Start your studs will be said by a lot of people, I agree to an extent. You should have forgotten your preseason rankings a couple of months ago. You have almost an entire season to go off of. Make decisions based on that and not what you projected. Those who played their “stud” Austin Ekeler last are likely already eliminated. Let’s talk about studs you might want to sit on and some options to start over them. Here are my Week 16 fantasy football rankings!
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Updated Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings: Who Should I Start?
We have you covered, and you can check out all of our rankings on the website. These are my rankings on the FantasyPros ECR. I have highlighted some players that I am higher on than the expert consensus. Good luck this week, and if you want any advice this season, please reach out. The easiest way to find us is by joining our Patreon and our Discord.
Starts of The Week
QB – Jake Browning at PIT (9th)
Browning has led the Bengals to scores of 27, 34, and 34 points over the last three weeks. He will be without Ja’Marr Chase, but we saw him lead a game-winning drive without him last week.
Pittsburgh is down to Mason Rudolph, and the Bengals’ defense should be able to set the offense up for success. Jake Browning is averaging 23.1 fantasy points in those three weeks. Not what you expected, but Jake Browning can get you to the Championship!
QB – Baker Mayfield vs. JAX (30th)
Mayfield is coming off of a three-touchdown performance. He has bounced back this season and has Tampa Bay in the running for the AFC South crown. Baker’s throwing the ball at a high rate and offering a safe floor.
At least 16 points in 9 games this season and two straight 20+ point performances. Jacksonville is allowing the third most fantasy points to the quarterback position. Baker is a streaming option that we didn’t see coming.
Honorable Mentions: Trevor Lawrence at TB (if he clears, he plays), Nick Mullens vs. DET, Gardner Minshew at ATL
RB – Ty Chandler vs. DET (1st)
Ty Chandler has been banging on the door, and last week, he finally broke out. Alexander Mattison was out, and that opened up more opportunities. Chandler has been by far the better back, and he took full advantage of his opportunity.
He is flying up the ranks and could be a surprise league winner. After putting up 132 in the round last week, you have to keep him in your lineup. His explosiveness and work in the receiving game give him an upside that others just don’t have.
RB – Bijan Robinson vs. IND (30th)
Last week, Bijan gave you negative points, and I can understand the hesitation. But we can’t give up on Bijan, and the matchup is pristine. Look for Bijan to bounce back against a Colts’ defense that is allowing 20+ fantasy points to the running back position.
They are giving up the 2nd most rushing touchdowns and the 8th most rushing yards this season. Bijan was your first-round pick, don’t sit him, or you will be sitting out next week.
Honorable Mentions: Jaylen Warren vs. CIN, Chuba Hubbard vs. GB and Ezekiel Elliot vs. New England
WR – Michael Pittman at ATL (4th)
Courtland Sutton is in a bit of a “slump,” and that includes two back-to-back top-20 weeks. Sutton has 10 receptions on the year and is the primary target for Denver in the red zone. He is having a bounce-back season and is averaging over 13 points per reception of the week.
The Denver Broncos are one of the hottest teams in football, and Sutton is a major reason why. He has a great matchup this week and has scored a touchdown in seven of his last eight games.
WR – Tee Higgins at PIT (14th)
Tee Higgins was droppable just a few weeks ago. Between Joe Burrow’s injuries and his injuries, it’s just been a nightmare season. This is a contract year for Higgins and could not have come at a worse time.
But, last week, when Chase went down, we saw Higgins emerge. Higgins had 22 points and two touchdowns, exploding in the second half of the game. This week, he will be the focus with Chase out, and he should be firmly in your lineups.
Honorable Mentions: Chris Godwin vs. JAX, Calvin Ridley at TB, and Jayden Reed vs. GB
TE – Dallas Goedert vs. NYG (6th)
Dallas Goedert has not had a great year, and a broken forearm has caused him to miss time. Now, Devonta Smith is questionable, and Goedert gets the New York Giants.
