Week 16 fantasy football playbook
Matchups to exploit, sneaky DFS picks and the latest rankings to make the most of your Week 16 fantasy football contests.
Hey folks,
I have a condensed version of the playbook this weekend, as the holiday season is beginning to suck up what little free time I usually have. But the most important bits are here and up to date to help you along to your title game!
This coming week, I will also be skipping the waiver wire post due to the holidays, but will be sending out a mid-week update with Week 17’s rankings and more.
Thanks for understanding, and hope you have a wonderful week heading into Christmas!
Best - Justin
Quick links: Latest Week 16 rankings | DraftKings and FanDuel projections
🤕 Pain Index: Week 16
The above are my own estimates, sometimes based on unofficial media reports. Always double-check before benching a player and consult the latest NFL injury report.
↕️ Week 16 QBs: Matchup breakdown
🍟 DK value menu
Bargain-bin buy: Gardner Minshew (KC) - $4.5K, proj: 14.7 DK pts
Best affordable value: Jacoby Brissett (ARI) - $5.3K; proj: 20.0 DK pts
Worth the extra coin: Bo Nix (DEN) - $6.1K; proj: 20.0 DK pts
🔥 DFS hot take
“Brissett is easily the top value at quarterback this week, pricing out 12th among the 22 projected starting quarterbacks on the slate despite having reeled off nine consecutive top-12 fantasy outings. Brissett, who defied the odds with 249 passing yards and three touchdowns against Houston last week, is averaging 20.5 fantasy PPG since taking over as Arizona's starter. That ranks fourth among quarterbacks. He's in line for another big game against an Atlanta defense that has allowed 19-plus fantasy points to four quarterbacks … since Week 11.” — Mike Clay, ESPN
View the latest DraftKings and FanFuel projections and value grades
↕️ Week 16 RBs: Matchup breakdown
🍟 DK value menu
Bargain-bin buy: Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) - $5.1K, proj: 13.2 DK pts
Best affordable value: Javonte Williams (DAL) - $6.4K; proj: 15.7 DK pts
Worth the extra coin: Bijan Robinson (ATL) - $8.7K; proj: 24.7 DK pts
🔥 DFS hot take
“Filling the flex with Gainwell gives more exposure to the Steelers’ plus-rated matchup and another stacking option for Rodgers. … Gainwell has been on the come-up of late, and he comes into Week 16 with career highs in both rushing and receiving yardage while being tied for a personal-best six TDs. If Pittsburgh falls behind, Gainwell’s passing-game role will stand out.” — Cory Bonini, Athlon Sports
View the latest DraftKings and FanFuel projections and value grades
↕️ Week 16 WRs: Matchup breakdown
🍟 DK value menu
Bargain-bin buy: Courtland Sutton (DEN) - $5.7K, proj: 14.1 DK pts
Best affordable value: Jameson Williams (DET) - $6.4K; proj: 15.9 DK pts
Worth the extra coin: Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) - $8.4K; proj: 22.3 DK pts
🔥 DFS hot take
“Since Sam LaPorta went down, ARSB is averaging an insane 12.8 targets (33.1% target share), 111.8 YPG, and 24 DK FPG. The Steelers allow the most receiving YPG on throws within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage (112.6), but the 10th-fewest on the deep ball. This underneath funnel matchup is perfect for ARSB, as is the blitz-heavy nature of this Steelers defense.” — Scott Barrett, FantasyPoints.com
View the latest DraftKings and FanFuel projections and value grades
↕️ Week 16 TEs: Matchup breakdown
🍟 DK value menu
Bargain-bin buy: Brenton Strange (JAC) - $3.9K, proj: 9.5 DK pts
Best affordable value: Kyle Pitts Sr. (ATL) - $5K; proj: 13.2 DK pts
Worth the extra coin: Trey McBride (ARI) - $7.6K; proj: 18.0 DK pts
🔥 DFS hot take
“Arizona is bottom-10 in every category against tight ends. Meanwhile, Pitts is coming off the best game of his career, while averaging over 25 PPR points per game during the last three weeks.” — Harley Schultz, The Huddle
View the latest DraftKings and FanFuel projections and value grades