Week 16 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings & Projections: DeAndre Hopkins Will Enjoy a Strong Matchup

By Jason Guilbault | Apr 15, 2023, 9:48am

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The 2020 fantasy football season is quickly approaching which means it’s time to get a start on your research. We have you covered with our fantasy football rankings as well as projections for the upcoming season. If you are interested in the defensive side of the ball we have you covered there as well. Leave no stone unturned and check out everything we have to offer.

If you are having some decision making trouble for Week 16, we can certainly help out with our fantasy football positional rankings. If you are looking for some permanent adds for Week 16 and moving forward, check out the waiver wire breakdowns. With most of the industry now in a standard full-point PPR format, we break down the top ranked players at each position for Week 16.

Week 16 Quarterback Rankings

Week 16 Ranking	Player	Week 16 Opponent	Week 16 Projection
1	Lamar Jackson	@CLE	25.9
2	Deshaun Watson	@TB	25.4
3	Jameis Winston	HOU	25.3
4	Russell Wilson	ARI	24.5
5	Dak Prescott	@PHI	24.2
6	Patrick Mahomes	@CHI	23.9
7	Drew Brees	@TEN	22.7
8	Ryan Tannehill	NO	21.4
9	Matt Ryan	JAX	21.2
10	Aaron Rodgers	@MIN	20.1
11	Jared Goff	@SF	19.8
12	Kirk Cousins	GB	19.6
13	Ryan Fitzpatrick	CIN	19.4
14	Philip Rivers	OAK	19.4
15	Carson Wentz	DAL	19.3
16	Jimmy Garoppolo	LAR	19.2
17	Kyler Murray	@SEA	19.1
18	Mitch Trubisky	KC	18.7
19	Drew Lock	DET	18.6
20	Derek Carr	@LAC	18.5
21	Baker Mayfield	BAL	18.4
22	Josh Allen	@NE	18.3
23	Jacoby Brissett	CAR	17.8
24	Gardner Minshew	@ATL	17.6
25	Andy Dalton	@MIA	17.4
26	Tom Brady	BUF	17.1
27	Dwayne Haskins	NYG	16.8
28	Sam Darnold	PIT	16.5
29	Eli Manning	@WAS	16.4

There is a heavy collection of quarterbacks in good spots this week. Russell Wilson takes on Arizona, who have allowed 34 passing touchdowns and nearly 4,300 passing yards this season. He is closely ranked near this next game of quarterbacks. Houston and Tampa Bay are allowing the 3rd and 4th most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season. The over/under here is sky high 50 points, with a one point spread. However Seattle has the highest team total of 30.5, with Baltimore right behind at 29. Lamar Jackson and the names here are in the top four. Dak Prescott has a matchup he can go off in. Philadelphia’s secondary struggled against Miami, Washington, and New York of late. They also have allowed three 30+ fantasy point games this season, and five quarterbacks over 20 fantasy points. Matt Ryan is in a sneaky good start, with the Jaguars allowing 24.7 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks over the last five games. Their season has gone down and so has the effort on the defensive side.

