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Fantasy Football Risers and Fallers - Week 16

Fantasy football risers and fallers heading into Week 16 of the NFL season. Jason looks at recent changes in fantasy values including lineup starts and sits.

Whether due to their own play, the play of others, or injuries, players' stock increases and decreases on a weekly basis. Perhaps more than any other, the NFL is a league that experiences ups and downs at a rapid pace. With only 16 games, there’s little room for error and seemingly endless opportunities for improvement. The same goes for fantasy football; managing rosters effectively is key to winning that championship.

Throughout the season, players get hot and see an increased role while others struggle and fight to stay relevant. Experienced fantasy players know this happens every year. In this weekly column, we’ll showcase those who have taken important steps forward and those who have taken steps back.

These are the key risers and fallers heading into Week 16 of the NFL season.

Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.

 

Week 16 Fantasy Football Risers

Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns

As this is the final column of the season, all eyes are on securing that fantasy championship. Baker Mayfield, like every player you will find on this list, has a smash setup for Week 16 at the Jets. Mayfield has been much improved over the past month, averaging about 25 fantasy points per game. Matchups don't get much easier than this one. With the Browns having their sights set on stealing the division from the fading Steelers and the Jets coming off what will be their lone win of the season, this is a perfect spot for Mayfield to dominate.

Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team

A tight end with double digit fantasy points in four straight games? A tight end that just saw 15 targets with one of the worst quarterbacks of the past decade? Logan Thomas has become immune to bad quarterback play and immune to matchup. He's a locked in TE1 and a must start. The Panthers are up next and they are one of the worst teams in the NFL at defending the tight end.

Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons

I imagine Julio Jones will be shut down for the season, which leaves Russell Gage as the 1b to Calvin Ridley's 1a. Over his past three games, Gage has seen 25 total targets and scored 15 fantasy points in each. Next up is a road game against the Chiefs where the Falcons will undoubtedly see negative game script and have to throw (not that they could run if they wanted to). Gage is a strong start this week.

Tyron Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers

With both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams questionable to play and possibly limited if they do, Tyron Johnson has proven he's the next man up for Justin Herbert. Johnson has posted back to back games of at least 55 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers get a decimated Broncos' secondary in Los Angeles this week. With Herbert looking to close out the season strong and solidify his rookie of the year trophy, he will lean on Johnson without his top two targets.

Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys

There's a reason that all week, I told anyone who asked a start/sit question involving Ezekiel Elliott to bench Zeke, but once he was ruled out, I declared Tony Pollard a must start RB1. The gap in talent between Pollard and Zeke is a chasm. Hopefully, Elliott does not play this week (or ever again for the Cowboys). Pollard is so vastly superior that it's difficult to even quantify it. Pollard was the overall RB1 last week and the Cowboys' offense is finally getting on track. Their season, somehow, is not over and in a must win game at home, Pollard will shine if he gets the start.

Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins

The most unpredictable backfield in the NFL just got some clarity. With Myles Gaskin unable to return, Salvon Ahmed came back and was immediately thrust into every down back duties. Ahmed carried the ball 22 times for 122 yards. The Raiders are up next and they are quite bad against the run. I see no reason why Ahmed won't be the primary back again.

 

 

Week 16 Fantasy Football Fallers

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

How many teams are better than the Steelers right now? It actually may be easier to answer how many teams the Steelers are better than. The list isn't that long. The reason why? Ben Roethlisberger is done. He is coming off back to back games under 200 passing yards against two weak pass defenses. Big Ben has nothing left. The Steelers are going to limp into the postseason and get bounced first round. It doesn't matter who they play. Roethlisberger closes the season at home against a tough Colts Defense. There is no hope for him.

Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings

It pains me to put Adam Thielen here because of how much I love him. He's so talented, but the Vikings just don't like to call pass plays. Despite negative game script for almost the entire game last week, Thielen went drive after drive after drive without so much as a target. He did not catch a pass after his early touchdown on busted coverage. Thielen hasn't hit double digit fantasy points in two straight games and he ends the season against the Saints' strong pass defense. Justin Jefferson has taken over as the preferred passing game option. You probably can't bench Thielen, but he's not the WR1 he was early in the season.

