Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 16 Big Board
Making the fantasy playoffs is an impressive task and should be commended.
(Unless at least half of your league makes the playoffs. Then, the achievement isn’t nearly as impressive.)
Making it to the finals is even more impressive, but some of you may be here after pulling upsets. I’m part of that group, and I know I didn’t have a better team than my opponent, but I had a good enough team that I was lucky enough to hit on some of the biggest individual performances of the season. You need luck to win it all.
Barring a major injury, you’re sticking with the players who got you this far. Sure, it’s not an ideal week for St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (at Seattle Seahawks) or Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (versus Carolina Panthers), but remember that talent and tough matchups go both ways. It’s a difficult task for their respective opponents to stop them too.
One player you may not be able to rely on is New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., thanks to the one-game suspension the league handed down for his conduct in Week 15 against the Panthers. I have not ranked Beckham, and I've treated the rest of the Giants as if he won’t play this week. If he wins his appeal, you’ll see changes to this intro and an explanation of my how that affects the rest of the Giants.
Once again, congratulations on making it this far. Don’t spend too long tinkering with your lineup. You know how you got here, and there’s no reason to overthink it.
As always, these rankings will be updated throughout the week and right after inactives come down for the early-afternoon games Sunday.
Top 100: Black into Gold
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I’ll be breaking down each position with players looking better than usual, players looking worse than usual, players to avoid and sleepers. Before we get into those, here are the teams I like as a whole for fantasy this week because of their matchups:
- Pittsburgh Steelers (at Baltimore Ravens)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (at New Orleans Saints)
- Washington Redskins (at Philadelphia Eagles)
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. New York Giants)
- Seattle Seahawks (vs. St. Louis Rams)
Export| 1 | David Johnson (ARI) | vs. GB | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Adrian Peterson (MIN) | vs. NYG | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | DeAngelo Williams (PIT) | at BAL | 4 | 1 |
| 4 | Antonio Brown (PIT) | at BAL | 3 | -1 |
| 5 | Doug Martin (TB) | vs. CHI | 5 | 0 |
| 6 | Charcandrick West (KC) | vs. CLE | 6 | 0 |
| 7 | Allen Robinson (JAC) | at NO | 7 | 0 |
| 8 | Devonta Freeman (ATL) | vs. CAR | 8 | 0 |
| 9 | Matt Forte (CHI) | at TB | 10 | 1 |
| 10 | Brandon Marshall (NYJ) | vs. NE | 14 | 4 |
| 11 | Todd Gurley (STL) | at SEA | 13 | 2 |
| 12 | Martavis Bryant (PIT) | at BAL | 16 | 4 |
| 13 | Rob Gronkowski (NE) | at NYJ | 12 | -1 |
| 14 | James White (NE) | at NYJ | 33 | 19 |
| 15 | Latavius Murray (OAK) | vs. SD | 11 | -4 |
| 16 | Darren McFadden (DAL) | at BUF | 15 | -1 |
| 17 | Doug Baldwin (SEA) | vs. STL | 19 | 2 |
| 18 | Cameron Artis-Payne (CAR) | at ATL | 62 | 44 |
| 19 | Sammy Watkins (BUF) | vs. DAL | 22 | 3 |
| 20 | Brandin Cooks (NO) | vs. JAC | 30 | 10 |
| 21 | Denard Robinson (JAC) | at NO | 18 | -3 |
| 22 | Javorius Allen (BAL) | vs. PIT | 52 | 30 |
| 23 | Mike Evans (TB) | vs. CHI | 17 | -6 |
| 24 | Christopher Ivory (NYJ) | vs. NE | 32 | 8 |
| 25 | Jeremy Maclin (KC) | vs. CLE | 25 | 0 |
| 26 | Christine Michael (SEA) | vs. STL | 39 | 13 |
| 27 | DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) | at TEN | 9 | -18 |
| 28 | Eric Decker (NYJ) | vs. NE | 31 | 3 |
| 29 | Karlos Williams (BUF) | vs. DAL | 20 | -9 |
| 30 | Demaryius Thomas (DEN) | vs. CIN | 26 | -4 |
| 31 | Bilal Powell (NYJ) | vs. NE | 48 | 17 |
| 32 | Julio Jones (ATL) | vs. CAR | 28 | -4 |
