Weekly Rankings: Wild-Card Round Value Meter

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Updated on January 19, 2023 9:52AM EST

Saturday Update complete.

Welcome to the Weekly Value Meter Rankings. This is a guide to help you decide who to start and sit in a given week. It's is not a season-long ranking nor a draft guide for the playoffs (please check out Jim Coventry's Playoff Rankings for that).

Here are my operating assumptions for the rankings:

- The RB/WR/TE position rankings are for PPR leagues.
- The Flex rankings are for Standard leagues.
- 1 point per 10 rushing/receiving yards.
- 1 point per 20 passing yards.
- 4 points per passing touchdowns.

These are the rankings I use when I make my start/sit decisions. Please consult the rankings first before asking "Player X vs. Player Y?" without any other mitigating factors. Of course, I welcome debate - if you think I'm wrong, let me know. But please check out the rankings first before asking your start/sit question. This truly reflects my opinion in my leagues.

Quarterbacks

1.	Josh Allen BUF vs. MIA
2.	Kirk Cousins MIN vs. NYG Note: The Vikings are getting starting center Garrett Bradbury (back) returning after missing six weeks.*
3.	Joe Burrow CIN vs. BAL
4.	Daniel Jones NYG at MIN
5.	*Justin Herbert LAC at JAX Note: Teammate Mike Williams (back) did not practice Tuesday.
6.	Dak Prescott DAL at TB Note: Prescott was shockingly awful against the Commanders, going 14-of-37 for 128 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He's thrown an interception in seven consecutive games. Center Tyler Biadasz (ankle) should*

Saturday Update complete.

Here are my operating assumptions for the rankings:

Quarterbacks

1.	Josh Allen BUF vs. MIA
2.	Kirk Cousins MIN vs. NYG Note: The Vikings are getting starting center Garrett Bradbury (back) returning after missing six weeks.*
3.	Joe Burrow CIN vs. BAL
4.	Daniel Jones NYG at MIN
5.	*Justin Herbert LAC at JAX Note: Teammate Mike Williams (back) did not practice Tuesday.
6.	Dak Prescott DAL at TB Note: Prescott was shockingly awful against the Commanders, going 14-of-37 for 128 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He's thrown an interception in seven consecutive games. Center Tyler Biadasz (ankle) should return after missing last week's loss to the Commanders. That should go a long way to improving the Dallas offense.*
7.	Trevor Lawrence JAC vs. LAC Note: Lawrence (toe) was limited at practice Tuesday to begin the week. Lawrence is listed as questionable and was limited all week. That's the status quo for him lately, but it's possible his mobility will be hindered.*
8.	Tom Brady TB vs. DAL
9.	Brock Purdy SF vs. SEA Note: I moved Purdy down due to the weather issues in San Francisco.*
10.	*Geno Smith SEA at SF Note: Smith was one of many playoff-bound quarterbacks that struggled in Week 18.
11.	Tyler Huntley BAL at CIN
12.	Skylar Thompson MIA at BUF Note: Thompson is probably the leading candidate to start against the Bills, as Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) hasn't yet been cleared for football activities and the Dolphins aren't sure that Teddy Bridgewater (knee/finger) can practice. Thompson has been named the starter this week.*
13.	Teddy Bridgewater MIA at BUF Note: The Dolphins aren't sure whether Bridgewater (knee/finger) is ready to practice fully yet. We might see Skylar Thompson start a playoff game. Bridgewater was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable. Skylar Thompson will start, and Bridgewater is only hopeful to be the backup.*
14.	Anthony Brown BAL at CIN
15.	Lamar Jackson BAL at CIN
16.	Tua Tagovailoa MIA at BUF Note: Tagovailoa (concussion) hasn't yet been cleared for football activity, though he hasn't had any setbacks. Tagovailoa has officially been ruled out.*
17.	Patrick Mahomes KC at
18.	Jalen Hurts PHI at

