David Johnson will be popular this weekend, but he’s a hard player to fade
Welcome to Week 16 of the NFL season. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and are ready to get right back to constructing a Draftpot Fan Mode lineup. Several games are projected to include a lot of scoring, which means there are a ton of great options this week. Let’s go ahead and take a look at my Week 16 recommendations.
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Tournament Lineup
Quarterback
Blake Bortles (JAX) – at NO
While most people will likely be using Cam Newton and Ben Roethlisberger, I’m going to drop down to Blake Bortles and once again pick on the Saints’ defense. The Saints allowed three more passing touchdowns to Matthew Stafford this past Monday night, making it 39 passing touchdowns allowed this season. On top of that, Blake Bortles has been playing great this season, scoring the fifth-most Draftpot points for quarterbacks.
Running Back
David Johnson (ARI) – vs. GB
This is going to be a chalky play again this week, but it’s hard to fade David Johnson right now. Johnson has been great since becoming the starting running back, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Even if Andre Ellington is able to play this week, Johnson should still be the workhorse for the Cardinals.
Adrian Peterson (MIN) – vs. NYG
It’s important to pay close attention to Adrian Peterson’s status this week. He left the game early with an ankle injury against the Bears last week and did not return. Assuming he does suit up against the Giants, he could make for a sneaky GPP play, since people may be scared to use him. Anytime you can use Peterson at a low-ownership level, you should jump at the opportunity.
Wide Receiver
Allen Robinson (JAX) – at NO
Allen Robinson has had a breakout season this year. He’s currently tied with the most receiving touchdowns in the league and has a five-game streak of finding the end zone. He is in a great position to extend that streak to six against the Saints, who have given up a league-high 39 passing touchdowns this season
DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) – at TEN
DeAndre Hopkins saw double-digit targets for the 11th time this season against the Colts last week. Hopkins continues to produce, even when he goes up against tough cornerbacks, such as Vontae Davis last week. This week he has a great matchup against Titans, who have given up 30 passing touchdowns this season.
Martavis Bryant (PIT) – at BAL
One thing that you have to do if you want to take down a GPP is to “zag” when others “zig.” This is a great opportunity to do that, since a majority of people will probably gravitate towards Antonio Brown this week. Bryant is a talented wide receiver and is more than capable of outperforming Brown in a dream matchup against the Ravens. If Bryant does happen to outscore Brown, it will give you a huge leg up in your GPP contest.
Tight End
Delanie Walker (TEN) – vs. HOU
Delanie Walker is coming off a huge game against the Patriots, scoring two touchdowns and gaining 64 yards. Walker should continue to do great things, since the Titans do not have any other reliable pass catchers on the roster.
Flex
Mike Evans (TB) vs. CHI
Mike Evans was a target hog last week with Vincent Jackson inactive. He saw 17 targets and reeled in nine of them for 157 yards. If Jackson is out again, he could be poised for another huge game. I would only reserve him for GPPs though since the Bears have been surprisingly good against wide receivers this season.
Alshon Jeffery (CHI) – at TB
Just like with Adrian Peterson, be sure to monitor Alshon Jeffery’s status leading up to Sunday. Even if Jeffery is active, many people will likely be scared to use him since he is not 100%. He is a perfect play for your GPP lineup since he has tremendous upside against the Buccaneers, who have struggled in the secondary this season.
Defense/Special Teams
Denver Broncos vs. CIN
The Broncos’ defense will likely fly under the radar this week, since most people will be using the Seahawks at home against the Rams. The Broncos’ defense has actually been the best unit in the league this year. This week they have a great matchup against a backup quarterback.
Kicker
Steven Hauschka (SEA) – vs. STL
Steven Hauschka has been one of the best kickers in the league the last couple of years and the Seahawks have been putting points up in the bunches recently. Hauschka should be in a great position to put up some points against the Rams, who have been struggling lately.
Cash Lineup
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) – at BAL
The Steelers have one of the best offenses in the league and the Ravens are awful against the pass this season. Ben Roethlisberger should have no problem putting up big numbers this week.
Running Back
David Johnson (ARI) – vs. GB
David Johnson has been arguably the best running back in the league since taking over as the Cardinals’ starter three weeks ago. Even if Andre Ellington returns, he should have no problem putting up good numbers once again.
DeAngelo Williams (PIT) – at BAL
The Ravens have actually been solid against the run this season. However, DeAngelo Williams will still get plenty of volume, and the gameflow also heavily favors the Steelers this week.
Wide Receiver
Antonio Brown (PIT) – at BAL
Antonio Brown has another nice streak of at least five receptions and 50 yards over his last six games. This week he has an outstanding matchup against the Ravens, who allow the most Draftpot points to wide receivers this season.
DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) – at TEN
DeAndre Hopkins continues to see a healthy amount of targets each week. This week he has a great matchup against the Titans who have allowed 30 passing touchdowns this season.
Allen Robinson (JAX) – at NO
Allen Robinson is in a great position to extend his touchdown streak to five games. The Saints have given up 39 passing touchdowns this season.
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski (NE) – at NYJ
Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in the league and has scored a touchdown in three straight games. In Week 7, Gronk caught 11 of his 16 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown against the Jets.
Flex
Brandon Marshall (NYJ) – vs. NE
Marshall’s streak of six straight games with a touchdown was snapped last week against the Cowboys, but he still had four receptions and 74 receiving yards. He has been great this season, ranking fifth in Draftpot points scored for wide receivers this year. He should have no problem bouncing back this week against a so-so Patriots’ secondary.
Jeremy Maclin (KC) – vs. CLE
Jeremy Maclin has been a reliable target for Alex Smith in the last month. Maclin has four touchdowns in the past four games and has had at least six receptions and 50 yards in each of those four games. This week he faces a horrible Browns’ secondary that’s allowed 29 passing touchdowns this season.
Defense/Special Teams
Seattle Seahawks – vs. STL
The Seahawks have once against emerged as one of the best defensive units in the league. They have only allowed 26 points over the past three weeks and this week they have another great matchup against the Rams, who have been awful since Case Keenum took over as the Rams’ starting quarterback.
Kicker
Stephen Gostkowski (NE) at NYJ
Stephen Gostkowski is the best kicker in the NFL and is playing on a team with one of the best offenses in the league. He should once again have plenty of opportunities to score some points this week.
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Kaz Kalita is a correspondent at FantasyPros. You can find more of Kaz’s work at DraftStars.net, and you can follow him @draftstars_kaz.