James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers

I typically don't knock guys for getting hurt, but this more because of how much better at football Benny Snell is than James Conner. Whether Conner plays this week is irrelevant - you can't start him. Conner is the quintessential replacement level back. There is nothing remotely special about him. He's a great kid with a great story, but as a football player, he's just not that good. Snell was one of the lone bright spots in the Steelers' embarrassing loss to the Bengals on Monday night and earned the praise of Mike Tomlin. Even if Conner plays, we are going to see a lot of Snell this week.

 



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Matthew Stafford

Visits Back Specialist, His Second Appointment in Last Two Weeks
Najee Harris

Working off to the Side on Saturday
Ricky Pearsall

Looking "Very Good"
T.J. Hockenson

Suffers Potential Groin Injury on Saturday
Trey Benson

"Gonna Play a Lot This Year"
Chig Okonkwo

"Looks Like he has an Extra Gear"
Michael Wilson

Lands in Concussion Protocol
Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys "Not Considering Trading" Micah Parsons
NHL

Jakub Lauko Returns to Czechia
Nicholas Robertson

Signs One-Year Contract with Maple Leafs
Terry McLaurin

Steelers Reportedly Contact Commanders Regarding Terry McLaurin
Alex Laferriere

Kings Re-Sign Alex Laferriere to Three-Year Deal
D'Ernest Johnson

Signs with Ravens
Kyle Juszczyk

Isaac Guerendo Leave Practice Early on Saturday
Los Angeles Chargers

Denzel Perryman Arrested on Felony Charges
Miles Sanders

Could Miss "a Couple of Days" with Knee Injury
DJ Giddens

Standing Out in Colts Practice, In Line for Significant Role?
Parris Campbell

Cowboys Place Parris Campbell on Injured Reserve
Baker Mayfield

to Return Next Week
Tyler Warren

Colts Putting A Lot on Tyler Warren's Plate
RJ Harvey

a Joker Candidate in Broncos Offense
Tank Bigsby

Featured Heavily in Friday's Scrimmage
Bryce Young

Tetairoa McMillan Working on Improving Timing with Bryce Young
Duop Reath

Has Salary Guaranteed by Portland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Agrees to Contract Extension with the Lakers
Shedeur Sanders

Sits Out Team Drills with Arm Soreness
William Contreras

Goes Deep in Five-Hit Night
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Exits Early Friday, Expects to Play Saturday
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez Named New Giants Closer
Jaden Springer

Signs Exhibit-9 Deal with New Orleans
Julian Champagnie

has Salary Guaranteed by San Antonio
Jackson Chourio

Could be Out a Month
Aaron Judge

Yankees Eyeing Return for Aaron Judge Next Week
Juan Soto

Back in Lineup Against Giants
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Friday
George Springer

Goes on Concussion Injured List
JoJo Romero

the Top Candidate for Saves in St. Louis
Nolan Arenado

Going on Injured List With Shoulder Injury
Conor McGregor

Enters UFC Testing Pool
Grayson Rodriguez

Considering Having Surgery
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Yankees Plan to Keep Devin Williams in Closer's Role
HyunSung Park

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Tatsuro Taira

Set For UFC Vegas 108 Main Event
Mateusz Rębecki

Mateusz Rebecki Looks For His Second Consecutive Win
Chris Duncan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Elves Brener

Looks For His Fourth UFC Win
Esteban Ribovics

Set For UFC Vegas 108 Main Card Bout
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos Aims To Bounce Back
Karol Rosa

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
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Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Neil Magny

Returns At UFC Vegas 108
Kevin Vallejos

Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 108 Main Card
Danny Silva

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Mikal Bridges

Signs Extension with Knicks
Jackson Chourio

Expected to Go on Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Jonathan Aranda

