Welcome to Week 16, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

Want to read about only your players? Sync your team (free) to get My Primer

Week 16 QB Start/Sit Grades

Notes

Andy Dalton: Dalton is a QB2 that continues to run the Saints’ offense efficiently. He’s second in PFF passing grade, seventh in yards per attempt, 11th in adjusted completion rate, and 13th in big-time throw rate (minimum 100 dropbacks). The problem for Dalton and his fantasy value hasn’t been how well he’s playing but the pace and offensive design for New Orleans. Dalton is 16th in passing attempts and 17th in dropbacks since taking over as the Saints’ starter in Week 4. Since Week 10, Cleveland has been 20th in success rate per dropback, sixth in EPA per dropback, and sixth in pass defense DVOA.

Deshaun Watson: Since returning to the NFL, Watson has struggled to find his form. He’s been QB30, QB14, and QB21 in fantasy. Since Week 13, he’s 24th in PFF passing grade, 22nd in yards per attempt, and 18th in adjusted completion rate (minimum 50 dropbacks). New Orleans won’t be the matchup that helps Watson right the ship. Since Week 10, the Saints are sixth in success rate per dropback, 11th in EPA per drop back, and eighth in pass defense DVOA. Watson is a QB2.

Geno Smith: The Chef continues to whip up beautiful fantasy dishes. Yes, I know his QB15 finish last week wasn’t ideal, but after five straight games as a top-11 fantasy quarterback. Smith, like all NFL players, is allowed an off week. Overall, Smith is the QB8 in fantasy, ranking seventh in PFF passing grade, seventh in yards per attempt, fourth in passing touchdowns, sixth in big-time throw rate, and fourth in adjusted completion rate (minimum 100 dropbacks). The Chiefs are a nice bounce-back matchup for Smith that should end in a shootout. Since Week 10, Kansas City has been 22nd in EPA per dropback, 30th in fantasy points per game, and 29th in passing touchdowns per game allowed to quarterbacks.

Daniel Jones: Jones is the QB14 in fantasy with five QB1 finishes (three in his last five games). While he’s only 14th in passing attempts this season, Jones has been extremely efficient when asked to throw. He’s tenth in accuracy rating, third in true completion rate, and top 12 in pressured and clean pocket completion rates. Jones is also 11th in fantasy points per dropback, with a strong boost from his rushing. He is fourth in rushing touchdowns, fourth in red zone carries, and fifth in rushing yards per game among quarterbacks. Jones is a QB1 this week against a push-over Vikings pass defense. Since Week 10, this secondary has been 26th in fantasy points per game, 25th in success rate per dropback, 32nd in passing yards per game, and 31st in explosive pass rate allowed.

Jared Goff: Goff is the QB15 in fantasy points per game with four top-ten weeks this season. He’s eighth in pass attempts, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. Goff is 11th in yards per attempt and 17th in fantasy points per dropback. Goff is a high-end QB2 this week. Since Week 10, Carolina has been fifth in success rate per dropback, third in EPA per dropback, and 13th in explosive pass rate allowed.

Sam Darnold: Darnold has a magical matchup this week, but he’s still only a QB2. The Panthers don’t want the game to be decided on his arm. Since returning as the starter, he’s averaged only 22 passing attempts, 169.7 passing yards, and 7.7 yards per attempt. Darnold has been 38th in adjusted completion rate (minimum 50 dropbacks). Since Week 10, Detroit has been 23rd in success rate per dropback, 19th in EPA per dropback, 28th in passing yards per game, and 32nd in explosive pass rate allowed. In that same period, they are third in pressure rate. Darnold is 24th in PFF passing grade against pressure (minimum 15 pressured dropbacks).

Gardner Minshew: Minshew draws the start this week with Jalen Hurts dealing with a shoulder injury. Last year in two starts, Minshew completed 67.2% of his passes with 7.3 yards per attempt. He was the QB10 and QB17 in fantasy in those games. Minshew should enjoy similar success this week as a borderline QB1 against a floundering Dallas pass defense. Since Week 14, they have fallen apart, with injuries piling up. In this small two-game sample, they have been 28th in success rate per dropback, 27th in EPA per dropback, 24th in yards per attempt, and 23rd in passing yards per game. With a solid offensive system around him, an elite offensive line, and a cupboard full of skill players, Minshew is the perfect replacement for Hurts as a streamer this week.

