Streaming Targets in Superflex Leagues

Bryce Young (CAR) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (9.2% Rostered)

The first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has had a rookie season to forget. Young has averaged only 10.7 fantasy points per game, scoring fewer than 9.3 in 64.3% of the contests. The rookie had under double-digit fantasy points in seven consecutive games before last week’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Young had a career performance in Week 16, totaling 312 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 22.2 fantasy points, setting career-highs in passing yards and fantasy points. The rookie showed potential after struggling most of the year.

Fantasy players might be skeptical about starting Young. However, he has an excellent matchup against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has surrendered 19.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, one of the highest averages in the NFL. Last week, they gave up 189 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 15.6 fantasy points to Baker Mayfield – in the first half. More importantly, the Jaguars have given up at least 18.5 fantasy points to quarterbacks in five consecutive games. Young likely won’t have 20 fantasy points but should have a solid QB2 outing.

Easton Stick (LAC) vs. Denver Broncos (1.3% Rostered)

Unfortunately, Justin Herbert‘s 2023 season is over, making Stick the starter the rest of the way. While the career backup hasn’t won either of his first two career starts, he has played well for fantasy players. Stick has scored 17.1 or more fantasy points in both career starts, totaling three passing touchdowns and a rushing score in those two contests. While he scored 5.2 fantasy points in the Week 14 matchup against the Broncos, Stick only played half the game and had no first-team reps during practice.

However, the former North Dakota State star has been solid after taking over as the starting quarterback. Meanwhile, the Broncos’ elite pass defense has disappeared lately. They have surrendered 17.8 fantasy points per game over the past four weeks, giving up 16 or more in all but one contest. More importantly, Denver’s defense made Bailey Zappe look like Tom Brady last week. He completed 75.8% of his pass attempts for 256 yards, two touchdowns, and 16.4 fantasy points. Don’t be surprised if Stick has his third consecutive game with at least 17 fantasy points.

Streamer to Avoid

Joe Flacco (CLE) vs. New York Jets (12.8% Rostered)

Typically, streaming articles tell you which players to target off the waiver wire. However, I will give one quarterback each week that you should avoid.

Flacco has been an amazing story over the past several weeks. After starting the year sitting on the couch, the veteran is the fourth starting quarterback for the Browns. Furthermore, he has arguably been the best one for fantasy players. Flacco has averaged 2.5 passing touchdowns and 19.6 fantasy points per game this season, totaling at least two passing scores and 16.2 fantasy points every week. However, he has faced multiple pass-friendly defenses. More importantly, the veteran is an interception machine, throwing 1.8 per game, totaling at least one in every contest.

Last week, the Jets barely held on against the Washington Commanders, winning 30-28 after blowing a 20-point lead. However, they only gave up 7.2 fantasy points to Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett despite surrendering four offensive touchdowns in the game. Furthermore, New York has held quarterbacks to 12.2 fantasy points per game, one of the lowest averages in the NFL. They have given up 8.8 or fewer fantasy points to quarterbacks in six of the past eight games. Don’t start championship week with a heartbreaking performance on Thursday night – bench Flacco.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.