Who Should I Start for Fantasy Football Week 16? Michael Carter, Harold Fannin Jr., Mike Evans, R.J. Harvey, Terry McLaurin, Ashton Jeanty, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jalen Coker, Bucky Irving, Jalen Nailor

Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon gave running back Michael Carter a vote of confidence on Wednesday, saying that the team was "very comfortable" with Carter serving as the team's top option out of the backfield as the team prepares for a Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Gannon's comments have merit, as the fifth-year back played a commanding 80% of the team's offensive snaps a week ago.

Injuries have absolutely ravaged the Arizona backfield in 2025, as James Conner (ankle), Trey Benson (knee), and now Bam Knight (ankle) are all out for the remainder of the season. While Arizona is out of the playoff picture, Carter will be a hot commodity who could be a valuable lineup option with favorable matchups against Atlanta in Week 16 and Cincinnati in Week 17.

Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns

When asked about tight end Harold Fannin Jr.'s involvement in the game plan during the team's 31-3 loss to the Bears, Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees gave the rookie a vote of confidence. "The Harold Fannin well is a good one to go to," Rees replied when asked about the 21-year-old's spike in targets. In fact, Fannin accounted for a whopping 40% of quarterback Shedeur Sanders' looks in their Week 15 defeat and has commanded at least 11 in consecutive contests.

The third-round pick of April's draft has been on the field for at least 90% of Cleveland's offensive snaps across the past four weeks, and is on the rise with an elevated opportunity share since teammate David Njoku (knee) went down with injury.

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans exploded in his first game back from injury, hauling in six of 12 targets for 132 yards in the 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Against the defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to outside receivers this season, Evans took advantage, putting up his best stat line of the 2025 season. While his 1,000-yard streak is likely to come to an end this season, that doesn't mean he can't win fantasy managers' championships.

Despite being limited to just 51% of the snaps in Week 15, Evans produced as the WR1 in this offense. He faces a Carolina Panthers defense in Week 16, which he has decimated in recent seasons. Evans has tallied over 90 receiving yards in eight of his last ten games against Carolina and has scored 10 touchdowns during that span. The Buccaneers are in must-win mode, so expect Evans to play a ton this week and beyond.

Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker has scored in back-to-back games and is starting to emerge as a reliable option in the passing game. Coker led the Panthers in receiving in their Week 15 loss to the Saints, catching all four of his targets for 60 yards. He notched a season high of 74 receiving yards on four catches (six targets) before the Week 14 bye. The second-year wideout could be in line for an increased role in the Week 16's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if rookie Tetairoa McMillan (ankle, foot) is unable to play.

McMillan missed Wednesday's practice, but more information about his status will be available on Thursday and Friday. Coker's usage has been modest in recent weeks, with four targets in four of the past five games, but he's been a playmaker as the team's WR2, posting the fourth-highest explosive-catch rate (22.2%) among wide receivers with at least 15 targets over those five weeks. The Holy Cross product will look to continue his strong production into Week 16 against a Buccaneers defense that just allowed 74 yards on six catches to David Sills V last week.

R.J. Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos rookie running back R.J. Harvey (ribs) is participating in practice on Wednesday, according to Romi Bean of CBS Colorado. Harvey picked up a rib injury late in Denver's Week 15 win over the Green Bay Packers, but he seems to have avoided a major injury that would cost him any time. Head coach Sean Payton wasn't concerned with the injury, saying that "he's doing good" and should be good to go for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Payton noted to himself after the Packers game to get Jaleel McLaughlin more touches to manage Harvey's workload, but it's promising news that the rookie won't miss any time. He's been one of the best running backs in fantasy football since taking over lead duties with J.K. Dobbins (foot) out for the year, ranking as the RB6 in PPR points per game over the past four games. Harvey will project favorably again in Week 16 versus the Jaguars.