If you've made it this far, congratulations are in order. There were some truly lopsided scores in the first weekend of fantasy playoffs. Which performances were a sign of things to come and which were merely aberrations? How you answer that question could be the difference between fighting for the trophy and a third-place finish.
Throughout the season, I'll help you build the perfect lineup and become a league legend. Each week, I will recommend three starters at each position as well as a waiver pickup in a matchup I really like. I will also spotlight one Falcons player in each section.
It's not all too difficult to tell someone to start Bijan Robinson or Josh Allen on any given week, and I assume everyone reading this right now would already know to do so. Therefore, I'll try to focus these recommendations on players who might be on the starting or flex bubble.
Running backs to start in Week 16
TreVeyon Henderson at Baltimore Ravens
Henderson has been extremely boom or bust this season, but he's been more boom than bust lately. He's got three top-five finishes in his last five games, including an RB3 performance last weekend against the Bills. I like his chances to keep things rolling against the Ravens.
Quinshon Judkins vs. Buffalo Bills
The Bills just allowed 148 yards and two touchdowns to the rookie mentioned above, so why not go with Judkins here? He's been in somewhat of a slump after the bye week, likely due to defenses focusing on Cleveland's run game, but he's still dominating the workload and could spring a big one against Buffalo.
Omarion Hampton at Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has allowed the eighth-most yards to fantasy running backs this year, setting Hampton up nicely in his third game back from injured reserve. He has yet to regain control of the Chargers' backfield, but that could easily happen in this matchup.
Waiver start — Audric Estime vs. New York Jets
Although the Saints' run game hasn't been exactly killing it lately, Estime figures to see a big uptick in usage if Devin Neal misses time due to a hamstring injury. He's got a Jets defense giving up the second-most points to running backs on tap. If you need an emergency starter, Estime could be a good option.
Falcons spotlight — Bijan Robinson at Arizona Cardinals
The NFL's leader in scrimmage yards is the No. 1 overall running back in Week 16, according to FantasyPros. Congratulations on having him in your starting lineup.
Wide receivers to start in Week 16
DK Metcalf at Detroit Lions
In a matchup that could see plenty of points, Metcalf is a good bet to continue his recent upward trend. He only saw three targets last week against Miami, but that seemed to be more about game script than his level of play. His Week 14 performance against Baltimore—seven catches on 12 targets for 148 yards—is closer to what I expect.
Jayden Reed at Chicago Bears
Even if Christian Watson suits up for this Saturday night matchup, I think Reed could have a big game. He was pretty involved in his first game back off injury against the Bears a couple weeks ago and looked good against the Broncos in Week 15.
Ladd McConkey at Dallas Cowboys
Boy, McConkey has been M.I.A for the last several weeks after a few top 10 finishes in the middle of the season. But this matchup is too good for the Chargers' offense not to find ways to move the ball. I think McConkey has a big bounce-back game ahead.
Waiver start — Jalen Coker vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coker has put up double-digit points in back-to-back games, and he seems to have emerging chemistry with Bryce Young. He should have opportunities against Tampa Bay and is a good shot-in-the-dark if you need one.
Falcons spotlight — David Sills V at Arizona Cardinals
Drake London returned to practice on Wednesday, which is a step in the right direction for him getting back on the field for the Falcons. However, if he doesn't, Sills could continue to get a lot of looks from Kirk Cousins. He was targeted 10 times against Tampa Bay and caught six passes for 78 yards. If he'd hung on to a potential deep touchdown pass, he would have been a top fantasy receiver in Week 15.
Tight ends to start in Week 16
Darren Waller vs. Cincinnati Bengals
I don't care who is at quarterback for the Dolphins—all Waller does is catch touchdown passes! He's got six scores in seven games this year and is going up against the league's worst defense (by a large margin) against tight ends.
Dallas Goedert at Washington Commanders
Goedert has been a top 10 fantasy tight end the last two weeks, so he's obviously due for a regression, right? That would follow his season trend, but I think he bucks that trend against a reeling Washington defense.
Oronde Gadsden at Dallas Cowboys
He's cooled off since his breakout in back-to-back weeks earlier in the season, but somebody on the Chargers' offense is going to go off against Dallas. Why not Gadsden?
Waiver start — Colby Parkinson at Seattle Seahawks
If Parkinson is still available in your league and you need help at tight end, go ahead and open your fantasy app and grab him real quick. I can wait.
Got him? Good. Thank me later.
Falcons spotlight — Kyle Pitts at Arizona Cardinals
We've talked a lot about Pitts’ performance on this site since his career-best game on Thursday night, so I just wanted to take a second to congratulate anyone who had him in their lineups to start the fantasy playoffs.
Quarterbacks to start in Week 16
Justin Herbert at Dallas Cowboys
Herbert has been kind of a dud as a fantasy starter in the lead-up to the playoffs, but he's still making some very impressive plays. Dallas could present the perfect get-right opponent for Herbert.
C.J. Stroud vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Stroud has had real flashes this season of looking like he did as a rookie, including in the Texans' win against the Arizona Cardinals last weekend. With another favorable matchup on tap against the Raiders, Stroud is a good playoff bet.
Jordan Love at Chicago Bears
Turnovers are always a concern against the Bears' defense, and they'll have a clear idea of how to attack Love after playing him just two weeks ago. But I think he's got a good chance to bounce back from a down game against Denver. The Bears aren't quite the Broncos.
Waiver start — Tyler Shough vs. New York Jets
His efficiency is a bit more impressive in real life than in fantasy, but it feels like Shough is on the verge of turning that consistency into something a bit more potent. The Jets are a great test for Shough and the Saints' offense.
Falcons spotlight — Kirk Cousins at Arizona Cardinals
Cousins put together a vintage performance on Thursday night against Tampa Bay, and he stands to potentially get Drake London back for Sunday's game against Arizona. If you're scouring the waiver wire for a starting quarterback, you could do a lot worse than Cousins.
