Week 16 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em is here to highlight a few players at each position that we would like to sit or start (where possible). It’s the semi-finals in the fantasy playoffs for most leagues and the time to win is now. With injuries to big-name players like Patrick Mahomes and Jayden Daniels, I’m going to help provide options to fill in for them and other positions.
This series will avoid the “obvious” answers. So, just because I don’t tell you to start the RB1 in the week doesn’t mean you should sit him. It means I just felt it was a no-brainer and didn’t need to be discussed. Also, consider these suggestions in the context of your lineup. When I say to sit a player, there are obviously going to be situations where you have no choice but to play them. Bye weeks and injuries can cause us to start players with whom we are uncomfortable. Examine your squad’s situation before blindly following this column.
Week 16 Quarterback Starts Of The Week:
C.J. Stroud, HOU vs. LV
Looking at the Houston Texans’ record, you’d think the offense was the reason for that, but it’s been the defense. Quarterback CJ Stroud has been a bit of a disappointment this year, and only had 3 games all year over 20 fantasy points. This week is his best chance at getting a 4th against a Raiders defense that just gave up 31 points to the struggling Eagles offense. The Texans are struggling in the run game with the plethora of injuries that have been racking up at the position, which will have them turning to Stroud to throw the ball more.
Tyler Shough, NO vs. NYJ
Over the last three games, rookie Tyler Shough has quietly been semi-relevant. During that span, the Saints have won two games, and Shough has had 18 fantasy points in all 3 games. If you’re in desperation mode with quarterback injuries to players like Patrick Mahomes or Jayden Daniels, Tyler Shough is worth streaming against the New York Jets defense. I have Shough having a high floor, low ceiling game, and anticipating him finishing around that 18-point mark.
Week 16 Quarterback Sits Of The Week:
Jaxson Dart, NYG vs. MIN
Over the last month, the Minnesota Vikings have been the #1 pass defense in the NFL. They have not given up a single passing touchdown and have held opposing quarterbacks to under 6 points per game during that span. With how well they’re playing, I’m not trusting even a mobile quarterback like Jaxson Dart to do much against them.
Gardner Minshew II, KC @ TEN
If you had Patrick Mahomes, odds are you were probably a playoff team and if you’ve made it this far with him, you are now in desperation mode. If you’re looking for someone to pick up off streaming, do not turn to his backup, Gardner Minshew II. Minshew is not going to be the savior you need; there are better options out there available to turn to. I don’t care how appealing this matchup against the Titans is, Minshew II will struggle.
Week 16 Running Backs Starts Of The Week
Breece Hall, NYJ @ NO
Over the last two weeks, Breece Hall has managed to put up a combined 10 fantasy points. This is awful, especially with it being the fantasy playoffs season. The New Orleans Saints give up the 4th most rushing yards. With how much he’s been struggling lately, this is just the opportunity he needs to get back on track. I have Hall having a big bounce back campaign and cracking the top-15 running backs of the week.
Woody Marks, HOU vs. LV
Last week, Woody Marks left the game and did not return. The Texans later said that he was able to return, but with how the game was going, they did not feel the need to bring him back and risk a re-injury. This is another very favorable matchup for the Texans, and with Marks back, he should produce at a high level, especially as a receiving threat too. If the game gets out of hand late, Marks can also rack up plenty of rushing attempts.
Week 16 Running Back Sits Of The Week
RJ Harvey, DEN vs. JAX
The Jacksonville Jaguars have given up the fewest rushing yards on the season, less than 1,000 total. This is going to be a heavyweight defensive battle, and the Broncos are going to struggle against the Jaguars, especially running back RJ Harvey. Harvey’s two top-5 finishes in the last 3 weeks are not going to change my mind that the Jaguars are not going to be able to contain him because they most certainly will.
Kenneth Walker III, SEA vs. LAR
If you want to talk about disappointment, look no further than Kenneth Walker III, yet he is still rostered in 96% of fantasy leagues. He’s gotten to a point where he’s near unplayable in all formats. KW3 is RB31 in points per game and has only managed three top-10 finishes on the year. Against the Rams defense, I’m not even touching KWIII. In fact, he’s not even on my team; leave him to the waivers and someone else to fall for the weight his name carries.
Week 16 Wide Receiver Starts Of The Week
Jayden Reed, GB @ CHI
In his 2nd game back, after recovering from foot surgery, Jayden Reed finished with 5 catches for 55 yards. This was not great, but given the type of injury it was, Reed was looking close to normal. I was impressed with his play last week against a tough Denver defense, and his matchup this week is against a Bears defense that is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Reed should improve upon his numbers last week, making him worth a start at the flex or as a mid WR2.
Jauan Jennings, SF @ IND
In the last 6 games, Jauan Jennings has had 6 touchdowns, which is a drastic difference from how he performed at the beginning of the season. With Ricky Pearsall re-aggravating his PCL, Jennings will become more of a focal point for the 49ers again. Given his recent success and potential for even more targets his way, Jennings is a must-start this week.
Week 16 Wide Receiver Sits Of The Week
Terry McLaurin, WAS vs. PHI
If it wasn’t for a 51-yard touchdown reception, Terry McLaurin would’ve been a bust last week. His remaining stats were 2 receptions for 18 yards in the game. That was against a subpar Giants defense. This week is against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have the 2nd-best adjusted fantasy points allowed per game to receivers, holding players to 13.5 points under their projected averages per week. This is not a defense I’d want to start a player against, especially with how high the stakes are right now.
Jaylen Waddle, MIA vs. CIN
It looks like the Tua Tagovailoa show in Miami is over, well, at least for this season, as the Dolphins have announced they are benching him. With the main wide receiver being a bit of a more serious threat in Jaylen Waddle, I’m not sure that Quinn Ewers has the arm or the accuracy to get the ball to Jaylen Waddle, especially in his first career start. On top of that, Jaylen Waddle has finished outside the top-40 wide receivers in 3 of the last 4 games. He’s a must-fade until we see how his connection with Ewers is.
Week 16 Tight End Starts Of The Week:
Darren Waller & Travis Kelce
They may be in different matchups, but I am starting both Darren Waller & Travis Kelce for the same reason. Both players are having new quarterbacks play for their teams. Oftentimes, when new quarterbacks play, they are not throwing the deep ball, they are not slinging the ball around; they will instead opt for short dump-off passes. The benefactors of this are tight ends and running backs. For the Chiefs and Dolphins, having new quarterbacks, those players are Darren Waller & Travis Kelce, who are going to rack up the receptions. They are both high upside starters in week 16.
Week 16 Tight End Sits Of The Week
Harold Fannin Jr, CLE vs. BUF
Only 2 tight ends all year have more than 10 fantasy points against the Buffalo Bills, and Harold Fannin Jr of the Browns will not be the third. The Bills dominate against the tight end position, and that’s unfortunate when the rookie tight end has been playing so well lately. He’s had three games in a row in double-digits, all being top-12 finishes. This is a tough draw if you’re looking to start him, and he’d be better off on the bench for the rest of the fantasy playoffs.
Theo Johnson, NYG vs. MIN
Over the last four weeks, no team has been better against the tight end position than the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have only allowed 12 receptions for 118 yards total during this time span. For Theo Johnson, who has been very hit or miss for the Giants, I’m not taking the risk in this difficult matchup.
For your final lineup decisions, check out the FSAN Rankings Page or check out our Sit & Start live show every Sunday before kickoff on Spilled Coffee.