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Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings for Championship Week: Standard and PPR

 

Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings

Congrats on making it this far in your playoffs! For most this is the fantasy football championships, the Super Bowl of fantasy football, the moment you've all been waiting for. For some leagues, next week is still in play so if you are reading then then most likely you are still in the hunt. What this all means is this week is the most important one yet for most of us, and lineup decisions are crucial!

As always, we are bringing you our Week 16 fantasy football rankings, for both PPR and standard leagues, by authors Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades) and Ryan Rufe (@RyanRufe) along with plenty of Week 16 rankings analysis by Zach Wilkens.

The NFL season has two weeks remaining, and that means many fantasy seasons are over due to elimination, and many more will end this weekend. You should be familiar with the routine by now, but just in case you weren’t sure, every week fellow RotoBallers Ryan Rufe and Zach Wilkens post their fantasy football rankings based on team matchups and expected player performances for the week.

Good luck with your lineups, and your championship games. Hopefully we've been able to help you along the way... now let's win some leagues!



2014 Fantasy Football Rankings powered by FantasyPros
 
 
 

Week 16 Quarterback Rankings

Staff Rankings
Average
Player
Name
Team
Name
Ryan Rufe
Rankings
Zach Wilkens
Rankings
1 Aaron Rodgers GB 1 1
2 Drew Brees NO 2 2
3 Peyton Manning DEN 3 4
4 Andrew Luck IND 4 3
5 Tom Brady NE 5 5
6 Matthew Stafford DET 6 8
7 Tony Romo DAL 7 7
8 Matt Ryan ATL 9 6
9 Ben Roethlisberger PIT 8 11
10 Russell Wilson SEA 11 10
11 Mark Sanchez PHI 15 9
12 Joe Flacco BAL 10 15
13 Robert Griffin III WAS 14 13
14 Cam Newton CAR 12 17
15 Eli Manning NYG 13 19
16 Andy Dalton CIN 16 16
17 Philip Rivers SD 21 12
18 Alex Smith KC 23 14
19 Ryan Tannehill MIA 18 18
20 Josh McCown TB 17 20
21 Johnny Manziel CLE 19 24
22 Kyle Orton BUF 20 21
23 Jimmy Clausen CHI 22 31
24 Colin Kaepernick SF 24 22
25 Teddy Bridgewater MIN 26 23
26 Shaun Hill STL 25 25
27 Blake Bortles JAC 28 26
28 Charlie Whitehurst TEN 29 27
29 Thad Lewis HOU 27 29
30 Geno Smith NYJ 31 28
31 Derek Carr OAK 30 30
32 Ryan Lindley ARI 32 32
33 Jay Cutler CHI 33 33
34 Chad Henne JAC 34 36
35 Derek Anderson CAR 35 34
36 Brian Hoyer CLE 35
37 Case Keenum HOU 36 37

 

Week 16 Quarterback Rankings Anaysis

The biggest question of the week is can Peyton Manning bounce back? I guess most likely if you own Peyton he kept you from making the fantasy championships but if you are still in the running with Peyton then yes, I think he should be a top five QB this week. He is dealing with a slight thigh injury but it shouldn't be something that affects his play.

Matt Ryan has rebounded in a big way lately and has a great matchup this week. I'm not sure what's changed (especially given that Julio was out last week!) but he has a very high ceiling against the Saints. If Julio Jones is active, and I think he will be, even better!
Mark Sanchez is coming off two awful vintage Jets Sanchez games. Luckily the Redskins have an awful defense so he is a borderline top ten play and I'd feel more than okay starting him here. The Redskins allow the most points to opposing quarterbacks, including Nick Foles' 26 points in Week 3. Different quarterback, but the same Chip Kelly offense is a good sign.

Another surprisingly startable QB this week is Robert Griffin III. He looked good last week and most importantly, looked good running. I think he might run even more this week with pressures high to keep up with the Eagles offense. Even without much running, the Eagles give up the third most points to opposing quarterbacks so he should have a fairly easy time getting the ball to his receivers.
Cam Newton is on track to play this week. The injury and lack of practice is worrisome but if Joe Haden misses the game he would be a top-15 QB. There is a good chance you have a safer option here though.

There are three quarterbacks making their first starts of the year at the bottom of the list. The biggest surprise is Jimmy Clausen starting in place of the benched Jay Cutler. If Josh McCown can succeed there is a small chance Clausen can but really you should just avoid this. The other two are Thad Lewis or Case Keenum for the Texans and Ryan Lindley for the Cardinals. Avoid at all costs!
 
