Congratulations, you made it to the semifinals of your football playoffs — or, you’re just here for the fun and because you love me (likely not the reason)! Do you have Kyle Pitts’ epic performance to thank for your Week 16 livelihood? He posted one of the greatest fantasy football playoff performances of the 21st century (more on that below!). But Pitts wasn’t the only hero from Week 15. Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Bijan Robinson, James Cook, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Trey McBride were some of the other names doing league-winning work. Who is going to do the heavy lifting this week to get you to the doorstep of a fantasy title? Time to dive into the ranks!
Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings Notes, Starts, Sits
Running Backs
- Ashton Jeanty, LV: Has one double-digit score in his past five games, and the Texans are the seventh-toughest RB matchup per APA (-5.1) and not too far behind the toughest (PIT at -6.6).
- Devin Neal, NO: Not in the ranks, and neither is Alvin Kamara. If Neal plays without Kamara, he’ll return to low-end RB2 with volume reliance. If Kamara plays and Neal doesn’t, he’d also be a low-end RB2.
- Josh Jacobs, GB: In the rankings like last week, but if sidelined, Emanuel Wilson would jump ahead of D’Andre Swift.
- RJ Harvey, DEN: In the ranks, and Jaleel McLaughlin would be a risky RB3 if Harvey is out.
- Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, CAR: Since Hubbard came back from injury, he sees a 15.9 percentage-point jump in RBTouch% when down by a touchdown or more, while Dowdle sees a similar 24.0 jump when up by a touchdown or more. The Panthers are a three-point dog, possibly leaning to a similar 65/35 split from Week 14 for Dowdle.
- Woody Marks, HOU: In the ranks. Marks sounds likely to play, but if out, Nick Chubb would be a volume-reliant RB2/3. If both Marks and Chubb are out, Jawhar Jordan would be a Neal-like volume-reliant fringe RB2.
Wide Receivers
- Christian Watson, GB: Now in the ranks. He mentioned it’s that time of year to play through injuries, so understand he carries risk and why ranked as a WR3 with Jayden Reed.
- Davante Adams, LAR: Not in the ranks. I wouldn’t try to guess which of Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield or Jordan Whittington steps up in the void. The answer is another week of Colby Parkinson’s greatness and more of the run game.
- Devaughn Vele, NO: Sounds doubtful, so not in the ranks. Wouldn’t chase anyone outside Juwan Johnson becoming a better TE flier.
- Drake London, ATL: Not in, as has been the case. If he plays, he’s a must-start, Top 10 option. Kyle Pitts would slide back into mid-low TE1 territory.
- Marvin Harrison, ARI: Not in, but like last time, if back, Harrison would be the WR2 and Michael Wilson would drop down to the WR3 crew.
- Pat Bryant, DEN: In the ranks because way less complicated to explain if he’s out. If Bryant doesn’t play, Troy Franklin is a boom/bust WR4, unlike earlier this year when he was pushing WR3 territory due to Sean Payton’s WR rotation behind Courtland Sutton.
- Quentin Johnston, LAC: Not in the rankings, but if he plays, he would be no more than a boom/bust WR4 (with way more bust potential). He’d also knock Oronde Gadsden down in the TE rankings.
- Ricky Pearsall, SF: Not in the ranks given another injury. If Pearsall plays, you have to assume he’s near 100% and would be in the WR3 conversation.
- Rome Odunze, CHI: Not in, and how could we trust him after last week? The bigger question is Luther Burden’s availability. If he doesn’t play, DJ Moore jumps to the Top 20, and Olamide Zaccheaus becomes an interesting WR4 flier with Colston Loveland arguably a TE1.
- Tee Higgins, CIN: Not in given another concussion and the Bengals being eliminated, but if Higgins plays, he’s Top 20 and a must-start.
Tight Ends
- Colby Parkinson, LAR: More touchdowns among tight ends over the past five weeks? No one. More fantasy points? Only Trey McBride, Kyle Pitts (thanks Week 15) and George Kittle.
