2023 Fantasy Football: Week 18 Quarterback Rankings (Weekend Update!)

As we enter the final week of the regular season, a few of you are playing for your league’s title. Congratulations! It’s been a rocky road at the quarterback position all season, and Week 18 will add another layer of uncertainty. It’s unclear which starters will be resting this week. Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, and Joe Flacco are the most likely candidates, but nothing is official yet. I’ll include all five in my early Week 18 quarterback rankings. But be sure to check back for my updated rankings later in the week, as a lot will likely change between now and Saturday.

Injury Notes for Week 18

• Trevor Lawrence is questionable for Week 18 with a shoulder sprain and is a game-time decision; C.J. Beathard will suit up against the Titans if Lawrence is unavailable.
• Zach Wilson is in the league’s concussion protocol and sat out the last two games. If Wilson remains sidelined, look for Trevor Siemian to be under center against the Patriots this week. UPDATE: Wilson is OUT for Week 18.
• Taylor Heinicke suffered an ankle injury last week and is uncertain for Week 18. Desmond Ridder will get the start against the Saints if Heinicke can’t suit up.
• Will Levis is dealing with a foot injury that knocked him out of Week 17. Ryan Tannehill will get the start if Levis remains sidelined. UPDATE: Levis will not play in Week 18.

Quarterback Notes

• Jordan Love is coming off his best game of the season, throwing for 256 yards and three touchdowns. He also scored a rushing touchdown, his second in as many weeks. Love has been fantastic over the last three weeks. He trails only Lamar Jackson in fantasy points scored while leading the position in total touchdowns (9) in that span. Love should continue to roll in Week 18. He faces a Bears team that has allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns and the 13th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Green Bay can punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win this week, and Love ranks as the QB5 in my Week 18 quarterback rankings.
• Kyler Murray has come on strong of late. He most recently led the Cardinals to an upset win against the Eagles, finishing the week as the QB4. He’s also scored 20+ fantasy points in back-to-back weeks. Murray should be able to close out the year on a high note. He gets a favorable matchup against a mediocre Seattle defense that has been vulnerable to mobile quarterbacks. The Seahawks have given up the second-most rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks, and Murray should be able to take advantage — his 211 rushing yards since returning to action in Week 10 rank as sixth-most at the position. The Cardinals have nothing to play for this week but could spoil the Seahawks’ playoff hopes with a win. Murray is a top-eight QB for me in Week 18.
• Geno Smith had a solid Week 17, completing 23-of-33 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown. He also tacked on 33 rushing yards. Up next is a friendly Week 18 matchup against Arizona. The Cardinals have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points and the third-most passing touchdowns to the position. They’ve also allowed top-10 finishes from quarterbacks in each of the last three weeks. Seattle needs a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and Smith ranks as my QB11 to close out the regular season.
• Fantasy managers have likely benefitted if they leaned on Derek Carr during the fantasy playoffs. He’s been the QB8 in fantasy points scored in the last three weeks and has thrown multiple touchdowns in four straight contests. Carr should fare well again in Week 18. He faces an Atlanta defense that has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. The Saints are looking to clinch the NFC South and keep their playoff hopes alive with a win in Week 18. Carr is a top-tier QB2 this week.

Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty

Week 18 Quarterback Rankings