Fantasy Football Rankings Week 16: Weekly Value Meter

Week 16 fantasy football rankings and projections. Get expert position-by-position picks for QB, RB, WR, TE, FLEX, K and DEF to build winning lineups.This week's position rankings
Fantasy Football Rankings Week 16: Weekly Value Meter

Two Saturday Games this week!
PHI at WAS
GB at CHI

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, and it's also not really intended as a free agent guide. While I appreciate that you want my opinion on pickups, every league is different, and your decision on whether to add/drop a particular player might also be dictated by other factors than who is rated higher in a given week.

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 fantasy football rankings I use when I make my start/sit decisions. Please consult the rankings first before asking "Should I start Patrick Mahomes or Bryce Young?"

These are my particular rankings. If you want a second opinion elsewhere on the site, you can see our Weekly Projections.

Each week after Week 1, the first set of rankings will be posted late on Tuesday night. I will then do a set of updates before kickoff on Thursday, and again before kickoff on Sunday morning.

When setting your lineups, make sure to refer to the NFL inactives to ensure all of your players are set to receive

Two Saturday Games this week!
PHI at WAS
GB at CHI

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, and it's also not really intended as a free agent guide. While I appreciate that you want my opinion on pickups, every league is different, and your decision on whether to add/drop a particular player might also be dictated by other factors than who is rated higher in a given week.

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 fantasy football rankings I use when I make my start/sit decisions. Please consult the rankings first before asking "Should I start Patrick Mahomes or Bryce Young?"

These are my particular rankings. If you want a second opinion elsewhere on the site, you can see our Weekly Projections.

Each week after Week 1, the first set of rankings will be posted late on Tuesday night. I will then do a set of updates before kickoff on Thursday, and again before kickoff on Sunday morning.

When setting your lineups, make sure to refer to the NFL inactives to ensure all of your players are set to receive snaps.

I welcome debate on the rankings in the comments. Please keep it friendly.

Quarterbacks

1.Josh Allen BUF at CLE
2.*Joe Burrow CIN at MIA
Note: Despite the Bengals' elimination, Burrow will start their remaining three games instead of resting his toe.
3.Jacoby Brissett ARZ vs. ATL
4.Jalen Hurts PHI at WAS
5.Lamar Jackson BAL vs. NE
6.Matthew Stafford LA at SEA
7.Drake Maye NE at BAL
8.Dak Prescott DAL vs. LAC
9.Jared Goff DET vs. PIT
10.Brock Purdy SF at IND
11.*Bo Nix DEN vs. JAX
Note: Nix had perhaps his finest game against the Packers, throwing for 302 yards and four touchdowns.
12.*Jaxson Dart NYG vs. MIN
Note: Dart missed two plays last week after being checked for another concussion, but returned after those two plays.
13.C.J. Stroud HOU vs. LV
14.*Trevor Lawrence JAC at DEN
Note: If you had Lawrence you advanced last week, but it's going to be tougher this week at Denver.
15.Kirk Cousins ATL at ARI
16.Baker Mayfield TB at CAR
17.Caleb Williams CHI vs. GB
18.*Sam Darnold SEA vs. LAR
Note: The Seahawks' offense continues to look a little out of sync, having to settle for six field goals last week. It doesn't get any easier with the quick turnaround against the Rams on Thursday.
19.*Jordan Love GB at CHI
Note: Love lost his right tackle Zach Tom and top wide receiver Christian Watson in the loss to the Broncos.
20.Justin Herbert LAC at DAL
21.Bryce Young CAR vs. TB
22.Aaron Rodgers PIT at DET
23.*J.J. McCarthy MIN at NYG
Note: McCarthy for the second week in a row had a decent game despite barely connecting with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
24.Tyler Shough NO vs. NYJ
25.*Marcus Mariota WAS vs. PHI
Note: Mariota will start the final three games of the season, with Jayden Daniels ruled out.
26.*Tua Tagovailoa MIA vs. CIN
Note: Tagovailoa is at risk of being benched after another desultory performance on the road Monday night. Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers are the Dolphins' alternatives should they decide to change it up.
27.*Gardner Minshew KC at TEN
Note: Minshew will start the final three games of the season with Patrick Mahomes (ACL) out.
28.*Cam Ward TEN vs. KC
Note: Ward did not get sacked and did not turn the ball over in the Titans' loss to the Niners.
29.Shedeur Sanders CLE vs. BUF
30.*Philip Rivers IND vs. SF
Note: Rivers will start again on Monday night against the Niners.
31.*Brady Cook NYJ at NO
32.*Kenny Pickett LV at HOU
Note: Pickett serves as this week's reminder that no matter how bad things get for your team, it can always get worse.
33.*Geno Smith LV at HOU
Note: Raiders coach Pete Carroll on Monday refused to say whether Smith (shoulder/back) will return this week.
34.*Tyrod Taylor NYJ at NO
35.*Justin Fields NYJ at NO
36.*Zach Wilson MIA vs. CIN
37.*Quinn Ewers MIA vs. CIN
38.*Jayden Daniels WAS vs. PHI
Note: Daniels (elbow) has been shut down for the rest of the season.
39.*Patrick Mahomes KC at TEN
Note: Mahomes tore his left ACL and LCL in the loss to the Chargers and has already had surgery to repair it.

