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): After a rare rough outing at home, Purdy is set to rebound against a declining Dolphins defense.
9. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at CAR): Murray has struggled recently, but this matchup could be the perfect opportunity for him to shine as a dual-threat quarterback.
10. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at CHI): Goff will need to keep throwing as the Bears can move the ball effectively.
11. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (vs. LAR): Rodgers is on fire, reminiscent of his late Packer days, and the Rams are a team he can exploit.
12. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (at NYJ): The Jets’ defense is not what it used to be, and Stafford should have plenty of opportunities in this matchup.
13. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at NO): Love is benefiting from a strong running game and should perform well against the Saints.
14. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs. DET): After a strong second half in Detroit, Williams faces a more depleted defense now.
DFS picks
Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV, $5,200 on DraftKings): Jones has been solid filling in for Trevor Lawrence and is gaining confidence, making him a good DFS target.
Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys (vs. TB, $7,000 on FanDuel): Rush is back in form and should deliver a solid return against the Buccaneers.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
15. Anthony Richardson, Colts (vs. TEN): Richardson’s passing game is unreliable, and his rushing is too dependent on scoring.
16. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. SF): Tua struggled against a similar defense last week, making him a risky start.
17. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU): Expect a defensive battle, making it unlikely for Mahomes to shine.
18. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at KC): This matchup doesn’t favor Stroud, as both teams are likely to focus on defense.
19. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at LAC): Nix is lacking momentum, and the Chargers’ defense should improve.
20. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN): Herbert has struggled with injuries and a lack of support, making him a risky start.
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 (at 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 should see increased usage and can make a significant impact against the Dolphins.
23. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. BUF): Stevenson has the potential for a solid RB2 performance this week.
24. Travis Etienne Jr. and 25. Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV): This duo should thrive against a weak Raiders’ run defense.
25. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. DET): Swift is primed for a strong performance in this rematch.
26. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (at CIN): Ford will benefit from increased volume in a favorable matchup.
27. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (at NYG): Allgeier’s power running should exploit the Giants’ weaknesses.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
28. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. PHI): Robinson faces a tough Eagles defense that stifled the Steelers’ running game.
29. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. ATL): Tracy is in a challenging position with limited touches.
30. Isiah Pacheco and 31. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU): This duo is struggling, making them risky starts.
32. Najee Harris and 33. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (at BAL): The matchup is tough for both backs this week.
34. Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN): Edwards is not performing up to expectations and should be avoided.
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 (at 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 (vs. 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): Harrison is due for a breakout game, which could come this week.
27. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (vs. NO): Reed has been consistent, and he could have a big game if utilized properly.
28. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. JAX): Meyers has a favorable matchup against a weak Jaguars secondary.
29. Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (at NYG): Mooney can exploit the Giants’ defensive weaknesses.
30. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (at SEA): Addison should bounce back and deliver solid production.
31. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU): Worthy is making an impact and could be a problem for the Texans.
32. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU): This is a revenge game for Hopkins, and he should perform well.
33. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (vs. DET): Allen is finding the end zone and could have a big game.
34. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (vs. NE): Shakir is the most reliable option in the Bills’ receiving corps.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
35. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (vs. PIT): Flowers has been inconsistent and is a risky start.
36. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs. SF): Waddle’s injury concerns make him a tough play this week.
37. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (at CIN): Jeudy is not in a favorable situation right now.
38. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (at MIN): Odunze is a rookie and may not be ready for this matchup.
39: Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. TEN): Pittman has been underwhelming and is hard to trust.
40. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN): Johnston is too dependent on touchdowns to be reliable.
41. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (at GB): Valdes-Scantling faces a tough matchup this week.
42. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (at MIA): Samuel’s role is uncertain, making him a risky start.
43. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (at CHI): Williams may struggle to make big plays in this matchup.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
Regular starts
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU)
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (vs. PIT)
- T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (at SEA)
- Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (at CHI)
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (at MIA)
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. JAX)
- Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (vs. TB)
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at CAR)
Stronger starts
9. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (at BAL): Freiermuth has become a reliable target for the Steelers.
10. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DAL): Otton’s field-stretching ability could be key in this matchup.
11. Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (at LV): Strange has been a hidden gem for fantasy owners.
12. Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (vs. SF): Smith has scoring potential despite a tough matchup.
13. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (vs. NE): Kincaid should provide solid production this week.
14. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (at KC): Schultz is worth starting based on matchup alone.
DFS pick
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at CAR, $6,200 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): McBride has been a standout performer and is a great option this week.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
15. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (at BUF): Henry may struggle against the Bills’ defense.
16. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (at NO): The Saints are tough against tight ends, making Kraft a risky play.
17. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at NYG): Pitts has not lived up to expectations and is hard to trust.
18. Stone Smartt, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN): Smartt is not a reliable option this week.
19. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (vs. DET): Kmet’s role is diminished with other receivers performing well.
20. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (at GB): Johnson has had limited production and is not a recommended start.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Start ‘Em: Defense/Special Teams
Stronger starts
7. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. HOU): The Chiefs’ defense will be crucial for their success this week.
8. Detroit Lions (at CHI): The Lions can still generate pressure and force turnovers.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (at BAL): The Steelers have been consistent and can make big plays.
10. Denver Broncos (at LAC) and 11. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN): Expect a defensive showdown on Thursday night.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DAL): The Bucs can create turnovers and pressure the quarterback.
DFS pick
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE, $3,300 on DraftKings, $4,400 on FanDuel): The Bengals are a budget-friendly option with potential for big plays.
Fantasy Football Week 16 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. Baltimore Ravens (vs. PIT): The Ravens may not make enough plays to be reliable.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (at WAS): The Commanders have been careful with the ball this season.
15. San Francisco 49ers (at MIA): The 49ers may not replicate their previous success against the Texans.
16. New York Jets (vs. LAR): The Jets are struggling defensively and should be avoided.
17. Indianapolis Colts (vs. TEN): This matchup is tricky, as it didn’t go well the first time.
18. Houston Texans (at KC): The Texans are unlikely to make a significant impact against Mahomes.
With Week 16 upon us, the stakes are high, and every lineup decision counts. Whether you’re looking to start or sit players, make sure to weigh the matchups carefully. Good luck, and may your fantasy team thrive!
