Fantasy Football Week 16 Rankings: Top 50 Wide Receivers

Who are the best plays at wide receiver this week?  Is there a Cowboys receiver who is better than the rest?  What does facing the Jets do to the Giants wide receivers? 

Let’s take a look at who the recommended options are for Week 16:

1. Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions – vs. San Diego
2. Wes Welker – New England Patriots – vs. Miami              
3. Roddy White – Atlanta Falcons – at New Orleans
4. A.J. Green – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Arizona
5. Steve Smith – Carolina Panthers – vs. Tampa Bay
6. Marques Colston – New Orleans Saints – vs. Atlanta
7. Jordy Nelson – Green Bay Packers – vs. Chicago
8. Brandon Marshall – Miami Dolphins – at New England
9. Mike Wallace – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. St. Louis
10. Hakeem Nicks – New York Giants – at New York Jets
11. Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals – at Cincinnati
12. Vincent Jackson – San Diego Chargers – at Detroit
13. Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons – at New Orleans
14. Miles Austin – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Philadelphia
15. Dwayne Bowe – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. Oakland
16. Demaryius Thomas – Denver Broncos – at Buffalo
17. Victor Cruz – New York Giants – at New York Jets
18. Laurent Robinson – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Philadelphia
19. Percy Harvin – Minnesota Vikings – at Washington
20. Antonio Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. St. Louis
21. Santana Moss – Washington Redskins – vs. Minnesota
22. Dez Bryant – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Philadelphia
23. Stevie Johnson – Buffalo Bills – vs. Denver
24. Santonio Holmes – New York Jets – vs. New York Giants
25. Jabar Gaffney – Washington Redskins – vs. Minnesota
26. DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia Eagles – at Dallas
27. Lance Moore – New Orleans Saints – vs. Atlanta
28. Jeremy Maclin – Philadelphia Eagles – at Dallas
29. Nate Washington – Tennessee Titans – vs. Jacksonville
30. Mike Williams – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at Carolina
31. Michael Crabtree – San Francisco 49ers – at Seattle
32. Darrius Heyward-Bey – Oakland Raiders – at Kansas City
33. Malcolm Floyd – San Diego Chargers – at Detroit
34. Anquan Boldin – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cleveland
35. James Jones – Green Bay Packers – vs. Chicago
36. Torrey Smith – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cleveland
37. Brandon Lloyd – St. Louis Rams – at Pittsburgh
38. Mario Manningham – New York Giants – at New York Jets
39. Plaxico Burress – New York Jets – vs. New York Giants
40. Donald Driver – Green Bay Packers – vs. Chicago
41. Kevin Walter – Houston Texans – at Indianapolis
42. Eric Decker – Denver Broncos – at Buffalo
43. Golden Tate – Seattle Seahawks – vs. San Francisco
44. Greg Little – Cleveland Browns – at Baltimore
45. Davone Bess – Miami Dolphins – at New England
46. Nate Burleson – Detroit Lions – vs. San Diego
47. Denarius Moore – Oakland Raiders – at Kansas City
48. Jerome Simpson – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Arizona
49. Pierre Garcon – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Houston
50. Damian Williams – Tennessee Titans – vs. Jacksonville

Wes Welker

Last time Wes Welker faced the Dolphins, he had eight receptions for 160 yards and two TDs.  For his career, he is averaging 105.4 receiving yards per game. 

I know the two young tight ends are now a much bigger part of the offense, but it is impossible not to consider Welker among the best in the league.

Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown

Was the poor passing game of Ben Roethlisberger due to the matchup or the injuries? 

Obviously, the 49ers played a role, but it’s possible that the Steelers ride the running game this week against the St. Louis Rams.  That’s not to say that Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown aren’t tremendous options, but they may just not be quite as high as we would normally expect them to be.

Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz

With the weapons the Giants have, will Darrelle Revis shadow one receiver?  I wouldn’t expect it, meaning it’s hard to downgrade either Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz very far based solely on the “Revis Effect.” 

In other words, consider them both solid plays as the Giants' season is on the line (unless there is some news during the week where we hear Revis will get matched up with someone).

Dallas Cowboys Receivers

Tony Romo continues to get all three receivers into the mix, as Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson all scored a TD in Week 15. 

At this point, Austin appears to be his go-to receiver once again, but consider all of them viable for Week 16.

Demaryius Thomas

He didn’t find the end zone, but Demaryius Thomas had another big day in Week 15 with seven receptions for 116 yards.  Over the past three weeks, he has 18 catches for 338 yards and three TDs. 

He clearly is the go-to option for Tim Tebow, making him a solid play in all formats.

Stevie Johnson

Stevie Johnson has been coming alive once again, with 198 yards over his past two games.  He draws a Broncos defense that has allowed 24 TDs (and has just nine INTs). 

Consider him a good play as a WR2 in all formats.

Jabar Gaffney and Santana Moss

Over his past four games, Jabar Gaffney has averaged 91 receiving yards per game, while he’s also scored two TDs.  Against a Vikings defense that struggles against the pass (260.4 passing yards per game, 31 TDs, six INTs), he is a very good play. 

Santana Moss may be the top receiver for the team, but Gaffney is nearly just as good of an option.

Make sure to check out all of our Week 16 articles:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Waiver Worthy