Running Backs

1.Bijan Robinson ATL at ARI
2.Christian McCaffrey SF at IND
3.Jahmyr Gibbs DET vs. PIT
4.De'Von Achane MIA vs. CIN
5.James Cook BUF at CLE
6.Jonathan Taylor IND vs. SF
7.*Saquon Barkley PHI at WAS
Note: Barkley (stinger) was estimated as a DNP during Tuesday's walk-through. The Eagles play on Saturday.
8.Travis Etienne JAC at DEN
9.Chase Brown CIN at MIA
10.*Josh Jacobs GB at CHI
Note: Jacobs took another hit to his injured knee in the loss to the Broncos. He would not have practiced Tuesday had the Packers held a traditional practice.
11.D'Andre Swift CHI vs. GB
12.Derrick Henry BAL vs. NE
13.*Javonte Williams DAL vs. LAC
Note: Williams briefly left with an injured shoulder Sunday night but later returned. With the Cowboys' playoff chances approaching zero, it bears watching his status.
14.TreVeyon Henderson NE at BAL
15.Kyren Williams LA at SEA
16.Bucky Irving TB at CAR
17.Aaron Jones MIN at NYG
18.Quinshon Judkins CLE vs. BUF
19.Rico Dowdle CAR vs. TB
20.*Jaylen Warren PIT at DET
Note: Warren (illness) still had 12 carries and three catches Monday night in the win over the Dolphins, though teammate Kenneth Gainwell was frequently more effective.
21.Tyrone Tracy NYG vs. MIN
22.*RJ Harvey DEN vs. JAX
Note: Harvey sustained a rib injury with a little over six minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Broncos claimed a running back off waivers on Tuesday.
23.*Woody Marks HOU vs. LV
Note: Marks left with an ankle injury but could have come back in if needed, according to coach DeMeco Ryans.
24.Tony Pollard TEN vs. KC
25.Breece Hall NYJ at NO
26.Kyle Monangai CHI vs. GB
27.Omarion Hampton LAC at DAL
28.Zach Charbonnet SEA vs. LAR
29.Blake Corum LA at SEA
30.*Michael Carter ARZ vs. ATL
Note: With teammate Bam Knight (ankle) out, Arizona is down to Carter and Emari Demercado at running back. Last week, with Arizona immediately trailing the Texans, Carter dominated the snaps, though it's worth noting that Demercado was in his first game back from a high-ankle sprain.
31.Jacory Croskey-Merritt WAS vs. PHI
32.Chuba Hubbard CAR vs. TB
33.Kenneth Walker SEA vs. LAR
34.Kenneth Gainwell PIT at DET
35.*Jawhar Jordan HOU vs. LV
Note: Jordan stepped in for an injured Woody Marks and ran for 101 yards against the Cardinals. Should Marks miss this week, Jordan has a pretty nice matchup at home against the Raiders.
36.David Montgomery DET vs. PIT
37.Jordan Mason MIN at NYG
38.Ashton Jeanty LV at HOU
39.Devin Singletary NYG vs. MIN
40.Jeremy McNichols WAS vs. PHI
41.Rhamondre Stevenson NE at BAL
42.Kareem Hunt KC at TEN
43.Audric Estime NO vs. NYJ
44.Kimani Vidal LAC at DAL
45.Rachaad White TB at CAR
46.Emanuel Wilson GB at CHI
47.Jaylen Wright MIA vs. CIN
48.Tyler Allgeier ATL at ARI
49.Brian Robinson SF at IND
50.Isiah Pacheco KC at TEN
51.Ollie Gordon MIA vs. CIN
52.*Samaje Perine CIN at MIA
Note: Perine suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter but returned for the Bengals' final offensive series.
53.Tyjae Spears TEN vs. KC
54.Sean Tucker TB at CAR
55.Evan Hull NO vs. NYJ
56.Ty Johnson BUF at CLE
57.LeQuint Allen JAC at DEN
58.Malik Davis DAL vs. LAC
59.Keaton Mitchell BAL vs. NE
60.Emari Demercado ARZ vs. ATL
61.Dare Ogunbowale HOU vs. LV
62.Jaleel McLaughlin DEN vs. JAX
63.*Chris Rodriguez WAS vs. PHI
Note: Rodriguez (groin) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice after sitting out the Week 15 win over the Giants.
64.Nick Chubb HOU vs. LV
65.*Devin Neal NO vs. NYJ
Note: Neal left in the second quarter against the Panthers with a hamstring injury.
66.Alvin Kamara NO vs. NYJ
67.Dylan Sampson CLE vs. BUF
68.*Bhayshul Tuten JAC at DEN
Note: Tuten suffered a significant finger injury that might require surgery. LeQuint Allen will be the Jaguars #2 back while Tuten is out.
69.*Bam Knight ARZ vs. ATL
Note: Knight suffered a sprained left ankle and has been placed on IR to end the season.

