Fantasy Football Big Board: Complete 2023 PPR Player Rankings for Week 16
In most fantasy football leagues, the playoffs started a week ago. If you're reading this, you're likely one of the fortunate few who is still alive in the chase for a championship.
Getting this far takes a combination of skill and luck. The fantasy managers who drafted wide receiver Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins instead of Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings are still alive—or at least they were until Hill missed Week 15. So are the managers who selected Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert in the middle rounds or nabbed Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua off the waiver wire.
Of course, building a winning team over the course of a season is only half the battle. This time of year, all of the teams left standing are good. Now, you also have start the right guys. Hit on as many spots as possible. Milk every point you possibly can from the starting lineup.
This column aims to help you do just that with position-by-position rankings for PPR leagues, some matchups to target and avoid and a list of the top 100 players overall.
Let's get one week closer to glory.
Fantasy points allowed and scored data courtesy of My Fantasy League.
Quarterbacks
1 of 6
Every fantasy manager's worst nightmare is that one of the stalwarts who helped lead them to the postseason will pull a vanishing act at the worst possible time.
That nightmare came true at the quarterback position in Week 15 twice. With players in the same game, no less.
The Bills hammered the Dallas Cowboys in Buffalo last week, but it wasn't because Josh Allen had a big game. In fact, Allen didn't crack 100 passing yards, although a passing score and rushing touchdown at least salvaged top-15-ish numbers for him.
That was a bonanza compared to what Dak Prescott did against the Bills—or, more appropriately, didn't do. Prescott threw for 134 yards, rushed for 27, tossed a pick and finished behind the likes of Bailey Zappe of the New England Patriots and Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers.
If you started Prescott in Week 15 and somehow survived, count yourself lucky. Because most managers did not.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (vs. AZ) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,100]
Fields was another quarterback who left fantasy managers holding the bag in Week 15, posting fewer than 10 fantasy points in a tough matchup with the Browns. This week's tilt with a Cardinals team that just allowed four touchdown passes to Brock Purdy should offer the opportunity for a rebound week.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. JAX) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]
Mayfield had his best game as a member of the Buccaneers last week against the Packers, throwing for 381 yards and four touchdowns. Now he faces a reeling Jacksonville Jaguars team that ranks 29th in the league against the pass this season.
BAD MATCHUPS
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,500]
Love's fantasy production picked up over Green Bay's recent winning streak, and while he backslid in Week 14 against the Giants, his 284 yards and two scores against the Buccaneers was respectable. The Panthers are terrible, but they're allowing the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. CLE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,000]
This assumes that Stroud clears the concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's big game against the Browns. It's a tough fantasy matchup, as the Browns are 30th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks and just put the clamps on Fields in Week 15.
SLEEPER
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns (at HOU) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500]
Flacco threw three interceptions last week against the Chicago Bears, but he also topped 300 passing yards for the second week in a row and tossed a pair of touchdown passes. The Texans have been a top-10 fantasy matchup for opposing quarterbacks this season.
WEEK 16 QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
1. Josh Allen, BUF (at LAC)
2. Dak Prescott, DAL (at MIA)
3. Jalen Hurts, PHI (vs. NYG)
4. Patrick Mahomes, KC (vs. LV)
5. Lamar Jackson, BAL (at SF)
6. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (vs. DAL)
7. Jared Goff, DET (at MIN)
8. Justin Fields, CHI (vs. AZ)
9. C.J. Stroud, HOU (vs. CLE) [INJURED]
10. Brock Purdy, SF (vs. BAL)
11. Trevor Lawrence, JAX (at TB) [INJURED]
12. Kyler Murray, AZ (at CHI)
13. Matthew Stafford, LAR (vs. NO)
14. Baker Mayfield, TB (vs. JAX)
15. Gardner Minshew, IND (at ATL)
16. Jake Browning, CIN (at PIT)
17. Jordan Love, GB (at CAR)
18. Sam Howell, WAS (at NYJ)
19. Russell Wilson, DEN (vs. NE)
20. Geno Smith, SEA (at TEN) [INJURED]
21. Joe Flacco, CLE (at HOU)
22. Derek Carr, NO (at LAR)
23. Bryce Young, CAR (vs. GB)
24. Aidan O'Connell, LV (at KC)
25. Nick Mullens, MIN (vs. DET)
26. Will Levis, TEN (vs. SEA) [INJURED]
27. Tommy DeVito, NYG (at PHI)
28. Trevor Siemian, NYJ (vs. WAS)
29. Mason Rudolph, PIT (vs. CIN)
30. Easton Stick, LAC (vs. BUF)
Running Backs
2 of 6
Quarterback wasn't the only position where big names busted in an even bigger way in Week 15. Several running backs did precious little as well.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith thought it was a good idea to give backup running back Tyler Allgeier twice as many carries as Bijan Robinson, because why give the ball to the guy you just drafted inside the top 10?
