Week 16 is here and about 90% of you are finished in your season-long leagues. This is also the last slate of games where you don’t have to worry about good players being rested. There is a nice robust player pool this week and no Thursday Night game, so you have a little extra time to research.
Speaking of research, I’ve done a little bit already this week and have put together a list of player you should stay away from on the DRAFT app as they could potentially sink your five-man squad for Week 16. If you’ve yet to try the DRAFT app, what are you waiting for? Ready? Let’s Go!
Get a free Week 16 contest entry with your 1st deposit at DRAFT! 
Quarterback
Tom Brady (NE) vs. BUF
Brady has shown he’s human the last few weeks, and his pedestrian performance has been concerning. Buffalo always allows Rob Gronkowski to eat, but as a whole, they’ve been good against the pass. In the last month, they’ve surrendered just 13.3 fantasy points per game and New England will likely run wild instead.
Matt Ryan (ATL) @ NO
Ryan has been brutal, even in cake matchups. He’s routinely struggled to reach double-digit fantasy points, only throwing for 300 yards twice since his Week 5 BYE. In the past, going to New Orleans has been tasty. They’re now a top-10 unit against the pass and have shut-down CB Marshon Lattimore to neutralize Julio Jones this time.
Running Back
Carlos Hyde (SF) vs. JAX
Since Jimmy Franchise has taken over, the passing targets have vanished for Hyde as San Fran has proved they can beat teams with their new signal caller under center. The Jags have given up yardage but hold strong in the red zone as they truly have been a “bend-but-don’t-break” defense against opposing running games lately.
Lamar Miller (HOU) vs. PIT
Miller has been pretty mediocre, struggling to reach 3.6 YPC since Thanksgiving. The Steelers should come out pissed off after getting jobbed by the refs last week, and I expect them to flatten Houston, even without Antonio Brown. This has major blowout potential and negative game script written all over it. Don’t waste a pick on him!
Marshawn Lynch (OAK) @ PHI
Philly is easily the best rush defense in the NFL this season, averaging a minuscule 71.5 yards per game in 2017. That’s 15 yards better than the next best unit. When you factor in Oakland’s offensive struggles, a probable negative game script, and them having to make the trip to the east coast for an early kickoff, it adds up to a rough day for BeastMode.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Brandin Cooks (NE) vs. BUF
Again, the Bills are stout against the pass, holding Cooks to a horrible 2-for-17 outing just a couple weeks back. Part of this is only getting three targets. I expect similar targets this week. He’ll also get outstanding rookie TreDavious White most of the game, so he’ll have a tough matchup in addition to a lack of targets.
Sterling Shepard (NYG) @ ARI
Shepard was fed 16 targets last week. The two games prior, he had just five catches combined. I expect another similar outing like those two because of drawing Patrick Peterson shadow coverage. Yes, another week, another recommendation to avoid the WR opposite PatPete. On the season, he leads the NFL in fewest receptions allowed per coverage snap.
Marquise Goodwin (SF) vs. JAX
I wanted to stress how bad Matt Ryan has been, therefore, I left Jimmy Garoppolo off of the QB section. That being said, he’s a fade and so is Goodwin. While he’s been awesome since Jimmy G. took over, the Jags still boast the best passing defense in the league and it’s not even close! While he’s creeping up the player pool, fade the 49ers this week.
Greg Olsen (CAR) vs. TB
There’s no doubt that Olsen burned fantasy owners in the last few weeks. That could very likely be the result this week if you rely on the tight end against a Buccaneers defense that only allows 5.5 fantasy points per game to the position. Tampa is second in the NFL in that regard and they’ll focus a lot of attention on Olsen this week.
Get a free Week 16 contest entry with your 1st deposit at DRAFT!
Josh Dalley is a correspondent at FantasyPros. His username on DRAFT is DFSDad. For more from Josh, follow him @JoshDalley72.