| 33 | Allen Hurns (JAC) | at NO | 37 | 4 |
| 34 | Frank Gore (IND) | at MIA | 27 | -7 |
| 35 | DeSean Jackson (WAS) | at PHI | 35 | 0 |
| 36 | Amari Cooper (OAK) | vs. SD | 44 | 8 |
| 37 | Greg Olsen (CAR) | at ATL | 36 | -1 |
| 38 | Tim Hightower (NO) | vs. JAC | 23 | -15 |
| 39 | A.J. Green (CIN) | at DEN | 45 | 6 |
| 40 | Danny Woodhead (SD) | at OAK | 46 | 6 |
| 41 | Jordan Reed (WAS) | at PHI | 38 | -3 |
| 42 | Golden Tate (DET) | vs. SF | 50 | 8 |
| 43 | Tyler Lockett (SEA) | vs. STL | 63 | 20 |
| 44 | Jarvis Landry (MIA) | vs. IND | 41 | -3 |
| 45 | Michael Floyd (ARI) | vs. GB | 42 | -3 |
| 46 | Eddie Lacy (GB) | at ARI | 29 | -17 |
| 47 | Markus Wheaton (PIT) | at BAL | 81 | 34 |
| 48 | Darren Sproles (PHI) | vs. WAS | 89 | 41 |
| 49 | Alshon Jeffery (CHI) | at TB | 24 | -25 |
| 50 | Delanie Walker (TEN) | vs. HOU | 55 | 5 |
| 51 | Giovani Bernard (CIN) | at DEN | 57 | 6 |
| 52 | Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) | vs. GB | 43 | -9 |
| 53 | John Brown (ARI) | vs. GB | 47 | -6 |
| 54 | Ryan Mathews (PHI) | vs. WAS | 49 | -5 |
| 55 | Calvin Johnson (DET) | vs. SF | 34 | -21 |
| 56 | Kamar Aiken (BAL) | vs. PIT | 51 | -5 |
| 57 | Gary Barnidge (CLE) | at KC | 68 | 11 |
| 58 | Emmanuel Sanders (DEN) | vs. CIN | 54 | -4 |
| 59 | Dez Bryant (DAL) | at BUF | 60 | 1 |
| 60 | Julius Thomas (JAC) | at NO | 53 | -7 |
| 61 | Jay Ajayi (MIA) | vs. IND | 119 | 58 |
| 62 | Stefon Diggs (MIN) | vs. NYG | 69 | 7 |
| 63 | Benjamin Watson (NO) | vs. JAC | 70 | 7 |
| 64 | Mike Gillislee (BUF) | vs. DAL | 113 | 49 |
| 65 | Antonio Gates (SD) | at OAK | 56 | -9 |
| 66 | Michael Crabtree (OAK) | vs. SD | 67 | 1 |
| 67 | Ted Ginn (CAR) | at ATL | 61 | -6 |
| 68 | Willie Snead (NO) | vs. JAC | 65 | -3 |
| 69 | Rueben Randle (NYG) | at MIN | 71 | 2 |
| 70 | Ameer Abdullah (DET) | vs. SF | 64 | -6 |
| 71 | Jeremy Hill (CIN) | at DEN | 40 | -31 |
| 72 | Travis Kelce (KC) | vs. CLE | 73 | 1 |
| 73 | T.Y. Hilton (IND) | at MIA | 58 | -15 |
| 74 | Marvin Jones (CIN) | at DEN | 88 | 14 |
| 75 | Randall Cobb (GB) | at ARI | 59 | -16 |
| 76 | Jordan Matthews (PHI) | vs. WAS | 72 | -4 |
| 77 | Matt Jones (WAS) | at PHI | 66 | -11 |
| 78 | Rashad Jennings (NYG) | at MIN | 74 | -4 |
| 79 | Zach Miller (CHI) | at TB | 80 | 1 |
| 80 | Dorial Green-Beckham (TEN) | vs. HOU | 76 | -4 |
| 81 | Charles Sims (TB) | vs. CHI | 97 | 16 |
| 82 | Devante Parker (MIA) | vs. IND | 77 | -5 |
| 83 | Will Tye (NYG) | at MIN | 94 | 11 |
| 84 | Travis Benjamin (CLE) | at KC | 79 | -5 |
| 85 | Lamar Miller (MIA) | vs. IND | 21 | -64 |
| 86 | Anquan Boldin (SF) | at DET | 82 | -4 |
| 87 | Ronnie Hillman (DEN) | vs. CIN | 75 | -12 |
| 88 | Donte Moncrief (IND) | at MIA | 84 | -4 |
| 89 | Brandon LaFell (NE) | at NYJ | 86 | -3 |
| 90 | Shaun Draughn (SF) | at DET | 78 | -12 |
| 91 | James Starks (GB) | at ARI | 83 | -8 |
| 92 | Tavon Austin (STL) | at SEA | 87 | -5 |
| 93 | Pierre Garcon (WAS) | at PHI | 93 | 0 |
| 94 | Alfred Blue (HOU) | at TEN | 85 | -9 |
| 95 | James Jones (GB) | at ARI | 95 | 0 |
| 96 | Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB) | vs. CHI | 92 | -4 |
| 97 | Zach Ertz (PHI) | vs. WAS | 99 | 2 |
| 98 | Jeremy Langford (CHI) | at TB | 90 | -8 |
| 99 | Alfred Morris (WAS) | at PHI | 91 | -8 |
| 100 | Dontrelle Inman (SD) | at OAK | 103 | 3 |
Quarterbacks: Remember Who Got You Here
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Better than usual
Blake Bortles, JAC
Bortles has been one of the most reliable fantasy quarterbacks all season, and grabbing him off the waiver wire likely propelled many players to great fantasy seasons and now spots in the finals. You’ll be happy to see Bortles lining up against the New Orleans Saints with your championship on the line. Not only has he been a top-three fantasy QB in the last four weeks, but now he’ll also have a crack at a defense that’s among the bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to QBs during that span.