Philadelphia is looking for a bounce back, and the Giants are just what the doctors ordered. When this Eagles’ offense is flying highest, Goedert is a mainstay. With Smith limited, Goedert could be in for a huge day. If Smith misses, Goedert could go off!
Honorable Mentions: Isaiah Likely at SF, and Cade Otton vs. JAX
D/ST – Buffalo Bills at LAC (19th)
Targeting bad offensive lines and bad quarterbacks is a great weekly strategy for streaming defenses. Carolina and Bryce Young have fit the bill every week this year.
They are currently number 4 on the season for most fantasy points allowed to defense and specialist teams. At this point, they are allowing over 11 points per game to the position. I am targeting them each week for the fantasy football playoffs if I can.
Honorable Mentions: Eagles vs. NYG, Broncos at NE, NYJ at WAS, and NYJ vs. WAS
Sits of The Week
QB – Jordan Love at CAR (2nd)
The Carolina Panthers are somehow really good against fantasy quarterbacks. Part of this is because of how bad they are, and teams can just rush all over them. The games are short and lower-scoring, not forcing the team to pass a lot.
Similar to Houston last year, if you remember. They do have some players in the secondary, and Jordan Love might be able to coast in this one. He is a must start in Superflex, but I am not as certain in 1QB formats.
QB – Sam Howell at NYJ (3rd)
Sam Howell finally got into the trust circle, and now he is out. He got benched after a bad performance last week. The Jets are a tough matchup, and the concern about being benched again is in the back of our minds.
Howell is a boom or bust option this week that you might want to avoid. You probably have to start him in Superflex, but he is a low-end quarterback two this week.
RB – Austin Ekeler vs. BUF (19th)
Austin Ekeler has gone from must start to must sit. He has let us down a majority of the season and now he is getting out touched by Isaiah Spiller. This team is looking towards the future, and Ekeler is obviously not a part of that.
Buffalo is also tough against the run, so if he doesn’t get more involved through the air, it will be a tough day. Ekeler is just not trustworthy right now, I am not taking the chance he hurts us again.
RB – Gus Edwards at SF (12th)
The Gus Bus should see an increase in work with Keaton Mitchell out, but Justice Hill is still a thing. Edwards is the goal line back, but this San Francisco front is tough. This is a tough run defense.
Gus could be a touchdown or bust option this week. You can start him in a pinch, but there are plenty of better options this week. Especially in PPR formats, where Hill will get most of the passing down work.
WR – Adam Thielen, CAR vs. GB (15th)
Adam Thielen was awesome to start the season. Whether it was age or just regression, he has not been great as of late. The team used a 2nd round pick on Jonathan Mingo, who also plays in the slot. Mingo has been getting worked into the offense as this team is looking into the future.
Thielen is averaging less than 10 points per game in his last 6 games. He falls squarely into the, what have you done for me lately crowd. I am looking for better options on better offenses.
WR – Terry McLaurin at NYJ (1st)
Terry McLaurin had a rough three-quarters last week, and so did Sam Howell. This season has been a bit up and down for Howell, last week was very down.
This week he gets the New York Jets and Sauce Gardner. This Jets pass defense is tough, and you have to downgrade the Washington pass catchers because of it. We could see Jacoby Brissett at some point, which last week was an upgrade. Just a lot of questions and concerns, McLaurin is a guy I am lower on this week.
TE – Dalton Schultz vs. CLE (2nd)
No C.J. Stroud, you need to downgrade all options. Especially considering they are playing the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland has been one of the toughest opponents for all offenses this year. Now with Case Keenum under center, you can’t put faith in Schultz this weekend. He is outside of my top 12. Check my rankings for some streaming options. Good luck this week!
D/ST – San Francisco 49ers vs. BAL (5th)
Normally you want to start San Francisco, you might have drafted them. Even though they have been a great option all season, you can find better ones this week. Target bad offenses, bad offensive lines, and bad quarterbacks. Baltimore doesn’t check any of those boxes.