In Miami, Breece Hall of the New York Jets carried the ball six times for all of 12 yards, adding a six-yard reception. And compared to Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans, Hall had a good day. Facing the Houston Texans, Henry touched the ball 20 times but gained only 10 yards. Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants had 23 receiving yards, but he finished with only nine carries for 14 yards on the ground.
Add them to the long list of running backs who either missed Week 15 or got banged up during games. If there's a saving grace, it's that there were so many disappointing backs, it increased the odds that fantasy managers weren't alone in having one.
Of course, if you had two, that was a problem.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (at CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,400]
Jones wasn't especially impressive in his first game back from injury last week. But the Panthers are a top-five fantasy matchup for running backs, and the Packers desperately need to win this game.
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (vs. IND) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,300]
Putting any faith in Arthur Smith's play-calling takes a brave and hearty soul. But the Colts are 26th in the league in run defense and fourth in PPR points allowed to running backs this year.
BAD MATCHUPS
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings (vs. DET) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]
Chandler was excellent last week against the Indianapolis Colts, topping 150 total yards and finding the end zone. But it's possible Alexander Mattison will return to action this week, and even if he doesn't, the Lions are one of the worst fantasy matchups for running backs this season.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (at ATL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,200]
Fantasy managers who have been riding the Jonathan Taylor merry-go-round are likely equal parts eager and reluctant to consider starting him in a must-win game. This must-win game is also a bad matchup—Atlanta is a bottom-five fantasy matchup in PPR points surrendered to running backs this season.
SLEEPER
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (vs. SEA) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,700]
Spears has seen his role in the Titans offense grow as of late—he has double-digit touches in three straight games. The Titans aren't going to the playoffs, and Derrick Henry is probably gone after this year. It's time to give the rookie an extended audition, starting this week against the Seahawks.
WEEK 16 RUNNING BACK RANKINGS
1. Christian McCaffrey, SF (vs. BAL)
2. Alvin Kamara, NO (at LAR)
3. Kyren Williams, LAR (vs. NO)
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (at MIN)
5. Raheem Mostert, MIA (vs. DAL)
6. Travis Etienne Jr., JAX (at TB)
7. Tony Pollard, DAL (at MIA)
8. Austin Ekeler, LAC (vs. BUF)
9. Saquon Barkley, NYG (at PHI)
10. Rachaad White, TB (vs. JAX)
11. Bijan Robinson, ATL (vs. IND)
12. Joe Mixon, CIN (at PIT)
13. De'Von Achane, MIA (vs. DAL)
14. David Montgomery, DET (at MIN)
15. Breece Hall, NYJ (vs. WAS)
16. Aaron Jones, GB (at CAR)
17. Derrick Henry, TEN (vs. SEA)
18. Ezekiel Elliott, NE (at DEN)
19. D'Andre Swift, PHI (vs. NYG)
20. Jaylen Warren, PIT (vs. CIN)
21. Ty Chandler, MIN (vs. DET)
22. James Cook, BUF (at LAC)
23. Javonte Williams, DEN (vs. NE)
24. Isiah Pacheco, KC (at LV) [INJURED]
25. Jonathan Taylor, IND (at ATL)
