Key Starters and Tough Calls - Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football Include Jacoby Brissett, DK Metcalf, Jaylen Waddle, Omarion Hampton, Kyle Pitts, Tetairoa McMillan, Quinshon Judkins, more

Scott Engel features fantasy football lineup starts/sits for Week 16 (2025). He focuses on key NFL players to start when faced with tight Week 16 fantasy football lineup decisions.

Welcome to RotoBaller’s Key Starters and Tough Calls article for Week 16 of the 2025 season. It's the fantasy football semi-finals in most leagues, and Scott Engel's Week 16 Lineup Spotlights focus on notable players to start or sit when you are faced with tough lineup calls in the second round of the fantasy playoffs.

The fantasy football players featured in this Week 16 rundown are based on Scott's Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the 2025 RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass. The skill position analysis from Scott is based on his Week 16 premium PPR rankings.

To make the best Week 8 lineup decisions, consult this analysis, the RotoBaller staff fantasy football rankings, and the free Who Should I Start tool for comparing up to four players. We help you make the best-informed decisions to advance to your league’s championship game.

Running Backs - Fantasy Football Week 16

TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

Henderson is the ultimate upside play for the second round of the fantasy football playoffs. He is tied for fifth in the NFL in rushing yards per attempt (5.4). In his past five games, he had three long runs of 25-plus yards and two of 60-plus yards. Over the past four weeks, Baltimore ranks 21^st in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs.

Last week, Henderson played on 65 percent of the snaps, and it is obvious that he adds more of a spark to the New England offense. The Patriots are trying to stay near the Broncos for the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC.

While you may not be thinking about reserving Henderson, we wanted to include him to assure you that he is a key player who can spur a Sunday comeback. If you are behind after the first three games of the week, Henderson could be your MVP of Week 16.

Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers' rookie flashed his promise earlier this season, when he scored 20-plus PPR points in Weeks 3 and 4. Since returning to action in Week 14, Hampton is showing signs that he may soon bust out. In the last two games, he had long runs of 26 and 18 yards.

Omarion Hampton Enters Week 16 as the More Efficient Back https://t.co/6GpKSSiqOX

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 20, 2025

The 10-4 Chargers are trying to hold onto a prime AFC Wild Card spot, and face the always-vulnerable Dallas defense. The Cowboys rank 24^th in FFPG allowed to RBs over the past four weeks. While Kimani Vidal is still in the mix, the Chargers may run the ball to control the clock and ease some pressure on Justin Herbert, who continues to play through a fractured finger.

If we get a higher-scoring game between the Chargers and Cowboys, it will mean that the Los Angeles RBs are producing well. Look for Hampton to be efficient while breaking off a few sizable gains.

Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

The Browns have admirably bought into their future already, starting rookies at key offensive positions. Judkins has been the most impressive of the newcomers. The Browns’ new lead RB is up to seven rushing TDs on an offense that averages just 16.1 points per game. He also has a very favorable matchup ahead this week.

Buffalo ranks 26^th in FFPG allowed to RBs this season, and the Bills have been one of the best fantasy matchups for the position this season. Cleveland will want to run the ball effectively to keep the Buffalo offense off the field as much as possible.

Judkins can produce well enough this week if the Browns can stay in the game.  But of course, there is a good chance that Cleveland gets blown out. Last week, in a 28-point loss to Chicago, Judkins finished with just 4.7 fantasy points. He is not much of a receiving threat, so don’t lock him into lineups based on the matchup.

There might not be any statistical floor for Judkins this week. If you are looking to catch up after falling behind on Thursday and Saturday,  he isn’t a good option to contribute to a fantasy comeback. You might want to lean to an alternative who is more likely to produce at least adequate totals.

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

This is a potential “matchup trap.” Jones is being widely mentioned as a good start for Week 16, because the Giants have allowed the most rushing yards to opposing RBs this season. But Jones has not finished as a top 10 RB one time this season, and he didn’t reach the 10-point mark in any of his last three games.

Jones is still sharing work with Jordan Mason, too. We are not saying to definitely sit Jones, but don’t get overexcited about playing him based on the matchup alone. Jones is a viable flex play, but don’t expect huge upside, either.

Wide Receivers - Fantasy Football Week 16

DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers

For much of the season, Metcalf has been unreliable and a source of frustration for fantasy leaguers. But he has re-emerged as more of a viable option in the last two weeks while the Steelers aim to take the AFC North title. This week, the game script and matchup seem to heavily favor Metcalf.

