Fantasy

Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings And Tiers. Is Calvin Ridley BACK?

by Dwain McFarland

11 months ago

Table of Contents

Quarterback Rankings & Tiers - Week 16
Running Back Rankings & Tiers - Week 16
Wide Receiver Rankings & Tiers - Week 16
Tight End Rankings & Tiers - Week 16

It is time to make those tough lineup decisions for Week 16 of the fantasy football season.

Below, you’ll find positional rankings, player analysis, team totals and spreads for every game on the slate.

Notes:

Players are now tiered across all positions (RB, WR and TE) to help with flex decisions in larger formats. Because of this, TEs might not have a player deserving of Tier 1 compared to RBs and WRs.
Defensive yards and TDs allowed exclude overtime play.
All references to defensive ranks are for this week (bye Week teams excluded).

Last updated: 2:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 21. Please refer to our Rankings page for updates!

Quarterback Rankings & Tiers - Week 16

Rank	Tier	Player	Team	Pos	Opp	Team Total	Spread	PPG
1	1	Josh Allen	BUF	QB	LAC	27.75	-11.5	24.1
2	1	Jalen Hurts	PHI	QB	NYG	27.25	-12.0	24.0
3	2	Dak Prescott	DAL	QB	MIA	24.25	1.5	20.3
4	2	Lamar Jackson	BAL	QB	SF	21.00	5.0	20.7
5	2	Patrick Mahomes	KC	QB	LV	25.50	-10.0	19.2
6	2	Justin Fields	CHI	QB	ARI	23.50	-4.0	18.7
7	2	Brock Purdy	SF	QB	BAL	26.00	-5.0	21.0
8	2	Tua Tagovailoa	MIA	QB	DAL	25.75	-1.5	18.2
9	3	Jared Goff	DET	QB	MIN	25.00	-3.0	18.4
10	3	Matthew Stafford	LAR	QB	NO	25.00	-4.0	16.5
11	3	Trevor Lawrence	JAX	QB	TB	20.75	1.0	18.4
12	3	Kyler Murray	ARI	QB	CHI	19.50	4.0	17.7
13	3	Baker Mayfield	TB	QB	JAX	21.75	-1.0	17.2
14	3	Jordan Love	GB	QB	CAR	20.75	-5.0	18.5
15	4	Nick Mullens	MIN	QB	DET	22.00	3.0	11.2
16	4	Joe Flacco	CLE	QB	HOU	21.25	-2.5	20.3
17	4	Geno Smith	SEA	QB	TEN	22.25	-2.5	15.3
18	4	Russell Wilson	DEN	QB	NE	20.50	-6.5	17.9
19	4	Jake Browning	CIN	QB	PIT	19.50	-2.0	15.8
20	5	Derek Carr	NO	QB	LAR	21.00	4.0	13.2
21	5	Gardner Minshew	IND	QB	ATL	21.75	1.0	13.9
22	5	Sam Howell	WAS	QB	NYJ	17.00	3.0	18.6
23	6	Tommy DeVito	NYG	QB	PHI	15.25	12.0	13.6
24	6	Aidan O'Connell	LV	QB	KC	15.50	10.0	12.1
25	6	Easton Stick	LAC	QB	BUF	16.25	11.5	14.8
26	6	Taylor Heinicke	ATL	QB	IND	22.75	-1.0	12.6
27	6	Bailey Zappe	NE	QB	DEN	14	6.5	6.3
28	7	Zach Wilson	NYJ	QB	WAS	20	-3.0	11.4
29	7	Bryce Young	CAR	QB	GB	15.75	5.0	11
30	7	Mason Rudolph	PIT	QB	CIN	17.5	2.0	0.1
31	7	Will Levis	TEN	QB	SEA	19.75	2.5	13.9
32	7	Case Keenum	HOU	QB	CLE	18.75	2.5	11.4
33	8	Ryan Tannehill	TEN	QB	SEA	19.75	2.5	9.5
34	8	Drew Lock	SEA	QB	TEN	22.25	-2.5	8
35	8	C.J. Beathard	JAX	QB	TB	20.75	1.0	0.7

