Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings: Is Derrick Henry an RB1?
By Nick Ferris in NFL Football
Updated: March 30, 2020 at 2:35 pm EDTPublished:
- Fantasy Finals, how does your lineup match up
- Which QBs can you trust?
- See the top 20 QBs and top 100 FLEX rankings for Week 16
Week 16 is the last real fantasy week of the the season. Championships will be decided while the rest of us will get our last taste of DFS that doesn’t involve trying to evaluate too many second and third-string players.
Week 15 saw two teams shut out and a number of prominent fantasy players struggle. With a variety of injuries to some of fantasy’s elite, even some squads that made the league finals will be looking for help.
Todd Gurley has been bit by the injury bug and owners will have to wait till game time to know his status. With many other stars in the same boat let’s not waste anytime and have a look at who can help your championship and daily fantasy lineups.
Top 20 QBs
| Rank | Player (Team) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patrick Mahomes (KC) | @SEA | 18 | 371.5 | QB 1 | $7,000 |
| 2 | Drew Brees (NO) | PIT | 5.9 | 286.9 | QB 4 | $6,500 |
| 3 | Andrew Luck (IND) | NYG | 9.7 | 282.4 | QB 6 | $6,200 |
| 4 | Deshaun Watson (HOU) | @PHI | 22.4 | 273.4 | QB 8 | $6,600 |
| 5 | Russell Wilson (SEA) | KC | 19 | 262 | QB 11 | $6,100 |
| 6 | Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | @NO | 13.1 | 297.6 | QB 3 | $6,700 |
| 7 | Aaron Rodgers (GB) | @NYJ | 13.5 | 268.6 | QB 10 | $6,300 |
| 8 | Matt Ryan (ATL) | @CAR | 25 | 306.2 | QB 2 | $6,100 |
| 9 | Mitch Trubisky (CHI) | @SF | 19 | 240.7 | QB 14 | $6,300 |
| 10 | Lamar Jackson (BAL) | @LAC | 16.7 | 115.5 | QB 32 | $5,500 |
| 11 | Tom Brady (NE) | BUF | 13.2 | 249.4 | QB 13 | $5,900 |
| 12 | Baker Mayfield (CLE) | CIN | 12.1 | 194 | QB 18 | $6,100 |
| 13 | Kirk Cousins (MIN) | @DET | 15.3 | 249.9 | QB 12 | $6,000 |
| 14 | Dak Prescott (DAL) | TB | 6.2 | 235.6 | QB 15 | $5,700 |
| 15 | Josh Allen (BUF) | @NE | 19.8 | 155.9 | QB 26 | $5,800 |
| 16 | Philip Rivers (LAC) | BAL | 18.5 | 274.6 | QB 7 | $5,600 |
| 17 | Jared Goff (LAR) | @ARI | 10.7 | 269.1 | QB 9 | $6,400 |
| 18 | Jameis Winston (TB) | @DAL | 4.3 | 151.5 | QB 27 | $5,500 |
| 19 | Derek Carr (OAK) | DEN | 11.6 | 208 | QB 16 | $4,900 |
| 20 | Eli Manning (NYG) | CIN | 5.2 | 201.4 | QB 17 | $4,800 |
Which struggling QB1s Will Come Up Big?
Take your pick! Whether it’s Drew Brees, Jared Goff, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Kirk Cousins or another early-season fantasy QB that is struggling, the position has been a volatile bunch that have been flipped on their heads more than once this season.
The one constant sits atop the QB ranks, but other then Pat Mahomes, the unpredictability has been unprecedented. Save for Philip Rivers, maybe, who just so happens to face a scary ravens defense who I want no part of.
Miscasts and afterthoughts seem to be heading the way for the QBs with guys like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Baker Mayfield consistently finishing as QB1s.
Highest passer rating in the red zone this season:
• Drew Brees – 117.2
• Baker Mayfield – 117.1
• Patrick Mahomes – 113.3We’ll just leave that there…#Browns @Browns
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) December 16, 2018
The finals is a hard time to replace your respected veteran, but if you want to win championships, send your struggling vet to the bench and reap the rewards these young athletic QBs can provide your fantasy squad.
DFS forecast: Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson will be the signal-callers for the majority of my daily lineups this week – Wilson especially, with a nice matchup that should see the Seahawks scrambling to stay with the Kansas City Chiefs. Wilson still has the magic and we will see it this weekend.
