Fantasy WR Rankings Week 16: Who to start, sit at wide receiver in fantasy football

While rankings at positions like QB and TE might not be as important with a limited percentage of fantasy owners still standing in the playoffs, wide receiver is arguably the most important set of weekly rankings given the depth of options at our disposal. Last week, we saw Tyler Lockett, Allen Robinson, Jaylen Waddle, and Jarvis Landry fall victim to the reserve/COVID-19 list, so those who weren’t ready with a backup plan were likely out of luck. That’s a thing we’re going to have to deal with in these final few weeks, so it’s important to be familiar with our Week 16 fantasy WR rankings.

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin (@ Panthers) and Stefon Diggs (@ Patriots) look to be among the studs with the toughest matchups, but each possesses too high of upside to bench. Obviously, their upsides vary in degree, but even a WR2 upside guy is never really going to see the bench. It’s also worth noting A.J. Brown (vs. 49ers), who’s been on IR because of a chest injury, and Antonio Brown (@ Panthers), who’s been suspended, could be back this week, so stay tuned.

WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Among players on the start-or-sit bubble, we like Van Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. (@ Vikings), DeVante Parker (@ Saints), Russell Gage (vs. Lions), Amon-Ra. St. Brown (@ Falcons), Michael Gallup (vs. Washington), and A.J. Green and Christian Kirk (vs. Colts). They all have juicy matchups, increased roles, or a combination of both in Week 16. With T.J. Hockenson (hand) and DeAndre Hopkins (knee) out for the year, St. Brown and Green/Kirk can stake a claim as the No. 1 option in their teams’ passing attacks. The others face truly awful defenses against fantasy WRs.

WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Some less “safe,” but still attractive plays are Jamison Crowder (vs. Jaguars), Josh Reynolds (@ Falcons), Robby Anderson (vs. Buccaneers), Curtis Samuel (@ Cowboys), Tre’Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway (vs. Dolphins), and Laquon Treadwell and Marvin Jones (@ Jets). These guys have much lower presumed floors, but the upside is there in strong matchups. Reynolds will also benefit from the Hockenson absence, and Treadwell and Jones will be in their second week with a new head coach. Perhaps that will unlock their fantasy upsides. It’s scary to risk those sorts of things in the playoffs, but go big or go home.

Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney (@ Eagles), Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis (@ Patriots), Rashod Bateman (@ Bengals), Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton (@ Raiders), and K.J. Osborn (vs. Rams) are all in tough spots, as they haven’t proven to be consistent producers in any regard and have tough matchups. Obviously, some of their upsides make them fine boom-or-bust plays ;in deeper leagues where the options are far more limited. Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers (vs. Bills), Michael Pittman (@ Cardinals), Marquise Brown (@ Bengals), and even Brandin Cooks (vs. Chargers) are potential sits in 10- or 12-team standard leagues depending on your other options, but Cooks is likely playing too well to sit right now. 

Again, we urge you to stack some favorable streamers or fringe starters on your bench if you can because it looks like fantasy owners are going to deal with the current COVID-19 craze going through the NFL right now. The last thing you want is think you’re set at WR with Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel only to see them wind up on the reserve/COVID-19 list a day before the game. It’s better to be safe than sorry because you know your fellow semifinalists won’t take it easy on you.

Note: We’ll be updating these WR rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.

​Fantasy WR Rankings Week 16: Who to start at wide receiver

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring