Week 16 Start/Sit Questions

By: Mike Johnson (@mjohnson86)

Some things in fantasy football are easy. We know we should start Ja’Marr Chase and Saquon Barkley. We know we should bench the backup running back who is only on our roster in case of injury. A lot of the decisions are made for us. However, there are a lot of things that are not so simple. All of the “in between” situations are what can make the difference between a few wins and losses, and therefore it can be the difference between a successful season or a failed season. Every Friday, we are here to help!!

I’ll take questions each week in our #fantasy-football channel in our Discord from people looking for Start/Sit advice and give my thoughts. This article on Fridays will feature a few of those questions and responses, so join our Discord to be a part of the conversation or ask questions of your own!!

Question 1:: I’m favored to win by 10-12, so thinking that aiming for a high floor may be best. Need 1:: Anthony Richardson, C.J. Stroud, Matthew Stafford, Drake Maye (Frankiet28_scards)

Answer:: I would roll with Anthony Richardson here. Stroud faces a tough Chiefs defense, Stafford is solid but doesn’t add anything on the ground, and Maye’s team may lose by 20+. Richardson has been up and down as a real-life QB, but barring injury, is a pretty safe bet for 15+ points weekly in a solid matchup like this.

Question 2:: Hey Mike! PPR, I need 3 flex players out of: Marvin Harrion Jr., Brian Thomas Jr., D’Andre Swift, Jerome Ford, and Deebo Samuel. 

I currently have BTJ, Ford, and MHJ in the starting spots - really have no idea what to do with Deebo at this point. (GhostfaceJami)

Answer:: I would stick with what you have. Thomas and Harrison are definite “yes” answers for me as rookie WRs in good matchups late in the season. The last spot is a bit tougher and to your point, Deebo is a guy that no one really knows what to do with at this point. Roschon Johnson seems likely to return after two full practices, so Swift in a tough matchup with the Lions is the guy I’d eliminate first – leaving us with Ford or Deebo. At this point it is really about risk tolerance and individual matchup. I think Ford is a strong bet for 15+ touches, but his offense with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at QB is no lock to move the ball or score points. The 49ers are down another RB and should be able to move the ball and score on Miami. I’d roll with Deebo despite all the reasons why that feels uncomfortable.

Question 3:: Kendre Miller or Michael Penix Jr.? Superflex position. DK scoring (bstreich)

Answer:: Penix by a large margin. In Superflex leagues I almost always lean towards the QB unless it is an extreme example of a really strong RB or WR play and a QB in a tough matchup and/or questionable game environment. In this case, Miller could have a big role but his team is a two-touchdown underdog and we don’t know how big that role will be, if the offense will be able to move the ball, or if they’ll score any points. On the flip side, Penix has a great matchup and solid weapons around him. Penix probably has the higher floor and ceiling this week between the two by a decent margin.

Question 4:: Start one: Malik Nabers, Kendre Miller, Kenneth Walker // Zach Charbonnet (half-PPR).....

Start one: Jayden Daniels or Anthony Richardson (Belks19)

Answer:: For the first question, I think both SEA RBs play this week in a tough matchup against the Vikings. Maybe one of them puts up a nice score, but I’m not trying to guess which one or bet on it in that matchup. Again, Kendre Miller will be a hot topic this week but if you have a guy like Nabers available I would still “trust the studs” rather than hoping Miller catches lightning in a bottle.

For the second part, Daniels faced the Eagles once already and it didn’t go well. He is extremely talented, this is a huge game, and he still has upside, but if you have a guy like Richardson available this week, that’s who I’d go with.

Question 5:: Flex: Jalen McMillan, Romeo Doubs, or Tyrone Tracy Jr.? (0.5 PPR) 

Brock Purdy or Aaron Rodgers at QB? (Malco211)

Answer:: McMillan at the Flex. He’s been coming on strong and the Bucs are in a great spot on Sunday night against the Cowboys. Doubs had a great game last week but Green Bay likely won’t have to throw much against the Saints and the Packers spread the ball around to their WR’s so much that Doubs could easily have something like two receptions for 20 yards in an easy win. At QB, I would roll with Purdy. I think both are in similar spots but like Purdy by a bit, especially considering his pass rate is likely to rise with all of the RB injuries the 49ers are dealing with.

Join us Saturday for Week 16 Rankings!