Running Back Rankings & Tiers - Week 16

Rank	Tier	Player	Team	Pos	Opp	Team Total	Spread	PPG
1	1	Christian McCaffrey	SF	RB	BAL	26.00	-5.0	23.0
2	1	Kyren Williams	LAR	RB	NO	25.00	-4.0	19.6
3	2	Rachaad White	TB	RB	JAX	21.75	-1.0	14.5
4	2	Alvin Kamara	NO	RB	LAR	21.00	4.0	16.1
5	2	Raheem Mostert	MIA	RB	DAL	25.75	-1.5	17.6
6	2	James Cook	BUF	RB	LAC	27.75	-11.5	14.0
7	2	Jahmyr Gibbs	DET	RB	MIN	25.00	-3.0	15.0
8	2	Travis Etienne Jr.	JAC	RB	TB	20.75	0.0	14.9
9	2	Jonathan Taylor	IND	RB	ATL	21.75	1.0	13.3
10	2	Tony Pollard	DAL	RB	MIA	24.25	1.5	12.1
11	2	De'Von Achane	MIA	RB	DAL	25.75	-1.5	17.7
12	3	Bijan Robinson	ATL	RB	IND	22.75	-1.0	12.5
13	3	Joe Mixon	CIN	RB	PIT	19.50	-2.0	13.7
14	3	Isiah Pacheco	KC	RB	LV	25.50	-10.0	13.1
15	3	Derrick Henry	TEN	RB	SEA	19.75	2.5	13.3
16	3	Breece Hall	NYJ	RB	WAS	20.00	-3.0	11.7
17	3	Saquon Barkley	NYG	RB	PHI	15.25	12.0	14.4
18	3	Josh Jacobs	LV	RB	KC	15.50	10.0	12.7
19	3	Ty Chandler	MIN	RB	DET	22.00	3.0	6.0
20	3	David Montgomery	DET	RB	MIN	25.00	-3.0	14.8
21	3	Ezekiel Elliott	NE	RB	DEN	14.00	6.5	8.1
22	3	Brian Robinson Jr.	WAS	RB	NYJ	17.00	3.0	12.9
23	3	D'Andre Swift	PHI	RB	NYG	27.25	-12.0	11.4
24	3	Aaron Jones	GB	RB	CAR	20.75	-5.0	9.6
25	3	Chuba Hubbard	CAR	RB	GB	15.75	5.0	9.4
26	4	Kenneth Walker III	SEA	RB	TEN	22.25	-2.5	12.9
27	4	James Conner	ARI	RB	CHI	19.50	4.0	11.4
28	4	Gus Edwards	BAL	RB	SF	21.00	5.0	10.9
29	4	Devin Singletary	HOU	RB	CLE	18.75	2.5	8.7
30	4	Austin Ekeler	LAC	RB	BUF	16.25	11.5	13.1
31	4	Javonte Williams	DEN	RB	NE	20.50	-6.5	9.2
32	4	Jaylen Warren	PIT	RB	CIN	17.50	2.0	9.8
33	4	Najee Harris	PIT	RB	CIN	17.50	2.0	8.8
34	4	Jerome Ford	CLE	RB	HOU	21.25	-2.5	10.8
35	5	D'Onta Foreman	CHI	RB	ARI	23.50	-4.0	9.5
36	5	Tyjae Spears	TEN	RB	SEA	19.75	2.5	6.7
37	6	Tyler Allgeier	ATL	RB	IND	22.75	-1.0	6.5