Worse than usual
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ
Fitzpatrick may have led the New York Jets to a comeback victory in Dallas last week, but he let down fantasy owners with his final numbers (299 yards, one touchdown, one interception). He won’t have a great matchup to bounce back this week, as the Jets are taking on the New England Patriots. They’ve given up the third-fewest fantasy points to QBs in the last month.
Avoid
Matt Ryan, ATL
If you still have Ryan on your roster for some reason, don’t bother using him against the Panthers this weekend. He’s been a waste of a roster spot for far too long and managed just 224 yards and an interception when he faced the Panthers in Week 13.
Sleepers
Kirk Cousins, WAS
To those who’ve been riding with Cousins for weeks, he may not be a sleeper, but for those who picked him up in the last week, just know you’re getting one of the hottest fantasy quarterbacks in a great matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night. Cousins is sixth in QB fantasy points during the last four weeks, and the Eagles check in with the third-most fantasy points allowed to QBs over the same span.
Teddy Bridgewater, MIN
Some of you may see Bridgewater’s name and decide to skip right over it, which I understand because he’s been so bad for most of this year. I’d like to note that while he had a massive game in Week 15 against the Chicago Bears, he also played quite well when he faced a much tougher opponent in the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14. He has a great chance to make it three in a row against the visiting Giants. No team has allowed more fantasy points to QBs in its last four games.
Export| 1 | Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | at BAL | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | Cam Newton (CAR) | at ATL | 1 | -1 |
| 3 | Russell Wilson (SEA) | vs. STL | 5 | 2 |
| 4 | Blake Bortles (JAC) | at NO | 3 | -1 |
| 5 | Carson Palmer (ARI) | vs. GB | 4 | -1 |
| 6 | Tom Brady (NE) | at NYJ | 6 | 0 |
| 7 | Matthew Stafford (DET) | vs. SF | 8 | 1 |
| 8 | Kirk Cousins (WAS) | at PHI | 10 | 2 |
| 9 | Aaron Rodgers (GB) | at ARI | 9 | 0 |
| 10 | Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) | vs. NE | 11 | 1 |
| 11 | Drew Brees (NO) | vs. JAC | 7 | -4 |
| 12 | Derek Carr (OAK) | vs. SD | 13 | 1 |
| 13 | Tyrod Taylor (BUF) | vs. DAL | 12 | -1 |
| 14 | Eli Manning (NYG) | at MIN | 15 | 1 |
| 15 | Jay Cutler (CHI) | at TB | 18 | 3 |
| 16 | Teddy Bridgewater (MIN) | vs. NYG | 19 | 3 |
| 17 | Philip Rivers (SD) | at OAK | 14 | -3 |
| 18 | Jameis Winston (TB) | vs. CHI | 17 | -1 |
| 19 | Alex Smith (KC) | vs. CLE | 16 | -3 |
| 20 | Sam Bradford (PHI) | vs. WAS | 20 | 0 |
| 21 | Ryan Tannehill (MIA) | vs. IND | 21 | 0 |
| 22 | Brock Osweiler (DEN) | vs. CIN | 23 | 1 |
| 23 | Johnny Manziel (CLE) | at KC | 24 | 1 |
| 24 | Jimmy Clausen (BAL) | vs. PIT | 29 | 5 |
| 25 | Matt Ryan (ATL) | vs. CAR | 22 | -3 |
| 26 | Brandon Weeden (HOU) | at TEN | 31 | 5 |
| 27 | Blaine Gabbert (SF) | at DET | 26 | -1 |
| 28 | AJ McCarron (CIN) | at DEN | 30 | 2 |
| 29 | Matt Hasselbeck (IND) | at MIA | 25 | -4 |
Running Backs: The View Always Changes
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Better than usual
Doug Martin, TB
He may not have been charged for the crucial fumble in last week’s game against the Rams, but he was certainly responsible for the turnover and ended up sitting a bit too much down the stretch. With that punishment behind him, look for Martin to bounce back against a Chicago Bears defense that’s yielded the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs in the last four matchups.
Worse than usual
Todd Gurley, STL
Obviously, you’re not sitting Gurley, but as we saw last week, it’s not always easy for him. Besides the fact that he’s really the only Ram who can create his own fantasy production, you have to worry about the Seahawks running away with this game. They’ve held running backs to a league-low 163 rushing yards on just 48 carries in the last four games, so game flow has to be a concern for Gurley.
