Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings Positional Overview, Guide and Advice

Kristopher KnoxDec 16, 2025

Week 15 wrapped with Monday night's AFC showdown between the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers. With that game, many fantasy football managers saw their playoff runs come to an end.

For those who are still alive, Week 16 will kick off with a thrilling playoff-caliber battle between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

Managers won't have to contend with bye weeks, but finding the very best situations and matchups will remain challenging. Here, you'll find some early point-per-reception (PPR) rankings for Week 16, along with a few sleepers to consider.

Quarterback

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AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

2. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

3. Drake Maye, New England Patriots

4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

5. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

6. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

7. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

8. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

9. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

10. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

11. Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

12. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Sleeper: J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

After experiencing some early ups and downs, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has started to settle in as a starter and a viable fantasy option. McCarthy has played well in back-to-back Vikings wins and has also topped 20 fantasy points in each of the past two weeks.

This week, McCarthy will go up against a New York Giants defense that has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. There's always a chance that some of McCarthy's bad habits will return, but he's a good sleeper to consider for managers without reliable QBs.

McCarthy is available in over 60 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Running Back

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AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Texans RB Jawhar Jordan

1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

2. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

4. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

5. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

6. James Cook, Buffalo Bills

7. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

8. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

9. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

10. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

11. TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

12. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

13. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys

14. Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers

15. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

Sleeper: Jawhar Jordan, Houston Texans

With Nick Chubb sidelined, the Houston Texans activated 2024 sixth-round pick Jawhar Jordan for the very first time in Week 15. When Woody Marks exited with an ankle injury, Jordan got his chance to shine.

The Louisville product ran for 101 yards, caught a pair of passes, and finished his NFL debut with 13.8 fantasy points. That probably earned him more opportunities this week against a bad Las Vegas Raiders defense.

The Raiders have surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Jordan is available in virtually all Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Wide Receiver

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AP Photo/Butch Dill

Panthers WR Jalen Coker

1. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

2. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

4. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

5. Nico Collins, Houston Texans

6. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

7. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

8. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

9. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

10. Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

11. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

12. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

13. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

14. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys

15. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

16. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

17. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

18. Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

19. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

20. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers

Sleeper: Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers blew their opportunity to take control of the NFC South in Week 14, but wideout Jalen Coker had a solid performance during the loss to the New Orleans Saints. Coker caught all four of his targets for 60 yards and a touchdown.

The second-year receiver out of Holy Cross has now posted double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games and in two of his last three. This week, he'll face a struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary in a battle for divisional control.

Coker is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

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Tight End

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AP Photo/Caroline Brehman

Rams TE Colby Parkinson

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

2. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

3. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

4. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

5. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

6. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

7. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

8. Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers

9. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

10. Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

11. Theo Johnson, New York Giants

12. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

13. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

14. Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams

15. Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals

Sleeper: Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams

While Rams tight end Tyler Higbee is eligible to return from injured reserve (ankle) this week, Colby Parkinson has solid sleeper value in deeper leagues. He had 24.5 fantasy points in Week 15 and has reached double-digits in three of his last four games.

This week, the Rams will visit the Seahawks, who have a great overall defense but who have been vulnerable to opposing tight ends. Seattle has actually surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to the position this season.

Parkinson, meanwhile, remains available in over 90 percent of Yahoo leagues and over 80 percent of ESPN leagues.