Fantasy Football Week 6: Ranking Every Starting QB By Fantasy Value

The quarterback position may not hold the same value in fantasy football that it does in the National Football League. But the difference between having a solid fantasy starter at the position (such as New Orleans Saints signal caller Drew Brees) versus a not-so-hot option (such as rookie Blaine Gabbert of the Jacksonville Jaguars) can still be the deciding factor between a fantasy playoff appearance and just playing out the string.

With that in mind here's a look at the fantasy football rankings for all 26 quarterbacks that will be taking the field this week, broken down into categories from have to start studs to players I wouldn't touch with the proverbial 10 foot pole.

Matt Moore and the Stay Away Plays

Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore is a career journeyman making his first start of the season on the road for a winless team against a New York Jets squad that allows the second fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks and is absolutely desperate for a win.

Does anything about that sound like he'd be a good fantasy play this week?

I didn't think so.

26. Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins (at NYJ)

25. Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville Jaguars (at PIT)

24. Curtis Painter, Indianapolis Colts (at CIN)

23. Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams (at GB)

22. Donovan McNabb, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)

21. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers (at DET)

Jason Campbell and the Desperation Plays

Jason Campbell of the Oakland Raiders has actually been fairly effective this season in leading the Silver and Black to a 3-2 record. But with only six touchdown passes in five games and as the leader of a run-first offense the seventh-year pro is a much better NFL quarterback than fantasy option.

If you're starting one of the quarterbacks on this list you'd better start rubbing a rabbit's foot, because you're going to have to get lucky to get anything other than pedestrian stats from them.

20. Jason Campbell, Oakland Raiders (vs. CLE)

19. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. IND)

18. Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins (vs. PHI)

17. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (vs. HOU)

16. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans (at BAL)

Jay Cutler and the Serviceable Plays

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is the epitome of the gunslinger under center, with a cannon arm capable of making any throw and putting up big numbers. He is also just as capable of trying to force throws, making mistakes and posting the types of paltry stat lines that drive his fantasy owners right up the proverbial tree.

As with Cutler, the quarterbacks listed here have a fair amount of upside, be it due to talent, a nice matchup or a combination of both. However, each also possesses a decent amount of risk, and rolling any of these options out in Week 6 entails a bit of a roll of the dice.

15. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN)

14. Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns (at OAK)

13. Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NO)

12. Mark Sanchez, New York Jets (vs. MIA)

11. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (vs. CAR)

Eli Manning and the Strong Plays

Quarterback Eli Manning set a career high in throwing for 420 yards in last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, tossing three touchdowns and three interceptions. They finished the fifth week of the 2011 season as the seventh ranked fantasy quarterback, which is also coincidentally the ranking of his opponent this week (the Buffalo Bills) in fantasy points per game allowed to opposing quarterbacks.

Manning and the other quarterbacks on this list are all solid fantasy plays this week, and while they may not quite have the upside to grant them "stud" status in Week 6, fantasy owners who have them in their starting lineups should be fairly pleased by the results.

10. Eli Manning, New York Giants (vs. BUF)

9. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. JAX)

8. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS)

7. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills (at NYG)

6. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (vs. SF)

Tony Romo and the Stud Plays

Tony Romo will attempt to redeem himself after his second half meltdown against the Detroit Lions two weeks ago when the ninth-year veteran quarterback and the Dallas Cowboys visit Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots this week.

Romo should have a pretty good chance of doing just that in a game that has all the makings of a shootout, as the Patriots have allowed the third most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks so far this year.

If you're lucky enough to be starting one of the five quarterbacks listed here, sit back, crack open a cold one and relax, as these players are primed for the sort of huge day that should give your fantasy team a decided advantage over your opponent at the position.

5. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (at NE)

4. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (at ATL)

3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (at TB)

2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots (vs. DAL)

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (vs. STL)