Avoid
Eddie Lacy/James Starks, GB
Just when it looked like you could finally trust someone on the Green Bay Packers, they went and laid a massive egg against the Oakland Raiders. They may have won the game, but Lacy and Starks were useless for fantasy, and if you survived that last week, I don’t know how you could trust them to perform well against the Cardinals. No team has given up fewer fantasy points to running backs than the Cardinals in the last month.
Sleepers
Cameron Artis-Payne, CAR
Because Artis-Payne emerged from the Carolina backfield to lead the backs in snaps, carries, rushing yards, receptions and receiving yards, I’ve seen enough to believe he’ll be treated like the lead back from the jump this week in a great matchup with the Falcons. They’ve allowed nearly 500 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to backs in the last four weeks. In Week 13, they gave up 151 yards and a touchdown to the Panthers.
Export| 1 | David Johnson (ARI) | vs. GB | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Adrian Peterson (MIN) | vs. NYG | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | DeAngelo Williams (PIT) | at BAL | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Doug Martin (TB) | vs. CHI | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | Charcandrick West (KC) | vs. CLE | 5 | 0 |
| 6 | Devonta Freeman (ATL) | vs. CAR | 6 | 0 |
| 7 | Matt Forte (CHI) | at TB | 8 | 1 |
| 8 | Todd Gurley (STL) | at SEA | 9 | 1 |
| 9 | James White (NE) | at NYJ | 17 | 8 |
| 10 | Latavius Murray (OAK) | vs. SD | 7 | -3 |
| 11 | Darren McFadden (DAL) | at BUF | 10 | -1 |
| 12 | Cameron Artis-Payne (CAR) | at ATL | 25 | 13 |
| 13 | Denard Robinson (JAC) | at NO | 11 | -2 |
| 14 | Javorius Allen (BAL) | vs. PIT | 24 | 10 |
| 15 | Christopher Ivory (NYJ) | vs. NE | 16 | 1 |
| 16 | Christine Michael (SEA) | vs. STL | 19 | 3 |
| 17 | Karlos Williams (BUF) | vs. DAL | 14 | -3 |
| 18 | Bilal Powell (NYJ) | vs. NE | 23 | 5 |
| 19 | Frank Gore (IND) | at MIA | 15 | -4 |
| 20 | Tim Hightower (NO) | vs. JAC | 13 | -7 |
| 21 | Danny Woodhead (SD) | at OAK | 20 | -1 |
| 22 | Eddie Lacy (GB) | at ARI | 18 | -4 |
| 23 | Darren Sproles (PHI) | vs. WAS | 36 | 13 |
| 24 | Giovani Bernard (CIN) | at DEN | 26 | 2 |
| 25 | Ryan Mathews (PHI) | vs. WAS | 22 | -3 |
| 26 | Jay Ajayi (MIA) | vs. IND | 45 | 19 |
| 27 | Mike Gillislee (BUF) | vs. DAL | 40 | 13 |
| 28 | Ameer Abdullah (DET) | vs. SF | 27 | -1 |
| 29 | Jeremy Hill (CIN) | at DEN | 21 | -8 |
| 30 | Matt Jones (WAS) | at PHI | 28 | -2 |
| 31 | Rashad Jennings (NYG) | at MIN | 30 | -1 |
| 32 | Charles Sims (TB) | vs. CHI | 38 | 6 |
| 33 | Lamar Miller (MIA) | vs. IND | 12 | -21 |
| 34 | Ronnie Hillman (DEN) | vs. CIN | 29 | -5 |
| 35 | Shaun Draughn (SF) | at DET | 31 | -4 |
| 36 | James Starks (GB) | at ARI | 33 | -3 |
| 37 | Alfred Blue (HOU) | at TEN | 34 | -3 |
| 38 | Jeremy Langford (CHI) | at TB | 32 | -6 |
| 39 | Alfred Morris (WAS) | at PHI | 35 | -4 |
| 40 | Shane Vereen (NYG) | at MIN | 50 | 10 |
| 41 | Brandon Bolden (NE) | at NYJ | 39 | -2 |
| 42 | C.J. Anderson (DEN) | vs. CIN | 37 | -5 |
| 43 | Theo Riddick (DET) | vs. SF | 41 | -2 |
| 44 | Duke Johnson (CLE) | at KC | 42 | -2 |
| 45 | Bryce Brown (SEA) | vs. STL | 47 | 2 |
| 46 | Joique Bell (DET) | vs. SF | 48 | 2 |
| 47 | Spencer Ware (KC) | vs. CLE | 43 | -4 |
| 48 | Jerick McKinnon (MIN) | vs. NYG | 55 | 7 |
| 49 | Antonio Andrews (TEN) | vs. HOU | 46 | -3 |
| 50 | Isaiah Crowell (CLE) | at KC | 49 | -1 |
| 51 | Donald Brown (SD) | at OAK | 44 | -7 |
| 52 | Joey Iosefa (NE) | at NYJ | 61 | 9 |
| 53 | DeMarco Murray (PHI) | vs. WAS | 51 | -2 |
| 54 | Fozzy Whittaker (CAR) | at ATL | 53 | -1 |
| 55 | Jonathan Stewart (CAR) | at ATL | 52 | -3 |
| 56 | Jonas Gray (JAC) | at NO | 60 | 4 |
| 57 | T.J. Yeldon (JAC) | at NO | 54 | -3 |
| 58 | Fred Jackson (SEA) | vs. STL | 58 | 0 |
