Top Quarterback Fantasy Picks for The Sunday Slate

Week 17 Quarterback Options: Finding the Right Play

The quarterback position is critical in fantasy football, daily fantasy lineups, and even for prop bets. With a Sunday slate that excludes Saturday’s stars, such as Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, managers and bettors alike must dig deep to identify the best options. Here’s a breakdown of key plays, sleepers, and betting elements for Week 17 quarterbacks.

The Top Tier: Spend Up or Fade?

1. Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills ($8,500 in DFS)
Allen is the highest-priced quarterback for a reason. He offers unmatched dual-threat upside and is always a threat for a 300-yard, multi-touchdown performance. However, with Buffalo out of playoff contention, there are questions about how long Allen will play, especially given his injuries (fractured hand, banged-up shoulder). While he’s a premium option, his risk makes him less appealing in tournaments.

Betting Insight: Avoid player props for Allen’s rushing yards or touchdowns; Buffalo may play conservatively.

Mid-Tier Plays: Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stands Out

2. Mayfield ($6,900)
Mayfield has quietly put together a strong season and faces a favorable matchup against the Carolina Panthers. His ability to mix in rushing yards (as seen against Dallas) adds sneaky value. In a slate where trust is hard to find, Mayfield could provide stability.

Betting Insight: Look for props on Mayfield’s passing touchdowns (likely set at 1.5) and consider the over in what could be a higher-scoring game.

3. Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings ($6,400)
Darnold has a soft matchup against the Chicago Bears, and his recent form makes him an intriguing option. While he lacks rushing upside, he has a solid floor with his improved passing efficiency.

DFS Note: Use Darnold as a contrarian play in GPPs (Guaranteed Prize Pools).

Cheap Dart Throws: Risky but Necessary

4. Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers ($5,600)
Young has shown flashes of upside, particularly with his legs, rushing for 60+ yards last week. Against Tampa Bay, he’ll likely be in catch-up mode, leading to increased pass attempts and potential garbage-time production.

DFS Note: Young is a viable punt play for salary relief.
Betting Insight: Look for props on Young’s rushing yards (25-30) and consider the over.

5. Kenny Pickett of the Philadelphia Eagles ($5,500)
Pickett remains inconsistent but faces a struggling Dallas Cowboys secondary. With the Steelers’ playoff hopes on the line, Pickett could outperform his salary. However, the weather in Philadelphia (potentially cold and windy) adds risk.

DFS Note: Pickett is a high-risk, high-reward option in large-field tournaments.

Players to Avoid

1. Cooper Rush of the Dallas Cowboys ($5,400)
Rush will start in place of Dak Prescott for the Cowboys, but his limited skill set and Dallas’ reliance on the run game make him unplayable.

2. Mac Jones of the Jacksonville Jaguara ($5,200)
Jones has been inefficient and lacks any meaningful upside. Even with a soft matchup against the Tennessee Titans, his ceiling is far too low for consideration.

Betting the Quarterbacks: Props and Totals

Allen Passing Yards Prop: Fade the over, as Buffalo could manage his workload.
Mayfield Passing Touchdowns: Over 1.5 (+110) – Mayfield should take advantage of a weak Panthers defense.
Young Rushing Yards: Over 25.5 – Young’s mobility is becoming a key part of his game.

DFS Strategy: Picking Your QB

Cash Games:

Go with the stability of Allen or Mayfield.

Tournaments:

Consider Darnold or Young for low ownership and upside.

Final Thoughts

If you’re spending up, Allen remains the best option, though concerns about his playing time add an element of risk. Mayfield provides the best mid-tier value, while Young and Pickett are your top dart throws. For betting, Mayfield’s passing props and Young’s rushing yards offer the most value in Week 17.

You can read all about what’s going on in the National Football League at SportsGrid.com.