Wide Receivers

1.Puka Nacua LA at SEA
2.Ja'Marr Chase CIN at MIA
3.Nico Collins HOU vs. LV
4.Jaxon Smith-Njigba SEA vs. LAR
5.Amon-Ra St. Brown DET vs. PIT
6.CeeDee Lamb DAL vs. LAC
7.A.J. Brown PHI at WAS
8.Michael Wilson ARZ vs. ATL
9.Jameson Williams DET vs. PIT
10.*George Pickens DAL vs. LAC
Note: This marks back-to-back disappointing games after Pickens was so dominant through the middle stretch of the season.
11.*Jauan Jennings SF at IND
Note: Jennings now has six touchdowns over his last six games.
12.Jaylen Waddle MIA vs. CIN
13.Mike Evans TB at CAR
14.Chris Olave NO vs. NYJ
15.DeVonta Smith PHI at WAS
16.DK Metcalf PIT at DET
17.Courtland Sutton DEN vs. JAX
18.Tetairoa McMillan CAR vs. TB
19.Ladd McConkey LAC at DAL
20.Jakobi Meyers JAC at DEN
21.Terry McLaurin WAS vs. PHI
22.Chris Godwin TB at CAR
23.Rashee Rice KC at TEN
24.Zay Flowers BAL vs. NE
25.Wan'Dale Robinson NYG vs. MIN
26.Stefon Diggs NE at BAL
27.*Justin Jefferson MIN at NYG
Note: Sunday night was another frustrating night, in part because he had a touchdown overturned by a ticky-tack penalty.
28.Adonai Mitchell NYJ at NO
29.Jayden Higgins HOU vs. LV
30.Khalil Shakir BUF at CLE
31.Troy Franklin DEN vs. JAX
32.*Jayden Reed GB at CHI
Note: Reed had five catches for 55 yards on six targets last week, and could get targeted more this week if Christian Watson (shoulder/chest) has to sit out.
33.Emeka Egbuka TB at CAR
34.Brian Thomas JAC at DEN
35.Michael Pittman IND vs. SF
36.*Luther Burden CHI vs. GB
Note: Burden tweaked an ankle injury in the third quarter against the Browns last week. He skipped Tuesday's walk-through practice.
37.Darius Slayton NYG vs. MIN
38.DJ Moore CHI vs. GB
39.Deebo Samuel WAS vs. PHI
40.Keenan Allen LAC at DAL
41.*Matthew Golden GB at CHI
Note: Golden (wrist) made a couple of really nice catches after Christian Watson got hurt last week, and could be in line for a bigger role this week.
42.Jalen Coker CAR vs. TB
43.Kayshon Boutte NE at BAL
44.Darnell Mooney ATL at ARI
45.Xavier Worthy KC at TEN
46.Jordan Addison MIN at NYG
47.Romeo Doubs GB at CHI
48.Jerry Jeudy CLE vs. BUF
49.John Metchie NYJ at NO
50.*Rashid Shaheed SEA vs. LAR
Note: Shaheed played a big role in the Seahawks' win over the Colts, catching multiple passes on the game-winning drive following a good kickoff return. The seven overall targets represented his highest total while in Seattle.