26. Chuba Hubbard, CAR (vs. GB)
27. James Conner, AZ (vs. CHI)
28. Jerome Ford, CLE (at HOU)
29. Kenneth Walker III, SEA (at TEN)
30. Zamir White, LV (at KC)
31. Najee Harris, PIT (vs. CIN)
32. Devin Singletary, HOU (vs. CLE)
33. Gus Edwards, BAL (at SF)
34. Antonio Gibson, WAS (at NYJ)
35. Jerick McKinnon, KC (vs. LV)
36. Kareem Hunt, CLE (at HOU)
37. Tyjae Spears, TEN (vs. SEA)
38. Chase Brown, CIN (at PIT)
39. Trey Sermon, IND (at ATL)
40. Roschon Johnson, CHI (vs. AZ)
41. Tyler Allgeier, ATL (vs. IND)
42. Zach Charbonnet, SEA (at TEN)
43. Dalvin Cook, NYJ (vs. WAS)
44. D'Onta Foreman, CHI (vs. AZ)
45. Chris Rodriguez Jr., WAS (at NYJ)
46. Dameon Pierce, HOU (vs. CLE)
47. Miles Sanders, CAR (vs. GB)
48. Justice Hill, BAL (at SF)
49. Samaje Perine, DEN (vs. NE)
50. Ameer Abdullah, LV (at KC)
Wide Receivers
3 of 6
All we've talked about so far is players who have left fantasy managers hanging in Week 15. But while there was no shortage of wide receivers who failed to meet expectations a week ago, let's instead talk about a receiver who helped carry fantasy squads deeper into the postseason.
Over the first half of the fantasy regular season (Weeks 1-7), San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was 42nd among wide receivers in PPR points. Over the second half of the regular season, he ranked sixth in PPR points. And over the last month (from Week 11 on), he's the No. 1 fantasy wideout by a fairly sizable margin.
Over that span, Samuel has topped 90 total yards three times and 100 total yards twice. He also scored a whopping eight touchdowns, including two last week against the Arizona Cardinals.
Not a bad month's work.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. JAX) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,200]
Godwin had a huge game in last week's victory over the Green Bay Packers, catching 10 passes for 155 yards. Week 16 sets up well for both Godwin and Mike Evans against a Jacksonville secondary that ranks 29th in the NFL against the pass.
Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars (at TB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,300]
The Jaguars and Buccaneers both desperately need a win in Sunday's game. And given how badly both defenses have struggled against the pass, this game has shootout potential. Only the Washington Commanders have allowed more passing yards than the Buccaneers.
BAD MATCHUPS
Noah Brown, Houston Texans (vs. CLE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,200]
Brown had a big game in Week 15 as the last man standing at wide receiver for the Texans with Nico Collins and Tank Dell out. But even with quarterback C.J. Stroud likely to return this week, the Browns have been a rotten matchup for wide receivers all season long.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (at NYJ) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]
Sam Howell has been among the league leaders in passing yards for much of the season, but that hasn't translated into consistent production from the Commanders receivers. No team in the league has allowed fewer PPR points to the position than the Jets this season.
SLEEPER
Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (at TB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,800]
Christian Kirk is out for the rest of the regular season, and Zay Jones left last week's loss to Baltimore with an injured hamstring. That could mean a hefty target share for Washington, and as was already mentioned, the Buccaneers pass defense is not good.
