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

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
QB	Patrick Mahomes II	ATL	1
QB	Aaron Rodgers	TEN	2
QB	Kyler Murray	SF	3
QB	Deshaun Watson	CIN	4
QB	Lamar Jackson	NYG	5
QB	Ryan Tannehill	@GB	6
QB	Tom Brady	@DET	7
QB	Baker Mayfield	@NYJ	8
QB	Justin Herbert	DEN	9
QB	Jalen Hurts	@DAL	10
QB	Josh Allen	@NE	11
QB	Russell Wilson	LAR	12
QB	Mitchell Trubisky	@JAC	13
QB	Drew Brees	MIN	14
QB	Jared Goff	@SEA	15
QB	Tua Tagovailoa	@LV	16
QB	Matt Ryan	@KC	17
QB	Matthew Stafford	TB	18
QB	Kirk Cousins	@NO	19
QB	Marcus Mariota	MIA	20
QB	Philip Rivers	@PIT	21
QB	Drew Lock	@LAC	22
QB	Teddy Bridgewater	@WAS	23
QB	Cam Newton	BUF	24
QB	Andy Dalton	PHI	25
QB	Ben Roethlisberger	IND	26
QB	Gardner Minshew II	CHI	27
QB	Sam Darnold	CLE	28
QB	Ryan Finley	@HOU	29
QB	C.J. Beathard	@ARI	30
QB	Dwayne Haskins	CAR	31
QB	Colt McCoy	@BAL	32

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

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
RB	Derrick Henry	@GB	1
RB	David Montgomery	@JAC	2
RB	Dalvin Cook	@NO	3
RB	Alvin Kamara	MIN	4
RB	Aaron Jones	TEN	5
RB	Austin Ekeler	DEN	6
RB	Nick Chubb	@NYJ	7
RB	Miles Sanders	@DAL	8
RB	Jonathan Taylor	@PIT	9
RB	Josh Jacobs	MIA	10
RB	David Johnson	CIN	11
RB	J.K. Dobbins	NYG	12
RB	Melvin Gordon III	@LAC	13
RB	Leonard Fournette	@DET	14
RB	D’Andre Swift	TB	15
RB	Chris Carson	LAR	16
RB	Tony Pollard	PHI	17
RB	Mike Davis	@WAS	18
RB	Salvon Ahmed	@LV	19
RB	Kenyan Drake	SF	20
RB	James Robinson	CHI	21
RB	Kareem Hunt	@NYJ	22
RB	Le’Veon Bell	ATL	23
RB	J.D. McKissic	CAR	24
RB	Giovani Bernard	@HOU	25
RB	Darrell Henderson	@SEA	26
RB	Wayne Gallman	@BAL	27
RB	Zack Moss	@NE	28
RB	Chase Edmonds	SF	29
RB	Devin Singletary	@NE	30
RB	Gus Edwards	NYG	31
RB	Sony Michel	BUF	32
RB	Nyheim Hines	@PIT	33
RB	Phillip Lindsay	@LAC	34
RB	James Conner	IND	35
RB	Jeff Wilson Jr.	@ARI	36
RB	Frank Gore	CLE	37
RB	Latavius Murray	MIN	38
RB	Benny Snell Jr.	IND	39
RB	Ito Smith	@KC	40
RB	Kalen Ballage	DEN	41
RB	Lynn Bowden Jr.	@LV	42
RB	Malcolm Brown	@SEA	43
RB	James White	BUF	44
RB	Peyton Barber	CAR	45
RB	Ty Johnson	CLE	46
RB	Carlos Hyde	LAR	47
RB	Darrel Williams	ATL	48
RB	Myles Gaskin	@LV	49
RB	Todd Gurley II	@KC	50
RB	Matt Breida	@LV	51
RB	Jamaal Williams	TEN	52
RB	Adrian Peterson	TB	53
RB	Samaje Perine	@HOU	54
RB	Boston Scott	@DAL	55
RB	Dare Ogunbowale	CHI	56
RB	Devine Ozigbo	CHI	57
RB	Devontae Booker	MIA	58
RB	Kerryon Johnson	TB	59
RB	LeSean McCoy	@DET	60

