Fantasy Football Week 4: Quarterback rankings for 2-QB leagues

Quarterback play has been extremely matchup dependent, but some guys are just disappointing. Others can no longer be ignored. We rank them all for Fantasy Football Week 4.

It is Week 4 of the NFL season. That means bye weeks are underway. Byes are something crucial to fantasy football in general, but they become even more impactful in two-quarterback and SuperFLEX leagues where depth is everything. Losing two, three, or four quarterback options when 24 passers are being started is a huge blow.

Just to reiterate how valuable the quarterback position is in SuperFLEX leagues, let’s take a look at some three-week numbers. The sample is small, but the numbers are undeniable.

The 25th and 26th-ranked quarterbacks thus far are Joe Flacco and Mitchell Trubisky, respectively. They have both been pretty darn bad, as evidenced by their deserved benching even in the deepest of leagues. And yet, they are averaging roughly 12 fantasy points per game (Flacco at 12.5 and Trubisky at 11.7). A dozen fantasy points per game would rank in the top 15 of all running backs and right around the same area in terms of wide receivers.

So a quarterback who is borderline unplayable in two-QB leagues would be a weekly must-start at any other position. Who can you trust in Fantasy Football Week 4? Some new names enter the fray, but only if you’re desperate to fill that final fantasy football roster spot.

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate Fantasy Football Week 4 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

Fantasy Football Week 4 – The Top 12

Patrick Mahomes (Dan’s Ranking: 1, Todd’s Ranking: 1), Russell Wilson (Dan: 2, Todd: 2), Deshaun Watson (Dan: 4, Todd: 4), Dak Prescott (Dan: 6, Todd: 3), Lamar Jackson (TIE – Dan: 3, Todd: 7), Philip Rivers (TIE – Dan: 5, Todd: 5), Jared Goff (Dan: 7, Todd: 6), Matthew Stafford (Dan: 8, Todd: 9), Aaron Rodgers (Dan: 10, Todd: 8), Matt Ryan (Dan: 9, Todd: 10), Tom Brady (Dan: 11, Todd: 11), Josh Allen (Dan: 12, Todd: 12)

13. (TIE) Carson Wentz (Dan: 15, Todd: 13)

Todd Salem: A tough defensive matchup pushes Wentz outside of the top 12. Green Bay has been one of the defensive surprises of the season thus far. DeSean Jackson is expected to miss at least one more week to boot.
Dan Salem: I’m not a fan of Thursday night games, and the Eagles get a bad matchup against the stout Green Bay defense. But Wentz is still very good, so it’s worth the risk if you are desperate for a number two.

13: (TIE) Andy Dalton (Dan: 14, Todd: 14)

Todd Salem: He needed a rushing touchdown to buoy a tough game, but when Dalton’s only disappointing fantasy day all season comes against the Buffalo defense, the offense is humming. He has a much better matchup this week, which brings him back into the area of reliability.
Dan Salem: Dalton gets a nice matchup against a reeling Steelers team, which should translate into solid fantasy numbers. I’m a little nervous of Pittsburgh finally putting it together defensively, but not that nervous.

15: Jacoby Brissett (Dan: 13, Todd: 16)

Todd Salem: The Brissett bandwagon is paying dividends in a major way. Who needs luck (or Luck) when your newly inked franchise quarterback shows promise?
Dan Salem: Brisset keeps improving each week and exceeding expectations. He gets a juicy matchup against a weak Oakland defense at home, so take advantage. It’s time to stop ignoring his upside.

16: Kyler Murray (Dan: 16, Todd: 15)

Todd Salem: A poor man’s Josh Allen sounds like a heinous insult, but it’s really not in fantasy circles. The two have put up similar fantasy seasons to this point, and Murray has actually done more with his arm than his legs anyway.
Dan Salem: I like what Murray is doing this season, but I don’t like the matchup against Seattle Thankfully it’s at home, so Murray has a chance to shine.

17: (TIE) Baker Mayfield (Dan: 19, Todd: 17)

Todd Salem: I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt just one more week, especially since the Baltimore defense isn’t as good as people are giving it credit for.
Dan Salem: I’m losing interest in Mayfield and playing Baltimore on the road does him no favors. Perhaps he turns things around, or perhaps he continues to be mediocre. Buyer beware.

17: (TIE) Case Keenum (Dan: 18, Todd: 18)

Todd Salem: Until Keenum loses his job, he’s a useful piece in two-QB leagues, especially against terrible defenses. His Week 4 fits the mold.
Dan Salem: I’d skip Keenum, but he’s playing the terrible New York defense. This play is entirely matchup based. He should get solid numbers, at least in the first half of the game.

19: Daniel Jones (Dan: 17, Todd: 20)

Todd Salem: I mean…how much longer should we wait? Jones gets a tasty matchup in Week 4 and looked exceedingly comfortable in the pocket in his first ever game.
Dan Salem: One more great game and Jones vaults up this list. Washington presents a solid opportunity for more big plays. We just need a larger sample size before truly believing the hype.

20: Gardner Minshew (Dan: 20, Todd: 19)

Todd Salem: Denver is sneakily having trouble on the defensive side. The Broncos aren’t getting to the quarterback or forcing any turnovers, literally. Minshew, the savior, should continue his adequacy in Week 4.
Dan Salem: Facing Denver is very good, but I’m still nervous about this rookie. Mishnew keeps proving everyone wrong, which is why he makes this list.

21: Marcus Mariota (Dan: 22, Todd: 21)

Todd Salem: Hard to know what to expect here. Mariota will not be usable next week against the Bills but gets a pretty good matchup this time out.
Dan Salem: Starting Mariota is another matchup dependent decision. Atlanta has not played great defense, so Mariota can take full advantage.

22: Kirk Cousins (Dan: 21, Todd: N/A)

Dan Salem: I don’t believe in the Chicago Bears. Cousins may not be doing much, but he could do something. He has the playmakers to do something with. We’re really scraping the barrel at this point.

23: (TIE) Jameis Winston (Dan: 24, Todd: 23)

Todd Salem: Winston has had one good game this season, coming against one of the worst defenses in the sport. You can trust him if you want to, but I still don’t. He’s one of the last passers I’d consider starting and just sneaks onto the list.
Dan Salem: I do not like starting Winston because he’s interception prone, but he’s still better than the remaining options in my opinion. No thank you Trubisky against Minnesota. I’ll go with Winston.

23: (TIE) Mitchell Trubisky (Dan: N/A, Todd: 22)

Todd Salem: Was last week a coming-out party or just matchup-based? The Bears don’t have the fortune of playing another favorable matchup this time out.

25. Teddy Bridgewater (Dan: 23, Todd: N/A)

Dan Salem: Bridgewater did some nice things last week, so I’m intrigued to see how he handles the Dallas defense. He has too many weapons to not put up some solid numbers.

26: Kyle Allen (Dan: N/A, Todd: 26)

Todd Salem: Is it New York media bias that has pumped up Daniel Jones while ignoring Allen? Yeah, probably. Allen looked sharp last week and may be a long-term answer for Carolina if the Cam Newton era is coming to an end.