WEEK 16 WIDE RECEIVER RANKINGS
1. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (at MIA)
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (at MIN)
3. Tyreek Hill, MIA (vs. DAL) [INJURED]
4. A.J. Brown, PHI (vs. NYG)
5. Stefon Diggs, BUF (at LAC)
6. Cooper Kupp, LAR (vs. NO)
7. Justin Jefferson, MIN (vs. DET)
8. Davante Adams, LV (at KC)
9. Deebo Samuel, SF (vs. BAL)
10. Mike Evans, TB (vs. JAX)
11. Michael Pittman Jr., IND (at ATL) [INJURED]
12. DJ Moore, CHI (vs. AZ)
13. Puka Nacua, LAR (vs. NO)
14. Jaylen Waddle, MIA (vs. DAL)
15. DK Metcalf, SEA (at TEN)
16. Amari Cooper, CLE (at HOU)
17. Brandon Aiyuk, SF (vs. BAL)
18. Chris Olave, NO (at LAR) [INJURED]
19. Courtland Sutton, DEN (vs. NE)
20. DeVonta Smith, PHI (vs. NYG)
21. Calvin Ridley, JAX (at TB)
22. Tee Higgins, CIN (at PIT)
23. Terry McLaurin, WAS (at NYJ)
24. DeAndre Hopkins, TEN (vs. SEA)
25. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (vs. WAS)
26. Chris Godwin, TB (vs. JAX)
27. Noah Brown, HOU (vs. CLE)
28. Zay Flowers, BAL (at SF)
29. Adam Thielen, CAR (vs. GB)
30. Rashee Rice, KC (vs. LV)
31. Drake London, ATL (vs. IND)
32. Diontae Johnson, PIT (vs. CIN)
33. Jordan Addison, MIN (vs. DET)
34. Tyler Lockett, SEA (at TEN)
35. Romeo Doubs, GB (at CAR)
36. Curtis Samuel, WAS (at NYJ)
37. Jakobi Meyers, LV (at KC)
38. Brandin Cooks, DAL (at MIA)
39. Joshua Palmer, LAC (vs. BUF)
40. Odell Beckham Jr., BAL (at SF)
41. Demario Douglas, NE (at DEN)
42. Jerry Jeudy, DEN (vs. NE)
43. Tyler Boyd, CIN (at PIT)
44. Robert Woods, HOU (vs. CLE)
45. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (at TEN)
46. George Pickens, PIT (vs. CIN)
47. Jahan Dotson, WAS (at NYJ)
48. Elijah Moore, CLE (at HOU)
49. Josh Downs, IND (at ATL)
50. Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG (at PHI)
51. DeVante Parker, NE (at DEN)
52. Rashid Shaheed, NO (at LAR)
53. Quentin Johnston, LAC (vs. BUF)
54. Dontayvion Wicks, GB (at CAR)
55. Josh Reynolds, DET (at MIN)
56. Trenton Irwin, CIN (at PIT)
57. K.J. Osborn, MIN (at DET)
58. JuJu Smith-Schuster, NE (at DEN)
59. Gabe Davis, BUF (at LAC)
60. Justin Watson, KC (vs. LV)
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Tight Ends
4 of 6
For the past several years, it was a foregone conclusion that Travis Kelce would be the top tight end in fantasy leagues. The only question was how big the gap would be between Kelce and the No. 2 tight end. Last year, it was over 90 PPR points.
Those days are over.
Kelce is still the No. 1 tight end in PPR points per game this season, but the margin in negligible. In terms of total points, T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings is the top tight end. Kelce and red-hot rookie Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions are both right behind him. Over the second half of the fantasy regular season, Kelce was 11th in PPR points.
Some will point to Kelce's age, or the lack of wide receiver talent in Kansas City allowing opponents to focus their attention on the 34-year-old. But there's only one rational explanation for the drop-off in Kelce's fantasy greatness.
It's obviously Taylor Swift's fault.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at CHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]
McBride has been on quite the roll the past few weeks, logging at least six catches and 70 receiving yards in each of the last three games. The Bears have allowed more PPR points to tight ends than any team in the NFC this year.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (at HOU) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300]
Since Joe Flacco took over at quarterback for the Browns, Njoku has been one of his favorite targets. He has 16 catches for 195 yards and three touchdowns over the past two weeks. This week, the Browns face a Texans team that has surrendered the fourth-most PPR points to tight ends in 2023.
BAD MATCHUPS
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (vs. IND) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000]
Perhaps the time will come one day when the Falcons will actually use Pitts properly. But in the interim, we get maddening inconsistency with his target share and a so-so at best matchup with the Colts. In a must-win week, he's nearly impossible to trust.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (vs. CLE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,600]
Schultz was OK last week with Davis Mills at quarterback, catching four passes for 58 yards. But as has been the case with wide receiver, the Browns just don't give up PPR points to tight ends. No team in the league has given up fewer points to the position.
SLEEPER
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay (vs. JAX) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,300]
Otton isn't a high-volume pass-catcher, with only 42 catches on the season. But he has found the end zone four times (including as recently as two weeks ago), and the Jacksonville Jaguars have given up the fifth-most PPR points to tight ends this season.
