Week 16 Positional Rankings

We have finally reached the last week: both of the fantasy football season and 2020 as a year. There’s cause for celebration in either scenario, but even more so if you have had the success to reach the fantasy football championship week. Congratulations!! It’s no small feat to reach this stage; through skillful analysis each week and luck of the fantasy gods, you have reached the pinnacle game of the fantasy football season. While you likely have clinched some profits from your league, no one remembers second place. It’s time to win that dynasty gold and bring home a championship for all your hard work.

One of the most challenging aspects of providing this article each week is the possibility of COVID delays. Hence, I will assume that – as of this writing – all games will be played. That way, I can provide the most information possible for you in case these games do wind up occurring.

In this series, I’ll give you my top 30 quarterbacks, 60 running backs, 60 wide receivers, and 30 tight ends each week to help you with your start/sit decisions in your leagues. To generate this list each and every week, I examine team trends, Vegas over/unders, implied points, pace of play, among various other factors to build a projection for each player and subsequently adjust rankings for upside and more detailed matchup specifics.

Among the rankings, there will surely be some that surprise you or that you may disagree with. At the end of each position section, I’ll give you my thoughts on some players that perhaps are ranked higher/lower than you might expect and insights as to why they are a good/bad play this week. Ultimately, these rankings should help your start/sit dilemmas and ensure you have the requisite resources to make an informed decision.

Without further ado, let’s dive into week 16’s positional rankings!

Quarterback

Start ‘em: Jalen Hurts, QB PHI

As crazy as it sounds, you should have confidence playing the rookie signal-caller Hurts in just his third NFL game with your championship on the line if need be. Hurts posted a massive fantasy performance against the Cardinals in week 15, including over 300 passing yards, over 50 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns. The rookie has shown flashes of fantasy potential similar to the likes of Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray, and his rushing capabilities provide a solid floor/upside combination each week.

Up against Dallas in week 16, Hurts and the Eagles have an implied team total of 25.75 as two-point favorites. Overall, the Dallas defense ranks as one of the more favorite fantasy football matchups for quarterbacks, as they are just one of three defenses that have allowed over 30 passing touchdowns on the season. Hurts should not be started over known studs at the position, but you should feel confident starting the rookie if necessary.

Sit ‘em: Ben Roethlisberger, QB PIT

After last week’s dismal performance against a very beatable Bengals team, there’s no way one can have confidence in Big Ben against one of the best defenses in the league. The Steelers take on the Colts and have one of the lowest implied team totals of the week: just 21.5 points.

While the volume is still there for Roethlisberger, as the veteran has not thrown fewer than 37 pass attempts in a game for the last seven weeks, his yardage totals have been lackluster as the offense has not clicked. Ultimately, there’s simply no reason to play Big Ben in championship week one start-one QB formats, and he’s a questionable option even in superflex formats in a low-upside matchup.

If you’re desperate: Mitchell Trubisky, QB CHI

There are a few quarterbacks in the NFL who there is absolutely no way I would trust them with hundreds/thousands of dollars in the line in championship week. Trubisky is arguably one of those quarterbacks, but his play in recent weeks and a fantastic matchup in week 16 make him the ideal desperation play. Chicago has one the highest implied team totals of the week at a solid 27.75 points, and the lowly Jaguars have allowed the second-most points to opposing quarterbacks this season.

Trubisky has thrown for three touchdown passes in two of his last four games, and he’s shown decent rushing upside over the last two weeks, totaling over 50 yards on the ground. Ultimately, one would have to be truly desperate in a start-one quarterback league for Trubisky to get the start, but he’s a solid high-ceiling option in superflex leagues.

Running Back

Start ‘em: Leonard Fournette, RB TB

It’s been quite the up-and-down season for Fournette. After getting cut by the Jaguars right before the regular season, Fournette found himself in the lesser half of a timeshare with Ronald Jones for much of the season, seeing himself benched on multiple occasions. With Jones’s status unclear for week 16, Fournette should be expected to once again lead the Buccaneers backfield should Jones be inactive for fantasy football championship week

Totaling over 20 points as the lead back in week 15, Fournette should continue his success against a terrible Lions defense on Sunday. Detroit has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs on the season, and the Buccaneers have a massive 31.5 implied team total. Should Jones be inactive, start Fournette everywhere you have him in championship week.

Sit ‘em: Jeff Wilson Jr, RB SF

Despite sharing touches with teammate Raheem Mostert, Wilson has seen solid volume over the last four weeks. During this stretch, Wilson has seen no fewer than 12 touches and has overall been a solid flex option for fantasy managers. Mostert has been placed on injured reserve, so Wilson should be seeing good volume once again in week 16, though he is nursing an ankle injury of his own.

Overall, there just isn’t much upside to Wilson during championship week, as the Arizona Cardinals have been a top-third team against opposing running backs, and the 49ers have just a 21.75 implied team total on the week. If you’ve made it this far, you likely have better options for the all-important week 16 in fantasy football.

