Advancing past the apocalyptic Week 15 was a major accomplishment in itself. But it’s likely no team escaped the madness unscathed. Many fantasy managers will need to dig deep to find healthy bodies to insert into their semi-finals lineups.
That puts a huge emphasis on the Week 16 waiver wire and finding new options to start and sit. Here are some of the players to keep in mind for Week 16.
Start
Tom Brady (QB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As great as Brady has been this season and for as long as most people have been playing fantasy football, this has been a popular question this week. He is coming off an atrocious game against the Saints which cost many owners their season, lost both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and has a terrible matchup this week against the Panthers. I understand the hesitancy to start him, but if you survived last week you have to continue to roll with him. He gets Antonio Brown back this week and still has Rob Gronkowski. Sure, it may be a much scarier start than you expected it to be just a few days ago, however, you can’t get cute here. Don’t bench Brady.
D’Onta Foreman (RB) Tennessee Titans
Foreman has separated himself as the clear RB1 in Tennessee while Henry is out and is going to win a lot of owners their championship this season. He overwhelmingly led all running backs on the roster last week with 22 carries and 108 yards. He also led all running backs in receiving yards. The Titans have no choice but to ride him from here on out. Now coming off three straight strong fantasy performances he needs to be in your starting lineup. Any of the other Titans’ running backs conversely are very risky starts.
Melvin Gordon (RB) Denver Broncos
Fantasy owners have been desperate for weeks for Javonte Williams to take over the lead back role in Denver and that thirst only grew when he shined in Gordon’s absence a few weeks back. No matter how much we may want it, it’s just not the case. They once again split the rushes evenly last week with 15 carries each. With the bad news that Williams isn’t the superstar you want comes the good news that Gordon is still the flex you need. This week the Broncos are likely without starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and play the Raiders who are allowing the third-most points to fantasy running backs. This is a recipe for success and you should plug him into your flex spot this week. He has all the upside Williams has in this offense.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR) Detroit Lions
We waited all year for a WR1 to emerge in Detroit and it looks like we got it. St. Brown has been nothing short of spectacular the past three weeks. During this three-week run, he has amassed 26 receptions for 249 yards and two TDs on 35 targets. He’s also been utilized in the running game. It hasn’t amounted to much, but the opportunity is present. The young wideout is coming into his own and needs to be started when he’s being targeted and producing like this. Forget that he’s a Lion and get him in your lineup this week.
Christian Kirk (WR) Arizona Cardinals
Kirk is another receiver who looks to be establishing himself as a WR1 with DeAndre Hopkins sidelined, although, AJ Green is still looming over him. I prefer Kirk’s upside coming off a 12 target game when he snatched nine receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. What this comes down to is the fact that I want Kyler Murray’s top wideout and I’m putting my money on Kirk over Green. Both are viable flex options with Hopkins out. This comes down to preference.
Evan Engram (TE) New York Giants
This one doesn’t feel good, however, all signs point to getting Engram into your lineup this week. The Giants seemingly don’t have anyone else that’s ever healthy to throw to and he has the best possible matchup against the Eagles who are allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends. As much as you may not want to rely on him in your fantasy playoffs you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option this week on the waiver wire.
Sit
Derek Carr (QB) Las Vegas Raiders
Carr has been a fringe QB1 this season currently sitting as the QB13. A big part of that was a hot start though. This week he takes on the Denver Broncos and that’s a bottom-three matchup for quarterbacks. Beyond that, the Raiders are just a complete disaster and outside of Josh Jacobs and Hunter Renfrow, there is no one you should be starting on this team assuming Darren Waller is sidelined. As usual, everything has gone sideways for Vegas this year after a hot start. Avoid Carr this week and for the rest of the season. Find a better option.
Myles Gaskin (RB) Miami Dolphins
After being sidelined with Covid over the Dolphins Week 14 bye week, Gaskin returned to an offense that featured Duke Johnson at running back as he out-carried Gaskin 22-10. Granted Gaskin performed well and averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry compared to Johnson’s 4.9. Johnson did rush for 100 yards, look good between the tackles, and most importantly dominate the snaps. It’s unclear if this was due to Coivd or some other reason, but either way, you can’t trust Gaskin or any Miami runner this week. The atrocious matchup against the Saints only solidifies this stance.
Ronald Jones (RB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is a trap if I’ve ever seen one. With Fournette sidelined for the remainder of the fantasy playoffs and Bruce Arians building up Jones as this year’s “Playoff Lenny” for the Bucs, plenty of fantasy owners are going to turn to him this week. They will be disappointed as they almost always are when they start Jones. Could Jones have a good day? Sure, it’s possible. What’s more likely is he’s awful and cost you a shot at a title. You do not want to leave your fantasy fate in the hands of Rojo. This story never ends well.
Marvin Jones (WR) Jacksonville Jaguars
Incredibly, there are still fantasy owners believing in Jones. This is done. No matter how many players get injured in front of him and no matter how good the matchup is, he’s just not the guy in Jacksonville. This team opted to roll with Jamal Agnew as the WR1 instead of him and when he went down, turned to Laquon Treadwell. I understand they are playing the Jets who are the worst of the worst and it’s tempting to start everyone against them. Just don’t do it. Jones needs to be on the waiver wire, not in your flex spot.
Brandin Cooks (WR) Houston Texans
Cooks has played well since Davis Mills was inserted but has a terrible matchup this week against the Chargers who are allowing the fourth-fewest points to fantasy wideouts this season. I don’t envision a scenario where Mills can have enough success throwing the ball to consistently keep this offense moving through the air. I expect the Chargers to dominate time of possession, shutdown this offense and leave little fantasy points to be had by anyone. Cooks isn’t a must-bench but be prepared for disappointment this week as he has both a low floor and low ceiling.
Dawson Knox (TE) Buffalo Bills
No team is allowing fewer points to fantasy tight ends this season than the New England Patriots and that’s what Knox is up against this week. He will likely be fully TD dependent and not a great bet to score one. If you have to start Knox this week you can, but he is an extremely risky play. You may want to take a look at your wire and see if there is a safer option.