WEEK 16 TIGHT END RANKINGS
1. Travis Kelce, KC (vs. LV)
2. Sam LaPorta, DET (at MIN)
3. Trey McBride, AZ (at CHI)
4. T.J. Hockenson, MIN (vs. DET)
5. David Njoku, CLE (at HOU)
6. Darren Waller, NYG (at PHI)
7. Evan Engram, JAX (at TB)
8. George Kittle, SF (vs. BAL)
9. Dallas Goedert, PHI (vs. NYG)
10. Dalton Kincaid, BUF (at LAC)
11. Kyle Pitts, ATL (vs. IND)
12. Isaiah Likely, BAL (at SF)
13. Jake Ferguson, DAL (at MIA)
14. Dalton Schultz, HOU (vs. CLE)
15. Pat Freiermuth, PIT (vs. CIN)
16. Taysom Hill, NO (at LAR)
17. Hunter Henry, NE (at DEN)
18. Logan Thomas, WAS (at NYJ)
19. Cole Kmet, CHI (vs. AZ)
20. Tyler Higbee, LAR (vs. NO)
21. Cade Otton, TB (vs. JAX)
22. Jonnu Smith, ATL (vs. IND)
23. Juwan Johnson, NO (at LAR)
24. Tyler Conklin, NYJ (vs. WAS)
25. Tucker Kraft, GB (at CAR)
26. Gerald Everett, LAC (vs. BUF)
27. Tanner Hudson, CIN (at PIT)
28. Michael Mayer, LV (at KC)
29. Mike Gesicki, NE (at DEN)
30. Noah Fant, SEA (at TEN)
Kickers and Defenses
5 of 6
It can be a relief to fantasy managers to have an every-week starter on defense. This analyst has usually preferred streaming defenses based on matchups, but some folks don't want to be bothered with checking matchups every week. They want a high-end defense that they can just slot weekly and that's that.
The problem in Week 16 is that many of the high-end defenses have tough matchups. The Dallas Cowboys are fantasy football's No. 1 defense by a sizable margin, but they face a high-powered Miami Dolphins offense allowing the 10th-fewest fantasy points to defenses.
The Baltimore Ravens, who rank second in fantasy points, draw the absolute worst matchup for the position in the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers rank third in points scored and get a Ravens team allowing the fourth-fewest points to defenses.
Does this mean fantasy managers should absolutely sit these high-end defenses? No. But they are much riskier plays than normal, so you at least have to consider it.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks (at TEN)
Myers has quietly had another solid fantasy season. He's fourth among kickers in fantasy points after 15 weeks. Add in that no team has given up more fantasy points to kickers this season than the Titans, and the ingredients are all there for a solid stat line.
Washington Commanders Defense (at NYJ) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,700]
The Commanders aren't an especially good defense from an NFL or fantasy perspective. But the Jets lead the league in fantasy points allowed to defenses this season, and with Zach Wilson in the concussion protocol, the quarterback situation in New York is once again a disaster.
BAD MATCHUPS
Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins (vs. DAL)
Sanders hasn't been an especially good fantasy option. While he leads the NFL in extra-point attempts, he ranks 27th in field-goal attempts. The Cowboys are also dead last in fantasy points allowed to kickers this season.
Cleveland Browns Defense (at HOU) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,400]
The Browns have scuffled a bit of late in recent weeks, but the team still ranks at or near the top of the league in several statistical categories and sits eighth in the league in fantasy points. However, the Texans are 27th in the league in fantasy points allowed to defenses.
SLEEPER
Arizona Cardinals Defense (at CHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,700]
A must-win week isn't the best time to be throwing deep at any fantasy position. But if you're in a deeper league and have reservations about your defense, the Cardinals face a Bears team allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to defenses in 2023.
