Fantasy Football: Week 12 quarterback rankings

Nov. 21 (UPI) -- New Orleans Saints gunslinger Drew Brees, Carolina Panthers star Cam Newton, Philadelphia Eagles passer Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts gunslinger Andrew Luck and Tampa Bay Buccaneers passer Jameis Winston lead my fantasy football quarterback rankings for Week 12.

Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson are also in my top 10 this week at the position.

Make sure Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff are on your bench this week as they are serving Week 12 byes.

If you need a replacement quarterback, are streaming the position, or just want to keep a talented gunslinger away from your fantasy football foe, take a look at some of my top players to add and drop off of your waiver wire for Week 12.

Here are my Top 20 options at the position this week.

TOP 20 WEEK 12 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

Brees is my top quarterback option for a second consecutive week. The Saints superstar and MVP candidate has a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, a unit allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Brees is heating up at just the right time, passing for at least three touchdowns in three consecutive games. He has also eclipsed 345 passing yards in two of his last three starts. Look for the Saints to shred the Falcons in this NFC South clash.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is on the other end of that high-profile matchup. The Falcons star is also facing a beatable secondary in the Saints, who are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Ryan lands at No. 6 in my Week 12 rankings. He has seven passing scores in his last three games and has passed for at least 290 yards in five consecutive games. He should close in on 300 passing yards and throw multiple scores again in this conference matchup.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is my No. 12 quarterback for Week 12. Mayfield has thrown multiple touchdown passes in four consecutive games. This week he faces a Cincinnati Bengals defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Mayfield is an excellent bye week fill-in if you have Mahomes or Goff.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens is a low-end streamer in Week 12. Mullens battles the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a unit allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing passers. While Mullens regressed a bit in his second career start, he should rebound fine against the Buccaneers. He is my No. 16 option at quarterback this week.

LONGSHOTS

New York Giants veteran Eli Manning is my No. 17 quarterback for Week 12. Manning has thrown multiple touchdown passes in back-to-back games for the first time this season entering a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, a unit allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. You could do much worse if you are in need of a streaming starter.

If you are super desperate at quarterback, give Josh McCown a look. The New York Jets quarterback failed to throw a touchdown pass last week against the Buffalo Bills, but he should be steady in Week 12 against the New England Patriots. The Patriots are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. McCown is my No. 20 option at the position for Week 12.