The 2021-22 NFL season is almost at its halfway point. Bye weeks are starting to take place. This means that quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Derek Carr will be out this week. On top of that injuries have started to mount up at this point of the season. It is 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 8 quarterback rankings.
*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to reserve/COVID-19 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.
| Category | Name | Opponent | Ranking |
| Must Start | Josh Allen | vs Miami Dolphins | QB1 |
| Must Start | Kyler Murray | vs Green Bay Packers | QB2 |
| Must Start | Jalen Hurts | vs Detriot Lions | QB3 |
| Must Start | Matthew Stafford | vs Houston Texans | QB4 |
| Must Start | Patrick Mahomes* | vs New York Giants | QB5 |
| Starter | Joe Burrow | vs New York Jets | QB6 |
| Starter | Dak Prescott* | vs Minnesota Vikings | QB7 |
| Starter | Tom Brady | vs New Orleans Saints | QB8 |
| Low-End Starter | Justin Herbert | vs New England Patriots | QB9 |
| Low-End Starter | Aaron Rodgers | vs Arizona Cardinals | QB10 |
| Low-End Streamer | Kirk Cousins | vs Dallas Cowboys | QB11 |
| Low-End Streamer | Ryan Tannehill | vs Indianapolis Colts | QB12 |
| Streamer | Carson Wentz | vs Tennessee Titans | QB13 |
| Streamer | Daniel Jones | vs Kansas City Chiefs | QB14 |
| Streamer | Teddy Bridgewater | vs Washington Football Team | QB15 |
| Streamer | Matt Ryan | vs Carolina Panthers | QB16 |
| Streamer | Trevor Lawrence | vs Seattle Seahawks | QB17 |
| Streamer | Sam Darnold | vs Atlanta Falcons | QB18 |
| Deep League Streamer | Geno Smith | vs Jacksonville Jaguars | QB19 |
| Deep League Streamer | Jared Goff | vs Philadelphia Eagles | QB20 |
| Deep League Streamer | Jameis Winston | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | QB21 |
| Leave on the Bench | Tyrod Taylor* | vs Los Angeles Rams | QB22 |
| Leave on the Bench | Ben Roethlisberger | vs Cleveland Browns | QB23 |
| Leave on the Bench | Jimmy Garoppolo | vs Chicago Bears | QB24 |
| Leave on the Bench | Tua Tagovailoa | vs Buffalo Bills | QB25 |
| Leave on the Bench | Baker Mayfield* | vs Pittsburgh Steelers | QB26 |
| Leave on the Bench | Justin Fields | vs San Francisco 49ers | QB27 |
| Leave on the Bench | Taylor Heinicke | vs Denver Broncos | QB28 |
| Leave on the Bench | Mac Jones | vs Los Angeles Chargers | QB29 |
| Leave on the Bench | Mike White* | vs Cincinnati Bengals | QB30 |
| Leave on the Bench | Taysom Hill* | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | QB31 |
| Leave on the Bench | Trey Lance* | vs Chicago Bears | QB32 |
Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday
QB5 Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
At the end of last week’s game against the Tennessee Titans, Patrick Mahomes took a rough hit that knocked him out of the rest of the game. As of this moment, Mahomes appears to have avoided a concussion. However, as of this moment, Mahomes is still questionable for Monday’s game against the New York Giants. If Mahomes was to miss this game Chad Henne would slot in at QB24 between Jimmy Garoppolo and Tua Tagovailoa
QB7 Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
On the last play of the game against the New England Patriots two weeks ago Dak Prescott had strained his calf. After the bye week it appears that Prescott should be ready to go for Sunday night football against the Minnesota Vikings. If that was not the case then Cooper Rush would start for Dallas and slot in at QB28 between Taylor Heinicke and Mac Jones.
QB22 Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans
The belief in Houston is that quarterback Tyrod Taylor is expected to return from Injured Reserve this week. He has not played since straining his hamstring against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. If Taylor is still out another week then Davis Mills would slot in at QB29 between Mac Jones and Mike White.
QB26 Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns held Baker Mayfield out of last Thursday’s game against the Denver Broncos because of his torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. Mayfield did not practice Monday and is still questionable to participate in practice Wednesday. If Mayfield is out another week then Case Keenum would slot in at QB 27 against the Pittsburgh Steelers between Justin Fields and Taylor Heinicke.
QB30 Mike White, New York Jets
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson suffered a PCL injury that will hold him out of action between two and four weeks. The next man up is former Cowboys quarterback Mike White. New York also acquired veteran Joe Flacco earlier this week. White is expected to start against the Bengals on Sunday but those who play in deeper leagues should keep an eye on Flacco who could potentially take over as the starter. If Flacco was to get the start he would replace White as the QB30 for the week.
QB31 Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Swiss army knife offensive weapon Taysom Hill left Week 5 with a concussion. It is unclear whether he will be active after missing last weeks game. This is something to pay attention to for fantasy owners in deep leagues who use Hill as a Superflex.
QB32 Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Trey Lance left the 49ers game against the Cardinals two weeks ago with a knee injury. Jimmy Garoppolo will likely be the starter but those in the deepest of leages who use Lance as a Superflex option should pay attention to his status throughout the week to see if he will be back against the Chicago Bears.
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers like Chris Thomas!