WEEK 16 KICKER RANKINGS
1. Brandon Aubrey, DAL (at MIA)
2. Justin Tucker, BAL (at SF)
3. Dustin Hopkins, CLE (at HOU)
4. Younghoe Koo, ATL (vs. IND)
5. Jake Elliott, PHI (vs. NYG)
6. Matt Gay, IND (at ATL)
7. Blake Grupe, NO (at LAR)
8. Jason Myers, SEA (at TEN)
9. Jake Moody, SF (vs. BAL)
10. Harrison Butker, KC (vs. LV)
11. Tyler Bass, BUF (at LAC)
12. Brandon McManus, JAX (at TB)
13. Evan McPherson, CIN (at PIT)
14. Jason Sanders, MIA (vs. DAL)
15. Wil Lutz, DEN (vs. NE)
16. Michael Badgley, DET (at MIN)
17. Chase McLaughlin, TB (vs. JAX)
18. Greg Joseph, MIN (vs. DET)
19. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU (vs. CLE)
20. Daniel Carlson, LV (at KC)
21. Joey Slye, WAS (at NYJ)
22. Matt Prater, AZ (at CHI)
23. Cairo Santos, CHI (vs. AZ)
24. Chris Boswell, PIT (vs. CIN)
25. Nick Folk, TEN (vs. SEA)
WEEK 16 DEFENSE RANKINGS
1. Buffalo Bills (at LAC)
2. Denver Broncos (vs. NE)
3. New York Jets (vs. WAS)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NYG)
5. Cincinnati Bengals (at PIT)
6. Cleveland Browns (at HOU)
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CIN)
8. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV)
9. Green Bay Packers (at CAR)
10. San Francisco 49ers (vs. BAL)
11. Detroit Lions (at MIN)
12. New Orleans Saints (at LAR)
13. Washington Commanders (at NYJ)
14. Indianapolis Colts (at ATL)
15. New England Patriots (at DEN)
16. Baltimore Ravens (at SF)
17. Dallas Cowboys (at MIA)
18. Miami Dolphins (vs. DAL)
19. Houston Texans (vs. CLE)
20. Atlanta Falcons (vs. IND)
21. Los Angeles Rams (vs. NO)
22. Chicago Bears (vs. AZ)
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (at TB)
24. Seattle Seahawks (at TEN)
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. JAX)
Top 100 Players Overall
6 of 6
Before we get to the top 100 players overall for PPR leagues in Week 16 (a list that can assist when making "flex" lineup decisions), a few quick notes.
The first is the same note it always is—there are no quarterbacks listed. If you play in a "superflex" league where a flex spot is QB-eligible and you have a decent second signal-caller, flex him. He's going to afford you an edge over an opponent with another position in that slot.
Second, there's an old fantasy saying: "Always Start Your Studs." I'm not a strict adherent to that school of thought, because flexibility is one of the most important qualities a fantasy manager can have. But while you're setting your lineup, you have to ask yourself what you can live with.
If Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks has a big game on your bench, that's frustrating—doubly so if those points would have put you over the top. But if you get cute and bench Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers for him because you don't like Aiyuk's matchup and he goes off? That will eat at you until spring.
If you're willing to live with the consequences of being aggressive and rolling the dice, have at it. But again, make the calls you can live with.
