Fantasy Football Week 16 Quarterback Rankings

The 2025-26 NFL season has been outstanding so far. Already there have been a ton of breakout players and fantasy duds that have made the game so entertaining. The playoffs have begun in your fantasy leagues. During the playoffs Fantasy Managers will have full utilization of their roster and need to make sure they have backup options on their roster incase their stars get hurt. There have plenty of injuries this season to crucial players that make the pool of players to choose from on waivers that much thinner. It’s always a great idea to evaluate backup options so that way fantasy managers are prepared if star players miss time. Here are the fantasy football week 16 quarterback rankings.

[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to Injured Reserve List]

[Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week]

Key:

Must Start- a player who should definitely be in your lineup that week because of the combination of matchup and talent. They will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and could repeat the production most weeks.

Starter- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

Low-End Starter- a player who should be started in most lineups but can possibly bottom out and finish below average on a given week. A high ceiling play in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.

Streamer- a player who could be a perfect replacement for a starter for a week or two. Starting this player may not win you your lineup but they will make sure that your production out of that position will not lose you your matchup either. Also a viable option in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.

Deep League Streamer- a player who could fill a void at a position in a deeper league. Their ceiling may be close to average point production at the position but their floor is enough to get through the week. A reasonable player to have in your lineup in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Fantasy Football Week 16 Quarterback Rankings

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

QB28 Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets

Tyrod Taylor missed last week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a groin injury. There is a chance that he returns this week. If Taylor misses Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints Brady Cook becomes QB31 between Quinn Ewers and Geno Smith.

QB32 Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders

Geno Smith missed last week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles with shoulder and back injuries. It is unclear if he will return this week. If Smith misses Week 16 against the Houston Texans Kenny Pickett becomes QB32 below Shedeur Sanders.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Last week was extremely devastating for the Kansas City Chiefs. Not only was their decade long playoff steak end, but Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL. This ends his 2025-26 season. This has massive ramifications in the NFL and in fantasy football for the next calendar year. From a fantasy standpoint there isn’t a clear timeline for Mahomes return. The soonest he could be ready is the beginning of next season. However depending on the severity of the tear and other knee damage Mahomes will realistically miss time from any point from October to the beginning of the 2027-28 season. It would be hard to rely on Mahomes as your only quarterback in fantasy if he returns on the earlier side. Mahomes fantasy value is contingent on the rushing he brings to the table. Even though he is a phenomenal passer, his rushing gives a floor to him every week that makes him a clear top-10 fantasy quarterback. 

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

It was announced earlier this week that the Miami Dolphins will be benching Tua Tagovailoa. Quinn Ewers was announced as the team’s starter at quarterback passing Zach Wilson on the depth chart. Ewers was a highly regarded high school & college quarterback. But Ewers final season in college did not show the league that they could trust him to be a long-term starter. Miami wants to see what they have in the rookie quarterback as they likely look to pivot from Tagovailoa this offseason. Ewers likely will not be affecting many fantasy playoff matchups. Tagovailoa has likely played his last snap in Miami. Next season he will likely be competing for a starting job elsewhere. Depending on where he lands he could be a serviceable QB2 in superflex leagues. 

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