Top 100 PPR Flex Rankings
#1-25
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel Elliot (DAL)(RB1) | TB | 19.8 | 313.3 | RB 5 | $9,000 |
| 2 | Saquon Barkley (NYG)(RB2) | @IND | 9.6 | 342.9 | RB 3 | $7,900 |
| 3 | Christian McCaffrey (CAR)(RB3) | ATL | 26 | 350.7 | RB 2 | $8,800 |
| 4 | Todd Gurley (LAR)(RB4) | @ARI | 34.4 | 372.1 | RB 1 | $9,200 |
| 5 | Alvin Kamara (NO)(RB5) | PIT | 23.3 | 327.7 | RB 5 | $7,400 |
| 6 | Melvin Gordon (LAC)(RB6) | BAL | INJ | 251.5 | RB 7 | $7,600 |
| 7 | Dalvin Cook (MIN)(RB7) | @DET | 29.3 | 128.2 | RB 33 | $6,900 |
| 8 | Davante Adams (GB)(WR1) | @NYJ | 21.9 | 305.5 | WR 1 | $8,500 |
| 9 | DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)(WR2) | @PHI | 39 | 287.4 | WR 2 | $8,600 |
| 10 | Tyreek Hill (KC)(WR3) | @SEA | 8.1 | 286.3 | WR 4 | $7,900 |
| 11 | Julio Jones (ATL)(WR4) | @CAR | 20.2 | 284.2 | WR 5 | $8,700 |
| 12 | Michael Thomas (NO)(WR5) | PIT | 11.9 | 279.7 | WR 6 | $8,100 |
| 13 | Leonard Fournette (JAX)(RB8) | @MIA | 9.4 | 104.3 | RB 42 | $6,000 |
| 14 | Nick Chubb (CLE)(RB9) | CIN | 10 | 177 | RB 15 | $7,300 |
| 15 | Joe Mixon (CIN)(RB10) | @CLE | 27 | 221.9 | RB 10 | $7,100 |
| 16 | Travis Kelce (KC)(TE1) | @SEA | 13.1 | 273 | TE 1 | $7,200 |
| 17 | Antonio Brown (PIT)(WR6) | @NO | 14.9 | 279.2 | WR 7 | $8,300 |
| 18 | Keenan Allen (LAC)(WR7) | BAL | 0 | 238.9 | WR 9 | $7,100 |
| 19 | Adam Thielen (MIN)(WR8) | @DET | 3.9 | 287.3 | WR 3 | $7,800 |
| 20 | TY Hilton (IND)(WR9) | NYG | 13.5 | 210.1 | WR 16 | $7,100 |
| 21 | JuJu Smith-Schuster (PIT)(WR10) | @NO | 8 | 261.7 | WR 8 | $8,000 |
| 22 | Stefon Diggs (MIN)(WR11) | @DET | 15.8 | 238.6 | WR 10 | $7,400 |
| 23 | Mike Evans (TB)(WR12) | @DAL | 16.1 | 234.8 | WR 11 | $6,800 |
| 24 | Zach Ertz (PHI)(TE2) | HOU | 5.2 | 240.8 | TE 2 | $5,900 |
| 25 | David Johnson (ARI)(RB11) | LAR | 19.1 | 221.2 | RB 11 | $6,200 |
Ezekiel Elliott Takes the Throne From Gurley
Up to this point, you would have needed the jaws of life to pry Todd Gurley out of my number one position. As mentioned earlier, Gurley is struggling with an injury to his knee, which leaves his workload for Week 16 in question and the top spot up for grabs.
Enter Ezekiel Elliot. Sure, the Cowboys are coming off a shut out loss to the Colts, but one game does not make a season.
Ezekiel Elliott is averaging 30 touches per game the last six weeks. @TJHernandez says you absolutely want the star running back in your Week 16 DFS lineups: https://t.co/HxaUrn1Hsm
— SI Fantasy (@SI_Fantasy) December 22, 2018
Previous to being shut out, the Cowboys had reeled off 5 wins in a row and were looking pretty solid as an NFC contender.
With a potentially-great defense and an offense that goes through potentially the best pure runner in today’s game, I expect the Week 15 loss to be a mere bump in the road as the Cowboys attempt to secure their division and make their way into the playoffs.
Zeke averages over 25 touches a game and will use the Bucs’ bottom-five defense to keep his cleats clean this week as the ‘Boys get back on track.
