There are two ways to handle your starting fantasy QB’s bye week. You can draft a second QB with a good matchup the week of your starter’s bye, or you can pick up a QB off waivers with a good matchup that week.
In either scenario, it’s good to know what your options are. The following list will be a good companion for you to have handy when you draft this year.
I’ll go week by week listing all the potential options and breaking them into two categories, “Draft” or “Waiver.” If a QB is listed as “Draft,” he is a guy you will have to spend a late round pick on. Conversely, a QB listed as “Waiver” will more than likely by available to pick up the week you need him.
I won’t list every QB available, only the ones that have good matchups on paper. As the season progresses, “paper” matchups will change since I can not accurately predict how good or bad a defense will be in 2016. I’m basing my choices on 2015 statistics and where I expect them to be this year.
(‘Draft’ QBs are currently top 20 in QB ADP, ‘Waiver QBs’ are 21 and under)
Week 4 (Eagles, Packers)
Aaron Rodgers owners have plenty of options in Week 4, and they won’t have to compete with anyone else for a waiver QB since Sam Bradford of the Eagles won’t be starting for many teams. The top option is Andy Dalton at home, but if you don’t want to waste a draft pick, a safe option is Joe Flacco. The Ravens QB won’t win you Week 4, but he won’t lose it for you either.
Draft
- Andy Dalton vs. Dolphins
- Matthew Stafford @ Bears
Waiver
- Joe Flacco vs. Raiders
- Broncos QB @ Buccaneers
- Jay Cutler vs. Lions
- Robert Griffin III @ Redskins
- Brock Osweiler vs. Titans
- Teddy Bridgewater @ Giants
- 49ers QB vs. Cowboys
Week 5 (Seahawks, Jaguars, Saints, Chiefs)
With three top QBs on a bye in Week 5 (Russell Wilson, Blake Bortles, Drew Brees) you may want to consider drafting your bye week fill in so you won’t have to compete for the waiver wire QB. I really like Matthew Stafford as a good “Draft” QB, but if you decide to go the waiver route, Ryan Tannehill is in a good spot here at home against the Titans.
Draft
- Matthew Stafford vs. Eagles
- Marcus Mariota @ Dolphins
- Andy Dalton @ Cowboys
Waiver
- Joe Flacco vs. Reskins
- Sam Bradford @ Lions
- Ryan Tannehill vs. Titans
- Jay Cutler @ Colts
- Broncos QB vs. Falcons
Week 6 (Tampa Bay, Vikings)
If you’re going into your draft with intentions to take Teddy Bridgewater or Jameis Winston as your starter, then you need more help than I can provide.
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
Week 7 (Cowboys, Panthers)
If you are drafting Tony Romo as your QB, I’d suggest taking a second QB in your draft and preferably one ranked higher than the guys on this list. Romo may not make it through the season and you may need a more permanent solution. Cam Newton owners will have some great options this week, including Andy Dalton at home against the Browns or Alex Smith at home against the Saints.
Draft
- Andy Dalton vs. Browns
- Marcus Mariota vs. Colts
- Matthew Stafford vs. Redskins
Waiver
- Jared Goff vs. Giants
- Alex Smith vs. Saints
- Jameis Winston @ 49ers
- 49ers QB vs. Buccaneers
- Jay Cutler @ Packers
- Teddy Bridgewater @ Eagles
Week 8 (Ravens, Giants, Dolphins, Steelers, Rams, 49ers)
Only Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger owners are likely to be looking for QBs this week. My top option would be Matt Ryan in his dome against the Packers.
Draft
- Marcus Mariota vs. Jaguars
- Andy Dalton vs. Redskins
Waiver
- Jameis Winston vs. Raiders
- Sam Bradford @ Cowboys
- Alex Smith @ Colts
- Brock Osweiler vs. Lions
- Matt Ryan vs. Packers
- Broncos QB vs. Chargers
- Teddy Bridgewater @ Cowboys
Week 9 (Cardinals, Texans, Patriots, Bengals, Redskins, Bears)
With Carson Palmer and Tom Brady as definite starters and Kirk Cousins and Andy Dalton as possible starters, this could be a busy waiver wire week for QBs. I don’t love any of the matchups here but forced to choose one I would take Matt Ryan or Alex Smith as the best options.
Draft
- Marcus Mariota @ Chargers
Waiver
- Matt Ryan @ Buccaneers
- Jameis Winston vs. Falcons
- Sam Bradford @ Giants
- Alex Smith vs. Jaguars
- Robert Griffin III vs. Cowboys
- 49ers QB vs. Saints
- Teddy Bridgewater vs. Lions
- Broncos QB @ Raiders
Week 10 (Bills, Lions, Colts, Raiders)
Depending on the size of your league, there are potentially four owners looking for QBs this week. I would suggest drafting another QB if yours is on a bye in Week 10. Andy Dalton would be my pick.
Draft
- Andy Dalton @ Giants
- Marcus Mariota vs. Packers
Waiver
- Joe Flacco vs. Browns
- Brock Osweiler @ Jaguars
- Sam Bradford vs. Falcons
- Jay Cutler @ Buccaneers
- Jameis Winston vs. Bears
- Matt Ryan @ Eagles
- Broncos QB @ Saints
- Teddy Bridgewater @ Redskins
- Ryan Tannehill @ Chargers
Week 11 (Falcons, Jets, Chargers, Broncos)
Philip Rivers is the only QB that is a sure fire starting QB, so if you own him, you can wait for waivers. I like Joe Flacco as the safe choice and Jay Cutler for upside.
Draft
- Matthew Stafford vs. Jaguars
- Marcus Mariota @ Colts
Waiver
- Alex Smith vs. Buccaneers
- Jay Cutler @ Giants
- Brock Osweiler @ Raiders
- Joe Flacco @ Cowboys
Week 12 – No byes
Week 13 (Titans, Browns)
I can’t imagine a scenario in which Robert Griffin III is your starter, so Marcus Mariota owners don’t need to draft a second QB. Jay Cutler or Alex Smith would be my choice to fill in for the Titans’ signal caller.
Draft
- Matthew Stafford @ Saints
- Andy Dalton vs. Eagles
Waiver
- Alex Smith @ Falcons
- Broncos QB @ Jaguars
- Jay Cutler vs. 49ers
- 49ers QB @ Bears
- Teddy Bridgewater vs. Cowboys
- Brock Osweiler @ Packers
- Joe Flacco vs. Dolphins
- Jameis Winston @ Chargers
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