38	6	Chase Brown	CIN	RB	PIT	19.50	-2.0	4.2
39	6	Antonio Gibson	WAS	RB	NYJ	17.00	3.0	6.8
40	6	Kareem Hunt	CLE	RB	HOU	21.25	-2.5	7.7
41	6	Zach Charbonnet	SEA	RB	TEN	22.25	-2.5	5.8
42	6	AJ Dillon	GB	RB	CAR	20.75	-5.0	7.4
43	6	Alexander Mattison	MIN	RB	DET	22.00	3.0	8.8
44	6	Roschon Johnson	CHI	RB	ARI	23.50	-4.0	5.2
45	7	Rico Dowdle	DAL	RB	MIA	24.25	1.5	5.1
46	7	Jamaal Williams	NO	RB	LAR	21.00	4.0	3.0
47	7	Kenneth Gainwell	PHI	RB	NYG	27.25	-12.0	4.8
48	7	Zack Moss	IND	RB	ATL	21.75	1.0	11.6
49	7	Jerick McKinnon	KC	RB	LV	25.50	-10.0	6.0
50	7	Justice Hill	BAL	RB	SF	21.00	5.0	5.1
51	7	Samaje Perine	DEN	RB	NE	20.50	-6.5	6.2
52	8	Khalil Herbert	CHI	RB	ARI	23.50	-4.0	6.5
53	8	Miles Sanders	CAR	RB	GB	15.75	5.0	5.5
54	8	Latavius Murray	BUF	RB	LAC	27.75	-11.5	5.3
55	8	Jaleel McLaughlin	DEN	RB	NE	20.50	-6.5	5.3
56	8	Dalvin Cook	NYJ	RB	WAS	20.00	-3.0	2.6
57	8	Dameon Pierce	HOU	RB	CLE	18.75	2.5	6.0
58	9	Zamir White	LV	RB	KC	15.50	10.0	2.4
59	9	Clyde Edwards-Helaire	KC	RB	LV	25.50	-10.0	4.1
60	9	Chris Rodriguez Jr.	WAS	RB	NYJ	17.00	3.0	2.5
61	9	Cordarrelle Patterson	ATL	RB	IND	22.75	-1.0	2.4
62	9	D'Ernest Johnson	JAC	RB	TB	20.75	0.0	2.1
63	9	Ty Johnson	BUF	RB	LAC	27.75	-11.5	4.1
64	9	Isaiah Spiller	LAC	RB	BUF	16.25	11.5	1.9
65	9	Patrick Taylor Jr.	GB	RB	CAR	20.75	-5.0	2.6
66	9	Chase Edmonds	TB	RB	JAX	21.75	-1.0	1.9
67	9	Jeff Wilson Jr.	MIA	RB	DAL	25.75	-1.5	3.1
68	9	Jordan Mason	SF	RB	BAL	26	-5	4.2
69	9	Joshua Kelley	LAC	RB	BUF	16.25	11.5	4.3
70	9	Royce Freeman	LAR	RB	NO	25	-4	5.5
71	9	Matt Breida	NYG	RB	PHI	15.25	12	2.7
72	9	Trey Sermon	IND	RB	ATL	21.75	1	1.3
73	9	Kevin Harris	NE	RB	DEN	14	6.5	8.5
74	9	Melvin Gordon III	BAL	RB	SF	21	5	5.7
75	9	Emari Demercado	ARI	RB	CHI	19.5	4	4.8
76	9	Boston Scott	PHI	RB	NYG	27.25	-12	1.7