| 59 | Mike Tolbert (CAR) | at ATL | 59 | 0 |
| 60 | Kendall Gaskins (SF) | at DET | 63 | 3 |
| 61 | C.J. Spiller (NO) | vs. JAC | 64 | 3 |
| 62 | Travaris Cadet (SF) | at DET | 65 | 3 |
| 63 | Chris Polk (HOU) | at TEN | 57 | -6 |
| 64 | Terrance West (BAL) | vs. PIT | 62 | -2 |
| 65 | Tevin Coleman (ATL) | vs. CAR | 70 | 5 |
| 66 | Andre Ellington (ARI) | vs. GB | 72 | 6 |
| 67 | Bishop Sankey (TEN) | vs. HOU | 73 | 6 |
| 68 | Robert Turbin (DAL) | at BUF | 74 | 6 |
| 69 | Tre Mason (STL) | at SEA | 77 | 8 |
| 70 | Jonathan Grimes (HOU) | at TEN | 79 | 9 |
| 71 | David Cobb (TEN) | vs. HOU | 80 | 9 |
| 72 | Juwan Thompson (DEN) | vs. CIN | 81 | 9 |
| 73 | Marcel Reece (OAK) | vs. SD | 83 | 10 |
| 74 | Akeem Hunt (HOU) | at TEN | 75 | 1 |
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Wide Receivers: Scoring in Seatttle
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Better than usual
Antonio Brown/Martavis Bryant/Markus Wheaton, PIT
That’s right: You can feel better about three Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers. After toasting a great Denver Broncos defense last week, they get a much easier task against a Baltimore Ravens defense that’s yielded the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers in the last four weeks.
Doug Baldwin/Tyler Lockett, SEA
This duo stayed hot in Week 15, and the favorable schedule continues into the fantasy championship. Seattle hosts St. Louis this weekend, and that’s good news for Baldwin and Lockett, as the Rams have surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers in their four previous outings. These two have a great chance to remain among the top fantasy wide receivers.
Worse than usual
Julio Jones, ATL
This is all about Jones’ matchup with Panthers cornerback Josh Norman—perhaps you've heard his name a few times this week? He deserves praise as one of the best at his position, which Jones dealt with just two weeks ago when he posted seven receptions for 88 yards against Carolina. The Falcons did their best to get Jones away from Norman that game and could do more of the same this week.
A.J. Green, CIN
Before you look at the troublesome matchup with the Broncos in Denver, you have to worry about Green’s availability. He came into Week 15 with a back injury and ended up leaving the game with it well in hand for the Cincinnati Bengals, so it may have been more of a precaution. The Broncos didn’t have any answers for the Steelers last week, but I expect them to regroup and look more like the unit that’s a top-four defense against wide receivers.
Avoid
Randall Cobb/Davante Adams, GB
Neither Cobb nor Adams has been trustworthy in over a month, so while Cobb may have some name value, the bottom line is he’s been more of a detriment to your team than a contributor. It doesn’t help that the Packers face a Cardinals defense that has been great in the last four weeks against wide receivers, giving up the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Sleepers
Kamar Aiken, BAL
Aiken has been the top fantasy receiver in Baltimore for weeks, but that’s not saying much considering how decimated by injuries the offense is. However, he had one of his best games against a tougher Kansas City Chiefs defense last week and will have every chance to build on that when the Steelers head to Baltimore on Sunday. They’ve allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers in their last four games.
Stefon Diggs, MIN
Diggs was quiet for far too long before putting himself back on the fantasy radar last week with a pair of touchdowns against the Bears. Because he was irrelevant for so long, getting him in your lineup after one big game might be chasing points, but you'd be doing so against a mess of a Giants secondary. Wide receivers have gotten the Giants for the fifth-most fantasy points over the last four weeks.