#26-50
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Derrick Henry (TEN)(RB12) | WAS | 30.2 | 173.5 | RB 18 | NA |
| 27 | Chris Carson (SEA)(RB13) | KC | 26.8 | 157.9 | RB 23 | $5,800 |
| 28 | Marlon Mack (IND)(RB14) | NYG | 25.9 | 148.5 | RB 26 | $5,500 |
| 29 | Tarik Cohen (CHI)(RB15) | @SF | 14.5 | 219.8 | RB 12 | $6,400 |
| 30 | Damien Williams (KC)(RB16) | @SEA | 30.3 | 60.7 | RB 66 | $5,700 |
| 31 | Julian Edelman (NE)(WR13) | BUF | 16 | 168.1 | WR 24 | $7,200 |
| 32 | Amari Cooper (DAL)(WR14) | TB | 8.3 | 203.3 | WR 17 | $7,500 |
| 33 | Jarvis Landry (CLE)(WR15) | CIN | 6.7 | 184.1 | WR 21 | $6,200 |
| 34 | Brandin Cooks (LAR)(WR16) | @ARI | 11.9 | 210.8 | WR 15 | $6,500 |
| 35 | Robert Woods (LAR)(WR17) | @ARI | 16.3 | 232.7 | WR 12 | $6,600 |
| 36 | Tyler Lockett (SEA)(WR18) | KC | 7.6 | 193.6 | WR 20 | $5,700 |
| 37 | Phillip Lindsay (DEN)(RB17) | @OAK | 8.4 | 215.1 | RB 13 | $7,200 |
| 38 | Gus Edwards (BAL)(RB18) | @LAC | 16.4 | 70.7 | RB 59 | $4,400 |
| 39 | Tevin Coleman (ATL)(RB19) | @CAR | 20.5 | 176.1 | RB 16 | $4,800 |
| 40 | Jaylen Samuels (PIT)(RB20) | @NO | 19.2 | 61.2 | RB 66 | $6,700 |
| 41 | George Kittle (SF)(TE3) | CHI | 8.1 | 214.4 | TE 3 | $6,000 |
| 42 | Rob Gronkowski (NE)(TE4) | BUF | 4.1 | 126.8 | TE 8 | $5,600 |
| 43 | Alshon Jeffery (PHI)(WR19) | HOU | 24 | 157.2 | WR 29 | $5,300 |
| 44 | Doug Baldwin (SEA)(WR20) | KC | 23.7 | 111.5 | WR 60 | $5,500 |
| 45 | Kenny Golladay (DET)(WR21) | MIN | 21.6 | 195.3 | WR 19 | $6,000 |
| 46 | Mark Ingram (NO)(RB21) | PIT | 9.4 | 124.9 | RB 35 | $5,100 |
| 47 | Sony Michel (NE)(RB22) | BUF | 5.9 | 116.5 | RB 37 | $4,900 |
| 48 | Jamaal Williams (GB)(RB23) | @NYJ | 19.7 | 81.8 | RB 51 | $5,400 |
| 49 | Lamar Miller (HOU)(RB24) | @PHI | 0.8 | 159 | RB 21 | $5,000 |
| 50 | James White (NE)(RB25) | BUF | 8.7 | 246.3 | RB 8 | $5,200 |
All Aboard The Henry Train
At the beginning of the year, I was excited enough about Mike Vrabel and the Titans chances to view Henry as a potential league leader in TDs.
Up until Week 14, that notion had been laughable. Since then, all Henry has done is score 6 TDs and rush for 408 yards over the last two weeks.
Derrick Henry is the only running back to rank in the top-12 in elusive rating each of the last three years.
Week 16 dynasty values and trade value chart ($): https://t.co/98CFxI6cWK pic.twitter.com/QjEQAqXUen
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 20, 2018
I’m sure those numbers didn’t help near as many fantasy owners as they should have, as Henry was buried deep on fantasy benches after an extremely slow start to the season.
It seems Vrabel has realized with a feeble QB at the helm, the Titans only real chance to close out the season strong and make the playoffs is on the sizable back of Derrick Henry.
The Titans play solid defense and have an o-line that can get some push. I am fully expecting the work to continue for Henry, and for the RB to keep punishing defenses en route to getting the Titans into the playoffs.