Tier 2 – Jonathan Taylor

It has been a rollercoaster ride for Taylor managers this year. However, the Colts are fighting for a playoff spot, and they could get their newly-minted RB back from a thumb injury in Week 16.

After an early-season stint on IR, it took a while for Taylor to reclaim a fantasy-friendly workload due to the emergence of Zack Moss. However, Moss hasn’t been nearly as effective lately and didn’t practice on Wednesday due to a forearm injury.

The Indianapolis coaching staff has shown a willingness to feed one back, with their RB1 collecting a 70%-plus snap share in 9 of 14 games. Taylor accounted for two of those performances and broke out before a thumb injury forced him to miss the last two games. The 25-year-old back averaged 17.8 points per contest from Week 9 to 12.

Over that three-game stretch, Taylor averaged 20.7 opportunities per game. In the two games preceding Week 12, when he injured his thumb, that number was 23.5. That is an immense touch ceiling that makes Taylor worth shoving into most lineups despite the risk of the team easing him back into action.

The Falcons allow 112 yards per game on the ground — just one yard above the league average — but allow the fewest TDs per contest at 0.29. However, with a potential colossal workload on tap, I still like JT to punch in a score and push for 100-plus total yards.

Taylor is my RB7 and a top-15 option on the Week 16 slate.

Tier 3 – Bijan Robinson

Arthur Smith pulled the rug out from under fantasy managers in Week 15, limiting Robinson to a tilting season-low 23% rush share. The rookie finished the day with only seven carries and three targets despite the choice matchup against the Panthers.

Of course, after that massive disappointment, Robinson would land another premiere matchup because that is how fantasy works. The Colts allow the seventh-most rushing yards (128) and the second-most TDs (1.4) per contest.

Opposing RBs have bushwhacked the Indianapolis run defense for the third-most fantasy points per game.

While the Falcons' offense is maddening to predict, Robinson still averages 16.9 opportunities per game and has reached 20-plus in three of the last five outings. I completely understand if you want to avoid this one and save yourself the agitation, but my role is to share the data so you can make that choice.

At $6,300 on DraftKings, he could come in at a very low rostership due to multiple backs like Ty Chandler ($5,600), Devin Singletary ($5,500) and Chuba Hubbard ($5,700) that project for sizable workloads at a discount.

Robinson weighs in as my RB12, but I am eight spots behind industry consensus in my flex rankings.

Tier 3 – Isiah Pacheco

Pacheco will return to the lineup after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury, and Andy Reid expects him to see a full workload. In four games before the injury, Pacheco pushed his utilization to new heights, bogarting 78% of the Chiefs’ rushing attempts.

Over that stretch, Pacheco averaged 16 fantasy points on 19.8 opportunities per contest — RB1-worthy marks. There is some risk that the team will ease him back into the fold, but it’s hard to be conservative with the second-year back, given the Chiefs are 10-point favorites against the Raiders.

Las Vegas allows 125 yards per contest to opposing rushers – the tenth-most in the NFL. In week 12 against the Raiders, Pacheco tallied his best fantasy output of the season with 25.9 points.

Pacheco is my RB14 this weekend and would be inside my top 10 if he wasn’t coming off an injury.