In Week 14, the former Seahawks star caught seven passes on 12 targets for 141 yards. Last week, Metcalf registered his sixth TD of the season. But as a reminder of his inconsistent production, he has finished as a top 10 fantasy WR just once in the last nine games. Metcalf lacks any dependable complements in the Pittsburgh passing game, and opposing defenses know that well.

This week, however, Metcalf faces the Lions, who have allowed the most receiving yards to WRs and the second-most TD receptions to the position (20). Detroit’s secondary has also been weakened by notable injuries. Start Metcalf with confidence this week, as we could see a big shootout between Pittsburgh and Detroit.

Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

When McMillan exploded for eight receptions, 130 yards, and two TDs in Week 11, it appeared that he was ready to break out. But in his last three games, the Carolina rookie has not reached the 12-point mark, and last week, McMillan finished with a season-low 4.7 points. The Panthers need him to bounce back this week in their NFC South showdown against Tampa Bay.

Tetairoa McMillan Could Provide Double-Figure PPR Totals In Week 16 https://t.co/md7jjttldV

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 20, 2025

In Weeks 12 and 13, McMillan caught a TD pass in each game, which helped to push his final totals into double figures. But over the past three games, McMillan had five total receptions and did not reach the 45-yard mark. It is a concerning trend of mediocrity as the fantasy playoffs move into the second round.

Over the past four weeks, the Buccaneers rank 24^th in receptions allowed to opposing WRs. I am expecting an intense matchup. Bryce Young might have to throw often to keep up with Baker Mayfield. McMillan should be good for at least an adequate number of catches with the possibility of a TD reception. He should outperform his recent totals based on the game script and flow.

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

Although he frequently rose above Miami’s struggles at several points this season, Waddle’s fantasy output has started to fall off in recent weeks. In three of his last four games, he has not scored 10 fantasy points. Last week, he finished with a season-low 4.2 points.

The Dolphins have made a quarterback change for Week 16 and will give rookie Quinn Ewers a chance to show what he can do in true game conditions. While it’s not certain that Ewers will be bad, he is so much of an unknown right now that his top WR has no apparent statistical floor this week.

But when you see that Miami’s matchup is against Cincinnati, you may be more tempted to give Waddle a shot. Yet over the past four weeks, the Bengals rank first in FFPG allowed to WRs. When you are looking to advance to a fantasy football championship game, Waddle is too risky to start based on his recent production and uncertainty at QB.

Quarterback And Tight End - Fantasy Football Week 16

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

By the final weeks of the fantasy playoffs, the player landscape has changed so much from what we knew in the preseason. We are now faced with decisions that could never have been predicted in the summer. One of them is whether Jacoby Brissett should be started over many bigger and more notable names this week.

But yes, I am recommending starting Brissett over Drake Maye, Brock Purdy, Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson, and Baker Mayfield. Brissett is a top 5 fantasy QB for Week 16. The Cardinals’ running game has been significantly thinned by injuries, and their journeyman QB has morphed into a willing gunner.

Brissett has finished as a fantasy QB1 in nine consecutive games. He has attempted 40-plus passes in six consecutive games. Last week, the Cardinals' passer put three TDs on the board against the Texans, who boast the NFL’s best defense. Brissett should be started this week over everyone at QB other than Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, and Jared Goff. Over the past four weeks, Atlanta has allowed the second-most FFPG to WRs.

Kyle Pitts Sr., Atlanta Falcons

Over the past three games, Pitts finally seemed to tap more into his potential that has tantalized fantasy players since he was drafted by the Falcons in 2021. In the last three weeks, Pitts has finished as a top 6 fantasy TE, culminating with an astounding 46.5 fantasy points in Week 15.

Kyle Pitts Sr. Looks to Keep Rolling in Strong Week 16 Matchup https://t.co/NnczmA93tl

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 20, 2025

Pitts posted terrific totals while Drake London was out, but Atlanta’s top WR is reportedly on the path to returning against Arizona this week. Still, Kirk Cousins has established a good rapport with Pitts that won’t completely dry up. Lower expectations for Pitts this week, but he is still a top 10 fantasy TE play. The Cardinals rank 23^rd in FFPG allowed to TEs over the past four weeks.

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