Running Backs

1.	*Christian McCaffrey SF vs. SEA Note: McCaffrey (ankle/knee) was limited at Tuesday's practice. This is standard practice for him lately.
2.	Austin Ekeler LAC at JAX
3.	Saquon Barkley NYG at MIN
4.	*Dalvin Cook MIN vs. NYG Note: Cook was seen limping on the sidelines during the first half of the Week 18 win over the Bears - watch the practice reports carefully this week.
5.	Travis Etienne JAC vs. LAC
6.	Joe Mixon CIN vs. BAL
7.	Jeff Wilson MIA at BUF Note: Teammate Raheem Mostert suffered a fractured thumb in the win over the Jets last week. Wilson will be the starter this week, with Mostert ruled out. Salvon Ahmed will be next in line.*
8.	Leonard Fournette TB vs. DAL
9.	J.K. Dobbins BAL at CIN
10.	*Tony Pollard DAL at TB Note: Both Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott struggled to get going in the loss to the Commanders. I think the Cowboys' OL injuries played a bigger role than most anticipated.
11.	*James Cook BUF vs. MIA Note: Cook once again split carries evenly with Devin Singletary and was the more productive back. It wouldn't be a shock if he took over more work in the playoffs.
12.	Kenneth Walker SEA at SF
13.	Devin Singletary BUF vs. MIA
14.	Ezekiel Elliott DAL at TB
15.	*Elijah Mitchell SF vs. SEA Note: Mitchell (knee) looked fabulous in his return from injury, carrying it five times for 55 yards and two touchdowns.
16.	*Kenyan Drake BAL at CIN Note: Drake ran well in the wake of Gus Edwards leaving with a concussion last week. J.K. Dobbins is expected to be back this week, but Drake and Justice Hill should figure to be part of the action.
17.	Rachaad White TB vs. DAL
18.	*Alexander Mattison MIN vs. NYG Note: There's a small chance that Dalvin Cook (knee) might be limited on Sunday, which obviously would translate into more work for Mattison.
19.	Samaje Perine CIN vs. BAL
20.	JaMycal Hasty JAC vs. LAC
21.	Salvon Ahmed MIA at BUF
22.	Joshua Kelley LAC at JAX
23.	Matt Breida NYG at MIN
24.	Malik Davis DAL at TB
25.	Justice Hill BAL at CIN
26.	Jordan Mason SF vs. SEA
27.	Gary Brightwell NYG at MIN
28.	Snoop Conner JAC vs. LAC
29.	Tyrion Davis-Price SF vs. SEA
30.	Ke'Shawn Vaughn TB vs. DAL
31.	*Gus Edwards BAL at CIN Note: Edwards is in the concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Week 18 loss to the Bengals.
32.	DeeJay Dallas SEA at SF Note: Dallas (ankle/quadriceps) sat out Tuesday's walk-through practice. Dallas sat out all week and is listed as questionable. The Seahawks activated Tony Jones, which might be an indicator that Dallas will sit out.*
33.	Raheem Mostert MIA at BUF Note: Mostert suffered a serious fractured thumb in the win over the Jets in Week 18, and his availability for Week 18 is in question. Jeff Wilson would get more work as a result of a Mostert absence, as would Salvon Ahmed to a lesser extent. Mostert has been ruled out.*
34.	Miles Sanders PHI at
35.	Jerick McKinnon KC at
36.	Isiah Pacheco KC at
37.	Boston Scott PHI at
38.	Kenneth Gainwell PHI at

Wide Receivers

1.	Justin Jefferson MIN vs. NYG
2.	Stefon Diggs BUF vs. MIA
3.	Ja'Marr Chase CIN vs. BAL
4.	Keenan Allen LAC at JAX
5.	CeeDee Lamb DAL at TB
6.	Tee Higgins CIN vs. BAL
7.	Chris Godwin TB vs. DAL
8.	Christian Kirk JAC vs. LAC
9.	*Mike Evans TB vs. DAL Note: Evans left Sunday's loss to the Falcons with an illness.
10.	Richie James NYG at MIN
11.	K.J. Osborn MIN vs. NYG
12.	Brandon Aiyuk SF vs. SEA Note: Downgrades across the board from the SF/SEA receivers due to the weather.*
13.	DK Metcalf SEA at SF
14.	Tyreek Hill MIA at BUF Note: Hill injured his ankle and briefly left Sunday's win over the Jets. No injury issues for Hill, but he'll have Skylar Thompson at QB again this week.*
15.	Tyler Lockett SEA at SF
16.	*Deebo Samuel SF vs. SEA Note: Samuel (ankle/knee) was eased back in last week - presumably his workload will increase this week against the Seahawks.
17.	Jaylen Waddle MIA at BUF Note: Waddle is dealing with a minor ankle issue. He's expected to play, but who will be throwing the ball to him? Waddle (ankle) has been cleared from the injury list.*
18.	Gabe Davis BUF vs. MIA
19.	*Tyler Boyd CIN vs. BAL Note: Boyd was evaluated for a concussion in the first half of Sunday's win over the Ravens, but later returned.
20.	Joshua Palmer LAC at JAX Note: Palmer had six targets in Week 18, and could go back to a higher usage rate with Mike Williams banged up. Palmer gets a small bump up with Mike Williams out.*
21.	Darius Slayton NYG at MIN
22.	Isaiah Hodgins NYG at MIN
23.	Zay Jones JAC vs. LAC
24.	*Russell Gage TB vs. DAL Note: Gage got shaken up on a touchdown reception in Week 18 against the Falcons.
25.	Noah Brown DAL at TB
26.	Adam Thielen MIN vs. NYG
27.	DeAndre Carter LAC at JAX Note: Carter also receives a small bump up with Mike Williams out.*
28.	Marvin Jones JAC vs. LAC
29.	Michael Gallup DAL at TB
30.	Demarcus Robinson BAL at CIN
31.	Trenton Irwin CIN vs. BAL
32.	*Cade Johnson SEA at SF Note: Johnson appears to have emerged as the No. 3 receiver for the Seahawks with Marquise Goodwin (shoulder) out.
33.	John Brown at
34.	Trent Sherfield MIA at BUF
35.	Jauan Jennings SF vs. SEA
36.	Jamal Agnew JAC vs. LAC Note: Agnew injured his shoulder in the win over the Titans last week, and was limited in Tuesday's practice. Agnew was limited all week and is listed as questionable.*
37.	*Julio Jones TB vs. DAL Note: Jones sat out last week with a knee injury.
38.	*Isaiah McKenzie BUF vs. MIA Note: No word yet if McKenzie (ankle) will return for the playoffs. John Brown might be active again this week.
39.	Mike Williams LAC at JAX Note: Williams required assistance to come off the field and then to get to locker room following his back injury last week. He sat out Tuesday's practice. Williams has a small non-surgical fracture in his back and is out 2-3 weeks.*
40.	A.J. Brown PHI at
41.	DeVonta Smith PHI at
42.	JuJu Smith-Schuster KC at
43.	Marquez Valdes-Scantling KC at
44.	Kadarius Toney KC at
45.	Quez Watkins PHI at
46.	Justin Watson KC at
47.	Zach Pascal PHI at
48.	Mecole Hardman KC at