Wide Receiver Rankings & Tiers - Week 16

Rank	Tier	Player	Team	Pos	Opp	Team Total	Spread	PPG
1	1	CeeDee Lamb	DAL	WR	MIA	24.25	1.5	17.9
2	1	Tyreek Hill	MIA	WR	DAL	25.75	-1.5	21.2
3	2	A.J. Brown	PHI	WR	NYG	27.25	-12.0	15.8
4	2	Amon-Ra St. Brown	DET	WR	MIN	25.00	-3.0	16.0
5	2	Justin Jefferson	MIN	WR	DET	22.00	3.0	15.5
6	2	Mike Evans	TB	WR	JAX	21.75	-1.0	14.8
7	2	Stefon Diggs	BUF	WR	LAC	27.75	-11.5	14.1
8	2	Michael Pittman Jr.	IND	WR	ATL	21.75	1.0	12.8
9	3	Cooper Kupp	LAR	WR	NO	25.00	-4.0	11.4
10	3	Deebo Samuel	SF	WR	BAL	26.00	-5.0	15.0
11	3	DJ Moore	CHI	WR	ARI	23.50	-4.0	14.5
12	3	Rashee Rice	KC	WR	LV	25.50	-10.0	10.8
13	3	Jaylen Waddle	MIA	WR	DAL	25.75	-1.5	12.1
14	3	Puka Nacua	LAR	WR	NO	25.00	-4.0	13.5
15	3	Calvin Ridley	JAC	WR	TB	20.75	0.0	10.1
16	3	Amari Cooper	CLE	WR	HOU	21.25	-2.5	10.5
17	3	DK Metcalf	SEA	WR	TEN	22.25	-2.5	12.6
18	3	Brandon Aiyuk	SF	WR	BAL	26.00	-5.0	13.4
19	3	Davante Adams	LV	WR	KC	15.50	10.0	12.1
20	3	Chris Olave	NO	WR	LAR	21.00	4.0	11.7
21	3	Tee Higgins	CIN	WR	PIT	19.50	-2.0	9.2
22	3	DeVonta Smith	PHI	WR	NYG	27.25	-12.0	12.1
23	4	Garrett Wilson	NYJ	WR	WAS	20.00	-3.0	10.5
24	4	DeAndre Hopkins	TEN	WR	SEA	19.75	2.5	11.3
25	4	Chris Godwin	TB	WR	JAX	21.75	-1.0	9.3
26	4	Courtland Sutton	DEN	WR	NE	20.50	-6.5	11.9
27	4	Jordan Addison	MIN	WR	DET	22.00	3.0	12.0
28	4	Tyler Lockett	SEA	WR	TEN	22.25	-2.5	9.4
29	4	Drake London	ATL	WR	IND	22.75	-1.0	9.1
30	4	Jayden Reed	GB	WR	CAR	20.75	-5.0	10.4
31	4	Diontae Johnson	PIT	WR	CIN	17.50	2.0	9.8
32	4	Zay Flowers	BAL	WR	SF	21.00	5.0	9.3
33	4	Adam Thielen	CAR	WR	GB	15.75	5.0	11.2
34	5	Jakobi Meyers	LV	WR	KC	15.50	10.0	11.4
35	5	Terry McLaurin	WAS	WR	NYJ	17.00	3.0	9.6
36	5	Noah Brown	HOU	WR	CLE	18.75	2.5	9.8
37	5	Jaxon Smith-Njigba	SEA	WR	TEN	22.25	-2.5	7.0
38	5	Curtis Samuel	WAS	WR	NYJ	17.00	3.0	8.8
39	5	Brandin Cooks	DAL	WR	MIA	24.25	1.5	8.2
40	5	Christian Watson	GB	WR	CAR	20.75	-5.0	9.7
41	5	Josh Downs	IND	WR	ATL	21.75	1.0	7.4
42	5	Odell Beckham Jr.	BAL	WR	SF	21.00	5.0	7.2
43	5	Demario Douglas	NE	WR	DEN	14.00	6.5	6.1
44	5	George Pickens	PIT	WR	CIN	17.50	2.0	9.1
45	5	Tyler Boyd	CIN	WR	PIT	19.50	-2.0	7.1
46	5	Joshua Palmer	LAC	WR	BUF	16.25	11.5	9.3
47	5	Gabe Davis	BUF	WR	LAC	27.75	-11.5	8.2
48	6	Jerry Jeudy	DEN	WR	NE	20.50	-6.5	6.7
49	6	Rashid Shaheed	NO	WR	LAR	21.00	4.0	8.0
50	6	Romeo Doubs	GB	WR	CAR	20.75	-5.0	8.8
51	6	Jameson Williams	DET	WR	MIN	25.00	-3.0	5.3
52	6	Elijah Moore	CLE	WR	HOU	21.25	-2.5	6.3
53	6	Wan'Dale Robinson	NYG	WR	PHI	15.25	12.0	6.0
54	6	Jonathan Mingo	CAR	WR	GB	15.75	5.0	4.7
