Fantasy Football Rankings - Quarterbacks (QB) Week 17 Early Updates

December 23, 2025

Fantasy football rankings - quarterbacks (QB) Week 17 rankings early edition for 2025. Read the top-accuracy fantasy football QB rankings.

Let's go! It's time to win your fantasy football league crown, and nailing your start-sit call at QB is a great start! Use our Week 17 fantasy football quarterback rankings for 2025 to analyze the position. In the initial Week 17 QB rankings below, find out where key signal callers like Jacoby Brissett, Trevor Lawrence, Matthew Stafford, Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart, Caleb Williams, Sam Darnold, and more stand, among all others. A QB spike week can win your matchup, so finding the top option to start is key.

Our quarterback fantasy football rankings for Week 17 are put together by Nick Mariano. Below the rankings, you will also find a summary of the important QB fantasy football news for this week. There are always key injuries and developments to keep track of, so check back throughout the week for updates.

Be sure to bookmark our fantasy football rankings portal and check back regularly for updates. Most importantly, our free mobile app is a must-have - download it and configure your push notifications. We deliver all the top NFL news, injuries, and fantasy analysis 24x7 with our free push notification alerts... all for free!

Week 17 Quarterback Rankings for Fantasy Football

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Week 17 Quarterback Rankings Outlooks

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Sam Darnold led his team to a big win last Thursday against the Rams, throwing for 270 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He's had a few down games lately, but has also thrown for at least 249 yards in three straight games. When the touchdowns are there, he's typically a solid, QB2 or low-end option in single-QB deep leagues.

Darnold and the Seahawks have a tough matchup on the road against the Panthers in Week 17, in a battle of teams pushing towards the playoffs. He's not in an elite spot, but he still brings enough upside to be a decent pickup if you need help at the position in two-QB formats or deep leagues.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (hand) missed practice on Monday after having to leave last week's game at halftime with a hand injury. The Vikings have a favorable matchup this week and a chance to play spoiler against the Lions, but McCarthy will need to overcome his injury to be a viable option.

He was excellent in his last two full games before the injury, producing three total touchdowns in wins over the Commanders and the Cowboys. McCarthy has the potential to be a streamer in two-QB or deep leagues if healthy, so keep a close eye on his practice participation if you're in the market for some help. If he's out, Max Brosmer would likely start, but he has not yet proven he can be a fantasy option.

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is on a heater as the Jaguars push to the playoffs, and he makes a good start in almost all formats this week. He's still available in about one-third of leagues despite his recent success, and he has a favorable matchup in Week 17 against the Colts, who were just carved up by Brock Purdy on Monday Night Football.

Lawrence led the Jags to a huge win in Denver by throwing for 279 passing yards, three touchdowns, and running for a fourth score. Lawrence has thrown multiple touchdowns in five straight weeks and added a rushing score in each of the last two weeks as well. He finishes the season with division matchups against the Colts and Titans, and will be an elite play as long as he isn't rested before the playoffs.

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett had a rough week against the Falcons in Week 16, but he should be poised to bounce back in a big way against the Bengals in Week 17. Brissett has thrown multiple touchdowns in eight of his previous nine games, but he only threw for one score and a season-low 203 passing yards last week against Atlanta.

The Bengals have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, allowing 30 QB touchdowns (passing and rushing) in 15 games, along with an average of 256 passing yards per week. In what should be a much better matchup, Brissett can be a great addition and streaming play in Week 17 if you need help at the position.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has a serious contusion to his back and is considered day-to-day, coach John Harbaugh said, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Harbaugh also said, "It doesn't look like it's more than that. He's in there getting treatment now." Jackson was kneed in the back on a run play during the Sunday night loss to the New England Patriots.

Before his exit, Jackson went seven-for-10 for 101 passing yards, along with two carries for seven rushing yards. The Ravens remain hopeful that Jackson can return to play soon as they continue to fight for a playoff spot. If Jackson is unable to play in Week 17, Tyler Huntley will be forced to start on the road against the Green Bay Packers.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott finished Week 16 on the sideline, watching backup Joe Milton III take the team's final offensive snaps in what became a blowout loss to the Chargers, but according to team CEO Stephen Jones, he will remain the team's starter for a Week 17 divisional matchup with the Commanders. Prescott and the Cowboys' offense started hot on Sunday, finishing each of their first three drives with points, but stalled out after that, with their most successful drive of the second half being the six-play opener that resulted in 21 yards and a punt.

The Commanders provide what is, on paper, a dream fantasy matchup for Prescott and the rest of Dallas' weapons. Still, with the Cowboys now eliminated from playoff contention, there is an air of uncertainty surrounding many of the studs that likely had a part in punching many a ticket to the fantasy championship.

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Carolina quarterback Bryce Young had his ankle stepped on early in the team's Week 16 win over the Buccaneers, but he did not miss any time, and head coach Dave Canales expects him to be a full go as the Panthers begin preparation for a Week 17 matchup with the Seahawks. Young completed nearly two-thirds of his passes in Sunday's divisional win, finishing with just under 200 yards and two passing touchdowns, and he has been a usable and occasionally exciting play in Superflex formats.

With one game left to be played on Monday night, he sits as the QB11 for the week, which would be his third top 12 finish in the last five weeks, including finishes of QB2 and QB3. The Seahawks have been one of the 10 most difficult matchups for fantasy quarterbacks, making Young a risky play in single quarterback leagues, but he should provide a safe enough floor to be considered in the championship matchup of Superflex leagues.

Josh Johnson, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that quarterback Josh Johnson will get the "lion's share" of the starter's reps at practice this week, according to JP Finley of NBC Sports Washington. Johnson was forced into action on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles when fellow quarterback Marcus Mariota (hand) exited early with a hand injury. The 39-year-old went five-for-nine for 43 yards with one interception.

Entering the 2025 season, Johnson earned the QB3 job in Washington after outperforming Sam Hartman during the preseason. After an injury-riddled season, Johnson is trending toward being the Commanders' starting quarterback on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys. On a short turnaround, Mariota's availability remains unclear for Week 17, and Jayden Daniels has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. It is worth noting that Washington recently signed quarterback Jeff Driskel off the Cardinals' practice squad to add depth to their quarterback room.

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