Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell could both be RB2s against Cleveland after an incredible Week 16. Justin K. Aller / Getty Images
Game on, you ducks! If you’re listening, maybe it’s because you’re still in the playoffs, or you’re here for the good times, which is why I’m here, I guess. I’m frustrated. I am willing to hear all your complaints and gripes, because I have just as many. I’ll give you one example. I had Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua in my favorite home league, and I will lose because my running backs are Breece Hall, Josh Jacobs with Tyrone Tracy in the flex, not to mention the whopping and wonderful game from returning WR Drake London.
But let’s get to the things to take away from Week 16. If you’re playing for your championship, third place or for fun, let’s go!
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Emeka Egbuka, WR, TB: Was wrong about him. It appeared Mike Evans’ return would help Egbuka, given Week 15 and early in the season. But Egbuka slid to the No. 3 WR spot and cannot be started in championship games. Evans is the only one I would wholly trust. Chris Godwin remains the No. 2 for the Bucs but is seeing plenty of looks underneath and more of a WR3/4.
Rico Dowdle, Chuba Hubbard, RBs, CAR: Dowdle continues to be more of the early-down option, and Hubbard primarily the pass-catching/third-down choice. I don’t expect terrific value from Dowdle against the Seahawks, but Hubbard could have sneaky value given the potential game script.
Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders, RBs, CLE: Judkins left the game with an injury, dislocating his ankle and fracturing his leg. If Sampson returns from a hand injury, he is an RB2/3 option. If it’s not Sampson, it would be Sanders, who had a 65/35 split over Trayveon Williams.
Quentin Johnston, WR, LAC: Returned to the lineup as the clear No. 2 WR. He’s a boom-or-bust WR4 against the Texans at home. Johnston continues to ruin Oronde Gadsden, who is unstartable with Johnston on the field.
Joe Burrow, QB, CIN: As expected, Burrow looked much better with Tee Higgins on the field (and had “more fun”). The Bengals get the Cardinals at home, which is really tasty, and hopefully, we’ll see more of Higgins.
The Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle was solid with Quinn Ewers, De’Von Achane didn’t see much of a downgrade, and Darren Waller was fine as well. Waddle, Achane and possibly Waller will be in your lineups for the championship game.
Taysom Hill, TE, NO: Exploded for a massive stat line (passing, rushing, receiving) … for a “tight end.” If Alvin Kamara remains out, Hill is a flier TE1.
The New York Jets: Brady Cook continues to kill Breece Hall and Adonai Mitchell, and you might be benching Hall … if you survived with him.
The Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Mason was hurt. Aaron Jones is in the mid-to-low RB2 conversation with Mason and even higher without him. Justin Jefferson looked good; however, if J.J. McCarthy is out, Jefferson is nearly unstartable.
Jaxson Dart, QB, NYG: This was another miss by me. I didn’t expect the Giants to run, run and then run again.
The Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are falling apart. Gardner Minshew is out for the season, and with his injury, we didn’t even get the Travis Kelce value we hoped for. That situation is going as sideways as sideways can. We can’t even start Xavier Worthy, and Kelce might be off the table, too.
Michael Carter, RB, ARI: Looked solid in his opportunities. He’ll be in the RB2/3 conversation.
Marvin Harrison, WR, ARI: Usage was limited, and Jacoby Brissett picked the worst time to have his worst game since taking over at QB. If Harrison practices in full, I’d expect a bounce-back for both against the Bengals.
Drake London, WR, ATL: He ran 30 routes and had eight targets, behind only Bijan Robinson. Kirk Cousins primarily targeted only Kyle Pitts, Robinson and London, who would be in the high-end WR2 conversation with a week of full practices.
Parker Washington, WR, JAX: Washington spent more time than Jakobi Meyers running out of the slot and took advantage. But get back in on Meyers and Brian Thomas for a nice rebound spot this week.
Jawhar Jordan, RB, HOU: As expected, Jordan led the backfield value. If Woody Marks is back, he’s an RB2, but if not, Jordan is an RB2/3.
Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, RBs, PIT: Tougher matchup coming up, but given their effectiveness, both might be in the RB2 tier.
Zay Flowers, WR, BAL: Value drops significantly if Lamar Jackson misses time, but you’re still starting him, just more as a WR3 with a risky floor.
The New England Patriots: If Kayshon Boutte is out, you can take a deep, deep flier on Kyle Williams. But this is more about Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry. Rhamondre Stevenson would be a rock-solid RB2 in the final if TreVeyon Henderson is out.
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