55	6	Darius Slayton	NYG	WR	PHI	15.25	12.0	5.4
56	6	Jahan Dotson	WAS	WR	NYJ	17.00	3.0	6.7
57	6	DeVante Parker	NE	WR	DEN	14.00	6.5	4.4
58	7	Treylon Burks	TEN	WR	SEA	19.75	2.5	3.3
59	7	Alec Pierce	IND	WR	ATL	21.75	1.0	4.5
60	7	Darnell Mooney	CHI	WR	ARI	23.50	-4.0	4.4
61	7	Rashod Bateman	BAL	WR	SF	21.00	5.0	3.9
62	7	Quentin Johnston	LAC	WR	BUF	16.25	11.5	4.5
63	7	Michael Wilson	ARI	WR	CHI	19.50	4.0	7.0
64	7	Parker Washington	JAC	WR	TB	20.75	0.0	4.7
65	7	Jalin Hyatt	NYG	WR	PHI	15.25	12.0	3.1
66	7	Justin Watson	KC	WR	LV	25.50	-10.0	4.7
67	7	Michael Gallup	DAL	WR	MIA	24.25	1.5	5.0
68	8	Dontayvion Wicks	GB	WR	CAR	20.75	-5.0	5.5
69	8	Khalil Shakir	BUF	WR	LAC	27.75	-11.5	4.8
70	8	Kadarius Toney	KC	WR	LV	25.50	-10.0	3.0
71	8	Demarcus Robinson	LAR	WR	NO	25.00	-4.0	4.7
72	8	Cedric Tillman	CLE	WR	HOU	21.25	-2.5	2.2
73	8	Robert Woods	HOU	WR	CLE	18.75	2.5	4.9
74	8	DJ Chark Jr.	CAR	WR	GB	15.75	5.0	5.6
75	8	A.T. Perry	NO	WR	LAR	21.00	4.0	3.5
76	8	K.J. Osborn	MIN	WR	DET	22.00	3.0	5.9
77	8	Josh Reynolds	DET	WR	MIN	25.00	-3.0	7.1
78	8	Rondale Moore	ARI	WR	CHI	19.50	4.0	5.0
79	8	Marvin Mims Jr.	DEN	WR	NE	20.50	-6.5	3.4
80	8	Kalif Raymond	DET	WR	MIN	25.00	-3.0	4.8
81	8	Tutu Atwell	LAR	WR	NO	25.00	-4.0	6.7
82	8	Nelson Agholor	BAL	WR	SF	21.00	5.0	4.4
83	8	Allen Lazard	NYJ	WR	WAS	20.00	-3.0	3.7
84	9	Marquez Valdes-Scantling	KC	WR	LV	25.50	-10.0	3.4
85	9	Xavier Gipson	NYJ	WR	WAS	20.00	-3.0	3.1
86	9	Tre Tucker	LV	WR	KC	15.50	10.0	3.5
87	9	Jamal Agnew	JAC	WR	TB	20.75	0.0	3.0
88	9	Lil'Jordan Humphrey	DEN	WR	NE	20.50	-6.5	1.9
89	9	Trey Palmer	TB	WR	JAX	21.75	-1.0	3.8
90	9	Allen Robinson II	PIT	WR	CIN	17.50	2.0	2.8
91	9	Jauan Jennings	SF	WR	BAL	26.00	-5.0	3.2
92	9	Hunter Renfrow	LV	WR	KC	15.50	10.0	2.7
93	9	Cedrick Wilson Jr.	MIA	WR	DAL	25.75	-1.5	3.4
94	9	Chris Moore	TEN	WR	SEA	19.75	2.5	3.4
95	9	Greg Dortch	ARI	WR	CHI	19.50	4.0	2.7
96	9	Trenton Irwin	CIN	WR	PIT	19.50	-2.0	3.0
97	9	D.J. Montgomery	IND	WR	ATL	21.75	1.0	3.0
98	9	Jalen Guyton	LAC	WR	BUF	16.25	11.5	3.0
99	9	Lynn Bowden Jr.	NO	WR	LAR	21.00	4.0	0.0
100	9	Xavier Hutchinson	HOU	WR	CLE	18.75	2.5	1.2
101	9	Jalen Tolbert	DAL	WR	MIA	24.25	1.5	2.5
102	9	KaVontae Turpin	DAL	WR	MIA	24.25	1.5	4.0
103	9	Braxton Berrios	MIA	WR	DAL	25.75	-1.5	3.1
104	9	Tyquan Thornton	NE	WR	DEN	14.00	6.5	2.0
105	9	Alex Erickson	LAC	WR	BUF	16.25	11.5	3.2
106	9	Isaiah Hodgins	NYG	WR	PHI	15.25	12.0	3.2
107	9	Tyler Scott	CHI	WR	ARI	23.50	-4.0	1.8
108	9	Andrei Iosivas	CIN	WR	PIT	19.50	-2.0	1.5
109	9	John Metchie III	HOU	WR	CLE	18.75	2.5	1.7