51.Mack Hollins NE at BAL
52.Alec Pierce IND vs. SF
53.Cooper Kupp SEA vs. LAR
54.Josh Downs IND vs. SF
55.Ryan Flournoy DAL vs. LAC
56.Chimere Dike TEN vs. KC
57.Tre Tucker LV at HOU
58.*Dontayvion Wicks GB at CHI
Note: Wicks (ankle) was a non-participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice.
59.David Sills ATL at ARI
60.Keon Coleman BUF at CLE
61.Andrei Iosivas CIN at MIA
62.Parker Washington JAC at DEN
63.Olamide Zaccheaus CHI vs. GB
64.Elic Ayomanor TEN vs. KC
65.Tyler Lockett LV at HOU
66.Malik Washington MIA vs. CIN
67.Jack Bech LV at HOU
68.DeMario Douglas NE at BAL
69.Jalen McMillan TB at CAR
70.Jalen Nailor MIN at NYG
71.Xavier Legette CAR vs. TB
72.Konata Mumpfield LA at SEA
73.Isaac TeSlaa DET vs. PIT
74.Hollywood Brown KC at TEN
75.Christian Kirk HOU vs. LV
76.Tim Patrick JAC at DEN
77.Marvin Mims DEN vs. JAX
78.*Davante Adams LA at SEA
Note: Adams aggravated his hamstring injury in the win over the Lions. He's been described as week-to-week, though coach Sean McVay said that the team will give Adams 'every chance' to play on Thursday.
79.*Christian Watson GB at CHI
Note: Watson suffered a chest/shoulder injury that briefly sent him to the hospital in the loss to the Broncos. He hasn't yet been ruled out for Saturday night's game against the Bears.
80.Quentin Johnston LAC at DAL
81.*Rome Odunze CHI vs. GB
Note: Odunze (foot) sat out Tuesday's walk-through practice. On Monday, coach Ben Johnson suggested that 'all options are on the table' for Odunze, including shutting him down to allow for his foot to fully heal.
82.Tee Higgins CIN at MIA
83.Pat Bryant DEN vs. JAX
84.*Ricky Pearsall SF at IND
Note: Pearsall aggravated his PCL sprain and suffered a low-ankle sprain in the win over the Titans.
85.Rashod Bateman BAL vs. NE
86.Marvin Harrison ARZ vs. ATL
87.*Drake London ATL at ARI
Note: The Falcons are 'very hopeful' that London (knee) will return this week. We've seen misplaced optimism before with London during this injured stretch, so we'll hold off on moving him up until he actually practices. If he plays, I'd put London in my top 25, but we'll see from there depending on the level of his practices.
88.*Devaughn Vele NO vs. NYJ
Note: Vele suffered a shoulder injury in the win over the Panthers. He avoided a major injury, but is week-to-week with this one.