#51-75
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Matt Breida (SF)(RB26) | CHI | 14.6 | 158.9 | RB 22 | $4,200 |
| 52 | Kalen Ballage (MIA)(RB27) | JAX | 19.1 | 27 | RB 88 | $3,700 |
| 53 | Peyton Barber (TB)(RB28) | @DAL | 16.9 | 133.9 | RB 32 | $3,600 |
| 54 | Josh Adams (PHI)(RB29) | HOU | 8.8 | 70.5 | RB 60 | $4,400 |
| 55 | Dion Lewis (TEN)(RB30) | WAS | 7.4 | 149.9 | RB 25 | NA |
| 56 | Allen Robinson (CHI)(WR22) | @SF | 8.4 | 139.9 | WR 38 | $5,400 |
| 57 | Sterling Shepard (NYG)(WR23) | @IND | 5.7 | 153.9 | WR 31 | $4,800 |
| 58 | Robby Anderson (NYJ)(WR24) | GB | 22.6 | 122 | WR 49 | $4,500 |
| 59 | Corey Davis (TEN)(WR25) | WAS | 6.3 | 166.2 | WR 25 | NA |
| 60 | Calvin Ridley (ATL)(WR26) | @CAR | 9.2 | 174.6 | WR 22 | $5,100 |
| 61 | Jordan Howard (CHI)(RB31) | @SF | 14.5 | 140.6 | RB 29 | $4,300 |
| 62 | Elijah McGuire (NYJ)(RB32) | GB | 14.1 | 55.9 | RB 72 | $4,700 |
| 63 | Kenyan Drake (MIA)(RB33) | JAX | 6.4 | 182.3 | RB 14 | $4,500 |
| 64 | Adrian Peterson (WAS)(RB34) | @TEN | 9.1 | 175.3 | RB 17 | NA |
| 65 | LeSean McCoy (BUF)(RB35) | @NE | INJ | 109.9 | RB 39 | $4,800 |
| 66 | Doug Martin (OAK)(RB36) | DEN | 3.9 | 92.2 | RB 47 | $4,400 |
| 67 | Dante Pettis (SF)(WR27) | CHI | 13.3 | 98.4 | WR 64 | $4,300 |
| 68 | Â Kenny Stills (MIA)(WR28) | JAX | 2.7 | 123.1 | WR 48 | $4,100 |
| 69 | Robert Foster (BUF)(WR29) | @NE | 20.8 | 77.8 | WR 82 | $4,900 |
| 70 | Taylor Gabriel (CHI)(WR30) | @SF | 6.3 | 135.2 | WR 41 | $4,400 |
| 71 | Mike Williams (LAC)(WR31) | BAL | 36.5 | 161.7 | WR 26 | $4,600 |
| 72 | Adam Humphries (TB)(WR32) | @DAL | 6.3 | 159.2 | WR 28 | $4,700 |
| 73 | Golden Tate (PHI)(WR33) | HOU | 9.3 | 172.3 | WR 23 | $4,800 |
| 74 | Dede Westbrook (JAX)(WR34) | @MIA | 7.1 | 159.2 | WR 27 | $4,900 |
| 75 | Mohammad Sanu (ATL)(WR35) | @CAR | 7.1 | 140 | WR 37 | $4,400 |
Kalen Ballage and Robby Anderson worth a look in Daily
Kalen Ballage has had a fairly quiet rookie season, only garnering 13 total touches through 14 weeks.
In Week 15, the Dolphins lost lead man Frank Gore, and instead of replacing him with play-maker Kenyon Drake, it was Ballage that was inserted into the lead role.
Ballage excelled, matching his season total 13 touches and turning tem into 121 yards and a TD. The 230-pound back with 4.4 speed will look to take advantage of his opportunity this week and attempt to carve out a bigger role on the 2019 Dolphins.
Kalen Ballage 4.46 on first 40 at NFL Combine. Here it is pic.twitter.com/5viYOmRddN
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) March 2, 2018
Robby Anderson is a big play threat who has trouble staying on the field. But when he does, he can change games.
Rookie QB Sam Darnold returned to the lineup in Week 14 for the Jets and he and Anderson have been making plays since.
Anderson has put up an 11-172-2 line over the last two weeks and will need to make plays this week against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
Rookie Jaire Alexander has been good, but Anderson has the type of speed and explosiveness that allows him to get over the top of just about any corner in the league.
