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

Kristopher KnoxDec 23, 2023

We're officially in Week 16, which means that most season-long fantasy leagues are also deep into the playoffs. While managers no longer have to worry about bye weeks, injuries and tough matchups loom large.

Players like Ja'Marr Chase, Keenan Allen, Zach Wilson, C.J. Stroud, Marquise Brown and Kenny Pickett have already been ruled out this week.

It's win-or-go-home time in fantasy, which means that every lineup decision is critical. Below, we'll dive into our latest point-per-reception (PPR) rankings, some potential waiver-wire targets to consider and our top flex plays for Week 16.

Quarterback

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Browns QB Joe Flacco

QB Top 10

1. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

3. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears

4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

5. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

6. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49eers

7. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

8. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

10. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Waiver Target: Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns

Managers in a pinch this week can consider Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco a viable starting option.

While Flacco hasn't been the cleanest quarterback for Cleveland—he threw three interceptions in Week 15—he's also formed a strong connection with Amari Cooper and David Njoku, which has allowed him to push the ball down the field.

Over the past two weeks, Flacco has thrown for at least 311 yards and two touchdowns. He's thrown for at least two scores in each of his three 2023 starts.

The Houston Texans, meanwhile, have struggled against the pass at times. They've allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks for the season.

Flacco is rostered in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues and 12 percent of ESPN leagues.

Running Back

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Bears RB Roschon Johnson

RB Top 10

1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

2. James Cook, Buffalo Bills

3. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

4. Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins

5. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

6. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

7. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys

8. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

9. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

10. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Waiver Target: Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears struggled to establish the run in their Week 15 loss to the Cleveland Browns. However, Roschon Johnson still managed to tally 60 scrimmage yards and four receptions in the loss.

Against an underwhelming Arizona Cardinals defense, the Bears should be able to lean on the run and their improved defense. That should mean more opportunities for Johnson, both as a runner and in the screen game.

It's a terrific matchup for the rookie, as no team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing running backs than Arizona. Johnson should be considered a viable flex play with upside.

Johnson is only rostered in 22 percent of Yahoo leagues and 23 percent of ESPN leagues.

Wide Receiver

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Bengals WR Tyler Boyd

WR Top 10

1. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

2. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

3. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

4. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

6. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

7. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

8. D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears

9. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

10. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

Waiver Target: Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have officially ruled out wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) for Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This should increase the value of fellow Bengals wideouts Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

Boyd is coming off a two-catch, 53-yard outing and is still available in several leagues. He's rostered in 54 percent of Yahoo leagues but only 45 percent of ESPN leagues.

While the Steelers defense can be a challenge in Pittsburgh, Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning has shown that he's capable of rising to meet challenges head-on. He struggled in his first start—which game against Pittsburgh—but has gone 3-0 since.

And it's not as if the Steelers—who have allowed the 15th-fewest fantasy points to WRs—have a true lockdown unit on the back end. Higgins should have a solid afternoon.

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Tight End

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Patriots TE Hunter Henry

TE Top 10

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

2. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

3. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

4. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

5. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

6. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

7. Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

8. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars

9. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

10. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Waiver Target: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

For some reason, New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry hasn't garnered a ton of interest on the waiver wire. Managers in the playoffs may already have reliable tight ends, but it's hard to believe that Henry isn't a superior option in many cases.

Henry has legitimate top-10 potential this week.

The 29-year-old has been unlocked by quarterback Bailey Zappe and has caught 10 passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns over the past two weeks. This week, he'll face a Denver Broncos defense that has surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Henry is rostered in only 28 percent of Yahoo leagues and 20 percent of ESPN leagues, meaning he's largely available for tight end-needy squads.