Week 16 Running Backs Rankings

Week 16 Ranking	Player	Week 16 Opponent	Week 16 Projection
1	Christian McCaffrey	@IND	26.1
2	Ezekiel Elliott	@PHI	22.8
3	Alvin Kamara	@TEN	22.1
4	Saquon Barkley	@WAS	20.3
5	Joe Mixon	@MIA	18.7
6	Nick Chubb	BAL	17.4
7	Chris Carson	ARI	17.2
8	Dalvin Cook*	GB	16.8
9	Todd Gurley	@SF	16.5
10	Derrick Henry	NO	16.4
11	Marlon Mack	CAR	16.1
12	Melvin Gordon	OAK	15.8
13	Mark Ingram	@CLE	15.6
14	Devonta Freeman	JAX	15.4
15	Leonard Fournette	@ATL	15.2
16	Aaron Jones	@MIN	14.8
17	Le’Veon Bell	PIT	14.6
18	Josh Jacobs	@LAC	14.2
19	Miles Sanders	DAL	14.1
20	James Conner	@NYJ	13.8
21	James White	BUF	13.6
22	Raheem Mostert	LAR	13.5
23	Austin Ekeler	OAK	13.1
24	Phillip Lindsay	DET	12.9
25	Kareem Hunt	BAL	12.5
26	Adrian Peterson	NYG	12.3
27	Devin Singletary	@NE	12.1
28	Kenyan Drake	@SEA	11.5
29	Jamaal Williams	@MIN	11.3
30	Ronald Jones II	HOU	10.8
31	David Montgomery	KC	10.3
32	Sony Michel	BUF	9.7
33	Carlos Hyde	@TB	9.6
34	Tarik Cohen	KC	9.4
35	Alexander Mattison*	GB	9.2
36	Duke Johnson	@TB	8.3
37	LeSean McCoy	@CHI	7.3
38	Royce Freeman	DET	6.5
39	Tevin Coleman	LAR	5.3
40	Darwin Thompson	@CHI	4.4
41	Peyton Barber	HOU	4.3
42	Spencer Ware	@CHI	3.8

I know Alvin Kamara has been quiet since returning from injury, but I have faith in him this week. Tennessee is a middle of the road run defense who have given up their fair share of fantasy points to running backs of late. Certainly none as good as Kamara either. Saquon Barkley finally put up a strong fantasy week, and is in a good spot to do so again. Washington has allowed the 7th most fantasy points per game to opposing backs this season. Joe Mixon is another back with upside that has been struggling most of the year. Miami has allowed the third most fantasy points per game. The issue with a few backs in good spots this week is that they have been in horrendous form.

Marlon Mack has not looked good this season, and negative game script can kill any sort of fantasy production if the Colts fall behind. Taking on Jacksonville is Devonta Freeman, and the Falcons haven’t been a team to capitalize on the run, however I will trust the matchup here and put Freeman inside the top 15. Philip Lindsay is another one going up against the Lions and a Detroit defense allowing the 4th most fantasy points to running backs.

Fantasy Football Strategy Podcast Week 16 (Free)

Week 16 Wide Receivers Rankings

Week 16 Ranking	Player	Week 16 Opponent	Week 16 Projection
1	Michael Thomas	@TEN	21.8
2	DeAndre Hopkins	@TB	20.4
3	Julio Jones	JAX	20.3
4	Davante Adams	@MIN	19.7
5	Keenan Allen	OAK	18.6
6	Amari Cooper	@PHI	18.2
7	Tyreek Hill	@CHI	17.7
8	Robert Woods	@SF	17.5
9	DeVante Parker	CIN	17.3
10	Tyler Lockett	ARI	17.3
11	Breshad Perriman	HOU	17.1
12	DJ Moore	@IND	16.8
13	Allen Robinson	KC	16.7
14	Julian Edelman	BUF	16.7
15	Adam Thielen	GB	16.7
16	Mike Williams	OAK	16.5
17	Tyler Boyd	@MIA	16.3
18	Courtland Sutton	DET	16.1
19	AJ Brown	NO	15.8
20	Terry McLaurin	NYG	15.8
21	DK Metcalf	ARI	15.6
22	Emmanuel Sanders	LAR	15.5
23	Curtis Samuel	@IND	15.4
24	Will Fuller	@TB	15.2
25	Chris Conley	@ATL	14.8
26	Darius Slayton	@WAS	14.8
27	Stefon Diggs	GB	14.6
28	Odell Beckham	BAL	14.5
29	Anthony Miller	KC	14.4
30	James Washington	@NYJ	14.3
31	Golden Tate	@WAS	14.3
32	Marquise Brown	@CLE	14.2
33	Kenny Golladay	@DEN	14.2
34	Jarvis Landry	BAL	14.0
35	Michael Gallup	@PHI	13.9
36	Dede Westbrook	@ATL	13.8
37	Tyrell Williams	@LAC	13.8
38	John Brown	@NE	13.6
39	Russell Gage	JAX	13.5
40	Kenny Stills	@TB	13.2
41	Jamison Crowder	PIT	13.1
42	Sammy Watkins	@CHI	12.7
43	Larry Fitzgerald	@SEA	12.6
44	Sterling Shepard	@WAS	12.4
45	Deebo Samuel	LAR	12.3
46	Christian Kirk	@SEA	12.1
47	T.Y. Hilton	CAR	11.7
48	Greg Ward	DAL	11.4
49	Danny Amendola	@DEN	11.3
50	Zach Pascal	CAR	10.7
51	Cole Beasley	@NE	10.6
52	Robbie Anderson	PIT	10.3
53	Randall Cobb	@PHI	10.3
54	Cooper Kupp	@SF	10.2
55	Diontae Johnson	@NYJ	9.7
56	N’Keal Harry	BUF	9.5
57	Justin Watson	HOU	9.3
58	Brandin Cooks	@SF	7.1
59	Corey Davis	NO	6.7
60	Phillip Dorsett	BUF	5.2

