Last week, we saw Jonnu Smith continue on his league-winning path, scoring at least 19.8 PPR points for the fourth time in his last five games. Smith's domination in the last month and a half now has him up to TE4 on the season.
Smith could have been picked up on waivers earlier this year and could easily be a piece of championship rosters. He's not the only tight end who could be found on waivers who may play a key role throughout the fantasy playoffs. Brenton Strange put together a career day last Sunday and could see enough volume to remain fantasy-relevant for the rest of the year.
Regardless of whether you're looking for a waiver wire gem or you've been riding an elite TE all year long, checking in on a set of rankings is the best way to prepare for Week 16.
WEEK 16 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
Fantasy TE Rankings Week 16: Who to start, sit at tight end
Rankings based on PPR scoring. These rankings were updated on Dec. 22 and will be updated throughout the week, so check back often.
| RANK | PLAYER NAME | TEAM | OPPONENT | CHANGE |
| 1 | Brock Bowers | LV | vs. JAC | |
| 2 | Trey McBride | ARI | at CAR | |
| 3 | George Kittle | SF | at MIA | |
| 4 | Jonnu Smith | MIA | vs. SF | |
| 5 | Travis Kelce | KC | vs. HOU | |
| 6 | T.J. Hockenson | MIN | at SEA | |
| 7 | David Njoku | CLE | at CIN | |
| 8 | Mark Andrews | BAL | vs. PIT | |
| 9 | Sam LaPorta | DET | at CHI | |
| 10 | Hunter Henry | NE | at BUF | |
| 11 | Jake Ferguson | DAL | vs. TB | |
| 12 | Pat Freiermuth | PIT | at BAL | |
| 13 | Zach Ertz | WAS | vs. PHI | N/R |
| 14 | Brenton Strange | JAC | at LV | |
| 15 | Dalton Kincaid | BUF | vs. NE | |
| 16 | Tucker Kraft | GB | vs. NO | |
| 17 | Cole Kmet | CHI | vs. DET | |
| 18 | Kyle Pitts | ATL | vs. NYG | |
| 19 | Noah Fant | SEA | vs. MIN | |
| 20 | Noah Gray | KC | vs. HOU | |
| 21 | Chigoziem Okonkwo | TEN | at IND | |
| 22 | Juwan Johnson | NO | at GB | |
| 23 | Grant Calcaterra | PHI | at WAS | |
| 24 | Stone Smartt | LAC | vs. DEN | |
| 25 | Dalton Schultz | HOU | at KC | |
| 26 | Mike Gesicki | CIN | vs. CLE | |
| 27 | Isaiah Likely | BAL | vs. PIT | |
| 28 | Tyler Conklin | NYJ | vs. LAR | |
| 29 | Payne Durham | TB | at DAL | |
| 30 | Foster Moreau | NO | at GB | |
| 31 | Ja'Tavion Sanders | CAR | vs. ARI | |
| 32 | Michael Mayer | LV | vs. JAC | |
| 33 | Dawson Knox | BUF | vs. NE | |
| 34 | Daniel Bellinger | NYG | at ATL | |
| 35 | Tommy Tremble | CAR | vs. ARI | |
| 36 | Austin Hooper | NE | at BUF | |
| 37 | Adam Trautman | DEN | at LAC | |
| 38 | Colby Parkinson | LAR | vs. NYJ | |
| 39 | Luke Schoonmaker | DAL | vs. TB | |
| 40 | Jordan Akins | CLE | at CIN | |
| 41 | Tyler Higbee | LAR | vs. NYJ | |
| 42 | Darnell Washington | PIT | at BAL | |
| 43 | Ben Sinnott | WAS | vs. PHI | |
| 44 | Davis Allen | LAR | at NYJ | |
| 45 | Mo Alie-Cox | IND | vs. TEN | |
| 46 | Gerald Everett | CHI | vs. DET |
Who are the best fantasy TEs for Week 16?
Through just 14 NFL games, Brock Bowers has solidified himself as one of the best tight ends in the NFL. You could even say he's among the top pass-catchers in the league. There isn't really a question as to whether he belongs in fantasy lineups, the only question surrounding Bowers is whether he'll break the rookie receptions record.
Trey McBride has already broken a record this year. He's had the most receptions in a single season without scoring a receiving touchdown. McBride is up to 89 receptions and counting and has only found the endzone via a fumble recovery and a carry. Even without a receiving touchdown, he's among the best tight ends in fantasy.
The 49ers' season may be swirling down the drain, but George Kittle continues to produce. Kittle now has six games with 20-plus fantasy points, the most of any tight end. As long as the 49ers don't shelve their star players, Kittle will be a weekly starter throughout the fantasy playoffs.
Who are the best fantasy TE waiver pickups for Week 16?
Brenton Strange did his best Evan Engram impression last week, taking on a high-volume role that almost exclusively consisted of targets in front of the sticks. He saw 12 targets, resulting in 11 receptions and 73 receiving yards. With Engram out for the year, Strange could be a regular TE1 option in PPR leagues if he continues to be peppered with check-downs.
Will Dissly was sidelined in Week 15, leading to Stone Smartt serving as the Chargers' primary pass-catching tight end. Smart was on the field for 67 percent of snaps and ultimately drew six targets. If Dissly misses more time, Smartt can certainly earn targets alongside the weak secondary receivers in Los Angeles.
MORE: Complete Week 16 Waiver Wire and FAAB recommendations
Who are the best fantasy TE sleepers for Week 16?
Chigoziem "Chig" Okonkwo (somewhat surprisingly) took on a high-volume role last week, drawing a team-leading 10 targets. Considering there is virtually zero target competition outside of Calvin Ridley, there's a world in which Okonkwo does something like this again. The Indianapolis defense has had its issues throughout the season and a handful of targets for Okonkwo could allow him to deliver meaningful production.
Everyone's favorite preseason sleeper, Ben Sinnott, may finally get an opportunity to operate as the Commanders' TE1. Zach Ertz was knocked out with a concussion last week and Sinnot led the TE room in routes after his departure. Sinnott was the TE2 off the board in the NFL draft for a reason; take a chance on him in an offense with no real receiving threats outside of Terry McLaurin.
What are the biggest TE injuries for Week 16?
David Njoku was sidelined with a hamstring injury last week. Considering he did not practice at all leading into Week 15, this injury will almost certainly linger. Keep an eye on practice reports coming out of Cleveland.
Zach Ertz was knocked out of the game last week with a concussion. Some players are able to return just a week later, but this injury typically leads to missed time. Look for the Commanders to turn to rookie Ben Sinnott this week.