Export| 1 | Antonio Brown (PIT) | at BAL | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Allen Robinson (JAC) | at NO | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | Brandon Marshall (NYJ) | vs. NE | 4 | 1 |
| 4 | Martavis Bryant (PIT) | at BAL | 5 | 1 |
| 5 | Doug Baldwin (SEA) | vs. STL | 6 | 1 |
| 6 | Sammy Watkins (BUF) | vs. DAL | 7 | 1 |
| 7 | Brandin Cooks (NO) | vs. JAC | 14 | 7 |
| 8 | Mike Evans (TB) | vs. CHI | 8 | 0 |
| 9 | Jeremy Maclin (KC) | vs. CLE | 9 | 0 |
| 10 | DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) | at TEN | 3 | -7 |
| 11 | Eric Decker (NYJ) | vs. NE | 12 | 1 |
| 12 | Demaryius Thomas (DEN) | vs. CIN | 13 | 1 |
| 13 | Julio Jones (ATL) | vs. CAR | 11 | -2 |
| 14 | Allen Hurns (JAC) | at NO | 17 | 3 |
| 15 | DeSean Jackson (WAS) | at PHI | 16 | 1 |
| 16 | Amari Cooper (OAK) | vs. SD | 20 | 4 |
| 17 | A.J. Green (CIN) | at DEN | 22 | 5 |
| 18 | Golden Tate (DET) | vs. SF | 24 | 6 |
| 19 | Tyler Lockett (SEA) | vs. STL | 31 | 12 |
| 20 | Jarvis Landry (MIA) | vs. IND | 18 | -2 |
| 21 | Michael Floyd (ARI) | vs. GB | 19 | -2 |
| 22 | Markus Wheaton (PIT) | at BAL | 39 | 17 |
| 23 | Alshon Jeffery (CHI) | at TB | 10 | -13 |
| 24 | Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) | vs. GB | 23 | -1 |
| 25 | John Brown (ARI) | vs. GB | 21 | -4 |
| 26 | Calvin Johnson (DET) | vs. SF | 15 | -11 |
| 27 | Kamar Aiken (BAL) | vs. PIT | 26 | -1 |
| 28 | Emmanuel Sanders (DEN) | vs. CIN | 25 | -3 |
| 29 | Dez Bryant (DAL) | at BUF | 30 | 1 |
| 30 | Stefon Diggs (MIN) | vs. NYG | 35 | 5 |
| 31 | Michael Crabtree (OAK) | vs. SD | 32 | 1 |
| 32 | Ted Ginn (CAR) | at ATL | 27 | -5 |
| 33 | Willie Snead (NO) | vs. JAC | 33 | 0 |
| 34 | Rueben Randle (NYG) | at MIN | 36 | 2 |
| 35 | T.Y. Hilton (IND) | at MIA | 29 | -6 |
| 36 | Marvin Jones (CIN) | at DEN | 45 | 9 |
| 37 | Randall Cobb (GB) | at ARI | 28 | -9 |
| 38 | Jordan Matthews (PHI) | vs. WAS | 34 | -4 |
| 39 | Dorial Green-Beckham (TEN) | vs. HOU | 37 | -2 |
| 40 | Devante Parker (MIA) | vs. IND | 38 | -2 |
| 41 | Travis Benjamin (CLE) | at KC | 40 | -1 |
| 42 | Anquan Boldin (SF) | at DET | 42 | 0 |
| 43 | Donte Moncrief (IND) | at MIA | 41 | -2 |
| 44 | Brandon LaFell (NE) | at NYJ | 43 | -1 |
| 45 | Tavon Austin (STL) | at SEA | 44 | -1 |
| 46 | Pierre Garcon (WAS) | at PHI | 47 | 1 |
| 47 | James Jones (GB) | at ARI | 46 | -1 |
| 48 | Dontrelle Inman (SD) | at OAK | 50 | 2 |
| 49 | Jermaine Kearse (SEA) | vs. STL | 51 | 2 |
| 50 | Davante Adams (GB) | at ARI | 53 | 3 |
| 51 | Nate Washington (HOU) | at TEN | 52 | 1 |
| 52 | Cecil Shorts (HOU) | at TEN | 55 | 3 |
| 53 | Devin Funchess (CAR) | at ATL | 57 | 4 |
| 54 | Malcom Floyd (SD) | at OAK | 54 | 0 |
| 55 | Dwayne Harris (NYG) | at MIN | 58 | 3 |
| 56 | Marques Colston (NO) | vs. JAC | 56 | 0 |
| 57 | Keshawn Martin (NE) | at NYJ | 59 | 2 |
| 58 | Robert Woods (BUF) | vs. DAL | 67 | 9 |
| 59 | Eddie Royal (CHI) | at TB | 64 | 5 |
| 60 | J.J. Nelson (ARI) | vs. GB | 65 | 5 |
| 61 | Jeremy Butler (BAL) | vs. PIT | 69 | 8 |
| 62 | Albert Wilson (KC) | vs. CLE | 63 | 1 |
| 63 | Terrance Williams (DAL) | at BUF | 62 | -1 |
| 64 | Torrey Smith (SF) | at DET | 70 | 6 |
| 65 | Kenny Stills (MIA) | vs. IND | 76 | 11 |
| 66 | Chris Hogan (BUF) | vs. DAL | 72 | 6 |
| 67 | Jamison Crowder (WAS) | at PHI | 68 | 1 |
| 68 | Mike Wallace (MIN) | vs. NYG | 73 | 5 |
| 69 | Jared Abbrederis (GB) | at ARI | 66 | -3 |
| 70 | Javontee Herndon (SD) | at OAK | 71 | 1 |
| 71 | Philly Brown (CAR) | at ATL | 61 | -10 |
| 72 | Nelson Agholor (PHI) | vs. WAS | 77 | 5 |
| 73 | Roddy White (ATL) | vs. CAR | 79 | 6 |
Tight Ends: One More for the Road?