If you need a flex for your championship game, or are just looking for a cheap option at WR for your daily lineup, Anderson can fill the void while offering a chance at top notch production for a fraction of the price.
#76-100
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Jared Cook (OAK)(TE5) | DEN | 4.3 | 183.8 | TE 5 | $5,300 |
| 77 | Eric Ebron (IND)(TE6) | MIN | 1.8 | 200.4 | TE 4 | $5,700 |
| 78 | David Njoku (CLE)(TE7) | CIN | 6 | 118.4 | TE 13 | $3,800 |
| 79 | Vance McDonald (PIT)(TE8) | @NO | 9.3 | 120.2 | TE 10 | $4,100 |
| 80 | LeGarrette Blount (DET)(RB37) | MIN | 0.9 | 80.6 | RB 54 | $3,400 |
| 81 | Kenneth Dixon (BAL)(RB38) | @LAC | 6 | 36.7 | RB 82 | $4,100 |
| 82 | Royce Freeman (DEN)(RB39) | @OAK | 1.8 | 80.9 | RB 53 | $3,500 |
| 83 | Theo Riddick (DET)(RB40) | MIN | 7.6 | 109.6 | RB 40 | $4,100 |
| 84 | Jalen Richard (OAK)(RB41) | DEN | 10.6 | 137.7 | RB 31 | $4,000 |
| 85 | Darren Sproles (PHI)(RB42) | HOU | 7.6 | 35.6 | RB 84 | $3,600 |
| 86 | Mike Davis (SEA)(RB43) | KC | 16.4 | 120.1 | RB 36 | $3,800 |
| 87 | DJ Moore (CAR)(WR36) | ATL | 3.4 | 141 | WR 36 | $5,600 |
| 88 | Larry FItzgerald (ARI)(WR37) | LAR | 15.2 | 155.5 | WR 30 | $5,200 |
| 89 | Antonio Callaway (CLE)(WR38) | CIN | 14.5 | 114.4 | WR 57 | $3,900 |
| 90 | Austin Hooper (ATL)(TE8) | @CAR | 0 | 145.7 | TE 6 | $3,700 |
| 91 | Trey Burton (CHI)(TE9) | @SF | 13.6 | 130.8 | TE 7 | $4,000 |
| 92 | Nyheim Hines (IND)(RB44) | NYG | 10.4 | 140.7 | RB 27 | $4,200 |
| 93 | TJ Yeldon (JAX)(RB45) | @MIA | 2.1 | 173.1 | RB 19 | $4,900 |
| 94 | Latavius Murray (MIN)(RB46) | @DET | 12.8 | 125.3 | RB 34 | $4,400 |
| 95 | Demaryius Thomas (HOU)(WR39) | @PHI | 11.9 | 150 | WR 32 | $4,700 |
| 96 | Tyrell Williams (LAC)(WR40) | BAL | 13.1 | 131.3 | WR 43 | $4,200 |
| 97 | DeSean Jackson (TB)(WR41) | @DAL | INJ | 147.5 | WR 35 | $4,700 |
| 98 | Jordy Nelson (OAK)(WR42) | DEN | 14.8 | 125.4 | WR 46 | $4,600 |
| 99 | Tim Patrick (DEN)(WR43) | @OAK | 11.5 | 46.7 | WR 112 | $4,000 |
| 100 | Jamison Crowder (WAS)(WR44) | @TEN | 8.6 | 68.3 | WR 92 | NA |
Scanning The Week 16 Bargain Bin
With so many fantasy owners sitting on the sideline, the obscure depths of the top 100 should be seldom used.
But in case you are in an extremely deep league, or just looking for a player with minimal ownership in daily, I will throw out a name for you: Tim Patrick.
Who? Tim Patrick, the Denver Broncos undrafted free agent starting wide receiver.
The Broncos head to Oakland to face the Raiders on Monday night. The Raiders just so happen to be possibly the league’s slowest defense and hemorrhage TDs to wide outs.
Patrick has led the Broncos receivers in yardage the last two weeks and looks to be the Broncos best option on the outside with fellow rookie Cortland Sutton ailing from one thing or another every week.
Good luck in Week 16! Go get them Trophies!!!
Nick Ferris is a seasoned fantasy football vet of over 20 years. He's an expert in everything from best ball to daily fantasy sports. Although arm chair quarterback is as close he ever got to the field - or are we counting 7v7 touch? - he has been fortunate enough to coach some youth football.
