Need help with filling out your fantasy football lineups for Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season? In many league formats, this is the penultimate round of the fantasy playoffs, so every decision becomes more crucial.
Vinnie Iyer is here for you again, back with another edition of the Decider, a unique blend of positional rankings and start ‘em, sit, ‘em advice. Let's break down the best and worst plays in redraft based on matchups, usage, and other factors, plus some good price values to target in DFS.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (vs. NE)
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS)
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE)
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (vs. PIT)
- Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DAL)
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (vs. PHI)
- Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (at SEA)
Stronger starts
8. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at MIA): Purdy had a rare rough outing at home tied to weather and rebounds here against a declining Dolphins defense.
9. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at CAR): Murray has been very tough to play of late, but this can be a dual-threat, get-well game passing and running on the Panthers.
10. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at CHI): Goff will need to keep chucking off the run with the defensive issues as the Bears can move the ball on them.
11. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (vs. LAR): Rodgers is hot in a throwback to his late Packer days, and the Rams are exploitable.
12. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (at NYJ): The Jets' defense is a shell of its once dominant self, and Stafford should have volume in an old-school NFC North shootout.
13. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at NO): Love is feeding off the run of late and should keep tuning up well vs. the Saints' defense.
14. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs. DET): Williams had a big second half in Detroit and now gets a more depleted defense.
WEEK 16 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
DFS picks
Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV, $5,200 on DraftKings): Jones has been solid filling in for Trevor Lawrence and is gaining more confidence with key weapons, setting him up for good ROI in a favorable road spot vs. the Raiders.
Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys (vs. TB, $7,000 on FanDuel): Rush didn't rush getting his mojo back as a backup set for extended action but he's feeling it again in the offense and will come through with at least 3X return, taking advantage of volume in a great matchup at home.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
15. Anthony Richardson, Colts (vs. TEN): You can't really trust him to do anything passing, and his rushing is totally dependent on a TD.
16. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. SF): He looked awful against a similar defensive scheme with any kind of long pass last week.
17. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU): This figures to be more of a defensive-minded game with the running games shut down, and it would be a mistake to expect a back-and-forth prolific duel with a struggling C.J. Stroud.
18. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at KC): This feels like a defensive-minded game between two division champions.
19. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at LAC): There's not a lot of momentum going into Thursday night, and the Chargers' defense is bound to play better.
20. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN): Herbert has been disappointing of late with reshuffling receivers and not much running game support.
DOMINATE YOUR NFL PICKS POOL
Sign up for free ATS and straight up picks advice on NFL pick'em with PoolGenius
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Running backs
Regular starts
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (at CHI)
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS)
- Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at NO)
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (vs. NYG)
- Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (vs CLE)
- James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (at CAR)
- De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (vs. SF)
- James Cook, Buffalo Bills (vs. NE)
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (vs. PIT
- Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (at SEA)
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (vs. TEN)
- Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at IND)
- Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. ARI)
- Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (at NYJ)
- Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DAL)
- Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (at KC)
- Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (vs. TB)
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (if he plays, at GB)
- Breece Hall, New York Jets (vs. LAR)
- Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIN)
- Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DAL)
Stronger starts
22. Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers (at MIA): He played through the foot injury last week and should be in for more high-leverage work vs. the Dolphins.
23. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. BUF): He should put together a viable back-end RB2 day with some catches and early rushing success.
24. Travis Etienne Jr. and 25. Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV): This duo should come through in theory against an atrocious Raiders' run defense:
25. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. DET): He looked rather good in Minnesota and should compile again in a rematch revenge game.
26. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (at CIN): Ford will get good overall volume from DTR on checkdowns with no Nick Chubb.
27. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (vs. NYG): Allgeier will benefit, too, from a defense that wilts well against the power run.
WEEK 16 FANTASY FOOTBALL ROSTER MANAGEMENT
Lessons Learned | Sleepers | Busts | Usage Report | DFS Values
DFS Picks
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (at SEA, $6,400 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): Jones smashed it against the Bears' defense just in time to exploit the Seahawks' weak front seven with rushing, receiving and scoring.
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (at CAR, $7,100 on DraftKings, $8,400 on FanDuel): Conner will also keep terminating a weak run defense, following up his monster outing on the Patriots to put up a hundy, a score and then some on the road.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
28. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. PHI): B-Rob is in a tough spot after the Eagles erased the Steelers' running game last week.
29. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (at ATL): Tracy steps into a tough spot and Devin Singletary has stolen some key touches of late, too.
30. Isiah Pacheco and 31. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU): They need to figure out a much better way of using this duo, but this isn't a favorable spot for a sputtering rushing attack.
32. Najee Harris and 33. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (at BAL): They go from one bad spot to another terrible one, also on the road.
34. Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN): Keep the Bus parked if you can because he just isn't J.K. Dobbins.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Regular starts
- Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE)
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (at SEA)
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (at NYJ)
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (vs. TB)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (at CHI)
- Nico Collins, Houston Texans (at KC)
- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS)
- Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DAL)
- Davante Adams, New York Jets (vs. LAR)
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (vs. SF)
- Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (vs. NYG)
- Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (vs. LAR)
- Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE)
- Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (at LAC)
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV)
- Malik Nabers, New York Giants (at ATL)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIN)
- DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIN)
- DJ Moore, Chicago Bears (vs. DET)
- Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (at NYJ)
- Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN)
- Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (at IND)
- Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (vs. PHI)
- Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (at MIA)
- DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS)
Stronger starts
26. Marvin Harrison Jr, Arizona Cardinals (at CAR): He should be producing a lot better than this as the most disappointing rookie, but he seems he's due for a positive spike game to boost Murray.
27. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (vs. NO): He's in there every week, although it would be nice to have more consistent usage and blowup potential like he did earlier.
28. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. JAX): The Jaguars' secondary stinks, and Meyers can be helped by a healthy AOC return.
29. Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (vs. NYG): The Giants can give up shots to him and London before Robinson and Allgeier finish.
30. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (at SEA): He cooled off a bit against the Bears, but he should deliver at least WR3 production again.
31. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU): They are smartly involving the rookie anyway they can, and his speed can cause the Texans problems.
32. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU): He deserves his own line in a sweet revenge game against his original team.
33. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (vs. DET): He's suddenly scoring TDs in key spots and eating up huge inside volume from Williams.
34. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (vs. NE): Shakir is the only reliable fantasy asset from this wideout corps with his downfield scoring potential.
MORE NFL WEEK 16:
- Week 16 NFL Power Rankings
- Week 16 NFL picks straight-up
- Week 16 NFL picks against the spread
- Week 16 NFL playoff picture
DFS picks
DJ Moore, Chicago Bears (vs. DET, $5,700 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel): Moore liked the first matchup plenty, and the Lions have no one reliable to cover him with Carlton Davis on the shelf.
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (vs. NYG, $6,400 on DraftKings, $7,400 on FanDuel): London did well despite Cousins' clunker with his TD in Vegas. The Giants' struggles with the run also lead to issues with downfield targets off play-action.
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIN, $5,500 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): Regardless of his QB, Metcalf should have one of his best games in weeks with a favorable secondary matchup. The key is getting a few more slot snaps than his usual 12 percent to come through.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
35. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (vs. PIT): He has been meh at best of late and was lucky to be bailed out by a TD in the first meeting.
36. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs. SF): He keeps getting hurt midgame again, so no in a tough overall spot.
37. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (at CIN): The punchline is rough with no more Jameis.
38. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (at MIN): You can't overextend to the rookie despite the matchup.
39: Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. TEN): He's been mostly the pits, even when good at times.
40. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN): He's a TD dependent target, and that score doesn't come here.
41. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (at GB): Yes, it's a revenge game, but he steps into one of his worst matchups this season.
42. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (at MIA): Dee-no, maybe for his final season with the team.
43. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (at CHI): The Bears don't allow much in way of big plays outside at home.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Regular starts
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at CAR)
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. JAX)
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (at MIA)
- Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (at CHI)
- T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (at SEA)
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (vs. PIT)
- Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (vs. TB)
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU)
Stronger starts
9. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (at BAL): He's been their most reliable pass-catcher of late with Pickens on the shelf.
10. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DAL): He's been quieter in recent games, but his field-stretching is a nice asset in this spot.
11. Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV): He's been a sorcerer supreme for all those struggling at fantasy tight end.
12. Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (vs. SF): This is a pretty scary spot given Fred Warner, but can you really take the chance he won't score again?
13. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (vs. NE): Kincaid can't be expected to go off, but he'll give off solid back-end TE1 digits.
14. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (at KC): This player would be played more for the matchup than the consistent usage.
DFS pick
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at CAR, $6,200 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): He's been awesome for multiple weeks when a lot around him hasn't come through. He can smash this spot and is worth splurging on to cleanup this position.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
15. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (at BUF): The Bills still give up catches to running backs, but LaPorta was a bit of an exception last week.
16. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (at NO): The Saints are still holding their own vs. the position.
17. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (vs. NYG): We've been trying too hard to make Pitts happen, but now we can't in this tough matchup for his position.
18. Stone Smartt, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN): Great Flintstone name, but here's dissing the desperation no-Dissly play.
19. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (vs. DET): Does he still play for them behind the wide receivers?
20. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (at GB): He once had a good game vs. the Packers. That's all we've got for a random producer.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start 'Em: Defense/special teams
Stronger starts
- Green Bay Packers (vs. NO)
- Minnesota Vikings (at SEA)
- Buffalo Bills (vs. NE)
- Arizona Cardinals (at CAR)
- Atlanta Falcons (vs. NYG)
- Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE)
7. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU): They need to rely on this side more to win this week.
8. Detroit Lions (at CHI): They are depleted but can still get sacks and force Willams into mistakes.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (at BAL): They have been steady all season with a few spectacular spikes.
10. Denver Broncos (at LAC) and 11. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN): Did we say we see more of a defensive game on TNF?
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DAL): They can get a few sacks and maybe a turnover or two from Rush.
DFS pick
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE), $3,300 on DraftKings, $4,400 on FanDuel): They are about as low as you can go for a cheap play to take advantage of DTR with some sacks and takeaways playing off a second-half lead.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. Baltimore Ravens (vs. PIT): It was low-scoring the first time, but they don't make a ton of plays here.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS): The Commanders have stayed pretty clean with the ball all season.
15. San Francisco 49ers (at MIA): They can have a solid reality outcome, but don't chase the Texans output this way.
16. New York Jets (vs. LAR): Not when they are playing so poorly vs. any offense.
17. Indianapolis Colts (vs. TEN): It's a trap as it didn't work out well the first time.
18. Houston Texans (at KC): Mahomes or Wentz, the Chiefs won't let the Texans dent the key fantasy stats.
Get more of Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer's Week 16 fantasy football advice by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast
