Fantasy Football Player Notes
2020 Rest of Season Rankings
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1.
Patrick Mahomes II
KC (vs . LAC)
Mahomes looked like his typical dominant self in the opener against the Texans, throwing three touchdown passes and making plenty of incredible throws from off-balanced positions. If there's a negative to be drawn, it's how much the Chiefs relied on the run and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, which could take away some upside. But don't kid yourself, Mahomes is obviously a top-two option at the position.
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2.
Russell Wilson
SEA (at SF)
Wilson probably isn't going to flirt with a 14% touchdown rate all season long, but he's having one of the great all-time stretches for a quarterback. Whether you rank him first, second, or third rest-of-season, he's an elite option that should win you some weeks single-handedly.
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3.
Lamar Jackson
BAL (at CIN)
Jackson hasn't quite been his dominant self this year, and sits as the No. 12 quarterback in fantasy through three weeks. Fantasy manager need not worry, however. The Ravens won't often face a negative game script like they did against the Chiefs, and Jackson should get back to putting up elite numbers soon. Some regression was inevitable this season, but he'll surely bounce back to becoming one of the elite options at the position once again.
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4.
Josh Allen
BUF (vs . MIA)
Allen has been both a fantasy and real-life MVP candidate to start the season, with over 300 yards passing and at least three touchdowns in each game. He's playing extremely well, and Stefon Diggs' presence has obviously given the coaching staff confidence that Allen can succeed in the passing game. He's a top-five play at quarterback going forward.
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5.
Kyler Murray
ARI (at LAR)
Murray hasn't been great as a passer thus far, with four touchdowns to five interceptions, but he's more than made up for it with his legs. With 187 yards rushing and four touchdowns already, Murray's floor is exceedingly high, and he should be viewed as no worse than a top-6 option at quarterback.
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6.
Deshaun Watson
HOU (vs . TEN)
Watson put up fantasy points in Week 1, as he often does. His offensive line did not play particularly well, but his ability to use his legs often turns that into a positive, as he can avoid pressure and add fantasy points on the ground. Brandin Cooks' quad injury limits one of Watson's main weapons, but so long as Will Fuller stays healthy, Watson should have enough at his disposal to continue to play like a top-five quarterback.
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7.
Aaron Rodgers
GB (at CHI)
Rodgers was preposterously good against the Vikings, throwing four touchdown passes and essentially having his way against a poor secondary. Whether this is truly a change in offensive philosophy or just attacking an opponent's weakness remains to be seen - but there is a boatload for Rodgers this year if the Packers continue to attack through the air. Move him up your board into the top-10 until further notice.
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8.
Cam Newton
NE (vs . NYJ)
Newton has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has been placed on the reserve/injured list. The primary concerns are with his overall health, of course, but from a fantasy perspective, it seems likely that Newton will miss at least Week 5, too, considering that NFL's stringent protocols. If you are rostering Newton, prepare to use another option for at least the short term.
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9.
Ryan Tannehill
TEN (at HOU)
Tannehill has now started 15 games in a Titans uniform. How many of those games do you think have netted 17.9 or more fantasy points? 13 of them. He's been so consistent despite hitting 40 pass attempts just twice in that entire stretch. With the way Derrick Henry runs, it's not like teams can focus their defensive gameplan on slowing Tannehill down. He's a low-end QB1 for the remainder of the season.
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10.
Matt Ryan
ATL (at TB)
Ryan was having an outstanding season before he suffered an ankle injury. Even with his second-half decline, he led the league in pass completions and was fifth in passing yards. He's now got a better offensive line, another year of development from Calvin Ridley, and Todd Gurley as his running back. Even at his advanced age, if he bounces back at all from his 7.3 YPA and 4.2% touchdown rate last year, then in Dirk Koetter's system he could have a monstrous year.
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11.
Ben Roethlisberger
PIT (at CLE)
Other than the first half of the Steelers' first game against the Giants, Roethlisberger has looked close to his old self this season. With seven touchdown passes through three games and an average of more than 250 passing yards per game, Roethlisberger has established himself as a borderline QB1 option, and one you can easily stream in the right matchup.
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12.
Tom Brady
TB (vs . ATL)
Brady has had his ups and downs this year, account for three or more touchdowns in three of his games, but just one touchdown in the other two. His receivers have been decimated with injuries so expect better things in the weeks ahead. With no contribution in the running game, Brady's upside is really a low-end QB1 at this point, and he should be valued as such.
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13.
Drew Brees
NO (at CAR)
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14.
Joe Burrow
CIN (vs . BAL)
Burrow is in a great situation for fantasy. He's willing to air it out to his talented receivers, he adds in a floor with his rushing ability, and he'll play from behind because of his team's poor defense.
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15.
Matthew Stafford
DET (vs . MIN)
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16.
Gardner Minshew II
JAC (at IND)
Minshew mania came crashing down to earth in Week 3 against the Dolphins, as the mercurial quarterback turned the ball over twice and failed to account for a touchdown. Minshew was without D.J. Chark and under siege all night, so there should be better days ahead. But it was a reminder why fantasy managers should be cautious overreacting to just a game or two.