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Better than usual
Julius Thomas, JAC
Thomas has been on a tear for more than a month and is finally showing the proper return on the hefty investment the Jacksonville Jaguars made in him before the season. He's now a top-three fantasy tight end in the last four weeks despite snapping his four-game touchdown streak. Look for Thomas to start a new streak when he takes on New Orleans in Week 16. The Saints have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to the tight end position in their last four games.
Ben Watson, NO
Watson came through in a beatable matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 15 and could factor into your fantasy championship with another juicy matchup in Week 16. He’ll get a shot at a Jaguars defense that’s given up the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends in the last month, including four touchdowns.
Worse than usual
None of note.
Avoid
Heath Miller, PIT
Unfortunately, Miller was a non-factor in a great matchup with the Broncos last week, but mostly because the Steelers had no trouble getting all of their wide receivers involved. Expect more of the same against a vulnerable Ravens defense this weekend, which means you can go back to ignoring Miller for fantasy.
Sleepers
Will Tye, NYG
Tye has scored in the last two weeks and has at least five receptions in four of his last five games. He’s been producing with Odell Beckham Jr. in the lineup but could play a bigger role if Beckham’s one-game suspension is upheld. Tye has been a top-10 fantasy tight end in the last four weeks and should remain there against a beat-up Minnesota Vikings defense in Week 16.
Zach Ertz, PHI
It took a lot longer than I expected, but Ertz has worked his way into fantasy relevance over the last month at a time when many are avoiding the Eagles for fantasy. With 15 receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games, Ertz has turned into a top-12 fantasy tight end. He’ll get a chance to add to that when he faces the Washington Redskins on Saturday night. They’ve allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to tight ends in the last four weeks.
Export| 1 | Rob Gronkowski (NE) | at NYJ | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Greg Olsen (CAR) | at ATL | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | Jordan Reed (WAS) | at PHI | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Delanie Walker (TEN) | vs. HOU | 5 | 1 |
| 5 | Gary Barnidge (CLE) | at KC | 7 | 2 |
| 6 | Julius Thomas (JAC) | at NO | 4 | -2 |
| 7 | Benjamin Watson (NO) | vs. JAC | 8 | 1 |
| 8 | Antonio Gates (SD) | at OAK | 6 | -2 |
| 9 | Travis Kelce (KC) | vs. CLE | 9 | 0 |
| 10 | Zach Miller (CHI) | at TB | 10 | 0 |
| 11 | Will Tye (NYG) | at MIN | 11 | 0 |
| 12 | Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB) | vs. CHI | 12 | 0 |
| 13 | Zach Ertz (PHI) | vs. WAS | 13 | 0 |
| 14 | Richard Rodgers (GB) | at ARI | 14 | 0 |
| 15 | Tyler Eifert (CIN) | at DEN | 17 | 2 |
| 16 | Heath Miller (PIT) | at BAL | 16 | 0 |
| 17 | Eric Ebron (DET) | vs. SF | 15 | -2 |
| 18 | Kyle Rudolph (MIN) | vs. NYG | 18 | 0 |
| 19 | Jason Witten (DAL) | at BUF | 19 | 0 |
| 20 | Jacob Tamme (ATL) | vs. CAR | 20 | 0 |
| 21 | Vernon Davis (DEN) | vs. CIN | 21 | 0 |
| 22 | Maxx Williams (BAL) | vs. PIT | 24 | 2 |
| 23 | Clive Walford (OAK) | vs. SD | 23 | 0 |
| 24 | Luke Willson (SEA) | vs. STL | 27 | 3 |
| 25 | Vance McDonald (SF) | at DET | 28 | 3 |
| 26 | Ladarius Green (SD) | at OAK | 29 | 3 |
| 27 | Ryan Griffin (HOU) | at TEN | 22 | -5 |
| 28 | Charles Clay (BUF) | vs. DAL | 26 | -2 |
| 29 | Coby Fleener (IND) | at MIA | 30 | 1 |
| 30 | Tyler Kroft (CIN) | at DEN | 32 | 2 |
| 31 | Owen Daniels (DEN) | vs. CIN | 36 | 5 |
Defense/Special Teams: Sack Lunch
6 of 7
Best options based on matchups
Seattle Seahawks (vs. STL)
Seattle is the seventh-best fantasy defense over the last four weeks, so it has been a weekly start regardless of the matchup. Play the Seahawks with higher expectations this weekend, as the Rams are visiting in an NFC West battle. The Rams are tied for the 12th-most fantasy points allowed to defenses over the last four games.