- Harold Fannin, CLE: Since Shedeur Sanders took over for the Browns, Fannin has a 32.7 TmTGT%. Players with a higher mark in that span: Wan’Dale Robinson (34.4%). End of list.
- Tyler Warren, IND: Yes, I was too high on him, even though the thought process was correct (most targets), but check below on Philips Rivers for why it didn’t matter. You should play the two tight ends above, and quite a few others.
Quarterbacks
- JJ McCarthy, MIN: Two nice games, making improvements and appears on the cusp of getting that rapport with Justin Jefferson. If you lost Patrick Mahomes, I’d risk McCarthy, but the word of the day is risk; this is not a safe play.
- Joe Burrow, CIN: If Higgins plays, Burrow would jump ahead of Dak Prescott.
- Justin Herbert, LAC: I know … “Why so low?” I was low on Herbert last week, too, and while that matchup was tougher, Herbert has attempted 30+ passes just once since Week 7. With the cast contraption on his left arm and the run game working, I just don’t see the Chargers needing him … especially if Quinnen Williams is out (concussion).
- Tua Tagovailoa, MIA: In the ranks, but it doesn’t matter if it’s Zach Wilson — you’re not starting the Miami QB. De’Von Achane, Jaylen Waddle and Darren Waller are the only startable Dolphins.
- Tyrod Taylor, NYJ: Not in the ranks, but if returns, Adonai Mitchell would return to the Top 30 WRs.
- Philip Rivers, IND: How’s this for Kenny Pickett’s Week 15 and Rivers’ awful return to the NFL? The only player worse than Rivers in YD/Att was Pickett and …
Lower YD/Att than Pickett’s 2.6 Week 15 (since 2000, min 20 Att)
Kerry Collins (2010), Sam Howell (2023), Tarvaris Jackson (2006): 2.5
Bo Nix (2024): 2.4
Ryan Lindley (2012), Brandon Allen (2020): 2.3
Chris Weinke (2001): 2.2
Cooper Rush (2024): 2.0
Peyton Manning (2015): 1.8 👀
— Jake Ciely (@allinkid) December 15, 2025
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You can thank Kyle Pitts, and my brain for going there, for this week’s list. It wasn’t on my list of lists, but as soon as I thought of it, the rabbit hole of memories opened wide. It’s the best, but a bit random and unexpected, fantasy football playoff performances of the 2000s. To further clarify, I stuck to players who surprised most everyone but also had a decent chance of being in a chunk of lineups. So, the super random or no-one-would-have-started-them performances didn’t count. I also didn’t include Ja’Marr Chase’s historic performance because it’s about random surprises. I’m definitely interested to see/read if you have any others you remember!
Random Best Fantasy Playoff Performances
- Jerome Harrison, RB, CLE — (Week 14, 2009): In Jamal Lewis’ final season, and for Harrison’s career-best, the Browns backfield was a mess until Harrison had 48.8 points with 34-286-3 on the ground. I’m fairly certain he was barely in anyone’s lineup — desperation Hail Mary only — but the good news is Harrison followed it up with lines of 39-148-1 (18.8) and 33-127-1 (21.7) for one of the best, unexpected, three-game playoff performances.
- Billy Volek, QB, TEN — (Week 15, 2004): Scored 37.8 on 60 passing attempts! He finished with 492 yards and 4 TD passes, plus a one-yard rushing TD, a week after scoring 35.4 with 426 passing yards and 4 TD passes. Oh, and he was in lineups for both — mine included — after a 269-3 line in Week 13, replacing Steve McNair. Unfortunately, championship week was baaadddd!
- Drew Bennett, WR, TEN — (Week 14, 2004): Bennett was the Titans’ top receiver … but not heading into the game, as that was Derrick Mason, who was in the midst of a four-year stretch with at least 73-1012-5 in each, plus added 86-1073-3 in 2005. If you benefited from Volek, you likely had Bennett for the ride. After a 6-3-124-3 line in Week 13, which most didn’t use given he had just two prior touchdowns and games with 100+ yards, Bennett produced a line of 17-12-233-3 (47.3 points). It’s the second-highest score (Ja’Marr Chase 50.1) of any fantasy playoff game since 2000 and fifth-highest WR score, period, in that time. Bennett didn’t stop, following it up with 17-13-160-2 for 34.5 in Week 15 (but, ahem, a dud in Week 16).