Dak Prescott: Prescott has been inconsistent lately. Since his return from injury, he’s the QB10 in fantasy, ranking 19th in PFF passing grade, 26th in big-time throw rate, and 19th in adjusted completion rate (minimum 100 dropbacks). He’s finished as the QB15 or lower in two of his last four games. Prescott’s erratic play needs to smooth out this week, or it will be a long day for him and the Cowboys’ offense. Since Week 10, Philadelphia has been 12th in success rate per dropback, eighth in EPA per dropback, 11th in explosive pass rate allowed, and sixth in pressure rate. Prescott is a low-end QB1.

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.

Week 16 WR Start/Sit Grades

Notes

Gabriel Davis: Davis has been a high-ceiling WR3 this season with the ability to win a week for your fantasy squad but also couple those types of games around duds. Davis has drawn a disappointing 16.9% target share while ranking 81st in target per route run rate. He’s 12th in deep targets while also owning the fifth-highest aDOT among receivers. Davis could pop off for a monster game in this spot against a Bears secondary that’s 21st in DVOA against deep passing giving up the sixth-highest deep completion rate. Davis will run about 91% of his routes against Johnson and Jones.

Rashid Shaheed: Since Week 13, Shaheed has been a full-time player in the Saints’ offense. He’s had at least 53 receiving yards in each of his last three games. Across his last two games, he has a 17% target share, 29.8% air yard share, 81.1% route run rate, and 3.95 yards per route run. Among all receivers with at least 19 targets, he’s 19th in PFF receiving grade and fourth in yards per route run. These are impressive numbers, but it’s an incredibly small sample. Still, I don’t want to take anything away from a player that’s consistently earned more playing time and targets throughout the season. Shaheed has seen 31.6% of his target volume this season downfield, posting a beautiful 158.3 passer rating on deep shots. The Browns are 29th in pass DVOA against deep passing with the ninth-highest deep completion rate and seventh-most deep passing yards. Shaheed is a WR3/4.

Amari Cooper: With Watson under center, Cooper has a 25.6% target share, 57.1% end zone target share, and 34.1% air yard share. While these usage metrics are fantastic, the results haven’t been. Cooper hasn’t managed more than 58 receiving yards or better than a WR44 finish in his last three games. Watson’s lumbering rust has trickled down through the entire offense. Cooper is the WR17 this season, ranking 16th in deep targets and 13th in red zone looks. He’s a low-end WR2/WR3 against a secondary that’s allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers since Week 10.

Chris Moore: Moore has been the Texans’ target hog, with the rest of the receiver room ravaged by injuries. Over the last two games, he has had a 38% target share (9.5 targets per game) with a 39.8% air yard share and 2.45 yards per route run (36% target per route run rate). Moore is a volume-based WR3/4 this week if Cooks and Collins remain sidelined. He has only two red zone targets over the last two games because the Houston offense is such a wretched carnival sideshow. Moore will run about 69% of his routes against Roger McCreary (70.7% catch rate, 113.8 passer rating) and Greg Mabin (80% catch rate, 118.3 passer rating).

Marquise Goodwin: Goodwin will start opposite Metcalf this week. He has a 9.9% target share, 16.7% endzone target share, and 1.55 yards per route run, playing a complementary role in the Seahawks’ offense. Goodwin can still get loose at age 32 and has flashed upside in this offense with three WR3 or better weeks (WR6, WR11, WR35). He should run at least half of his routes against Sneed and McDuffie. Since Week 10, Kansas City is 24th in fantasy points per game and 26th in catch rate allowed to wide receivers. Goodwin is a WR4 that could easily crush this conservative ranking for him in Week 16.

Darius Slayton: Since Week 7, Slayton has a 21% target share and 38.7% air yard share with five weeks as a WR3 or higher. With zero red zone targets since Week 6, his upside in the touchdown department depends on him breaking a long reception for a score. He has only two touchdowns this season. Since Week 7, Slayton is 20th in receiving yards (immediately ahead of D.K. Metcalf), 11th in YAC per reception, and 20th in yards per route run (minimum 25 targets). Among 81 qualifying receivers, he’s 15th in open rate. Slayton is a WR3 that will run about 66% of his routes against Patrick Peterson (58.3% catch rate, 70.7 passer rating) and Duke Shelley (54.2% catch rate, 77.1 passer rating).

Isaiah Hodgins: Since Week 12, Hodgins has a 17.5% target share with two receiving scores and a 100% end zone target share (0.5 per game). He has an 82.2% route run rate in that four-game sample, 1.20 yards per route run, and two top 24 fantasy weeks (WR21, WR22). He is a WR4/5 that will run about 90% of his routes against Peterson and Shelley. If you need an upside flex play in a pinch, Hodgins should be high on your list.