Kansas City Chiefs (vs. CLE)
The Cleveland Browns are tied for the fifth-most fantasy points given up to defenses in the last four games. That’s due in part to three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 10 sacks allowed to the opposition. That’s wonderful news for the Chiefs, especially because they're the top fantasy defense of the last four weeks.
Carolina Panthers (at ATL)
The last undefeated team in the NFL also owns the third spot on the fantasy defense leaderboard over its last four games thanks to nine sacks, seven interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two touchdowns. For the second time in three weeks, the Panthers will get a crack at the Falcons. Back in Week 13, Carolina racked up five sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries against them.
Oakland Raiders (vs. SD)
Are you surprised to see the Raiders get some love in such an important week? They have a lot more going for them than you might realize. With 13 sacks, three interceptions and five fumble recoveries, they check in as the 10th-best fantasy defense of the last four weeks.
Export| 1 | Seattle Seahawks (SEA) | vs. STL | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Kansas City Chiefs (KC) | vs. CLE | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | Carolina Panthers (CAR) | at ATL | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Denver Broncos (DEN) | vs. CIN | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | Houston Texans (HOU) | at TEN | 5 | 0 |
| 6 | Cincinnati Bengals (CIN) | at DEN | 6 | 0 |
| 7 | Buffalo Bills (BUF) | vs. DAL | 8 | 1 |
| 8 | Oakland Raiders (OAK) | vs. SD | 19 | 11 |
| 9 | Arizona Cardinals (ARI) | vs. GB | 11 | 2 |
| 10 | Detroit Lions (DET) | vs. SF | 9 | -1 |
| 11 | Pittsburgh Steelers (PIT) | at BAL | 10 | -1 |
| 12 | New England Patriots (NE) | at NYJ | 7 | -5 |
| 13 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB) | vs. CHI | 13 | 0 |
| 14 | Minnesota Vikings (MIN) | vs. NYG | 12 | -2 |
| 15 | Washington Redskins (WAS) | at PHI | 14 | -1 |
| 16 | New York Jets (NYJ) | vs. NE | 21 | 5 |
| 17 | Miami Dolphins (MIA) | vs. IND | 15 | -2 |
| 18 | Chicago Bears (CHI) | at TB | 16 | -2 |
| 19 | Tennessee Titans (TEN) | vs. HOU | 18 | -1 |
| 20 | St. Louis Rams (STL) | at SEA | 20 | 0 |
Kickers: Best Foot Forward
7 of 7
Best options widely available on the waiver wire
Chris Boswell, PIT
For a while, the Steelers didn’t care too much about kicking extra points, as they were opting to go for the two-point conversion more often than any other team. That meant Boswell didn’t have a lot of value despite being part of a team with one of the best offenses. Luckily for him, things have changed over the last month.
The Steelers are still going for two, but they also let Boswell on the field more often after a touchdown. In the last four games, Boswell has 12 extra points and has made 12 of 13 field goals, which puts him atop the kicker leaderboard for that chunk of the season. Expect plenty of opportunities for him to remain the top fantasy option with a great matchup against the Ravens this weekend.
Export| 1 | Stephen Gostkowski (NE) | at NYJ | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Cairo Santos (KC) | vs. CLE | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | Steven Hauschka (SEA) | vs. STL | 2 | -1 |
| 4 | Chandler Catanzaro (ARI) | vs. GB | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | Graham Gano (CAR) | at ATL | 5 | 0 |
| 6 | Chris Boswell (PIT) | at BAL | 10 | 4 |
| 7 | Josh Brown (NYG) | at MIN | 6 | -1 |
| 8 | Brandon McManus (DEN) | vs. CIN | 8 | 0 |
| 9 | Matt Prater (DET) | vs. SF | 9 | 0 |
| 10 | Blair Walsh (MIN) | vs. NYG | 11 | 1 |
| 11 | Jason Myers (JAC) | at NO | 12 | 1 |
| 12 | Dustin Hopkins (WAS) | at PHI | 13 | 1 |
| 13 | Dan Carpenter (BUF) | vs. DAL | 14 | 1 |
| 14 | Mike Nugent (CIN) | at DEN | 15 | 1 |
| 15 | Mason Crosby (GB) | at ARI | 7 | -8 |
| 16 | Sebastian Janikowski (OAK) | vs. SD | 16 | 0 |
| 17 | Adam Vinatieri (IND) | at MIA | 17 | 0 |
| 18 | Connor Barth (TB) | vs. CHI | 18 | 0 |
| 19 | Justin Tucker (BAL) | vs. PIT | 20 | 1 |
| 20 | Kai Forbath (NO) | vs. JAC | 19 | -1 |
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