Fantasy Football Week 16: Flex and PPR Rankings

Fantasy football owners who have made it to Week 16 are now likely fighting for their league’s championship, and deciphering the latest flex and points-per-reception rankings is the biggest key to success at this pivotal time.

There are many owners who will ride with the same players who have helped guide them this far, but it is imperative to study matchups and determine which stars have the upside needed to help you pull out a win.

Here are the overall flex and PPR rankings for Week 16. When in doubt, start the higher-ranked player on each list.

Flex Rankings

Rank	Player
1	Jamaal Charles, KC, RB
2	Calvin Johnson, DET, WR
3	Le'Veon Bell, PIT, RB
4	Antonio Brown, PIT, WR
5	Dez Bryant, DAL, WR
6	Demaryius Thomas, DEN, WR
7	LeSean McCoy, PHI, RB
8	Eddie Lacy, GB, RB
9	Jordy Nelson, GB, WR
10	Rob Gronkowski, NE, TE
11	Odell Beckham, NYG, WR
12	Arian Foster, HOU, RB
13	Marshawn Lynch, SEA, RB
14	C.J. Anderson, DEN, RB
15	Mike Evans, TB, WR
16	T.Y. Hilton, IND, WR
17	A.J. Green, CIN, WR
18	Julio Jones, ATL, WR
19	Matt Forte, CHI, RB
20	Jimmy Graham, NO, TE
21	Emmanuel Sanders, DEN, WR
22	Fred Jackson, BUF, RB
23	Justin Forsett, BAL, RB
24	Lamar Miller, MIA, RB
25	Julius Thomas, DEN, TE
27	Alshon Jeffery, CHI, WR
28	Randall Cobb, GB, WR
29	Jeremy Maclin, PHI, WR
30	Tre Mason, StL, RB
31	Mark Ingram, NO, RB
32	Kelvin Benjamin, CAR, WR
33	DeAndre Hopkins, HOU, WR
34	Brandon LaFell, NE, WR
35	Alfred Morris, WAS, RB
36	Jeremy Hill, CIN, RB
37	Sammy Watkins, BUF, WR
38	Julian Edelman, NE, WR
39	DeSean Jackson, WAS, WR
40	Greg Olsen, CAR, TE
41	Joique Bell, DET, RB
42	Jonathan Stewart, CAR, RB
43	Giovani Bernard, CIN, RB
44	Mike Wallace, MIA, WR
45	Roddy White, ATL, WR
46	Josh Gordon, CLE, WR
47	Keenan Allen, SD, WR
48	Martellus Bennett, CHI, TE
49	Steven Jackson, ATL, RB
50	Steve Smith, BAL, WR

The key in Week 16 will be taking the educated risks that could potentially pay off with huge performances. Two players who should be flex targets in Week 16 include Steven Jackson of the Atlanta Falcons and DeSean Jackson of the Washington Redskins.

Jackson hasn’t found the success on the ground that Atlanta was hoping for from the veteran, but he is still getting a hefty workload and has remained relatively healthy. He has six total touchdowns this season and is going up against the lowly run defense of the New Orleans Saints.

New Orleans is ranked 29th in the NFL allowing 132.9 yards per game. Jackson is the type of physical runner that can give the Saints serious issues, and fantasy owners should be expecting a big performance. Don’t be surprised to see Atlanta’s Jackson run the ball 18 times for 100 yards and score a touchdown.

If you are looking for a wide receiver and just love the last name Jackson, look no further than DeSean Jackson going head-to-head with the Philadelphia Eagles in a matchup that will have plenty of baggage attached.

When asked if Jackson misses playing for the Eagles, he told Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Nope. I don't miss the team. I don't miss the organization. There's no point in living in the past. This is my team. This is where I am for better or worse. Do you live in the past? It's no way to live.”

While there is no question that Jackson has been inconsistent, the steady stream of quarterback changes has stifled his ability to find any rhythm. With Robert Griffin III likely getting the start, though, Jackson should be considered a smart flex play.

Jackson is going up against his old team Saturday, and Philadelphia has given up 257.4 passing yards per game this season, ranking the team 28th in the NFL. Add in the fact that he racked up 117 yards and a touchdown when the teams met earlier this season, and Jackson is a must-start this week.

The Redskins wide receiver should rack up six receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown in Week 16.

PPR Rankings

Rank	Player
1	Jamaal Charles, KC, RB
2	Antonio Brown, PIT, WR
3	Calvin Johnson, DET, WR
4	Le'Veon Bell, PIT, RB
5	Demaryius Thomas, DEN, WR
6	LeSean McCoy, PHI, RB
7	Dez Bryant, DAL, WR
8	Jordy Nelson, GB, WR
9	Odell Beckham, NYG, WR
10	Matt Forte, CHI, RB
11	Rob Gronkowski, NE, TE
12	Arian Foster, HOU, RB
13	T.Y. Hilton, IND, WR
14	Mike Evans, TB, WR
15	Eddie Lacy, GB, RB
16	Marshawn Lynch, SEA, RB
17	C.J. Anderson, DEN, RB
18	Emmanuel Sanders, DEN, WR
19	Randall Cobb, GB, WR
20	Fred Jackson, BUF, RB
21	Jeremy Maclin, PHI, WR
22	A.J. Green, CIN, WR
23	Julio Jones, ATL, WR
24	Julian Edelman, NE, WR
25	Jimmy Graham, NO, TE
27	Justin Forsett, BAL, RB
28	Lamar Miller, MIA, RB
29	DeSean Jackson, WAS, WR
30	Roddy White, ATL, WR
31	Julius Thomas, DEN, TE
32	Alshon Jeffery, CHI, WR
33	Golden Tate, DET, WR
34	Kelvin Benjamin, CAR, WR
35	Josh Gordon, CLE, WR
36	Jeremy Hill, CIN, RB
37	Joique Bell, DET, RB
38	Sammy Watkins, BUF, WR
39	DeAndre Hopkins, HOU, WR
40	Latavius Murray, OAK, RB
41	Brandon LaFell, NE, WR
42	Tre Mason, StL, RB
43	Mark Ingram, NO, RB
44	Sammy Watkins, BUF, WR
45	Reggie Bush, DET, RB
46	Mike Wallace, MIA, WR
47	Jonathan Stewart, CAR, RB
48	Alfred Morris, WAS, RB
49	Greg Olsen, CAR, TE
50	Keenan Allen, SD, WR

Finding the right PPR player to flex is an even tougher task, but two prime candidates in Week 16 will be running back Fred Jackson of the Buffalo Bills and wide receiver Brandon LaFell of the New England Patriots.

It’s all about workload for good flex plays and Jackson is the clear top running back for Buffalo down the stretch. Add in the fact that he is also the top receiving back on the roster, and Jackson has the upside to score big fantasy points.

Jackson racked up 98 all-purpose yards against Green Bay and will now square off against the 25th-ranked run defense of the Oakland Raiders in Week 16 (allowing 125.4 yards per game). Fantasy owners should be looking for 100 all-purpose yards, five receptions and a touchdown.

Inconsistency has been a major issue for Brandon LaFell in the New England passing attack, but quarterback Tom Brady continues to build trust in the receiver, targeting him at least seven times in each of the last four games.

Fortunately for fantasy owners, LaFell and the Patriots play the New York Jets and the team’s 20th-ranked pass defense (allowing 242.3 yards per game) in Week 16. In the first meeting between the two teams earlier this season, though, he caught only four passes for 55 yards.

With New England playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs, owners should expect LaFell to catch seven passes for 90 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.

*Stats via NFL.com.