The fantasy football playoffs are officially underway as just two more weeks remain in the season for the majority of leagues. Now, it’s time to look at some start/sit decisions for Week 16.
Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.
Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.
Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11), or check out our start/bench list for Week 16:
Quarterback
Start ‘Em
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mayfield has five QB1 finishes over his last eight games and draws a nice matchup against Jacksonville this week. Over the last five weeks, they’ve allowed the third-most fantasy points per game (21.8) to go along with the fifth-most passing yards (1,298) and sixth-most passing touchdowns (nine). The Jaguars also allowed opposing quarterbacks to finish as a top-12 option 10 times this season, which is the second-most in the NFL.
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals: Fields is coming off a pretty rough game against the Cleveland Browns, but he’s a strong start this week. Averaging 16.5 fantasy points per game over his last four, Fields also is averaging 12.3 rushing attempts and 62.8 rushing yards per game during that span. Now, he gets a matchup against a Cardinals defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game (18.8) to quarterbacks since Week 11.
Sit ‘Em
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears: On the other side of that game, Murray is a tough start this week. He won’t have Marquise Brown (heel), and the Bears have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game (9.9) to quarterbacks over their last four games. Murray hasn’t shown much upside as a passer since returning from ACL surgery so managers may want to pivot.
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders at New York Jets: Howell posted QB1 finishes in all but one game from Weeks 5-12. However, he came crashing down to Earth in Week 15 with just 8.3 fantasy points and a season-low 102 passing yards. The Jets, meanwhile, have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game (11.1) to quarterbacks since Week 11.
Running Back
Start ‘Em
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts: If you somehow managed to survive the first round of the playoffs with Robinson’s brutal Week 15 outing (I did not), it will be understandably difficult to trust him this week. The matchup is there, however, considering the Colts have allowed the third-most PPR points per game to the position over the last five weeks. He’s still a starting asset if you can stomach Arthur Smith’s decision-making.
Breece Hall, New York Jets vs. Washington Commanders: The Jets will be trotting out Trevor Siemian under center with Zach Wilson (concussion) ruled out. Hall may not have immense upside, but he can still be viewed as a fringe RB2 type against a Commanders defense that has allowed the second-most PPR points per game (31.3) and eight total touchdowns over their last four games.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers: Jones finally made his return from a three-game absence last week and even though he gained a nice 69 total yards, he can be a sneaky upside play against Carolina in Week 16. The Panthers have allowed 15 running backs to finish as a top-24 option, and the Packers are still fighting for a playoff spot, so Jones should be a solid play as an RB2 with upside.
Sit ‘Em
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots: Between the three-headed backfield and the fact that New England has allowed the third-fewest PPR points per game (16.5) to the position over the last five weeks, Williams has a capped ceiling this week at home.
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans: While Ford has been extremely consistent as an RB2 option for fantasy since Nick Chubb (knee) went down with a season-ending injury early on, managers may want to look elsewhere for a boom game. He’s still splitting snaps with Kareem Hunt and is averaging just 37.2 rushing yards per game. To make matters worse, Houston has been stout against the run, allowing the fifth-fewest PPR points per game (17.4) and just 2.9 yards per carry to opposing backs since Week 11.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers: If you’re desperate at running back, there’s still a chance Edwards finds the end zone, so he’s not an automatic sit. However, the 49ers have been solid against running backs all season, and if the Ravens are behind, they will be using Justice Hill a lot more as the receiving back. If anything, expectations need to be tempered for Edwards.
Wide Receiver
Start ‘Em
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have been pretty solid against wide receivers for fantasy purposes over the last two months or so. Since Week 7, only one receiver has reached 90 receiving yards in a game against the Steelers. Still, Higgins will be the primary read in the passing game with Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder) ruled out for Saturday’s contest. As the Bengals look to secure a playoff spot, they won’t be stepping off the gas at all in this division matchup.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals: The Steelers are going with Mason Rudolph under center instead of Mitchell Trubisky. Johnson has a 25.9% target share since Week 7, which is a team-high mark. The Bengals have allowed the fifth-most receiving yards (868) to wideouts over the last five weeks, making Johnson a flex option with WR2 upside if he’s able to find the end zone again.
DJ Moore, Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals: It’s difficult to imagine anyone sitting Moore right now considering the stretch he’s been on. The Cardinals have allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game (37.7) to wideouts over the last five weeks, so he’s a fantastic spot to produce for fantasy.
Sit ‘Em
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders at New York Jets: In the four games prior to Week 15, McLaurin averaged just 6.4 PPR points and 31.5 receiving yards per game. No one should be beating themselves up for having him on the bench when he torched the Los Angeles Rams for a 6-151-1 line in Week 15. Trusting him this week seems like chasing points. The matchup against the Jets is a tough one as they’ve allowed the seventh-fewest receiving yards (562) and fourth-fewest PPR points per game (23.4) to the position over the last five weeks.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons: Before his knee injury became an issue in Week 9, Downs seemed to be on his way to a strong rookie season. Since then, though, he hasn’t been nearly the same player. Over his last six games, Downs has averaged just 5.5 PPR points, 4.7 targets and 26.3 yards per game. The talent is clearly there, but he’s incredibly difficult to trust during the fantasy playoffs.
Los Angeles Chargers WRs vs. Buffalo Bills: After firing Brandon Staley as head coach, the Chargers offense struggled without starting QB Justin Herbert (finger). Even though Joshua Palmer scored on a broken play and rookie Quentin Johnston found the end zone as well, the Chargers offense cannot be trusted this week. Buffalo has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points per game (26.8) and the second-fewest receiving yards (401) to wideouts over the last five weeks.
Tight End
Start ‘Em
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots at Denver Broncos: Henry (knee) hasn’t practiced entering Friday, so his health will need to be monitored on the final injury report. If he’s expected to play, he has a great option against a Denver defense that has allowed the second-most PPR points per game (18.7) and third-most receiving yards (343) to tight ends over the last five weeks.
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers: The matchup on paper might be a bit scary, but the 49ers have allowed the second-most receiving yards (355) to the position since Week 11. Likely has been a top-five tight end in each of the last two weeks averaging 76.5 yards per game since taking over as the starter.
Sit ‘Em
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers: The rookie tight end has been a fun story since fellow rookie Luke Musgrave (kidney) went down with an injury. However, the Panthers have allowed just three tight ends to finish as a top-12 option this season. The landscape is poor enough to the point where Kraft can be started, but it might be best to temper expectations.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans vs. Cleveland Browns: Without C.J. Stroud (concussion), Schultz doesn’t have the same upside. Now, he will be facing a Browns that has been one of the toughest matchups for tight ends throughout the entire season. It’s best to look for an option with higher upside.