 

Week 16 Running Back Rankings

Staff Rankings
Average
Player
Name
Team
Name
Ryan Rufe
Rankings
Zach Wilkens
Rankings
1 Le'Veon Bell PIT 1 1
2 Matt Forte CHI 2 3
3 Arian Foster HOU 5 2
4 Eddie Lacy GB 3 4
5 C.J. Anderson DEN 4 9
6 Joique Bell DET 7 7
7 Jamaal Charles KC 10 5
8 Marshawn Lynch SEA 8 8
9 Justin Forsett BAL 9 11
10 Mark Ingram NO 6 16
11 Fred Jackson BUF 13 12
12 Jeremy Hill CIN 11 15
13 LeSean McCoy PHI 21 10
14 Lamar Miller MIA 18 13
15 Jonathan Stewart CAR 14 17
16 Tre Mason STL 17 18
17 Alfred Morris WAS 22 14
18 DeMarco Murray DAL 35 6
19 Daniel Herron IND 20 21
20 Isaiah Crowell CLE 15 27
21 Latavius Murray OAK 24 19
22 Matt Asiata MIN 23 20
23 Pierre Thomas NO 16 31
24 Toby Gerhart JAC 25 22
25 Andre Williams NYG 12 39
26 Giovani Bernard CIN 29 23
27 Steven Jackson ATL 26 30
28 Joseph Randle DAL 19 63
29 Shane Vereen NE 32 28
30 Doug Martin TB 27 35
31 Christopher Ivory NYJ 28 36
32 Frank Gore SF 59 24
33 Ryan Mathews SD 46 25
34 Kerwynn Williams ARI 48 26
35 Terrance West CLE 39 29
36 Darren Sproles PHI 34 34
37 Branden Oliver SD 30
38 Chris Johnson NYJ 33 38
39 LeGarrette Blount NE 31 44
40 Rashad Jennings NYG 32
41 Trent Richardson IND 42 33
42 Reggie Bush DET 37 37
43 Knile Davis KC 36 47
44 Donald Brown SD 38 45
45 C.J. Spiller BUF 67 40
46 Shonn Greene TEN 40 54
47 Stepfan Taylor ARI 57 41
48 Charles Sims TB 41 50
49 Benny Cunningham STL 62 42
50 Bishop Sankey TEN 44 43
51 Carlos Hyde SF 43
52 Lance Dunbar DAL 45 49
53 Chris Thompson WAS 46
54 James Starks GB 47 59
55 Jonas Gray NE 49 48
56 Travaris Cadet NO 50
57 Jacquizz Rodgers ATL 51
58 Theo Riddick DET 51
59 Bernard Pierce BAL 61 52
60 Devonta Freeman ATL 52
61 Alfonso Smith SF 64 53
62 Khiry Robinson NO 53
63 Marion Grice ARI 54
64 Roy Helu WAS 55
65 Ronnie Hillman DEN 55
66 Mike Tolbert CAR 56
67 Robert Turbin SEA 56
68 Ben Tate MIN 60 57
69 Alfred Blue HOU 65 58
70 Bryce Brown BUF 58 64
71 Chris Polk PHI 66 60
72 Daniel Thomas MIA 61
73 DeAngelo Williams CAR 71 62
74 Darren McFadden OAK 63
75 Juwan Thompson DEN 68 65
76 Ka'Deem Carey CHI 69
77 Storm Johnson JAC 70
78 Anthony Dixon BUF 72
79 Fozzy Whittaker CAR 73

 

Week 16 Running Back Rankings Analysis

The Ravens allow the fewest points to opposing running backs. So why do I have Arian Foster so high? I think the loss of Haloti Ngata is huge and they simply haven't been tested the past two weeks. Toby Gerhart was able to go over 4 yards a carry last week. That was the first time he's gone 4.0+ with at least 10 carries so that's a great sign for Foster. In addition with a well below average starter at QB I expect plenty of runs and screens for Foster. Start him with confidence.

DeMarco Murray is the biggest question mark for many championship teams. If he plays I think you have to start him. The worry is whether the Cowboys will only use him sparingly and it's a legitimate concern. I'm thinking he still gets 16-20 touches if he plays in which case he isn't elite but still a very good play. Unless you have two other really good options I'd take the slight risk with Murray because the upside is too great.