Tight Ends

1.	T.J. Hockenson MIN vs. NYG
2.	Mark Andrews BAL at CIN
3.	George Kittle SF vs. SEA
4.	Dawson Knox BUF vs. MIA
5.	Evan Engram JAC vs. LAC
6.	Dalton Schultz DAL at TB
7.	Hayden Hurst CIN vs. BAL
8.	Gerald Everett LAC at JAX
9.	Noah Fant SEA at SF Note: Fant (knee) was a non-participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice. Fant has been cleared from the injury list.*
10.	*Isaiah Likely BAL at CIN Note: Likely had a big game in Week 18 with Mark Andrews sitting out, and also scored in Week 17 when Andrews played. Might the Ravens find a way for both tight ends to be frequently targeted?
11.	Cade Otton TB vs. DAL
12.	Daniel Bellinger NYG at MIN
13.	*Mike Gesicki MIA at BUF Note: Gesicki has been targeted more when Skylar Thompson plays.
14.	Colby Parkinson SEA at SF
15.	Irv Smith MIN vs. NYG
16.	Cameron Brate TB vs. DAL
17.	Travis Kelce KC at
18.	Dallas Goedert PHI at

Flex (RB/WR/TE)

1.	*Christian McCaffrey SF vs. SEA Note: McCaffrey (ankle/knee) was limited at Tuesday's practice. This is standard practice for him lately.
2.	Austin Ekeler LAC at JAX
3.	Justin Jefferson MIN vs. NYG
4.	Saquon Barkley NYG at MIN
5.	Stefon Diggs BUF vs. MIA
6.	Ja'Marr Chase CIN vs. BAL
7.	Keenan Allen LAC at JAX
8.	CeeDee Lamb DAL at TB
9.	*Dalvin Cook MIN vs. NYG Note: Cook was seen limping on the sidelines during the first half of the Week 18 win over the Bears - watch the practice reports carefully this week.
10.	Travis Etienne JAC vs. LAC
11.	Joe Mixon CIN vs. BAL
12.	Tee Higgins CIN vs. BAL
13.	T.J. Hockenson MIN vs. NYG
14.	George Kittle SF vs. SEA
15.	Brandon Aiyuk SF vs. SEA Note: Downgrades across the board from the SF/SEA receivers due to the weather.*
16.	DK Metcalf SEA at SF
17.	Mark Andrews BAL at CIN
18.	Jeff Wilson MIA at BUF Note: Teammate Raheem Mostert suffered a fractured thumb in the win over the Jets last week. Wilson will be the starter this week, with Mostert ruled out. Salvon Ahmed will be next in line.*
19.	Leonard Fournette TB vs. DAL
20.	J.K. Dobbins BAL at CIN
21.	Chris Godwin TB vs. DAL
22.	Christian Kirk JAC vs. LAC
23.	Tyler Lockett SEA at SF
24.	Tyreek Hill MIA at BUF Note: Hill injured his ankle and briefly left Sunday's win over the Jets. No injury issues for Hill, but he'll have Skylar Thompson at QB again this week.*
25.	*Mike Evans TB vs. DAL Note: Evans left Sunday's loss to the Falcons with an illness.
26.	*Tony Pollard DAL at TB Note: Both Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott struggled to get going in the loss to the Commanders. I think the Cowboys' OL injuries played a bigger role than most anticipated.
27.	*James Cook BUF vs. MIA Note: Cook once again split carries evenly with Devin Singletary and was the more productive back. It wouldn't be a shock if he took over more work in the playoffs.
28.	Kenneth Walker SEA at SF
29.	Richie James NYG at MIN
30.	*Deebo Samuel SF vs. SEA Note: Samuel (ankle/knee) was eased back in last week - presumably his workload will increase this week against the Seahawks.
31.	Jaylen Waddle MIA at BUF Note: Waddle is dealing with a minor ankle issue. He's expected to play, but who will be throwing the ball to him? Waddle (ankle) has been cleared from the injury list.*