Demarcus Robinson: With Huntley under center the last three games, Robinson has a 24.7% target share (6.7 targets per game) while averaging 40.7 receiving yards. He has had 1.54 yards per route run and a 25% target per route run rate (one red zone target) since Week 13. Robinson has finished as a WR4 (WR37, WR38) in two of his last three games. Robinson is a WR4 this week that will run about 92% of his routes against A.J. Terrell (since Week 10: 26.7% catch rate, 61.8 passer rating) and Darren Hall (since Week 10: 77.8% catch rate, 142.6 passer rating).

Drake London: Last week with Ridder, London soaked up a 42.3% target share (11 targets), producing seven receptions and 70 receiving yards. He finished with a 46.6% air yard share and 2.41 yards per route run. Even zooming out to his last two games, London has been a volume monster with a 46% target share (11.5 targets per game) with 46.6% of the team’s air yards and 3.24 yards per route run. London finished as the WR20 and WR36. London is a WR3 that is 19th in red zone targets among wide receivers. He will run about 72% of his routes against Marlon Humphrey (65% catch rate, 67.6 passer rating) and Marcus Peters (71% catch rate, 116.3 passer rating).

Week 16 RB Start/Sit Grades

Notes

Brian Robinson: Since Week 10, Robinson has averaged 19.4 touches and 97.2 total yards as the RB20 in fantasy points per game. Over his last five games, Robinson is 32nd in yards after contact per attempt, 13th in missed tackles forced, and 25th in PFF’s elusive rating (minimum 25 carries). Robinson is an RB3 this week against the stonewall known as the 49ers’ run defense. Since Week 10, they are seventh in rushing success rate, second in EPA per rush, first in rushing yards per game, and second in explosive run rate allowed.

Antonio Gibson: Gibson has seen his role diminish in recent weeks. In two of his last three games, he has played less than 50% of snaps (42%, 49%). Since Week 12, he’s averaged ten touches and 46.7 total yards. Gibson has been one of the most inefficient running backs in the NFL this season. He’s ranked 46th in juke rate, 34th in evaded tackles, and 39th in yards created per touch. Against a top-tier 49ers run defense, Gibson is an RB4.

Christian McCaffrey: Since San Francisco lost Elijah Mitchell to injury, McCaffrey has morphed back into a week-winning elite running back. He’s played at least 82% of snaps in two of his last three games while averaging 24.3 touches and 145.7 total yards. Since Week 13, he’s handled 80% of the team’s red zone carries while leading all running backs in high-value touches. With his 23.9% target share and 0.7 end zone targets per game over this span, he’s a matchup-proof RB1. The Commanders’ run defense has exhibited some cracks in the pavement recently. Since Week 10, they are 24th in rushing success rate, 21st in EPA per rush, and 27th in explosive run rate allowed. McCaffrey is the RB1 overall.

Miles Sanders: Last week Sanders saw a surprisingly light workload considering the smash matchup on the ground. He played 55% of the snaps with 12 touches and 29 total yards. The last time these two teams played, he managed 62% of the snaps with 19 touches and 72 total yards as the RB15 for the week. Sanders is sixth in red zone touches, 12th in evaded tackles, and eighth in breakaway runs. Don’t be surprised if the Eagles lean on him more heavily this week with Minshew under center. Since Week 10, Dallas has been eighth in rushing success rate, 20th in rushing yards per game, and 25th in explosive run rate allowed. Sanders is an RB2.

Tony Pollard: Since Week 12, Pollard has averaged 17.8 touches and 83.8 total yards with three top 20 running back weeks (RB2, RB6, RB17). Pollard is a big play waiting to happen, ranking third in total touchdowns, sixth in yards per route run, 15th in evaded tackles, and second in breakaway runs. Since Week 10, Philadelphia has been 16th in rushing success rate, 11th in EPA per rush, 19th in rushing yards per game, and 13th in explosive run rate allowed. Pollard is a borderline RB1.

Najee Harris: Since Week 10, Harris has been running mad, ranking 29th in yards after contact per attempt, second in missed tackles forced, and eighth in PFF’s elusive rating. In this period, he’s averaged 18.5 touches and 79.3 total yards as the RB17 in fantasy points per game. Since Week 10, Las Vegas has been 20th in rushing success rate, 16th in EPA per rush, and 18th in rushing yards per game. They have been destroyed by receiving backs all season, giving up the most receptions per game, most receiving yards per game, and fourth-highest yards per reception to backs. Harris is a borderline RB1.