- Kenyan Drake, RB, ARI — (Week 15, 2019): After David Johnson struggled with injuries and performance, the Cardinals traded for Drake before Week 7. Drake didn’t help any teams make the playoffs, but he might have been in lineups anyway with RB3/Flex value. That was until Week 15 when he went ham — 22-137-4 on the ground for 39.1 points. He followed it up with 31.9 points on 24-166-2 in Week 16 (championship week back then).
- Josh McCown, QB, CHI — (Week 14, 2013): Scored 39.5 points — 348 passing yards, 4 TD passes, a rushing touchdown and 16 rushing yards. Yes, he was in some lineups, having thrown for 352-2 and 355-2 in the two previous games. Jay Cutler returned after though, ruining the fun for Weeks 15-16.
- Seahawks, DST — (Week 14, 2012): The Legion of Boom had one of the biggest BOOM defensive performances … of all time. Not only did the Seahawks pitch a shutout (to mix sports metaphors), but the 58-0 obliteration included … get this … you ready? … eight turnovers by the Cardinals (four interceptions and four fumbles), with one fumble and one interception going for touchdowns. Oh, and just a measly three sacks chipped in. Almost every site had them scoring 40+ fantasy points, and some had them reaching 50!
- Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL — (Week 15, 2025): Not only was it Pitts’ best game of his career, his first three-TD game (just one game with two TDs prior), his first double-digit reception game (11) and highest receiving yards (166), it was also the highest tight end score since the turn of the century, and not just in the playoffs, but period (Shannon Sharpe’s 39.4 points in Week 7, 2002 is second). TBD if this will end up ranking higher.
- Tyler Huntley, QB, BAL — (Week 15, 2021): The most recent on the list before Pitts, Lamar Jackson’s replacement was a Hail Mary of sorts — why not shoot for upside to replace him? Huntley was okay in Week 11 but with nice rushing upside. He was coming off 270-1 passing and 6-45 rushing in Week 14, so plenty gambled in Week 15 and were rewarded with 215-2 passing and a huge 13-73-2 rushing for 35.9 points. The downside? That ol’ non-COVID list stuff had him unavailable for Week 16, and Week 17 was a dud. At least he wasn’t in a ton of lineups like Volek was at that point.
- Jerry Porter, WR, OAK — (Week 15, 2004): Porter was your definition of a WR4 boom/bust play even with solid volume (136 targets, but just 64 receptions), but if you chased that Titans matchup a week after they gave up 49 points to the Trent Green-led Chiefs, you were rewarded with 36.8 points on 13-8-148-3 —Porter’s best game of the year. Interestingly, it was also his second three-TD game of the year.
- Antonio Bryant, WR, TB — (Week 14, 2008): The Jeff Garcia-led Buccaneers (Brian Griese started five games) had Bryant and pretty much no one else in the receiving game. Heading in, Bryant had three 100+ yards games and the other nine were 63 yards or fewer, with a total of just two TDs. Then, Bryant torched the Panthers for 200 yards and two TDs on nine receptions (10 targets) for 36.5 points.
BONUS: Matt Flynn, QB, GB — (Week 17, 2011): Likely not in anyone’s lineup, but a fun mention because … turned 480 yards and 6 touchdowns into 39.2 points and a three-year, $26-million bust of a contract with the Seahawks.
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Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨
- There is no perfect widget out there, sadly, still. I know many view this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc. if possible or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, to get the scrolling to work (or Android people can try a two-finger scroll).
- ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t updated by everyone consistently, so take with a grain of salt).
- Updated regularly, so check up to lineups locking.
Week 16 Fantasy Football Projections
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨 These can differ from my rankings, and MY RANKS are the order I’d start players outside of added context, such as, “Need highest upside, even if risky.” Also, based on 4-point TDs for QB, 6-point rest, and Half-PPR
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