Week 16 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Lineup Advice and Smart Sleepers to Exploit

Week 15 ended the playoff runs of many fantasy football managers. Those that advanced face a difficult Week 16 slate that will begin with a playoff-caliber matchup between NFC West rivals.

The Seattle Seahawks will host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. The Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will then be in action on Saturday—don't forget to set those lineups!

While NFL bye weeks are a thing of the past, managers will still have some tough decisions ahead of them. Here, we'll dive into some of the best and worst matchups of Week 16 and examine a few sleepers who may still be available on the waiver wire.

Start: Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

The Minnesota Vikings have won two games in a row, thanks to some quality play by young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, the Vikings have done a good job of supporting their first-year starter with a quality running game.

The Vikings feature a two-pronged backfield that is good for them but less-than-ideal for fantasy managers. Aaron Jones is the starter, but Jordan Mason regularly cuts into his workload.

Managers should be able to trust Jones this week, though, because of his role in the passing game. He's seen eight targets and seven receptions over his last three games.

While Jones hasn't reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 11, he'll have a great opportunity to get there this week. The Vikings will visit the New York Giants, who have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Sit: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Ben VanHouten

Like Jones, Kenneth Walker III is a second-tier fantasy RB stuck in a two-back setup. The Seattle Seahawks often use Walker on early downs and in the passing game, but turn to Zach Charbonnet in short-yardage and red-zone situations.

Unfortunately, that system has limited Walker to just four rushing touchdowns and an average of 9.2 fantasy points in 2025.

Managers shouldn't bet on Walker having a breakthrough performance in Week 16. The Seahawks will host the Los Angeles Rams, who have surrendered fewer fantasy points to opposing running backs than any other team.

On Sunday, Los Angeles limited fantasy superstar Jahmyr Gibbs to just 9.8 fantasy points. Walker, who has had fewer than five fantasy points in consecutive games, is unlikely to fare any better.

Start: Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Los Angeles Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey had a quiet outing against a good Kansas City Chiefs defense in Week 15. He caught two of three targets for a mere 20 yards, falling below double-digit fantasy points for the third time in four games.

However, McConkey will have a good chance to bounce back in Week 16, as the Chargers are set to visit the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys have one of the league's worst secondaries and have surrendered more fantasy points to opposing wide receivers than any other team. However, Dallas has seen an improved run defense since acquiring Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline.

The Chargers may need to pass early and often against the Cowboys, and McConkey will have opportunities to shine.

Sit: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Though he isn't back to where he was as a rookie fantasy star, Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr. is heating up in time for the playoffs. He had a solid outing against the New York Jets in Week 15, finishing with four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Thomas has tallied double-digit fantasy points in consecutive games for the first time since Week 6.

However, managers shouldn't look to trust Thomas in a brutal Week 16 matchup on the road and against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos might have the best defense in the entire league right now and have surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

Thomas isn't the high-volume, go-to target he was a year ago, so he can be sat in one of the most difficult matchups of the week.

Week 16 Sleepers

AP Photo/Samantha Chow

Cardinals RB Michael Carter

Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals lost Zonovan Knight to an ankle injury on Sunday, which left Michael Carter to lead their backfield. With Trey Benson staying on injured reserve, Carter may be Arizona's lead back the rest of the way.

Carter finished Week 15 with 13.4 fantasy points and may have similar numbers this week against a decidedly average Atlanta Falcons defense. He's available in over 90 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots

Kayshon Boutte continues to be a key contributor in the New England Patriots' offense, though he was limited to one 30-yard reception on Sunday. He's worth a flier this week against a suspect Baltimore Ravens defense.

The Ravens have surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. When Boutte last had a favorable matchup—against the Giants in Week 13—he tallied 13.5 fantasy points.

Boutte is available in over 70 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.