Michael Thomas continues to do his thing, and checks in as the top option this week against a bottom half secondary in Tennessee. The Buccaneers have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this season, and the Houston trio all rank up quite a bit. The flip side of that game has a lot of value. Breshad Perriman is coming off a wild three touchdown game, and gets Houston who have struggled against the pass. Justin Watson is a deep league target who should get a bump in targets. The Eagles secondary continues to struggle, and even against lesser opponents. This is a potential big week despite being on the road for the names of Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.

You can get keep AJ Brown in that starting lineup going up against the Saints, who are allowing the 6th most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts. Los Angeles is in a good spot this week against Oakland, who are allowing the 7th most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Mike Williams positive touchdown regression continues. Carolina’s wideouts have an interesting twist this week with Will Grier under center. The rookie quarterback is making his first NFL start.

Week 16 Tight Ends Rankings

Week 16 Ranking	Player	Week 16 Opponent	Week 16 Projection
1	Zach Ertz	DAL	18.9
2	George Kittle	LAR	17.5
3	Travis Kelce	@CHI	16.9
4	Tyler Higbee	@SF	16.1
5	Hunter Henry	OAK	15.7
6	Darren Waller	@LAC	15.2
7	Mark Andrews	@CLE	15.1
8	Austin Hooper	JAX	14.8
9	Jared Cook	@TEN	14.3
10	Jacob Hollister	@ARI	13.6
11	Jack Doyle	CAR	13.2
12	Jonnu Smith	NO	11.9
13	Dallas Goedert	DAL	11.5
14	Noah Fant	DET	10.4
15	OJ Howard	HOU	9.6
16	Greg Olsen*	@IND	8.1
17	Mike Gesicki	CIN	7.9
18	Jason Witten	@PHI	7.6
19	Kyle Rudolph	GB	6.3
20	Jimmy Graham	@MIN	4.1

Given Zach Ertz‘s reception upside of late, he continues to be a top PPR threat. The Eagles are missing three of their starting wide receivers, and both Eagles tight ends continue to see a lot of looks. George Kittle comes in as the number two option ahead of Travis Kelce. Tyler Higbee makes a jump with 20+ PPR points in three straight weeks. His targets have been on the rise, and that should continue. Both tight ends in the Chargers-Raiders game have some upside this week, especially Henry. Oakland has allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends this season. Jacob Hollister gets the Cardinals this week, who have allowed the most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. His target share has been solid over the last five-six games as well.