One guy I am lower than most on is C.J. Anderson. He has failed to go over 3.0 yards per carry the past two weeks, a clear result of being overworked if you ask me. Especially if Ronnie Hillman is active, there is a real chance you see Anderson's total touches drop by 5 or more. That would still put him at around 20 which is plenty enough to be effective but not a top five play to me.

Jeremy Hill was fantastic taking over as lead back last week. Unfortunately he gets a brutal matchup against the Broncos who have allowed just one rushing touchdown in their past ten games and just one 100 yard rusher. Jeremy Hill could definitely hit either or both of these marks but the odds are stacked against him. That said he is still a solid RB2.

It looks like Frank Gore will play following a concussion last week. Of course, he hasn't come close to 100 yards in a game for awhile now so it's hard to be too optimistic here. With Carlos Hyde unlikely to play he might see extra carries. He will be a low-end RB2 and pretty risky despite that.

I've seen a lot of talk about Dan Herron being a good start this week (and last) but I just don't see it. The Colts absolutely refuse to do anything more than a 60/40 timeshare with Trent Richardson which has kept Herron at 12 and 13 carries the past two weeks for just 71 and 72 yards. If possible I'd look for a feature back that might just get 20 touches.

Rashad Jennings was active last week but quickly retweaked his ankle and left the game. Even if he plays I'm avoiding him. You can't expect a heavy workload and the Rams are a very tough matchup. If he's out Andre Williams will be okay. Probably around RB20 but given the matchup and Williams' 3.2 YPC on the season expectations should be low.
 
 

Week 16 Wide Receiver Rankings

Staff Rankings
Average
Player
Name
Team
Name
Ryan Rufe
Rankings
Zach Wilkens
Rankings
1 Antonio Brown PIT 1 1
2 A.J. Green CIN 5 2
3 Odell Beckham Jr. NYG 2 5
4 Demaryius Thomas DEN 3 4
5 Calvin Johnson DET 6 3
6 Alshon Jeffery CHI 4 10
7 Jordy Nelson GB 7 7
8 Randall Cobb GB 9 6
9 Dez Bryant DAL 8 9
10 Jeremy Maclin PHI 13 8
11 Ty Hilton IND 10 11
12 Julio Jones ATL 11 12
13 Emmanuel Sanders DEN 12 13
14 Vincent Jackson TB 19 14
15 Golden Tate DET 18 15
16 Mike Evans TB 16 17
17 Julian Edelman NE 17 19
18 Josh Gordon CLE 21 16
19 Roddy White ATL 15 27
20 DeAndre Hopkins HOU 22 20
21 Sammy Watkins BUF 14 29
22 Kelvin Benjamin CAR 20 24
23 Jordan Matthews PHI 27 18
24 Brandon LaFell NE 24 21
25 DeSean Jackson WAS 23 23
26 Jarvis Landry MIA 28 22
27 Andre Johnson HOU 25 25
28 Mike Wallace MIA 33 26
29 Anquan Boldin SF 31 28
30 Kenny Stills NO 29 30
31 Marques Colston NO 26 37
32 Malcom Floyd SD 37 31
33 Torrey Smith BAL 30 39
34 Charles Johnson MIN 36 35
35 Steve Smith BAL 35 38
36 Larry Fitzgerald ARI 45 32
37 Stedman Bailey STL 44 33
38 Eric Decker NYJ 34 43
39 Marquess Wilson CHI 42 36
40 Cecil Shorts JAC 32 48
41 Nate Washington TEN 47 34
42 Pierre Garcon WAS 40 42
43 Michael Crabtree SF 41 41
44 Donte Moncrief IND 38 45
45 Robert Woods BUF 43 44
46 Percy Harvin NYJ 48 40
47 Martavis Bryant PIT 39 55
48 Allen Hurns JAC 46 67
49 Kendall Wright TEN 52 46
50 Michael Floyd ARI 71 47
51 Eddie Royal SD 49 60
52 Greg Jennings MIN 51 49
53 Marqise Lee JAC 50 50
54 Rueben Randle NYG 53 51
55 James Jones OAK 62 52
56 Davante Adams GB 61 53
57 Mohamed Sanu CIN 54 54
58 Reggie Wayne IND 55 56
59 Doug Baldwin SEA 56 65
60 Harry Douglas ATL 57 61
61 Dwayne Bowe KC 60 57
62 Terrance Williams DAL 58 79
63 Kenny Britt STL 74 58
64 Andre Holmes OAK 66 59
65 Markus Wheaton PIT 59 63
66 Andrew Hawkins CLE 68 62
67 Chris Hogan BUF 63 70
68 Jarius Wright MIN 64 76
69 Wes Welker DEN 72 64
70 Tavon Austin STL 65 75
71 Nick Toon NO 77 66
72 Jermaine Kearse SEA 67 68
73 Cole Beasley DAL 69 69
74 Riley Cooper PHI 70
75 Albert Wilson KC 80 71
76 John Brown ARI 75 72
77 Jerricho Cotchery CAR 73 80
78 Preston Parker NYG 79 73
79 Marlon Brown BAL 74
80 Devin Hester ATL 76
81 Jaron Brown ARI 77
82 Brian Hartline MIA 78
83 Hakeem Nicks IND 78
84 Seyi Ajirotutu SD 81
85 Paul Richardson SEA 82
86 Philly Brown CAR 83

 

Week 16 Wide Receiver Rankings Analysis

No big surprises among the top five. Demaryius Thomas was able to put up strong numbers last week with a struggling Peyton so expect that to continue regardless of how well Peyton plays.

I'm lower on Dez Bryant than most. That is in large part due to Vontae Davis who had a great game last week despite coming off injury. With Davis looking healthy I am going to be nervous about any WR he defends. Despite a couple injuries this season Davis ranks third among all corners on Pro Football Focus. DeAndre Hopkins was held without catch when Davis was on him last week. (All five of Hopkins' receptions were while Greg Toler was on him) Davis won't shut out Dez but he can definitely keep him from being a top five play.

If Julio Jones starts, you play him. I talked up Matt Ryan in the QB section and there is little doubt this will be a high scoring game. It's a great matchup for Julio if he is healthy enough to be active.

Much like Dez Bryant, Kelvin Benjamin's ranking hinges on Joe Haden. There is a good chance Haden misses this game in which case Benjamin moves up to the WR16 range and is a very solid play. If Haden is active I'd be pretty worried especially with Cam Newton possibly below 100%.

While Roddy White is having a fine season he lacks the huge upside of most of the receivers ahead of him. If Julio is out he would move up some but otherwise he's a solid WR2 but nothing more. He has hit the 100 yard mark just once this season and it was only at exactly 100 yards. He definitely has a good chance to get a touchdown but expecting more than 70-75 yards would be asking a lot from a guy that has done that just twice this season.

Moving down the list to some high upside plays - reports indicate that Reggie Wayne's role in the offense will be scaled back this week in favor of Donte Moncrief. Moncrief has a lot of potential and has had a few good games when given the chance. Without knowing just how much Moncrief will be used/targeted over Wayne it's hard to be too optimistic but there is a lot of upside here.

I'm also intrigued by Percy Harvin who has been hit or miss with the Jets and we've seen a lot more of the miss side. I'm expecting Eric Decker to see a lot of Darrelle Revis and someone is going to have to catch passes in this game! I think there is a good chance this is one of the bigger games for Harvin.
 
 

Week 16 Tight End Rankings

Staff Rankings
Average
Player
Name
Team
Name
Ryan Rufe
Rankings
Zach Wilkens
Rankings
1 Rob Gronkowski NE 1 1
2 Jimmy Graham NO 2 2
3 Martellus Bennett CHI 3 4
4 Greg Olsen CAR 5 3
5 Travis Kelce KC 8 5
6 Julius Thomas DEN 6 9
7 Antonio Gates SD 7 8
8 Delanie Walker TEN 11 6
9 Jordan Reed WAS 10 7
10 Owen Daniels BAL 4 19
11 Dwayne Allen IND 13 10
12 Jason Witten DAL 12 12
13 Larry Donnell NYG 9 16
14 Mychal Rivera OAK 15 11
15 Coby Fleener IND 14 14
16 Charles Clay MIA 18 13
17 Kyle Rudolph MIN 19 15
18 Heath Miller PIT 16 23
19 Jared Cook STL 17 22
20 Jordan Cameron CLE 20 17
21 Jermaine Gresham CIN 21 18
22 Eric Ebron DET 24 20
23 Zach Ertz PHI 26 21
24 Vernon Davis SF 22 26
25 Andrew Quarless GB 23 31
26 Timothy Wright NE 27 24
27 Marcedes Lewis JAC 25 28
28 Scott Chandler BUF 28 25
29 Jace Amaro NYJ 30 27
30 Brent Celek PHI 29 30
31 Josh Hill NO 29
32 Ladarius Green SD 31
33 Anthony Fasano KC 32
34 Tony Moeaki SEA 32
35 Ryan Griffin HOU 33
36 Brandon Myers TB 34
37 Richard Rodgers GB 35

 

Week 16 Tight End Rankings Analysis

Travis Kelce is frustrating because you just never know what to expect from the Chiefs offense. Are things finally looking up for good? It's possible as his 12 catches over the past two games is his best stretch yet. I think we're finally at the point where unless you have one of the top-tier tight ends and perhaps Bennett (and Delanie Walker this week) it's an easy choice to go with Kelce.