Tier 2 – Stefon Diggs

Diggs has left fantasy managers uninspired over the last four games. Notching only 10.3 fantasy points per contest, he has three finishes of WR36 or worse. On the surface, it looks like the Bills' new focal point of the offense is James Cook, but despite his emergence, Diggs’ underlying remains WR1-worthy.

The 30-year-old is still the primary focal point in a quality offense with a 4% DBOE, but the schedule has been brutal. He managed 19.4 points against the Eagles in Week 12 but struggled against three top-seven fantasy defenses against WRs in the Jets, Chiefs and Cowboys.

Dec 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) takes the field before the game Dallas Cowboys at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Opponents have averaged only 196 yards and 1.2 TDs against those three stingy defensive units. A stark contrast to the Chargers, who have allowed the most passing yards (283) and the fifth-most TDs (1.7). Only the Eagles and Commanders have been worse against WRs in fantasy.

The Bills are nearly two-TD favorites, which could keep them from passing the ball as much late in the game. However, this team is in must-win mode to make the playoffs, and their passing game needs a tuneup to close out strong. Even if they shut things down early, no team carries a higher game total. This matchup has the makings of a 100-plus yard outing with multi-TD upside.

Diggs is a SMASH play in Week 16 as my WR7 and No. 15 overall flex option.

Tier 3 – Calvin Ridley

Fantasy managers have had difficulty pinning down when to start and bench Ridley this season. He has three top-three finishes and five finishes outside the Top 40 WRs. However, his utilization has settled in at ELITE WR1 levels over the last three games without Christian Kirk — averaging 10.3 targets, 1.3 end zone targets and 148 air yards.

Indeed, the fantasy points haven’t followed his recent surge in opportunities, but the former Round 1 NFL Draft pick is due for a monster outing. Based on data from the last 12 NFL seasons, Ridley’s comps averaged 19.2 points and a WR6 finish.

With Zay Jones labeled week-to-week, the Jaguars passing attack will revolve around Ridley and Evan Engram. The biggest question for Jacksonville this week is the status of Trevor Lawrence, who is working through the concussion protocol.

Five weeks ago, this was an offense averaging 236 passing yards, carving up targets between three to four weapons. Lawrence has been on fire lately, averaging 281 yards and 1.8 TDs since Week 11.

Ridley’s situation has changed more than any other WR in the NFL over the last few games, and he draws a premium matchup against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay allows the second-most passing yards per game (283) and the fifth-most fantasy points to WRs.

On DraftKings, Ridley’s price has risen, but at $6,300, there is too much upside to ignore, given his recent role and talent profile.

Ridley is my WR15 this weekend and ranks 12 spots ahead of industry consensus as a top-35 overall play. He is a SMASH play, assuming Trevor Lawrence suits up.

Tier 3 – Amari Cooper

Last offseason, the Browns indicated they wanted to move to a pass-first offense, but it simply hasn’t come to fruition due to QB challenges. But over the last three games with Joe Flacco under center, Cleveland boasts a 7% DBOE (dropback rate over expectation).

During this three-game stretch, the Browns have averaged a mouthwatering 47.3 dropbacks per game. Cooper left Week 13 early due to injury, but he has averaged 10.5 targets and 132 air yards over the last two contests.

While the Texans might not be able to force the Browns into a shootout without C.J. Stroud, per the 40-point game total, they have been a funnel defense. Houston’s stingy run defense allows the sixth-fewest rushing yards (93) per contest. Last weekend, they held Derrick Henry — who has owned Houston in recent years — to 16 yards on nine carries. However, the Texans cough up the seventh-most through the air (260).

You can still roster Cooper at a very reasonable $6,400 on DraftKings.

Cooper is my WR16 this weekend and files in 14 slots ahead of industry consensus as my No. 35 player overall.

