CLEVELAND, OH — Week 16 is here, which means most of you have advanced to the fantasy title game. Making the correct lineup decisions is crucial.
Feel free to send me your fantasy questions on Twitter or Instagram.
Here are the players you should start in Week 16:
Start 'Em
Joe Mixon — I foolishly left Mixon on my bench last week. He sliced and diced the Patriots’ defense, which cost me a finals spot in one of my leagues. Don’t make the mistake I did — start Mixon this week. He has a great matchup against the Dolphins. Mixon has scored 17 PPR points in six of his last seven games. Miami has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to running backs this season. Start Mixon with confidence in Week 16.
Marlon Mack — Mack has struggled in recent weeks, but should bounce back in a big way against the Panthers. Carolina has allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this season. The Panthers have given up a touchdown to a running back in 10 straight games. Mack is a RB2 with huge upside in Week 16.
Tyler Lockett — Lockett is coming off of an eight reception, 120-yard performance against the Panthers. The Cardinals have allowed the 8th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Lockett is a high-end WR2.
Kenyan Drake — Drake exploded for 137 yards and four touchdowns in Week 15 against the Browns. He probably won’t be as productive against the Seahawks, but he’s a safe RB2 with upside in all leagues. The Cardinals clearly consider Drake their top back. Start him with confidence against a Seahawks defense that has allowed five touchdowns to running backs in their last three games.
Devonta Freeman — Freeman has a dream matchup against the Jaguars this week. They’re allowing the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Jacksonville has given up 6.4 yards from scrimmage per touch to running backs over the past four games, which is the highest in the NFL. Freeman has been inconsistent this season, but he should have your trust in Week 16.
James Conner — Conner had 51 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown last week against Buffalo. He should have more running lanes against the Jets. New York has dealt with plenty of injuries on defense and the Steelers will rely on the running game. Conner is a RB2 with upside in Week 16.
Jameis Winston — Winston has thrown for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns in each of his last two games. He’ll be without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but he’s still a QB1 with plenty of upside. Winston is thriving in Bruce Arians’ offense. The Texans have allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Tyler Boyd — Boyd should bounce back after struggling last week against the Patriots. He’s been targeted 32 times since Week 12, which is the 12th most among wide receivers. Miami has allowed 35 fantasy points per game to wide receivers since Week 12, which is the most in the NFL. Boyd is a WR2 in PPR with plenty of upside.
Sit 'Em
Odell Beckham Jr. — Beckham has been one of the biggest fantasy busts of the year. He is nearly impossible to trust against a tough Baltimore secondary. He’s a big name and you probably drafted him in the first or second round depending on the league, but he’s better off on your bench this week.
David Montgomery — Montgomery has flashed his potential this season, but he’s too inconsistent to trust with a fantasy championship on the line. He’s scored double digit PPR points just once in his last six games. Kansas City has struggled against running backs this season, but the matchup isn’t enough to warrant playing Montgomery. Avoid him this week.
Todd Gurley — Gurley has at least 18 PPR points in three straight games. He may be impossible to sit in some leagues, but it’s hard to feel good about playing him against the 49ers. San Francisco has allowed the 2nd fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Gurley is a boom-or-bust RB2 in Week 16.
Tom Brady — Brady is clearly less than 100 percent (elbow) and has completed just 52 percent of his passes in his last five games. The Bills held Brady to just three fantasy points in Week 4. They’ve given up the 2nd fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Brady may be the greatest of all-time, but he should also be benched in Week 16.
Sony Michel — Michel hasn’t rushed for a touchdown since Week 7 and only scored six fantasy points in his first matchup with the Bills. He’s a touchdown dependent RB3. Buffalo is allowing the 12th fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Leave Michel on your bench this week.
Sleepers
Breshad Perriman — Perriman is the ultimate sleeper in Week 16. He has four touchdowns in his last two games. He should get plenty of targets with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin injured. Perriman has WR1 potential against the Texans in Week 16.
Andy Dalton — Dalton hasn’t thrown for more than two touchdowns in a game this season, but that could change against a weak Miami secondary. The Dolphins are allowing the 4th most fantasy points to quarterbacks, which means Dalton is a high-end QB2 this week.
Mike Boone — Boone ran for 56 yards and two touchdowns last week after Dalvin Cook left with a shoulder injury. Boone could be the Vikings’ lead back if Cook can’t play against the Packers. Boone would be an instant RB2 with plenty of upside in Minnesota’s run first offense.
John Ross — Ross has big-play potential and he could have a big game this week against the Dolphins. Miami has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Ross is a boom-or-bust WR4 with plenty of upside, but he should only be considered in daily games and deeper leagues.
DeAndre Washington — Washington should be the Raiders’ lead back this week with Josh Jacobs (shoulder) out. Washington finished with 21 PPR points against the Titans two weeks ago when Jacobs was out. Washington is a RB2 with plenty of upside against Chargers.