Aaron Jones: Jones played a few less snaps (56%) last week, but he looked like his usual explosive self with 21 touches and 126 total yards. Jones is the RB11 in fantasy and an RB1 this week. He is ninth in weighted opportunities, 15th in red zone touches, and 17th in fantasy points per opportunity. Jones hasn’t shown any falloff in his efficiency metrics, ranking fifth in evaded tackles, 15th in juke rate, and 12th in breakaway runs. Since Week 10, Miami has been 15th in rushing success rate, 20th in EPA per rush, and 25th in fantasy points per game allowed to running backs. They’ve bled out production in the passing game to backs surrendering the most receptions per game and second-most receiving yards per game over their last five contests.

Cam Akers: Akers has played at least 72% of the snaps in two of his last three games averaging 15.4 touches and 67.7 total yards. In that three-game sample, he’s finished as the RB8, RB25, and RB20 in fantasy. Since Week 11, Akers has been offering flashes of his preinjury form, ranking 22nd in yards after contact per attempt, fifth in missed tackles forced, and seventh in PFF’s elusive rating (minimum 20 carries). Since Week 10, Denver has been 12th in rushing success rate, eighth in rushing yards per game, and tenth in explosive run rate allowed. Akers is an RB3.

Week 16 TE Start/Sit Grades

Notes

Greg Dulcich: Dulcich has been a roller coaster ride all season. He has four weeks as a TE1 in fantasy while also managing three games outside the top 30 fantasy tight ends. He has garnered a 16.5% target share while ranking seventh in route participation, second in deep targets, and 20th in yards per route run. Dulcich has rolled up three weeks with at least 50 receiving yards due to his downfield role, but only one red zone target this year helps to explain why he has only one receiving touchdown. Since Week 8, Los Angeles is 28th in fantasy points per game, 26th in receiving yards per game, and 26th in yards per reception allowed to tight ends. Dulcich is a low-end TE1.

Tyler Higbee: Since Stafford has been sidelined, Higbee hasn’t seen more than five targets or mustered more than 27 receiving yards in any game. He scored his first touchdown of the season last week, but I wouldn’t use that as a reason to feel overly optimistic about his Week 16 outlook. Since Week 8, Denver is 22nd in fantasy points per game, 30th in receiving yards per game, and 29th in yards per reception allowed to tight ends. Higbee is a low-end matchup-based streamer/TE2.

Trey McBride: McBride has a 14.3% target share and 64.5% route run rate over the last two weeks, with 1.38 yards per route run. These metrics are encouraging, but with McSorley under center this week, McBride is just another TE2 that’s not worth starting. Tampa Bay is 26th in fantasy points per game and 19th in receiving yards per game against tight ends. I worry about McSorley’s ability to support Hopkins, much less the third or fourth option in the passing attack like McBride.

Dawson Knox: Knox has been on a heater since Week 11 with three top-five tight end finishes over his last five games. Since Week 10, he has had a 15.4% target share averaging 47.2 receiving yards with an 80.6% route run rate. In that span, he’s 15th in yards per route run, seventh in targets, and second in receiving yards behind only Travis Kelce. The Bears have been a stout matchup for tight ends sitting at 12th in catch rate, ninth in yards per reception, and sixth in receiving touchdowns allowed. Knox is a borderline TE1.

Cole Kmet: After a super productive mid-season run of games with Fields breaking out, Kmet has calmed down. He has only managed one top-12 fantasy game since Week 11. He hasn’t scored a touchdown or sniffed a red zone target since Week 10. Kmet is eighth among tight ends in target share (19.1%), 13th in receiving yards, and sixth in deep targets. Kmet is a TE2 this week against a pass defense that has been among the league’s best at defending the position. Buffalo has climbed to first in DVOA against tight ends giving up the seventh-fewest receiving yards and holding the distinction as the only defense yet to allow a touchdown to a tight end.

Juwan Johnson: Since Week 7, Johnson has been the TE5 in fantasy with a 14.5% target share and 30.8% end zone target share. Across his last seven games, he has been a touchdown machine leading the position with seven scores while also ranking 23rd in yards per route run and 19th in receiving yards (minimum ten targets). Johnson is a TE1 against a Browns’ defense that’s second in catch rate but 28th in yards per reception allowed to tight ends.

David Njoku: Njoku is the TE7, ranking fifth in yards per route run, tenth in deep targets, and third in red zone targets. With Watson, he has a 23.1% target share, 20% end zone target share, 81% route run rate, and 23% target per route run rate (1.36 yards per route run). Njoku is a TE1, but he faces one of the best defenses against tight ends for the last several years in Week 16. New Orleans is second in DVOA, holding tight ends to the lowest catch rate, third-lowest receiving yards per game, and second-lowest fantasy points per game.

Week 16 D/ST Start/Sit Grades

Week 16 K Start/Sit Grades

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.