Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 16 of the NFL Season

We’re neck deep in the playoffs, so hopefully you don’t have to make too many adjustments, but I’ve got your back just in case. Let’s move through to Week 16…

 

49ers – 21 @ Seahawks – 13

• When you have a pro-bowl RB, top-tier defense and a rookie QB under center, you’re probably not going to throw the ball much, and this is the case with the 49ers, as Brock Purdy only had 17 completions in a win against the Seahawks. Only 2 players had more than 4 targets, and only George Kittle(4/93/2)cleared 35 yards in the air. Jauan Jennings led 49ers WRs with 3 catches for 31 yards, so I wouldn’t rely on anyone other than Kittle and McCaffrey this week against Washington.

 

• Noah Fant(5/32/1) caught his 2nd TD in 3 weeks on Saturday, and though he’s not adding much yardage, he’s a decent streamer this week against a KC team that just gave up 2 TDs to TEs on Sunday.

 

Colts – 36 @ Vikings – 39

• I guess this is the sort of thing that can happen when you hire your HC off the street. In any case, Jonathan Taylor(ankle) is unlikely to appear in another game this season, as said season is now totally lost for the Colts. It’s probably just as well, as your team probably didn’t make it through the weekend if you were relying on Taylor. If you did eke by, Zack Moss(24/81) and Deon Jackson(14/56/1) are both flex plays this week.

 

• All Vikings WRs scored on Sunday, which isn’t surprising considering the circumstances, and Kj Osborn(10/157/1) had 16 targets on the day. This performance is an outlier for sure, but Osborn had scored in the previous week as well, so maybe he’s worth flexing in deep leagues this week against the Giants.

 

Ravens – 3 @ Browns – 13

 

• Gus Edwards(7/55) has alternated double-digit touch games the last 4 weeks and topped 50 yards in 3 of them, scoring in 1. His upside is going to be capped with JK Dobbins(14/128) running as well as he is, but Edwards is at least a consideration in deep leagues as long as Lamar Jackson is out.

 

 

• Kareem Hunt(5/27) is unusable in fantasy, but you probably already knew that by now. It’s unfortunate, knowing how talented he is, but the Browns have able pass-catchers and a stud RB in Nick Chubb already.

 

• It still boggles my mind that Donovan Peoples-Jones(4/31/1) is still only owned in less than 65% of leagues – He’s either scored or gone over 95 yards in 5 of his last 6 games. Use him in these playoffs folks.

 

Dolphins – 29 @ Bills – 32

• Raheem Mostert(18/156) made the most of his opportunity, with Jeff Wilson(hip) out. Wilson could return this week, so it’s hard to say what Mostert’s usage will be like. This recent outing makes it hard to keep him off the field, but with the ease that he was replaced by Wilson in the first place makes him a difficult start if Wilson comes back.

 

• James Cook(7/39/1) had a productive outing, the 3rd in 5 weeks, but his upside is limited in this offense, as there are so many other options on a weekly basis. He’s got a decent floor but a low ceiling right now.

 

• Dawson Knox(6/98/1) has scored in back to back games now. He seems to be coming on at the perfect time and makes for a fine playoff streamer.

 

Steelers – 24 @ Panthers – 16

• Jaylen Warren(12/49/1) had his best game of the season on Sunday, but it may be too little too late for him in fantasy, as he’s been dropped in most leagues by now. Warren is only a handcuff for Najee Harris in what is an underwhelming offense.

 

• George Pickens(2/53) can’t be used as long as Mitch Trubisky is under center. Trubisky’s favorite target is Diontae Johnson(10/98) and Pickens is an afterthought it seems. Hopefully Kenny Pickett makes a return this week, though the offense’s upside is limited there too.

 

• Chuba Hubbard(7/67) is getting enough action to warrant using him in PPR leagues. He’ll be a deep league flex option in that format.

 

Chiefs – 30 @ Texans – 24

• Mr. December, Jerrick McKinnon(18/122/1) did it again. KC’s not so secret weapon is doing a repeat of 2021, where he was the Chief’s utility knife down the playoff stretch. McKinnon is a must start right now.

 

• It was Royce Freeman(12/56), not Rex Burkhead(2/17) or even Dare Ogunbowale(8/14), who led the Texans backfield against the Chiefs. Houston’s opponent this week, The Titans, aren’t the easiest team to run against but Freeman seems like the best bet for the Texans backfield in fantasy.

 

• Jeff Driskel(2/8) had some opportunities, but he’s not getting enough of them, and the offense isn’t good enough, to warrant using him in the playoffs

 

• Jordan Akins(3/22/1) looks to be the primary receiving option for the Texans in the end-zone. Unfortunately for us, they don’t get into the end-zone that often, Akins is a TD dependent streamer this week.

 

Falcons – 18 @ Saints – 21

• Desmond Ridder(13/97) came into the league with a whimper, appearing overwhelmed with the task before him at times. Fortunately for owners of Falcons RBs, Atlanta ran the ball 39 times on Sunday. Tyler Allgeier (18/136/1) ran with vigor and is a must start with Ridder under center, along with Cordarrelle Patterson(15/52/1), especially since Caleb Huntley is gone for the season.

 

• Rashid Shaheed(3/95/1) has led the Saints in receiving in back to back weeks. His floor is low due to the limited targets, but his ceiling makes him a DFS tourney play and dynasty league pick up.

