Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in NFL Week 16
So you survived Week 1 of the fantasy football playoffs, but perhaps injuries to players like Alvin Kamara, David Montgomery, Geno Smith, or Patrick Mahomes have you worried about your chances in the semifinals.
Well, fear not! We are here to let you know who to start, who to sit, who to pick up, and who could possibly replace your starters to help you get to your fantasy football championships. Of course, the biggest question is whether or not those replacement players can win you a championship, but you can't win one if you never get there.
Here are eight players who could help you win this week, and eight more to hope your league mates start.
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Players to start in Week 16
Quarterbacks
- Cooper Rush, DAL
Don't look now, but Cooper Rush has tallied at least 11 fantasy points in five straight games. The Tampa Bay defense has been atrocious against quarterbacks all year. Perhaps the Cowboys are starting to put something together. They still won't reach the playoffs though.
- Russell Wilson, PIT
The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the worst teams in the NFL against quarterbacks this season. Yes, it is a divisional matchup, which often leads to more defense, but with Pittsburgh coming off a loss, they'll likely be desperate to maintain a healthy lead in the AFC North.
Running backs
- Tyler Allgeier, ATL
The New York Giants are competing for the No. 1 overall pick. This past week, when they played the Baltimore Ravens, the Ravens got out to a massive lead early, allowing the Ravens to give their backup halfbacks decent chunks of work.
The Falcons are in desperation mode, meaning they won't take the Giants lightly, yet they are still looking to secure a playoff spot, meaning they might be more likely to rest Bijan Robinson if they get out to a big enough lead. Allgeier could wind up with 15+ carries when all is said and done.
- Jerome Ford, CLE
This weekend could be a perfect storm for Ford. Sure, Chubb will still be involved, but given Ford's efficiency this past weekend, Ford should expect more work in the backfield against Cincinnati this weekend. Wait though, there's more.
The Cincinnati Bengals are not a bad team and could very well get out to a big lead against Cleveland, meaning the Browns would have to pass more. Chubb is not a pass-catcher, giving Ford any even clearer avenue to volume in Week 16.
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Wide receivers
- Malik Nabers, NYG
The Atlanta Falcons have surrendered the most non-PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers on the season. Nabers is still the only legitimate threat in New York's passing attack. If anyone is going to go off for the Giants, it's Nabers.
- Jakobi Meyers, LV
The Jacksonville Jaguars have surrendered at least 15 non-PPR point to opposing wide receivers in three of their last four games. Two of those games have seen opposing wideouts score at least 40. The ceiling is massive for Meyers this week, regardless of who is under center for Vegas.
Tight ends
- Chig Okonkwo, TEN
After earning 10 targets in Week 15, Okonkwo may be on the verge of a breakout, which is made all the more likely with Tennessee's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have given up three touchdowns to tight ends over the past two weeks, making Okonkwo's ceiling much higher than it normally is.
- Sam LaPorta, DET
Much like Okonkwo, LaPorta earned ten targets in Week 15, but that volume shouldn't be expected again as the Lions will have a much easier time against the Chicago Bears than they did against the Buffalo Bills. That said, coming into Monday Night Football, the Bears had allowed 10+ non-PPR points to opposing tight ends in three straight weeks. Look for LaPorta to continue that streak.
Players to sit in Week 16
Quarterbacks
- Justin Herbert, LAC
Facing the Denver Broncos is a death sentence for quarterbacks. Herbert was also unable to score even 14 points against a weak Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary. There's something off with the Chargers as of late, and until whatever it is gets resolved, Herbert needs to be stowed on your bench.
- C.J. Stroud, HOU
We know that the Chiefs love to play close games, and we know how efficient Joe Mixon has been in Houston's backfield this year. In essence, we should expect a hefty dose of Mixon in this contest, and even if we don't, the Chiefs' defense has been pretty solid against quarterbacks this year. Unless game script really favors a pass-heavy approach for Houston, which seems unlikely, Stroud's ceiling will be pretty low in Week 16.
Running backs
- Isiah Pacheco, KC
Not only are the Houston Texans the sixth-best team against running backs this year, but Pacheco has not reclaimed his lead back role like we thought he would when he returned from injury. Now three games since his return, Pacheco has yet to earn 15 carries.
Couple Hunt's involvement with the fact that Patrick Mahomes might not be able to play, and you've got a recipe for disaster. The Texans could very well stack the box with eight men on every snap, forcing Carson Wentz to beat them.
- Javonte Williams, DEN
While it may be enticing to start Williams after Jaleel McLaughlin left Sunday's game early with an injury, the Broncos' backfield cannot be trusted in any capacity. Even if McLaughlin cannot go this weekend, do not fall for it!
Even after McLaughlin's departure, it wasn't Williams who got the bulk of the carries; it was Audric Estime. Furthermore, the Broncos will be playing the Los Angeles Chargers, who have only allowed five touchdowns to running backs all year. For a touchdown-dependent play like Williams, this could be the worst matchup possible.
Wide receivers
- Michael Pittman Jr., IND
Michael Pittman has earned at least seven targets in four straight games, and yet somehow, he has only scored double-digit PPR points in one of those games. Facing a tough Titans' secondary, which has allowed the second-fewest points to opposing wide receivers all year, Pittman might get the volume, but unless he finds the end zone, he's not worth starting.
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling, NO
Although MVS has been surprisingly productive the last few weeks, he doesn't have a great matchup in Week 16, taking on a Green Bay Packers secondary that has allowed only 11.7 yards per reception on the season. That's a fairly low number, so for a receiver like MVS that relies on deep passes and touchdowns, there likely won't be much opportunity to produce.
Tight ends
- Cole Kmet, CHI
No team has been better against tight ends than the Detroit Lions. In fact, they've only allowed two touchdowns to tight ends all year. Even worse, they've only had one game giving up more than five receptions to opposing tight ends. Kmet is a volume-dependent fantasy option, but he likely won't get many looks or catches in Week 16.
- Hunter Henry, NE
Henry will have a tough time getting anything going against a Buffalo Bills defense that has only allowed 10 receptions to tight ends over the last three weeks. Although the Bills have allowed 40 points in back-to-back weeks, that hasn't affected their ability to stop tight ends from making an impact.