Fantasy: Quarterback bye-week replacement guide
Perry Knotts / Getty Images Sport / Getty
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 2024, how opposing defenses performed against fantasy quarterbacks last year, and how those defenses may improve heading into this season.
Week 5
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Jalen Hurts | Deshaun Watson at WAS |
| Jared Goff | Geno Smith vs. NYG |
| Justin Herbert | Baker Mayfield at ATL |
| Will Levis | Bryce Young at CHI |
| Drake Maye vs. MIA | |
| Daniel Jones at SEA |
Week 6
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | Deshaun Watson at PHI |
| Tua Tagovailoa | Will Levis vs. IND |
| Matthew Stafford | Baker Mayfield at NO |
| J.J. McCarthy | Russell Wilson at LV |
| Bryce Young vs. ATL | |
| Drake Maye vs. HOU | |
| Daniel Jones vs. CIN | |
| Derek Carr vs. TB |
Week 7
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Dak Prescott | Geno Smith at ATL |
| Caleb Williams | Deshaun Watson vs. CIN |
| Baker Mayfield vs. BAL | |
| Will Levis at BUF | |
| Bryce Young at WAS | |
| Drake Maye at JAX | |
| Daniel Jones vs. PHI | |
| Derek Carr vs. DEN |
Week 8
No byes
Week 9
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Brock Purdy | Deshaun Watson vs. LAC |
| Russell Wilson | Geno Smith vs. LAR |
| Baker Mayfield at KC | |
| Will Levis vs. NE | |
| Drake Maye at TEN | |
| Bryce Young vs. NO | |
| Daniel Jones vs. WAS | |
| Derek Carr at CAR |
Week 10
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Jordan Love | Baker Mayfield vs. SF |
| Deshaun Watson | Will Levis at LAC |
| Geno Smith | Bryce Young vs. NYG |
| Gardner Minshew | Russell Wilson at WAS |
| Daniel Jones at CAR | |
| Drake Maye at CHI | |
| Derek Carr vs. ATL |
Week 11
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Kyler Murray | Deshaun Watson at NO |
| Baker Mayfield | Will Levis vs. MIN |
| Bryce Young | Geno Smith at SF |
| Daniel Jones | Russell Wilson vs. BAL |
| Drake Maye vs. LAR | |
| J.J. McCarthy at TEN | |
| Bo Nix vs. ATL |
Week 12
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Josh Allen | Geno Smith vs. ARI |
| Joe Burrow | Baker Mayfield at NYG |
| Kirk Cousins | Deshaun Watson vs. PIT |
| Trevor Lawrence | Will Levis at HOU |
| Aaron Rodgers | Daniel Jones vs. TB |
| Derek Carr | Bryce Young vs. KC |
| Russell Wilson at CLE | |
| Drake Maye at MIA | |
| J.J. McCarthy at CHI |
Week 13
No byes
Week 14
| Bye | Top Replacements |
|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson | Geno Smith at ARI |
| C.J. Stroud | Baker Mayfield vs. LV |
| Anthony Richardson | Deshaun Watson at PIT |
| Jayden Daniels | Will Levis vs. JAX |
| Drake Maye | Bryce Young at PHI |
| Bo Nix | Daniel Jones vs. NO |
| Derek Carr at NYG | |
| J.J. McCarthy vs. ATL |
Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.
HEADLINES
- DeGrom goes 3 2/3 scoreless innings in return from Tommy John
- Report: Lakers front-runners to sign former 2nd-rounder Koloko
- Report: Kane set to undergo sports hernia surgery
- Mets slug 4 HRs to trounce Phillies in 1st game of pivotal series
- Tigers hold on to beat Orioles after losing combined no-hitter in 9th
Advertisement