Tight Ends

1.Trey McBride ARZ vs. ATL
2.George Kittle SF at IND
3.Brock Bowers LV at HOU
4.Travis Kelce KC at TEN
5.*Harold Fannin CLE vs. BUF
Note: Fannin had a whopping 14 targets in the loss to the Bears.
6.Kyle Pitts ATL at ARI
7.Dallas Goedert PHI at WAS
8.Dalton Schultz HOU vs. LV
9.*Colby Parkinson LA at SEA
Note: Parkinson had two touchdowns among his five catches last week, and has six touchdowns in six games. With Davante Adams hurt and questionable to play, Parkinson could be heavily targeted this week.
10.Tyler Warren IND vs. SF
11.Brenton Strange JAC at DEN
12.Hunter Henry NE at BAL
13.Mark Andrews BAL vs. NE
14.*Darren Waller MIA vs. CIN
Note: Waller's production came late in the loss to the Steelers, but it illustrates his potential against the woeful Bengals' defense.
15.Oronde Gadsden LAC at DAL
16.Dalton Kincaid BUF at CLE
17.Juwan Johnson NO vs. NYJ
18.Colston Loveland CHI vs. GB
19.Theo Johnson NYG vs. MIN
20.T.J. Hockenson MIN at NYG
21.*Jake Ferguson DAL vs. LAC
Note: Ferguson had just four targets in the loss to the Titans, after missing a good chunk of practice during the week with a calf injury.
22.Chig Okonkwo TEN vs. KC
23.AJ Barner SEA vs. LAR
24.Mike Gesicki CIN at MIA
25.Evan Engram DEN vs. JAX
26.*Isaiah Likely BAL vs. NE
Note: I'm shook by the utter lack of targets for Likely - game flow had something to do with it, with Lamar Jackson throwing just 12 times. But this was a big whiff, and I hate it.
27.*Gunnar Helm TEN vs. KC
Note: Helm briefly left with a toe injury but later returned.
28.Cole Kmet CHI vs. GB
29.Darnell Washington PIT at DET
30.Ben Sinnott WAS vs. PHI
31.Dawson Knox BUF at CLE
32.Pat Freiermuth PIT at DET
33.Ja'Tavion Sanders CAR vs. TB
34.Taysom Hill NO vs. NYJ
35.Jonnu Smith PIT at DET
36.*Luke Musgrave GB at CHI
Note: Musgrave had four catches on six targets in the loss to the Broncos.
37.Cade Otton TB at CAR
38.Mason Taylor NYJ at NO
39.David Njoku CLE vs. BUF

Flex (RB/WR/TE)

