Fantasy Football Rankings Week 4: Breaking Down the QB Position

To this point in the NFL season, no position has more depth than at quarterback. It's pretty hard to be without a very good fantasy starter—14 players at the position are averaging at least 16 points per game. 

Sure, you want a guy who's giving you around 20 points per game—only five players are managing that feat: Peyton Manning, Michael Vick, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers—but in general, production isn't hard to come by at quarterback.

Still, with Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton on byes this week, you may find yourself looking for a QB2 to give you QB1 production. With my quarterback rankings for the week, you'll have your guide. 

Note: Rankings for standard-scoring leagues.

Week 4 Quarterback Ratings

Rank	Name	Team	Opponent	Proj. Points
1	Peyton Manning	Denver Broncos	Philadelphia Eagles	28
2	Drew Brees	New Orleans Saints	Miami Dolphins	26
3	Tony Romo	Dallas Cowboys	San Diego Chargers	25
4	Andrew Luck	Indianapolis Colts	Jacksonville Jaguars	22
5	Robert Griffin III	Washington Redskins	Oakland Raiders	22
6	Matt Ryan	Atlanta Falcons	New England Patriots	21
7	Tom Brady	New England Patriots	Atlanta Falcons	20
8	MIchael Vick	Philadelphia Eagles	Denver Broncos	20
9	Matt Stafford	Detroit Lions	Chicago Bears	19
10	Colin Kaepernick	San Francisco 49ers	St. Louis Rams	18
11	Russell Wilson	Seattle Seahawks	Houston Texans	16
12	Terrelle Pryor	Oakland Raiders	Washington	15
13	Philip Rivers	San Diego Chargers	Dallas Cowboys	15
14	EJ Manuel	Buffalo Bills	Baltimore Ravens	14
15	Eli Manning	New York Giants	Kansas City Chiefs	14
16	Joe Flacco	Baltimore Ravens	Buffalo Bills	14
17	Andy Dalton	Cincinnati Bengals	Cleveland Browns	13
18	Ben Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh Steelers	Minnesota Vikings	13
19	Alex Smith	Kansas City Chiefs	New York Giants	13
20	Jay Cutler	Chicago Bears	Detroit Lions	12
21	Carson Palmer	Arizona Cardinals	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	12
22	Sam Bradford	St. Louis Rams	San Francisco 49ers	11
23	Jake Locker	Tennessee Titans	New York Jets	11
24	Christian Ponder	Minnesota Vikings	Pittsburgh Steelers	10
25	Ryan Tannehill	Miami Dolphins	New Orleans Saints	10

Tony Romo and Andrew Luck Primed for Huge Weeks

This pair takes a big jump up in the rankings, as each face a very favorable matchup in Week 4. Romo faces a Chargers defense that is allowing 28 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks per week, while Luck faces a Jaguars team that is giving up 20.7 to opposing quarterbacks each week. 

Don't buy the theory that the Colts will only run on the Jaguars' terrible run defense—Russell Wilson threw for four touchdowns against Jacksonville last week. 

Don't Give Up on Colin Kaepernick Just Yet

I know the wide receiver situation is troubling. I know the Niners play on a short week against a team they lost to and tied last season. And I know the default setting for Kaepernick owners right now is "PANIC!"

But I also know that the Rams are allowing an average of 19.7 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks per game. I know the last two weeks are likely the exception and not the rule after Kaepernick posted 30 fantasy points in Week 1. And I think you'll see Kaepernick do more damage with his legs in upcoming weeks.

Add in the fact that Vernon Davis could return for Thursday's game, and things don't look so bleak. Step away from the ledge, Kaepernick owners—everything is going to be just fine.

Terrelle Pryor and EJ Manuel Are Solid Bye-Week Options

Don't look now, but Pryor is averaging 15.7 fantasy points per week, while Manuel is coming in at 16.3. Pryor has a wonderful matchup against Washington (allowing 27 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks per week), while Manuel has a more difficult matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Pryor is the player you want for this week if he plays (he sustained a concussion on Monday against the Denver Broncos), but in the long-term, Manuel looks like a very solid QB2. If either of these players are available to you on waivers or as free agents, go out and nab them. 

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