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17.
Jared Goff
LAR (vs . ARI)
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18.
Justin Herbert
LAC (at KC)
Herbert has been named the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. He's well outside the range of locked-in starters in single-quarterback leagues, but he can be streamed in the right matchup, and certainly buoys Keenan Allen's production. In two-quarterback leagues, he should be considered a low-end starter.
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19.
Carson Wentz
PHI (vs . WAS)
Wentz hasn't been that bad from a fantasy standpoint through three games, though he's certainly been a disappointment. A porous offensive line, a dearth of reliable pass-catchers, and Wentz's questionable decision-making have all combined to make it a long season already for Wentz. He's out of the range of starting options, particularly with a difficult schedule on the horizon.
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20.
Teddy Bridgewater
CAR (vs . NO)
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21.
Derek Carr
LV (at DEN)
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22.
Kirk Cousins
MIN (at DET)
Consider yourself lucky that Cousins came away with the game he did in Week 6. He was not good, but did benefit from a lot of garbage time (almost the entire second half). If you can't rely on him to play well against a Falcons team that had allowed 20-plus fantasy points to every quarterback they'd played, who will you be able to trust him against?
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23.
Baker Mayfield
CLE (vs . PIT)
Mayfield looked much more confident and competent against the Bengals in Week 2, and although it wasn't a huge fantasy day, he showed he can be a serviceable QB2. The Cleveland offense will go through the running game, so don't expect too many "boom" weeks. But there probably won't be too many total duds like in Week 1.
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24.
Andy Dalton
DAL (at NYG)
Dalton will get his opportunity to start with Dak Prescott surely being lost for the year after fracturing his ankle. Dalton hasn't been particularly fantasy-relevant throughout his career, but with plenty of weapons and an excellent offensive system, he should at worst be a bye-week filler going forward and at best be a potential every-week starter.
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25.
Tua Tagovailoa
MIA (at BUF)
Tagovailoa has been named the starter for the Dolphins beginning in Week 8, after Miami's bye. Ryan Fitzpatrick had been playing well, but the Dolphins wisely realize that their long-term future is better served with Tagovailoa under center. He offers tremendous upside with his rushing ability and accuracy and should be added in all formats, but value him as a QB2 to start, though obviously hope for more.
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26.
Jimmy Garoppolo
SF (vs . SEA)
Garoppolo returned from his high-ankle sprain in Week 5 and was dreadful against the Dolphins, so much so that he was benched in favor of C.J. Beathard. Garoppolo's long-term future is likely secure, but he may need another week or two before he's fully back to form.
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27.
Daniel Jones
NYG (vs . DAL)
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28.
Nick Foles
CHI (vs . GB)
Foles has been named the starting quarterback for the Bears going forward. His numbers suggested he played well against the Falcons, but he made some questionable decisions, and the Bears won't be in comeback mode often. He's outside of even the two-QB range, and is nothing more than a bye-week filler, even in deeper formats.
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29.
Drew Lock
DEN (vs . LV)
Lock will miss at least Week 3 and 4 after suffering a shoulder injury against the Steelers, but expect the Broncos to be cautious with their young quarterback. Even when Lock returns, he'll be without Courtland Sutton, so in two-quarterback or superflex leagues, he should legitimately be considered one of the worst options at the position going forward.
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30.
Philip Rivers
IND (vs . JAC)
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31.
Kyle Allen
WAS (at PHI)
Allen will take over as the starter in Week 5 for Dwayne Haskins. He struggle with accuracy last season and doesn't have many weapons, but he should be an upgrade generally for the Washington offense. As for Allen himself, he's just a bye-week replacement in two-quarterback leagues.
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32.
Sam Darnold
NYJ (at NE)
Darnold suffered a right shoulder sprain in Week 4 against the Broncos and could miss some time. He's not a play as anything other than a bye-week filler in two-quarterback leagues even when healthy, so fantasy managers can feel free to move on.
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33.
Ryan Fitzpatrick
MIA (at BUF)
Fitzpatrick played well to start the season but will be relegated to a bench role with the Dolphins naming Tua Tagovailoa the starting quarterback after the Dolphins' bye week. He can be dropped in all formats at this point.
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34.
Mitchell Trubisky
CHI (vs . GB)
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35.
Tyrod Taylor
LAC (at KC)
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36.
Joe Flacco
NYJ (at NE)
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37.
Jalen Hurts
PHI (vs . WAS)
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38.
Dwayne Haskins
WAS (at PHI)
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39.
Jameis Winston
NO (at CAR)
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40.
Nick Mullens
SF (vs . SEA)
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41.
Alex Smith
WAS (at PHI)
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42.
Jeff Driskel
DEN (vs . LV)
Driskel performed well in relief of Drew Lock in Week 2, and will get his chance to start for at least the foreseeable future with Lock's shoulder injury set to keep him out of action for a bit. Driskel isn't special and he's down his top wideout in Courtland Sutton, but in a two-quarterback or superflex league, anyone under center is valuable. Just temper your expectations.
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43.
Jarrett Stidham
NE (vs . NYJ)
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