It’s time for weekly bold predictions. The point here is that if you follow the consensus, you’re probably going to have a good team. But in order to go from good to great, you have to take some chances. You have to do your homework and figure out where you can zig when the rest of your league (or at least your opponent this week) zags. In short, you need to know how and when to be bold.

We asked our analysts to provide a bold prediction for Week 16. Their answers and justifications are below.

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Fantasy Football Week 16 Bold Predictions

What is one bold fantasy prediction (player related) for the upcoming week and why could it happen?

Hunter Henry (TE – NE)

“Hunter Henry has his third consecutive top-three tight end finish. The veteran has been the TE2 over the past two weeks, averaging 16.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He ranks 10th in targets (12) but is first in receiving touchdowns (three) and fourth in target per route run rate (27%) among tight ends with at least 30 routes run over the past two weeks (per Fantasy Points Data). Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos have surrendered the most fantasy points per game (13.6) and receiving touchdowns (nine) to tight ends this season, including 26.1 and three to Sam LaPorta last week. Henry couldn’t ask for a better matchup in Week 16.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)

DJ Moore (WR – CHI)

“Time to redeem myself after actually thinking the Falcons would do the right thing and ride Bijan last week. My bad. After a quiet week in a tough matchup versus the Browns, DJ Moore heads home to face the Arizona Cardinals, and he will bounce back. Since the return of Justin Fields, Moore has been the guy Fields has looked for, with 40 targets over his last four games, with the results being three top-12 finishes. After really playing hard all year long, the Cardinals look like they are ready to get done with this year after being dealt with easily by the 49ers last week. Moore will finish with at least 80 yards and a score, good enough to be a top 8 finish in Week 16.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

Tyler Boyd (WR – CIN)

“Tyler Boyd leads the Bengals’ passing attack with 100 receiving yards and a score. With Browning chucking passes, Boyd has only seen a 12.3% target share with 1.66 YPRR and a 12.2% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Overall, Boyd is the WR53 in fantasy this season with only four games as a WR3 or better (WR34, WR17, WR10, WR31). Browning has been looking for Boyd inside the 20 with three red zone looks over his last three games. Add in that slot receivers have torched Pittsburgh, and Boyd is set for liftoff. Since Week 9, Pittsburgh has allowed the second-most PPR points per target and receiving touchdowns to opposing slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data). ”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)

D’Onta Foreman (RB – CHI)

“D’Onta Foreman will channel his Week 7 performance to tear the Cardinals’ defense to shreds. The Cardinals are the best matchup for opposing running backs as they are allowing 26.7 fantasy points per game to the position and will allow for a massive boom game from Foreman, even in this three-headed backfield. In Week 7 against the Raiders, who were equally as bad as the Cardinals at the time, Foreman put up 120 total yards and three total touchdowns in a career game. This week he likely won’t find his way into the endzone as often, but against this struggling run defense, he should top the 100-yard mark and score at least one touchdown. Foreman is a must-start in Week 16″
– Aaron St Denis (The League Winners)

“D’Onta Foreman started last week but was held to -6 rushing yards on 6 carries. He had multiple goal-line attempts that had no chance of converting. 26% snap share. But he led the backfield in first half-carries (4) versus two for each of the other Chicago RBs. Roschon Johnson was the last RB to earn a touch (2nd quarter). This backfield is a mess. But even after the horrible week, Foreman is still the guy you’d like to roll with versus the horrible Arizona run defense. The Cardinals defense that ranks 31st in rushing yards allowed to RBs this season. Two TDs and 100 rushing yards for Foreman in Week 16. Book it.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

Jameson Williams (WR – DET)

“WR Jameson Williams finishes as a top 20 WR with 7 receptions for 130 yards and TD. Happy Festivus, everyone! The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances. I’ve got a lot of problems with you people, and now you’re going to hear about them, such as Detroit head coach Dan Campbell. Why aren’t you using Jameson Williams as a featured WR? He runs like a gazelle, has the talent to be an all-pro, and has the ability to torch the Vikings’ pass defense if given a chance, especially with perfect passing conditions inside U.S. Bank Stadium. Instead of biting kneecaps, go on a diet and just throw Jameson the rock! Ringo Costanza”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)

Chuba Hubbard (RB – CAR)

“Chuba Hubbard finishes as a top-five fantasy scorer at running back this week. Hubbard has become the Panthers’ version of Kyren Williams. The Panthers’ new workhorse has logged snap shares above 70% in each of his last two games, and he’s had 25, 23 and 22 carries over the last three weeks. This Sunday, Hubbard gets a juicy matchup against a Green Bay run defense that ranks 26th in DVOA. The Packers have given up the fourth-most rushing yards and ninth-most fantasy points to RBs. Hubbard is going to fill his fantasy manager’s stockings with a heaping helping of points. ”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA)

“Raheem Mostert scores two more touchdowns and hits the 20 TD mark. He has already doubled his career touchdowns this season. Now he pads the stats against a team that could not handle James Cook. Tyreek Hill might miss and if he plays, could be limited. The team relied on Mostert when Hill went down last week. Look for them to continue to ride Mostert. Hitting the 20-TD mark is extremely rare. Mostert could do it as soon as this weekend!”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)

Nick Mullens (QB – MIN)

“Nick Mullens will lead teams to the fantasy championships this week! All he did in his first start of the year last week was throw for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns…and that was with Jefferson having a pedestrian seven receptions for 84 yards. This week with Jefferson closer to 100%, the Vikings are fighting for a playoff spot, and a Lions team that can give up passing yards, Mullens is primed for a Christmas Eve game that will reward fantasy owners who made the crazy choice to start a backup quarterback in their huge playoff matchup!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)

Aaron Jones (RB – GB)

“Aaron Jones hits the rewind button in week 16 and dominates the Panthers. Jones has been average at best for most of the season. The Panthers’ run defense allows the third most fantasy points per game to running backs. The Packers look to be without a few receivers this week, which could allow Jones to see an expanded role in the offense. The Panthers’ secondary has been scary to play against, so getting the run game going will be critical for the Packers to win this game. Jones could be looking at an RB1/high-end RB2 finish in week 16.”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)

Gabe Davis (WR – BUF)

“Gabe Davis will have a reception in Week 16. That may not seem bold enough, but it feels that way to fantasy managers who roster him. The Chargers give up so many deep passing yards, and as my colleague Derek Brown notes, Davis is tied for the team lead in red zone targets against single high defenses, which is what L.A. plays at the 11th-highest rate. The Bills have unlocked and unleashed James Cook, but I don’t think they can help themselves with the weapons available in the passing game and with Josh Allen at the helm. Davis will go 5/90/1 in Week 16 on countless fantasy team benches, but if you’re looking for a “ceiling” play this week, he’s your guy.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)

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