Rays Hope Jonathan Aranda Can Return in September
Shelby Miller

Brewers Acquire Shelby Miller
José Caballero

Jose Caballero Shipped to the Bronx
Bailey Falter

Traded to Royals
Charlie Morton

Headed to Detroit
Camilo Doval

Yankees Acquire Camilo Doval
Griffin Jax

Traded to Tampa Bay
Connor McDavid

Oilers Hope to Finalize Connor McDavid's Contract Extension Soon
Willi Castro

Joining Cubs
BUF

Devon Levi Re-Signs With Sabres for Two Years
Martin Pospisil

Signs Three-Year Extension
Dario Šarić

Dario Saric Hoping to Have Meaningful Role with Kings
Donte DiVincenzo

to Skip EuroBasket Due to Injury
Ayo Dosunmu

Set to Remain in Chicago
Malevy Leons

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Thunder
Daeqwon Plowden

Kings Pick Up Daeqwon Plowden on Two-Way Deal
Bryce McGowens

Signs Two-Way Deal with Pelicans
Jonathan Kuminga

Declines Latest Offers from Golden State
Gary Woodland

Eyeing Strong Finish to Reach Playoffs
Max McGreevy

Chasing a Miracle at Wyndham
Stephan Jaeger

a Solid Value Play at Wyndham Championship
Max Homa

Fighting to Salvage Disappointing Season
Nicolai Hojgaard

a Sleeper at Wyndham Championship
Rickie Fowler

Riding Quiet Momentum Into Wyndham
Brian Campbell

a Wild Card at Wyndham Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at Wyndham Championship
Aaron Rai

Finishes Tied For 34th at Open Championship
Andrew Novak

Finishes Tied For 63rd at Open Championship
Hideki Matsuyama

Finishes Tied For 16th at Open Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Wins 3M Open
Tom Kim

Finishes Tied For 28th at 3M Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Misses Cut at 3M Open
Max Greyserman

Misses Cut at 3M Open
Jordan Spieth

Looks to End Regular Season on a High Note at Wyndham Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Tied For Fourth at Open Championship
Eric Cole

Misses Cut at 3M Open
Keith Mitchell

Needs a Big Week at Wyndham Championship
Robert MacIntyre

is the Perfect Kind of Ball-Striker for Wyndham Championship
Charlie McAvoy

Ready to Go for Next Season
Dylan Samberg

Agrees to Three-Year Contract with Jets
Michael Kim

Needs More Solid Finishes
NBA

Thanasis Antetokounmpo Added to Greece Training Camp Roster for EuroBasket 2025
Los Angeles Clippers

Patrick Baldwin Jr. Waived by Clippers
Josh Green

May Not be Ready for Start of Hornets Training Camp
NBA

Thomas Bryant Set to Move to Greece
Cam Thomas

Nets Far Apart in Contract Talks
Kristaps Porzingis

Feeling "Great" Ahead of New Season
Chris Paul

Hints He Could Extend His Career Beyond the 2025-26 Season
Brandon Miller

Close to 100 Percent
Jayden Struble

Canadiens Lock Up Jayden Struble for Two Years
Robert Whittaker

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Reinier de Ridder

Gets Split-Decision Win
Conor Timmins

Avoids Salary Arbitration with Two-Year Deal
Marcus McGhee

Drops Decision At UFC Abu Dhabi
Toronto Raptors

Colin Castleton Waived by Raptors on Monday
Petr Yan

Extends Win Streak
Marc-Andre Barriault

Suffers Decision Loss
Shara Magomedov

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jose Ochoa

Dominated At UFC Abu Dhabi
MMA

Asu Almbayev Dominates At UFC Abu Dhabi
Kyle Larson

Falls Short of Back-To-Back Victories at Indianapolis
Denny Hamlin

Rallies Into Third Place At Indianapolis
Chase Briscoe

Pit Strategies End up Failing Chase Briscoe at Indianapolis
Ty Gibbs

Wins NASCAR's Inaugural In-Season Challenge Tournament
Ryan Preece

Finishes Fourth but Loses Ground to Playoff Cutline
Brad Keselowski

Has Good Strategy, but Not Enough to Win
Ryan Blaney

Bails from Hail Mary Strategy Attempt but Recovers to Finish Seventh
Tyler Reddick

Eliminated from Brickyard 400 in Crash After Top Five Run
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