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

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
WR	Davante Adams	TEN	1
WR	Tyreek Hill	ATL	2
WR	DeAndre Hopkins	SF	3
WR	Stefon Diggs	@NE	4
WR	A.J. Brown	@GB	5
WR	Calvin Ridley	@KC	6
WR	D.K. Metcalf	LAR	7
WR	Allen Robinson II	@JAC	8
WR	Mike Evans	@DET	9
WR	Keenan Allen	DEN	10
WR	Robert Woods	@SEA	11
WR	Jarvis Landry	@NYJ	12
WR	Justin Jefferson	@NO	13
WR	Brandon Aiyuk	@ARI	14
WR	D.J. Moore	@WAS	15
WR	Adam Thielen	@NO	16
WR	Terry McLaurin	CAR	17
WR	Marvin Jones Jr.	TB	18
WR	Cooper Kupp	@SEA	19
WR	Chris Godwin	@DET	20
WR	Diontae Johnson	IND	21
WR	Amari Cooper	PHI	22
WR	Brandin Cooks	CIN	23
WR	Corey Davis	@GB	24
WR	Tyler Lockett	LAR	25
WR	Robby Anderson	@WAS	26
WR	Cole Beasley	@NE	27
WR	Antonio Brown	@DET	28
WR	Marquise Brown	NYG	29
WR	T.Y. Hilton	@PIT	30
WR	Curtis Samuel	@WAS	31
WR	Emmanuel Sanders	MIN	32
WR	Chase Claypool	IND	33
WR	CeeDee Lamb	PHI	34
WR	D.J. Chark Jr.	CHI	35
WR	JuJu Smith-Schuster	IND	36
WR	Rashard Higgins	@NYJ	37
WR	Keke Coutee	CIN	38
WR	Tyron Johnson	DEN	39
WR	Tee Higgins	@HOU	40
WR	Tim Patrick	@LAC	41
WR	Nelson Agholor	MIA	42
WR	Allen Lazard	TEN	43
WR	Tyler Boyd	@HOU	44
WR	Russell Gage	@KC	45
WR	Chad Hansen	CIN	46
WR	Jakobi Meyers	BUF	47
WR	Jamison Crowder	CLE	48
WR	Darius Slayton	@BAL	49
WR	Jerry Jeudy	@LAC	50
WR	Michael Pittman Jr.	@PIT	51
WR	Gabriel Davis	@NE	52
WR	Mike Williams	DEN	53
WR	Darnell Mooney	@JAC	54
WR	Sterling Shepard	@BAL	55
WR	Marquez Valdes-Scantling	TEN	56
WR	Christian Kirk	SF	57
WR	Sammy Watkins	ATL	58
WR	Laviska Shenault Jr.	CHI	59
WR	Denzel Mims	CLE	60

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

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
TE	Travis Kelce	ATL	1
TE	Darren Waller	MIA	2
TE	Mark Andrews	NYG	3
TE	Noah Fant	@LAC	4
TE	T.J. Hockenson	TB	5
TE	Hunter Henry	DEN	6
TE	Robert Tonyan	TEN	7
TE	Logan Thomas	CAR	8
TE	Rob Gronkowski	@DET	9
TE	Dallas Goedert	@DAL	10
TE	Austin Hooper	@NYJ	11
TE	Evan Engram	@BAL	12
TE	Jonnu Smith	@GB	13
TE	Eric Ebron	IND	14
TE	Jared Cook	MIN	15
TE	Cole Kmet	@JAC	16
TE	Zach Ertz	@DAL	17
TE	Tyler Higbee	@SEA	18
TE	Dalton Schultz	PHI	19
TE	Hayden Hurst	@KC	20
TE	Jordan Reed	@ARI	21
TE	Irv Smith Jr.	@NO	22
TE	Jordan Akins	CIN	23
TE	Dan Arnold	SF	24
TE	Dawson Knox	@NE	25
TE	Gerald Everett	@SEA	26
TE	Drew Sample	@HOU	27
TE	Jimmy Graham	@JAC	28
TE	Trey Burton	@PIT	29
TE	Tyler Eifert	CHI	30

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.