Tight End Rankings & Tiers - Week 16

Rank	Tier	Player	Team	Pos	Opp	Team Total	Spread	PPG
1	3	Travis Kelce	KC	TE	LV	25.5	-10.0	12.7
2	4	Trey McBride	ARI	TE	CHI	19.5	4.0	8.3
3	4	Sam LaPorta	DET	TE	MIN	25.0	-3.0	11.8
4	4	T.J. Hockenson	MIN	TE	DET	22.0	3.0	11.8
5	4	David Njoku	CLE	TE	HOU	21.3	-2.5	9.6
6	4	Evan Engram	JAC	TE	TB	20.8	0.0	9.6
7	4	George Kittle	SF	TE	BAL	26.0	-5.0	10.7
8	5	Jake Ferguson	DAL	TE	MIA	24.3	1.5	8.6
9	5	Dalton Kincaid	BUF	TE	LAC	27.8	-11.5	7.1
10	5	Isaiah Likely	BAL	TE	SF	21.0	5.0	3.7
11	5	Cole Kmet	CHI	TE	ARI	23.5	-4.0	9.0
12	5	Dallas Goedert	PHI	TE	NYG	27.3	-12.0	7.5
13	5	Dalton Schultz	HOU	TE	CLE	18.8	2.5	8.6
14	6	Darren Waller	NYG	TE	PHI	15.3	12.0	7.6
15	6	Taysom Hill	NO	TE	LAR	21.0	4.0	8.3
16	6	Kyle Pitts	ATL	TE	IND	22.8	-1.0	6.7
17	6	Hunter Henry	NE	TE	DEN	14.0	6.5	7.1
18	6	Pat Freiermuth	PIT	TE	CIN	17.5	2.0	5.5
19	7	Tucker Kraft	GB	TE	CAR	20.8	-5.0	3.0
20	7	Tyler Conklin	NYJ	TE	WAS	20.0	-3.0	5.5
21	7	Cade Otton	TB	TE	JAX	21.8	-1.0	6.1
22	7	Gerald Everett	LAC	TE	BUF	16.3	11.5	5.9
23	7	Chigoziem Okonkwo	TEN	TE	SEA	19.8	2.5	4.4
24	8	Tanner Hudson	CIN	TE	PIT	19.5	-2.0	5.8
25	8	Logan Thomas	WAS	TE	NYJ	17.0	3.0	6.5
26	8	Juwan Johnson	NO	TE	LAR	21.0	4.0	4.2
27	8	Tyler Higbee	LAR	TE	NO	25.0	-4.0	5.5
28	8	Noah Fant	SEA	TE	TEN	22.3	-2.5	3.5
29	8	Jonnu Smith	ATL	TE	IND	22.8	-1.0	6.1
30	8	Michael Mayer	LV	TE	KC	15.5	10.0	4.0
31	9	Noah Gray	KC	TE	LV	25.5	-10.0	3.7
32	9	Tommy Tremble	CAR	TE	GB	15.8	5.0	2.9
33	9	Donald Parham Jr.	LAC	TE	BUF	16.3	11.5	4.2
34	9	Dawson Knox	BUF	TE	LAC	27.8	-11.5	3.2
35	9	Durham Smythe	MIA	TE	DAL	25.8	-1.5	2.7
36	9	Lucas Krull	DEN	TE	NE	20.5	-6.5	1.6
37	9	Daniel Bellinger	NYG	TE	PHI	15.3	12.0	1.9

Reminder: I have leveled my tiers across RB, WR and TE to help with flex lineup decisions. So, getting to Tier 1 is hard — often, Tier 2 is where you will find my highest-ranked TE.

Tier 4 – T.J. Hockenson

Hockenson has been two different players this season — the version with and without Justin Jefferson in the lineup. The veteran TE has a substantial 21% target share with Jefferson, but it is astronomical without him at 28%. Of course, targets are enormous in fantasy, and Hockenson averages 17.3 points in games without Jefferson. That drops to 12.9 in contests with Jefferson.

In Week 15, with Jefferson back, Hockenson stayed true to those numbers.

Despite the return of Jefferson, Hockenson ($5,800) has allure in DFS tournaments this weekend, with many players likely going with names like David Njoku and Evan Engram at lower prices. But ultimately, Hockenson is still the No. 2 target in an offense fighting for a playoff position — just like those options. That makes Hockenson an intriguing way to get in on the Vikings-Lions matchup with pricey WR1s and chalky RB options.

Hockenson is my TE4 and a borderline to-50 flex option.

Dwain McFarland