32.	K.J. Osborn MIN vs. NYG
33.	Evan Engram JAC vs. LAC
34.	Devin Singletary BUF vs. MIA
35.	Mike Williams LAC at JAX Note: Williams required assistance to come off the field and then to get to locker room following his back injury last week. He sat out Tuesday's practice. Williams has a small non-surgical fracture in his back and is out 2-3 weeks.*
36.	Gabe Davis BUF vs. MIA
37.	Dalton Schultz DAL at TB
38.	Dawson Knox BUF vs. MIA
39.	Darius Slayton NYG at MIN
40.	Joshua Palmer LAC at JAX Note: Palmer had six targets in Week 18, and could go back to a higher usage rate with Mike Williams banged up. Palmer gets a small bump up with Mike Williams out.*
41.	Ezekiel Elliott DAL at TB
42.	*Elijah Mitchell SF vs. SEA Note: Mitchell (knee) looked fabulous in his return from injury, carrying it five times for 55 yards and two touchdowns.
43.	*Kenyan Drake BAL at CIN Note: Drake ran well in the wake of Gus Edwards leaving with a concussion last week. J.K. Dobbins is expected to be back this week, but Drake and Justice Hill should figure to be part of the action.
44.	Rachaad White TB vs. DAL
45.	Isaiah Hodgins NYG at MIN

Kickers

1.	Brett Maher DAL at TB
2.	Tyler Bass BUF vs. MIA
3.	Graham Gano NYG at MIN
4.	Robbie Gould SF vs. SEA
5.	Evan McPherson CIN vs. BAL
6.	Greg Joseph MIN vs. NYG
7.	Justin Tucker BAL at CIN
8.	Cameron Dicker LAC at JAX
9.	*Jason Myers SEA at SF Note: Myers missed a potential game-winner in regulation, but made four of five overall.
10.	Ryan Succop TB vs. DAL
11.	Riley Patterson JAC vs. LAC Note: Patterson sat out practice Tuesday due to a knee injury. James McCourt is on the Jaguars' practice squad just in case. Patterson returned to a full practice Wednesday and should be good to go.*
12.	Jason Sanders MIA at BUF
13.	James McCourt at
14.	Jake Elliott PHI at
15.	Harrison Butker KC at

Defenses

1.	Buffalo Bills vs. MIA Note: Micah Hyde (neck) has been ruled out again Sunday and will be ruled out next week too. DT Jordan Phillips (shoulder) is officially questionable.*
2.	San Francisco 49ers vs. SEA Note: Erik Armstead (ankle) and Javon Kinlaw (knee) remain on the injury report, though both should play. Dre Greenlaw (back) sat out the regular season finale, but the Niners expect him to return to practice. All three of Armstead, Greenlaw and Kinlaw are expected to play.*
3.	Cincinnati Bengals vs. BAL
4.	*Dallas Cowboys at TB Note: Johnathan Hankins (pectoral) might be able to return Monday night, as might Leighton Vander Esch (neck).
5.	*Baltimore Ravens at CIN Note: Roquan Smith signed a five-year, $100 million extension to stay with the Ravens.
6.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. DAL
7.	New York Giants at MIN
8.	Seattle Seahawks at SF
9.	Los Angeles Chargers at JAX
10.	Jacksonville Jaguars vs. LAC
11.	*Minnesota Vikings vs. NYG Note: CB Cameron Dantzler has missed practice all week and is dealing with a serious personal matter - he's also questionable with an ankle injury. Harrison Smith is questionable with a knee issue and has been limited all week.
12.	Miami Dolphins at BUF