1.Bijan Robinson ATL at ARI
2.Puka Nacua LA at SEA

Kickers

1.Cameron Dicker LAC at DAL
2.Brandon Aubrey DAL vs. LAC
3.*Jason Myers SEA vs. LAR
Note: The Seahawks have been overly reliant on Myers, who nailed six field goals including the game-winner against the Colts.
4.Chris Boswell PIT at DET
5.Chase McLaughlin TB at CAR
6.Eddy Pineiro SF at IND
7.Evan McPherson CIN at MIA
8.Andy Borregales NE at BAL
9.Jake Elliott PHI at WAS
10.Ka'imi Fairbairn HOU vs. LV
11.Wil Lutz DEN vs. JAX
12.Will Reichard MIN at NYG
13.Cam Little JAC at DEN
14.Jake Bates DET vs. PIT
15.Nick Folk NYJ at NO
16.Riley Patterson MIA vs. CIN
17.Joey Slye TEN vs. KC
18.Harrison Mevis LA at SEA
19.Chad Ryland ARZ vs. ATL
20.Ryan Fitzgerald CAR vs. TB
21.Jake Moody WAS vs. PHI
22.Harrison Butker KC at TEN
23.Brandon McManus GB at CHI
24.Zane Gonzalez ATL at ARI
25.*Blake Grupe IND vs. SF
Note: Grupe nailed a go-ahead 60-yard field goal to put the Colts ahead late, only to see Jason Myers kick his sixth field goal to top the Colts.
26.Tyler Loop BAL vs. NE
27.*Cairo Santos CHI vs. GB
Note: Santos had another miss in the win over the Browns, this time from 35 yards.
28.*Charlie Smyth NO vs. NYJ
Note: Smyth hit a game-winner and then reverted back to the practice squad again. The Saints will have to sign him to the active roster this time if they want him to kick again this week.
29.Andre Szmyt CLE vs. BUF
30.Daniel Carlson LV at HOU
31.*Michael Badgley BUF at CLE
Note: Badgley beat out Matthew Wright in a tryout to replace Matt Prater (quadriceps) this week.
32.*Ben Sauls NYG vs. MIN
Note: Sauls is expected to replace Younghoe Koo as the Giants' kicker.
33.*Matt Prater BUF at CLE
Note: Prater has been ruled out this week with a quadriceps injury.
34.*Younghoe Koo at
Note: Koo was waived by the Giants after he missed two field goals in the loss to the Commanders.

Defenses

1.*Houston Texans vs. LV
Note: The matchups only get better for the Texans this week against the woeful Raiders, and it's not bad next week either, against the Chargers. The only negative is that they lost DT Mario Edwards (pectoral muscle) for the year.
2.*Buffalo Bills at CLE
Note: The Bills should be able to smash the Browns' awful and injured offensive line.
3.New Orleans Saints vs. NYJ
4.Philadelphia Eagles at WAS
5.Denver Broncos vs. JAX
6.Kansas City Chiefs at TEN
7.Minnesota Vikings at NYG
8.San Francisco 49ers at IND
9.Los Angeles Rams at SEA
10.Chicago Bears vs. GB
11.Seattle Seahawks vs. LAR
12.*Green Bay Packers at CHI
Note: The Packers lost Micah Parsons due to a torn ACL. I'm also worried about Evan Williams's knee injury.
13.Los Angeles Chargers at DAL
14.Tampa Bay Buccaneers at CAR
15.Baltimore Ravens vs. NE
16.Jacksonville Jaguars at DEN
17.Carolina Panthers vs. TB
18.Tennessee Titans vs. KC
19.New England Patriots at BAL
20.New York Jets at NO
21.Cleveland Browns vs. BUF
22.Pittsburgh Steelers at DET
23.Indianapolis Colts vs. SF
24.New York Giants vs. MIN
25.Miami Dolphins vs. CIN
26.Dallas Cowboys vs. LAC
27.Atlanta Falcons at ARI
28.Cincinnati Bengals at MIA
29.Arizona Cardinals vs. ATL
30.Detroit Lions vs. PIT
31.Las Vegas Raiders at HOU
32.Washington Commanders vs. PHI
Want to Read More?
Subscribe to RotoWire to see the full article.

We reserve some of our best content for our paid subscribers. Plus, if you choose to subscribe you can discuss this article with the author and the rest of the RotoWire community.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Erickson is a co-founder of RotoWire and the only two-time winner of Baseball Writer of the Year from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. He's also in the FSWA Hall of Fame. He roots for the Reds, Bengals, Red Wings, Pacers and Northwestern University (the real NU).
RotoWire Logo

Continue the Conversation

Join the RotoWire Discord group to hear from our experts and other NFL fans.

Top News

Tools

NFL Draft Kit Logo

NFL Draft Kit

Fantasy Tools

Don’t miss a beat. Check out our 2025 NFL Fantasy Football rankings.

Related Stories