Week 16 Kicker Rankings

Week 16 Ranking	Player	Week 16 Opponent	Week 16 Projection
1	Wil Lutz	@TEN	12.2
2	Greg Zuerlein	@SF	11.8
3	Kai’mi Fairbairn	@TB	11.5
4	Harrison Butker	@CHI	11.3
5	Robbie Gould	LAR	10.8
6	Josh Lambo	@ATL	10.5
7	Matt Gay	HOU	10.2
8	Jake Elliott	DAL	9.9
9	Justin Tucker	@CLE	9.7
10	Younghoe Koo	JAX	9.3
11	Austin Seibert	BAL	8.7
12	Zane Gonzalez	@SEA	8.5
13	Joey Slye	@IND	8.3
14	Mason Crosby	@MIN	8.3
15	Matt Prater	@DEN	8.2
16	Daniel Carlson	@LAC	8.1
17	Dan Bailey	GB	8.0
18	Sam Ficken	PIT	7.9
19	Chris Boswell	@NYJ	7.8
20	Steve Hauschka	@NE	7.8

Teams allowing the most field goal attempts this season are Cincinnati, Denver, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Rams, and Baltimore. Detroit, Arizona, Houston, and Philadelphia are a few other teams worth targeting with kickers, as they give up a lot of volume. Teams that give up the least amount of volume are New England, New Orleans, San Francisco, Oakland, and Minnesota. Volume is ultimately what you want each week. Finding kickers on offenses that move the ball is always a plus for fantasy points at the position. Efficiency would come next. If you are in need of a waiver wire pickup, Robbie Gould is out there in 50% of leagues. Zane Gonzalez was dropped, but is in a bounce back spot. Austin Seibert is 28% owned as well.

Week 16 Defense Rankings

Week 16 Ranking	Team	Week 16 Opponent	Week 16 Projection
1	Pittsburgh	@NYJ	13.1
2	New England	BUF	12.5
3	Baltimore	@CLE	12.1
4	Kansas City	@CHI	11.6
5	Denver	DET	11.2
6	Buffalo	@NE	10.7
7	Seattle	ARI	10.3
8	New Orleans	@TEN	9.8
9	New York Jets	PIT	9.4
10	Los Angeles Rams	@SF	9.0
11	Minnesota	GB	8.9
12	Los Angeles Chargers	OAK	8.6
13	Dallas	@PHI	8.3
14	San Francisco	LAR	8.1
15	Green Bay	@MIN	7.9
16	Carolina	@IND	7.7
17	Philadelphia	DAL	7.6
18	Atlanta	JAX	7.3
19	Chicago	KC	7.0
20	Indianapolis	CAR	7.0
21	Houston	@TB	6.9
22	New York Giants	@WAS	6.8
23	Miami	CIN	6.7
24	Washington	NYG	6.7
25	Jacksonville	@ATL	6.6
26	Detroit	@DEN	6.5
27	Tennessee	NO	6.4
28	Cleveland	BAL	6.2
29	Cincinnati	@MIA	6.1
30	Arizona	@SEA	6.0
31	Tampa	HOU	6.0
32	Oakland	@LAC	5.9

Pittsburgh comes in as one of top defenses this week, going up against the Jets. The Steelers have been a top scoring fantasy this season, and especially over the last few games. They are averaging 10.6 fantasy points per game this season, and the Jets have allowed the 7th most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. this season. The Saints are riding a Week 15 high over the Colts, and can step right into a Tennessee team that has allowed over 50 sacks this season. If you are in need of a streaming defense this week, Seattle has some upside against the Cardinals, and the the Lions are bottom five in fantasy points allowed to opposing defenses over the last five games. Denver is at home and is less than 20% owned around the industry.

Week 16 Fantasy Football Strategy

Jason Guilbault

Jason Guilbault is the Brand Content Manager for Lineups.com, powered by Catena Media. He has worked 10+ in the sports betting & iGaming space as a writer and content manager. Jason has also written for DailyFantasyCafe, NBAMockDraft, & FantasyPros. He aims to bring the best sports data & insight to the industry for both novice & advanced users.