Fantasy Football Week 16 Rankings: Flex and PPR Outlook for Each Position

Kristopher KnoxDec 23, 2022

Week 16 got off to an intriguing start on Thursday, as the Jacksonville Jaguars handled the New York Jets. Jacksonville has now surged from 2-6 to 7-8 and can win the AFC South if it wins out.

It's been a remarkable run and the sort of run many managers will hope to make in fantasy. football. Season-long leagues are firmly in the postseason, and like the Jags, managers are facing win-or-go-home scenarios.

Lineup decisions will be critical this week, and we're here to help with updated point-per-reception rankings for the flex positions. We'll dive into the top plays at running back, receiver and tight end and examine a few potential waiver-wire targets for each slot.

We'll also run down quick-reference rankings for the flex position as a whole.

Running Back

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Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier

1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

2. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

3. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

4. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

5. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

6. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

7. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys

8. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

9. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

10. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

11. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

12. Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs

13. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

14. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

15. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

16. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

17. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

18. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

19. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens

20. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

Waiver Target: Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

Managers needing a fill-in should scoop up Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tyler Allgeier. The fifth-round pick out of BYU has become a strong complement to star runner/receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and is coming off a huge game against the New Orleans Saints.

Last week, Allgeier tallied 139 rushing yards and a touchdown while notching one reception.

Patterson's presence will keep Allgeier's PPR upside relatively low, but the rookie should have a large workload against the Baltimore Ravens this week. Atlanta recently placed running back Caleb Huntley on injured reserve and will roll with the Patterson-Allgeier tandem in Week 16.

"The team didn't add another running back in a corresponding move, choosing instead to sign edge rusher David Anenih off Pittsburgh's practice squad," Scott Bair of the team's official website wrote.

Baltimore is a tough matchup, but Allgeier should see the workload needed to warrant a flex start. He's rostered in 48 percent of Yahoo leagues and 39 percent of ESPN leagues.

Wide Receiver

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Vikings WR K.J. Osborn

1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

2. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders

3. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

4. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

5. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

7. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

8. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

9. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

10. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

11. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

12. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals

13. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

14. Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

15. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

16. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

17. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

18. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs

19. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

20. Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos

Waiver Target: K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings wideout K.J. Osborn isn't likely to replicate the success he had in Week 15.

Last week against the Indianapolis Colts, Osborn went off for 10 catches, 157 yards and a touchdown. Of course, the Vikings played the entirety of that game with a deficit. This probably won't be the case against the New York Giants this week.

The Giants also have a solid pass defense and have allowed the 12th-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs this season.

Yet, Osborn is a viable flex play for one big reason. New York will be focused heavily on limiting star receiver Justin Jefferson. This will open up opportunities for Kirk Cousins to connect with Osborn.

With Terry McLaurin drawing a lot of New York's defensive attention last week, Washington Commanders receiver Jahan Dotson shined with four receptions, 105 yards and a touchdown.

Osborn is rostered in only 13 percent of Yahoo leagues and seven percent of ESPN leagues.

Tight End

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Titans TE Chigoziem Okonkwo

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

2. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

3. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

4. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

5. Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys

6. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers

7. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

8. Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers

9. Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills

10. Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos

Waiver Target: Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans won't have starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill in Week 16 and may be without him the rest of the way.

"The Titans will 'very likely' be without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill for the remainder of the season due to a right ankle injury that is likely to require surgery, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday," ESPN's Turron Davenport wrote.

Still, tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo is worth a look on the waiver wire, as he's become an integral piece of the Titans' passing attack in recent weeks. He's had at least four receptions in each of his last three games and has racked up 167 yards and a touchdown during that span.

The Houston Texans have been middle-of-the-road against opposing tight ends, allowing the 14th-most fantasy points to the position this season. Expect rookie quarterback Malik Willis to target Okonkwo early and often as the Titans try complementing running back Derrick Henry with the passing game.

Okonkwo is rostered in 30 percent of Yahoo leagues and 16 percent of ESPN leagues.