WEEK 16 TOP 100 PLAYERS OVERALL
1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF (vs. BAL)
2. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (at MIA)
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET (at MIN)
4. Alvin Kamara, RB, NO (at LAR)
5. Kyren Williams, RB, LAR (vs. NO)
6. Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA (vs. DAL) [INJURED]
7. A.J. Brown, WR, PHI (vs. NYG)
8. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, DET (at MIN)
9. Stefon Diggs, WR, BUF (at LAC)
10. Raheem Mostert, RB, MIA (vs. DAL)
11. Travis Etienne, RB, JAX (at TB)
12. Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR (vs. NO)
13. Tony Pollard, RB, DAL (at MIA)
14. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN (vs. DET)
15. Davante Adams, WR, LV (at KC)
16. Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC (vs. BUF)
17. Deebo Samuel, WR, SF (vs. BAL)
18. Saquon Barkley, RB, NYG (at PHI)
19. Rachaad White, RB, TB (vs. JAX)
20. Mike Evans, WR, TB (vs. JAX)
21. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND (at ATL) [INJURED]
22. Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL (vs. IND)
23. DJ Moore, WR, CHI (vs. AZ)
24. Puka Nacua, WR, LAR (vs. NO)
25. Joe Mixon, RB, CIN (at PIT)
26. De'Von Achane, RB, MIA (vs. DAL)
27. Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA (vs. DAL)
28. DK Metcalf, WR, SEA (at TEN)
29. Travis Kelce, TE, KC (vs. LV)
30. Amari Cooper, WR, CLE (at HOU)
31. David Montgomery, RB, DET (at MIN)
32. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SF (vs. BAL)
33. Breece Hall, RB, NYJ (vs. WAS)
34. Chris Olave, WR, NO (at LAR) [INJURED]
35. Aaron Jones, RB, GB (at CAR)
36. Derrick Henry, RB, TEN (vs. SEA)
37. Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN (vs. NE)
38. DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI (vs. NYG)
39. Sam LaPorta, TE, DET (at MIN)
40. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, NE (at DEN)
41. Calvin Ridley, WR, JAX (at TB)
42. Tee Higgins, WR, CIN (at PIT)
43. D'Andre Swift, RB, PHI (vs. NYG)
44. Trey McBride, TE, AZ (vs. CHI)
45. Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (at NYJ)
46. T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN (vs. DET)
47. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, TEN (vs. SEA)
48. Jaylen Warren, RB, PIT (vs. CIN)
49. Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ (vs. WAS)
50. Chris Godwin, WR, TB (vs. JAX)
51. Ty Chandler, RB, MIN (vs. DET)
52. David Njoku, TE, CLE (at HOU)
53. Noah Brown, WR, HOU (vs. CLE)
54. James Cook, RB, BUF (at LAC)
55. Zay Flowers, WR, BAL (at SF)
56. Javonte Williams, RB, DEN (vs. NE)
57. Adam Thielen, WR, CAR (vs. GB)
58. Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC (at LV) [INJURED]
59. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND (at ATL)
60. Rashee Rice, WR, KC (vs. LV)
61. Darren Waller, TE, NYG (at PHI)
62. Drake London, WR, ATL (vs. IND)
63. Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR (vs. GB)
64. James Conner, RB, AZ (vs. CHI)
65. Evan Engram, TE, JAX (at TB)
66. Diontae Johnson, WR, PIT (vs. CIN)
67. Jordan Addison, WR, MIN (vs. DET)
68. George KIttle, TE, SF (vs. BAL)
69. Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA (at TEN)
70. Jerome Ford, RB, CLE (at HOU)
71. Kenneth Walker III, RB, SEA (at TEN)
72. Romeo Doubs, WR, GB (at CAR)
73. Curtis Samuel, WR, WAS (at NYJ)
74. Zamir White, RB, LV (at KC)
75. Jakobi Meyers, WR, LV (at KC)
76. David Goedert, TE, PHI (vs. NYG)
77. Brandin Cooks, WR, DAL (at MIA)
78. Najee Harris, RB, PIT (vs. CIN)
79. Joshua Palmer, WR, LAC (vs. BUF)
80. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, BAL (at SF)
81. Devin Singletary, RB, HOU (vs. CLE)
82. Demario Douglas, WR, NE (at DEN)
83. Jerry Jeudy, WR, DEN (vs. NE)
84. Gus Edwards, RB, BAL (at SF)
85. Dalton Kincaid, TE, BUF (at LAC)
86. Antonio Gibson, RB, WAS (at NYJ)
87. Tyler Boyd, WR, CIN (at PIT)
88. Robert Woods, WR, HOU (vs. CLE)
89. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA (at TEN)
90. Jerick McKinnon, RB, KC (vs. LV)
91. George Pickens, WR, PIT (vs. CIN)
92. Kareem Hunt, RB, CLE (at HOU)
93. Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL (vs. IND)
94. Jahan Dotson, WR, WAS (at NYJ)
95. Tyjae Spears, RB, TEN (vs. SEA)
96. Elijah Moore, WR, CLE (at HOU)
97. Josh Downs, WR, IND (at ATL)
98. Chase Brown, RB, CIN (at PIT)
99. Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, NYG (at PHI)
100. Trey Sermon, RB, IND (at ATL)
Eligibility restrictions apply. See DraftKings.com for details.
Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on Twitter, @IDPSharks.
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