Fantasy: Quarterback bye-week replacement guide
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Bye weeks shouldn't be a major concern when selecting a fantasy quarterback, but you should keep them in mind to avoid being left empty-handed when your QB1 is unavailable.
Consider this an early cheat sheet. It shows which quarterbacks you should target on the waiver wire in the weeks leading up to your starter's bye.
We took into account how the potential replacements should fare in 2023, how opposing defenses performed against fantasy quarterbacks last year, and how those defenses may improve heading into this season.
Week 5
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Justin Herbert | Derek Carr at NE |
| Deshaun Watson | Jordan Love at LV |
| Geno Smith | Bryce Young at DET |
| Baker Mayfield | C.J. Stroud at ATL |
| Kenny Pickett vs. BAL | |
| Sam Howell vs. CHI | |
| Ryan Tannehill at IND | |
| Jimmy Garoppolo vs. GB | |
| Mac Jones vs. NO | |
| Desmond RIdder vs. HOU |
Week 6
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Jordan Love | Derek Carr at HOU |
| Kenny Pickett | Bryce Young at MIA |
| C.J. Stroud vs. NO | |
| Sam Howell at ATL | |
| Ryan Tannehill vs. BAL | |
| Mac Jones at LV | |
| Jimmy Garoppolo vs. NE | |
| Baker Mayfield vs. DET | |
| Desmond Ridder vs. WAS |
Week 7
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Joe Burrow | Derek Carr vs. JAX |
| Dak Prescott | Jimmy Garoppolo at CHI |
| Aaron Rodgers | Jordan Love at DEN |
| Bryce Young | Sam Howell at NYG |
| C.J. Stroud | Kenny Pickett at LAR |
| Ryan Tannehill | Baker Mayfield vs. ATL |
| Desmond Ridder at TB | |
| Mac Jones vs. BUF |
Week 8
No byes
Week 9
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Trevor Lawrence | Derek Carr vs. CHI |
| Jared Goff | Bryce Young vs. IND |
| Russell Wilson | Jordan Love vs. LAR |
| Brock Purdy | Kenny Pickett vs. TEN |
| CJ Stroud vs. TB | |
| Sam Howell at NE | |
| Ryan Tannehill at PIT | |
| Jimmy Garoppolo vs. NYG | |
| Mac Jones vs. WAS | |
| Desmond Ridder vs. MIN | |
| Baker Mayfield at HOU |
Week 10
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | Derek Carr at MIN |
| Jalen Hurts | Bryce Young at CHI |
| Tua Tagovailoa | C.J. Stroud at CIN |
| Matthew Stafford | Jordan Love at PIT |
| Kenny Pickett vs. GB | |
| Sam Howell at SEA | |
| Ryan Tannehill at TB | |
| Mac Jones vs. IND | |
| Baker Mayfield vs. TEN | |
| Desmond Ridder at ARI | |
| Jimmy Garoppolo vs. NYJ |
Week 11
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Anthony Richardson | Bryce Young vs. DAL |
| Derek Carr | Jordan Love vs. LAC |
| Mac Jones | Kenny Pickett at CLE |
| Desmond Ridder | C.J. Stroud vs. ARI |
| Sam Howell vs. NYG | |
| Ryan Tannehill at JAX | |
| Jimmy Garoppolo at MIA | |
| Baker Mayfield at SF |
Week 12
No byes
Week 13
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Josh Allen | Derek Carr vs. DET |
| Lamar Jackson | Bryce Young at TB |
| Justin Fields | Kenny Pickett vs. ARI |
| Daniel Jones | Jordan Love vs. KC |
| Kirk Cousins | C.J. Stroud vs. DEN |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | Sam Howell vs. MIA |
| Ryan Tannehill vs. IND | |
| Mac Jones vs. LAC | |
| Baker Mayfield vs. CAR | |
| Desmond Ridder at NYJ |
Week 14
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Kyler Murray | Derek Carr vs. CAR |
| Sam Howell | Bryce Young at NO |
| Jordan Love at NYG | |
| Kenny Pickett vs. NE | |
| C.J. Stroud at NYJ | |
| Jimmy Garoppolo vs. MIN | |
| Ryan Tannehill at MIA | |
| Mac Jones at PIT | |
| Baker Mayfield at ATL | |
| Desmond Ridder vs. TB |
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