If you’re desperate: JD McKissic, RB WAS

Perhaps surprisingly, McKissic has been a solid PPR fantasy football option throughout most of the 2020 season. The veteran pass-catching specialist has averaged 14.8 PPR points since Washington’s week eight bye, including a massive 26 point performance without star teammate Antonio Gibson in the lineup.

If Gibson sits again in week 16, as is expected, McKissic slots in a solid RB2/flex option for desperate fantasy managers. Washington plays a beatable Panthers team that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs on the year, including 82 receptions. While he is not a top tier option given Washington’s overall poor offense, he can easily slot into your RB2 slot if you’re desperate for championship production.

Wide Receiver

Start ‘em: Cooper Kupp, WR LAR

Over the last four weeks, Kupp has not been the fantasy stud we have been used to as a target hog in the LA Rams offense. The veteran wideout has topped 50 yards just once over this stretch and has scored just one touchdown. His 11.2 average PPR points since week twelve rank outside the top 30 at the wide receiver position.

However, week 16 brings a matchup against a beatable Seahawks defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers all season. While the Rams look to bounce back from a terrible loss to the New York Jets, expect them to focus their offense on their best playmakers. Kupp should find success in week 16 in a good matchup, making him a top 20 play on the week.

Sit ‘em: DJ Chark, WR JAC

Despite seeing solid target volume at the wide receiver position this season, Chark has been largely a disappointment for fantasy managers outside of one big game against a terrible Houston defense. Over the last nine games, Chark has topped 60 yards receiving just once while catching fewer than half the passes thrown his way. Overall, Chark has not continued the same success he had as a breakout second-year player with Gardner Minshew in 2019.

In a pivotal week 16 matchup for fantasy football, Chark takes on a Bears defense that has given up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Because of his volume and big-play upside, Chark ranks as a low-end WR3, but you should look for better options in fantasy football’s last week.

If you’re desperate: Emmanuel Sanders, WR NO

With Drew Brees returning to the lineup last week and Michael Thomas returning to the sidelines, Sanders found himself playing the WR1 role in the Saints offense. Managing five targets on the day, Sanders and Brees were able to connect for a solid 76 yards.

Last week, the Saints played a difficult matchup against the Chiefs, but this week against the Vikings should lend itself to even more success for Sanders and the rest of the Saints’ offense. The Vikings have allowed the seventh-most points to opposing wide receivers in 2020, and the Saints have a great 29.25 implied team total. If you’re desperate for wide receiver production heading into championship week, Sanders has the upside to contribute heavily towards your championship win.

Tight End

Start ‘em: Logan Thomas, TE WAS

One of 2020’s breakout tight ends, Thomas has enjoyed major success over the last month. In each of his last four games, Thomas has eclipsed 10 PPR points, including a massive 15 target game last in which Thomas scored 23 PPR points. In a pivotal week 16 game for the Washington Football Team as they try to win their division, Thomas should be targeted early and often, particularly as the Carolina Panthers have been one of the worst defenses in the league against opposing tight ends.

While he may not stand up to the elite option that your opponent might have in his lineup like Travis Kelce and Darren Waller, he should produce enough for you to not be at a significant disadvantage for your championship matchup. Coming in as a mid-range TE1, Thomas is as solid a start as any in this range for championship week.

Sit ‘em: Hayden Hurst, ATL

Coming into the season, many thought that Hurst would walk into the tight end vacancy in Atlanta and outproduce former Falcon Austin Hooper. While this has not been the case, Hurst can certainly been useful in fantasy football throughout the season. Over the last five weeks, however, Hurst has surpassed 25 yards receiving just once. He simply has not produced to the caliber than fantasy managers would want heading into championship week. While the Chiefs seem a good matchup on paper, they have had the “luxury” of playing against Darren Waller twice and let up good games to Mike Gesicki and Rob Gronkowski. Hurst is not the quality tight end – or at least has not produced like such – that these tight ends have been. In a projected tough game for the Falcons, it’s safe to leave Hurst on the bench for championship week.

If you’re desperate: Austin Hooper, TE CLE

Hooper has not had the same success he did in Atlanta just one season ago. The veteran tight end has still been efficient with his targets, catching 70% of passes thrown his way, but his yards per game have been half of what they were in 2019. That said, Hooper can still be a solid option in a good matchup in a weak tight end landscape in fantasy football.

Hooper and the Jets take on the New York Jets in week 16; the 1-13 Jets have been the most favorable matchup for opposing tight ends this season, as they have scored a league-high 13 touchdowns against this Jets defense. Coming off a solid game of 15 PPR fantasy points, you could do worse in your finals matchup than Austin Hooper, who likely has a solid floor.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! If you’re wondering about a player I didn’t dive into detail about, feel free to reach out to me @FFzinger on Twitter. Best of luck this week as your fantasy football championship is decided; I sincerely hope you come out on top and have enjoyed this fantasy football season! I wish a happy and healthy holiday season and new year to you and your family.

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Michael Zingone

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