 

• Juwan Johnson (4/67/2) has scored in each of the last 4 games he was healthy in. He’s almost entirely TD dependent, but he’s also being targeted in the end-zone over all other Saints pass-catchers though. He’s worth streaming in this season’s TE landscape.

 

Eagles – 25 @ Bears – 20

• Jalen Hurts(shoulder) may sit out this week, and why wouldn’t he? The Eagles pretty much have the NFC East locked up, and Micah Parsons will be out for his head anyway. Gardner Minshew would make the start in that case, and all Eagles pass-catchers would be downgraded.

• DeVonta Smith(5/126) had another monstrous outing against the Bears, and even if Dallas Goedert comes back this week, which is likely, his upside makes him a must start versus the Cowboys, who can give up chunk plays. It’s more likely that Quez Watkins will lose targets than Smith.

 

• Chase Claypool didn’t play in Week 15 and is questionable for Week 16. The Bears used a plethora of WRs in this game, but none of them are worth playing this week.

 

Cowboys – 34 @ Jaguars – 40

• Noah Brown(6/49/2) seems to have surpassed Michael Gallup for the no.2 spot in Dallas, though his game losing deflection turned pick 6 and the high likelihood that Ty Hilton is made active this week makes Brown nothing more than a low floor, deep league flex.

 

• Zay Jones(6/109/3) has either scored or gone over 145 yards in 3 of his last 4 games, yet he’s only owned in 55% of leagues. He’s worth starting during the playoffs as the Jags themselves cling onto playoff hopes.

 

Lions – 20 @ Jets – 17

• DJ Chark‘s(1/18) production fell off a cliff on Sunday. It’s always going to be a possibility on a team in which there are numerous offensive weapons. Chark’s upside makes him worth the gamble in deeper leagues, but he’s a risk for sure, as is Kalif Raymond.

 

• Brock Wright(1/51) had an amazing TD grab, but it was his only catch that day. There are too many other targets in Detroit to stream him.

 

• It’s encouraging that Zach Wilson was able to disperse the ball to multiple WRs somewhat successfully, but then again he was playing against Detroit’s secondary. The Jets will do everything they can to get Mike White(ribs) back onto the field this week against Jacksonville, but Wilson could be serviceable if he can’t go.

 

• Jeff Smith(4/77) reared his head with Denzel Mims and Corey Davis both sidelined. A favorite target of Wilson’s last season, Smith would be a DFS dart throw if neither Mims nor Davis can go this week.

 

Cardinals – 15 @ Broncos – 24

• Colt McCoy is in concussion protocol, so Trace McSorley, who threw 2 INTs, and David Blough are the only available QBs right now for Arizona. The Cardinals play Tampa this week, so you’re hoping that DeAndre Hopkins(7/60) and Marquise Brown(4/19) get enough targets to add up to fantasy relevance.

 

• The Broncos leaned heavily on the run game with Russel Wilson(concussion) sidelined. Latavius Murray(25/142/2) is a strong start this week versus the Rams, regardless if Wilson plays or not. Marlon Mack(9/63/1) is a flex in PPR leagues.

 

Patriots – 24 @ Raiders – 30

• Rhamondre Stevenson(21/168/1) set a career high in rushing yards, but all anyone will remember will be the ill-fated lateral he tossed that led to a last second Raiders win. Knowing Bill Belichick, Stevenson will be in the doghouse this week, despite his productive game. Damien Harris(thigh) could make it back this week and could be a solid play considering the situation.

 

• Darren Waller(3/48/1) only had 3 targets, but he only needed one to do his damage on the day, the TD grab. It’s full steam ahead for Waller, as he suffered no setbacks in his returns.

 

Bengals – 34 @ Buccaneers – 23

• Mitchell Wilcox(3/34/1) filled in for an injured Hayden Hurst(calf), and he had a decent day, but then so did every other Bengals pass-catcher. I’m not adding Wilcox anywhere.

 

• Tyler Boyd(5/35/1) caught his first TD since Week 8, but he’s only averaging about 4 targets a game over the last 5. He’s not worth starting outside the deepest of leagues.

 

• Russell Gage(8/59/2) filled in for an injured Julio Jones(knee) and led the team with 12 targets. He’s worth a flex if Jones can’t make it this week against the Cardinals.

 

Titans – 14 @ Chargers – 17

• Chigoziem Okonkwo(4/54) continues to maintain a high floor in PPR formats as the most effective pass-catcher for the Titans for the last few games. If Treylon Burks doesn’t return in Week 16, Okonkwo and Austin Hooper, to a lesser extent, make for decet streamers.

 

• Joshua Kelley(11/13/1) got some extra run with Austin Ekeler(shoulder) sidelined for some of the game on Sunday. Ekeler was able to return, so Kelley doesn’t offer appeal outside of being a handcuff for Ekeler this week.

 

Giants – 20 @ Commanders – 12

• It was all ball control, ground game for the Giants on Sunday, as Daniel Jones only threw for 120 yards. Darius Slayton(5/23) led Giants WRs in targets(7) and is still the best bet for fantasy production in the passing game.

 

• Jahan Dotson(4/105/1) had the same number of targets(6) as Terry McLauren(6/70) but bested him in yardage. It’s the 2nd straight week that Dotson has scored, and though the Commanders are playing the 49ers’ stout defense, Dotson has enough big play ability to warrant flex consideration.