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Week 16 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues

Matt Lutovsky

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32 slides

With just four teams left in contention for fantasy football championships in most leagues, the need for sleepers and waiver-wire streamers at most positions is diminished, but that might not be the case at tight end. Our Week 16 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues can help you find the best start 'em, sit 'em option whether you're flush with depth or looking for a one-week wonder.

As we mentioned last week, tight end is the rare position that's getting healthier late in the season. Darren Waller returned with a touchdown in Week 15 after a long hiatus, and Dallas Goedert (shoulder) is set to take the field in Week 16 after missing five games. We'll also be on the lookout for Hayden Hurst (calf) to return this week, but overall, TE is fairly stable for this time of year.

Unfortunately, a lot of the bigger-name players have tough matchups this week. George Kittle (vs. Commanders in Week 16), Goedert (@ Cowboys), and David Njoku (vs. Saints) face the three best TE defenses entering Week 15, and life isn't much easier for Evan Engram (@ Jets), Juwan Johnson @ Browns), and Waller (@ Steelers). We'd still start these players in most situations, but it's important to check your options.

WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

If you'd prefer a sleeper with a better matchup, you can try Tyler Conklin (vs. Jaguars), Robert Tonyan (@ Dolphins), Cade Otton (@ Cardinals), or Daniel Bellinger (@ Vikings). All face defenses in the top 12 in fantasy points allowed to TEs. Otton has an especially good matchup against Arizona's league-worst TE defense, though Cameron Brate's presence always limits his ceiling. Tonyan is also in a great spot against Miami's bottom-five TE defense that seems to be getting worse by the week.

WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers

If you're in a really deep league, you could also consider Trey McBride (vs. Buccaneers), Jordan Akins (@ Titans), or Ian Thomas (@ Lions), as those three defenses rank sixth, third, and fifth, respectively, in fantasy points allowed to TEs, but given the uncertainty of their targets, we wouldn't dig that deep.

WEEK 16 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

That said, one under-the-radar sleeper you might consider is Jeff Driskel (@ Titans). Yes, Jeff Driskel. Even though he's almost exclusively played QB for Houston this year, he's technically TE-eligible in Yahoo leagues because of a proposed position switch last season. In Week 14, he played 33 snaps, running seven times and throwing six times. He posted another four passes and four rushes in Week 15. That puts him on par with Taysom Hill and gives him a decent floor and potentially high ceiling (for a TE) in standard leagues. Don't sleep on this opportunity.

WEEK 16 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

We'd avoid using Dawson Knox (@ Bears), Chig Okonkwo (vs. Texans), and Tyler Higbee (vs. Broncos), all of whom have below-average matchups and are generally inconsistent. As we always say, any could score a TD, but at this point in the season, you should have safer options.

WEEK 16 DFS: Best values | Best stacks

We'll be updating these standard TE rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.