Dwayne Allen didn't have a ton of yards last week but played more snaps than Fleener and got the touchdown. The Cowboys are a great matchup for tight ends so I'd feel very good about starting Allen. Fleener is an alright play as well but I think Allen is definitely the preferred option for the offense.

I like Kyle Rudolph coming off a seven catch game but he has yet to practice this week so monitor his situation. Normally he is a red zone specialist so if he is getting extra targets that is a great sign. He has definite upside despite the tough matchup.

Other potentially available plays with upside include Zach ErtzJordan Cameron and Tim Wright. All three have the downside of putting up potential zeroes but have decent chances for touchdowns. On the other end of the spectrum you have guys that can probably get you 4-5 points and not much more or less in Jared CookOwen Daniels and Heath Miller.
 
 

Week 16 Defense Rankings

Staff Rankings
Average
Player
Name
Team
Name
Ryan Rufe
Rankings
Zach Wilkens
Rankings
1 Seattle Seahawks SEA 1 1
2 Buffalo Bills BUF 2 2
3 Baltimore Ravens BAL 4 3
4 New England Patriots NE 3 5
5 Detroit Lions DET 6 4
6 Jacksonville Jaguars JAC 5 10
7 Minnesota Vikings MIN 7 8
8 St. Louis Rams STL 10 6
9 Arizona Cardinals ARI 14 7
10 Carolina Panthers CAR 8 13
11 Houston Texans HOU 12 9
12 Green Bay Packers GB 11 11
13 Philadelphia Eagles PHI 9 14
14 Miami Dolphins MIA 13 16
15 Denver Broncos DEN 18 12
16 Cleveland Browns CLE 15 18
17 New York Giants NYG 17 17
18 San Diego Chargers SD 16 19
19 Tennessee Titans TEN 21 15
20 San Francisco 49ers SF 19 20
21 Pittsburgh Steelers PIT 20 21
22 Kansas City Chiefs KC 22 22
23 Indianapolis Colts IND 23 23
24 Oakland Raiders OAK 24 26
25 Dallas Cowboys DAL 27 24
26 New York Jets NYJ 25 28
27 Chicago Bears CHI 30 25
28 Washington Redskins WAS 28 29
29 Atlanta Falcons ATL 26 32
30 Cincinnati Bengals CIN 31 27
31 New Orleans Saints NO 29 31
32 Tampa Bay Buccaneers TB 32 30

 
 

Week 16 Kicker Rankings

Staff Rankings
Average
Player
Name
Team
Name
Ryan Rufe
Rankings
1 Stephen Gostkowski NE 1
2 Mason Crosby GB 2
3 Cody Parkey PHI 3
4 Adam Vinatieri IND 4
5 Matt Bryant ATL 5
6 Connor Barth DEN 6
7 Dan Bailey DAL 7
8 Justin Tucker BAL 8
9 Dan Carpenter BUF 9
10 Graham Gano CAR 10
11 Shaun Suisham PIT 11
12 Greg Zuerlein STL 12
13 Shayne Graham NO 13
14 Nick Novak SD 14
15 Phil Dawson SF 15
16 Nick Folk NYJ 16
17 Sebastian Janikowski OAK 17
18 Kai Forbath WAS 18
19 Cairo Santos KC 19
20 Steven Hauschka SEA 20
21 Matt Prater DET 21
22 Blair Walsh MIN 22
23 Caleb Sturgis MIA 23
24 Mike Nugent CIN 24
25 Randy Bullock HOU 25
26 Josh Scobee JAC 26
27 Chandler Catanzaro ARI 27
28 Patrick Murray TB 28
29 Ryan Succop TEN 29
30 Josh Brown NYG 30
31 Garrett Hartley CLE 31
32 Jay Feely CHI 32
33 Robbie Gould CHI 33

 
 


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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