We’re in the fantasy semi-finals, but things are only getting harder for fantasy owners to navigate. Injuries and complications from COVID-19 can knock out our fantasy stars, and when you’re looking for a replacement, it’s easy to fall into the trap of starting someone with “bust” written in their full fantasy perspective of the Week 16. Sometimes, you don’t have enough options to avoid risky players on our busts list, but you should at least be aware of the possibility of screaming. We’ll set starting and position options on the edge, like Lamar Jackson and Gabriel Davis, who obviously have advantages, but have tough matchups or injury concerns, as well as Taysom Hill and Michael Pittman Jr., who have cooled off. off in recent weeks.
As always, even perennial stars can flop in favorable matchups, but it’s hard to call superstars “flops” unless they’re less than 100 percent, really trending down, or having a particularly brutal showdown. Most of the time we stick to naming those in the start or sit bubble, not the ones who are just going to have a good but not great week or those who are in more than 90 percent of the exemption leads. . Sometimes you don’t have the depth to reasonably bank these players (or you just don’t agree with our assessments), but at least you will know who is at risk this week. There is nothing worse than being caught off guard by a failed fantasy.
WEEK 16 FANTASY: Sleepers | Get started, feel them
In week 15, we correctly identified Rhamondre Stevenson, Chuba Hubbard, Carson Wentz, Ryan Tannehill, Michael Pittman, Tyler Conklin, and the Ravens and Panthers defense as fantastic busts. Overall it was a great week and no one burned us completely. It’s worth noting that our Week 15 fantasy sleeper list was also a huge success, so it looks like we’re high on the most crucial part of fantasy season.
WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS:
Field marshal | Running backwards | Wide receiver | Tight end | D / ST | Kicker
Week 16 Fantasy Busts: Runners
Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers @ Titans (Jackson Sparks). The Titans defense is strong against the run and currently ranks as the No. 2 defense against fantasy RBs. Wilson isn’t a threat to do much in the passing game, and this showdown is set to be more of a Jimmy G, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle game. It’s tough to bench a starting running back (if Elijah Mitchell is out), but he has great potential for failure. After all, he was a flop in both of his starts before Week 15.
Chase Edmonds, Cardinals vs. Colts (Vinnie Iyer). This is a warning that this is not a great matchup for the Cards’ running game in general. Both Edmonds and James Conner could retire for a second
Devin Singletary, Bills @ Patriots (Matt Lutovsky). Singletary appears to have become Buffalo’s leader, which certainly gives him potential value, but the Patriots are still as tough as just about any defense for the RBs to rack up fantasy points. Singletary couldn’t do anything when these teams met in Week 13 (10 carries, 36 yards) and we expect a similar performance.
WEEK 16 STANDARD RATINGS:
Field marshal | Running backwards | Wide receiver | Tight end | D / ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football busts from week 16: quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. Rams (Sparks). The Rams are a top-seven defense against fantasy WRs, and especially if Adam Thielen (ankle) stays out, Cousins has a low floor. If you can keep up on a shootout with Matthew Stafford, your ceiling could certainly be high, but we’re not counting on that, as Cousins appears to be in the middle of a reflection period.
Taysom Hill, Saints vs Dolphins (Iyer). Expect Brian Flores to have a good game plan for his career, and Miami has been more discouraging than the pass of late as well.
Lamar Jackson / Tyler Huntley, Cuervos @ Bengals (Lutovsky). If Jackson (ankle) starts, he will likely continue a streak of bad to mediocre performances (three complete games in a row with fewer than 18 fantasy points), as Cincinnati’s seventh-ranked quarterback defense will pressure him and force him to to make mistakes. If Huntley starts, we don’t expect an encore from last week, as Cincinnati will be more prepared for its limited skill set.
MORE WEEK 16 DFS: Best Stacks | Lineup Creator
Fantasy Football busts from week 16: wide receivers
Gabriel Davis, Bills @ Patriots (Sparks). Davis scored a touchdown against the Patriots in Week 13 and the Bucs in Week 14, and found the end zone twice against the Panthers in Week 15. We don’t have another score here. Yes, Cole Beasley (reserve / COVID) is out, but his absence could actually hurt Davis as more defensive attention will be on him alongside Stefon Diggs. Their volume should be limited as the Patriots are a top-six team against the fantasy WRs. He returned to a touchdown or bust option this week, so we think they’re better options unless you’re in an ultra-deep league.
Chase Claypool, Steelers @ Chiefs (Iyer). Big Ben won’t move the ball downfield well against the Chiefs, and that will again hurt his young big-play wide receiver.
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts @ Cardinals (Lutovsky). We picked Pittman to bust last week, and with just one sack on five targets before being sent off, he was definitely eliminated. The Cardinals struggled last week against the Lions passing game, so it’s not like Pittman is a “must-sit,” but he hasn’t managed to produce anything really remarkable since Week 9. Against a solid passing defense. , is not someone you can trust. in a win or go home scenario.
WEEK 16 DFS LINEUP: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo!
Fantasy Football busts from week 16: tight ends
Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Vikings (Sparks). Higbee has missed two straight games on the reserve / COVID-19 list, and Minnesota is a top 12 team against the fantasy TEs. With Odell Beckham Jr. and Van Jefferson emerging on the Rams’ offense, he’s fallen below the target totem, so avoid him at all costs. There are usually several decent streaming options on the waiver wire at this position.
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins @ Saints (Iyer). The Saints control the tight ends and will give him the Gronk treatment.
Cole Kmet, Bears @ Seahawks (Lutovsky). Kmet had one of his best games of the season last week, once again adding cheap yards on third and long runs and late checkdowns. All points count the same for fantasy owners, so we are not making fun of that, but the fact is that he is highly dependent on such situations. It’s also apparently an afterthought in the red zone, as Jimmy Graham often works harder. The showdown is very favorable on paper, but the offense of Kmet and the Bears just isn’t reliable.
Week 16 Fantasy Busts: Defenses
Arizona Cardinals vs. Colts (Sparks). After a good start to the season, the Cardinals’ defense has looked terrible against the Rams and Lions, so a showdown with Jonathan Taylor and a first-run offense isn’t promising here. The Colts only have 17 turnovers on the season, and since they started feeding Taylor at a ridiculous rate, they have rarely turned the ball over. Plus, his offensive line has allowed the fourth fewest sacks of the season, so don’t count on those for net fantasy points either.
Los Angeles Rams @ Vikings (Iyer). Minnesota gives up very little to defenses with a fairly clean attack, so prepare to be disappointed in a short week.
Carolina Panthers vs. Buccaneers (Lutovsky). The Panthers had big weeks early in the season and the battered Bucs are coming off a shutout. Time to turn to the Panthers at home? Nah. They’ve done next to nothing since Week 10, and you have to think that the Bucs will be more focused than ever on correcting last week’s mistakes.
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.