The NFL really needs to address its prime time schedule for the 2023 season. There were far too many bad matchups this season that provided little in the way of good football or entertainment value. The Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the New York Jets was no exception, as instead of witnessing the rising stars of a former first overall and second overall pick, we instead saw the final nail in the Zach Wilson coffin, as they opted to roll with a former CFL quarterback instead of a player they selected over Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones. On the IDP side of things, we had some intriguing lines. Devin Lloyd and Rayshawn Jenkins both made good on the plus matchup, while brothers Quinnen Williams and Quincy Williams both made a defensive impact against Quincy’s old team. C.J. Mosley got back to LB1-level production at the perfect time, and Solomon Thomas made the most of his limited snaps. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.
Start em
Kaden Elliss (LB – NO)
Its Kaden Elliss time. Elliss is set to make another start for the banged-up Pete Werner, who has been ruled out for Week 16, this time with a hamstring injury. Elliss was an LB1 when Werner was sidelined for four weeks with an ankle injury, so fantasy managers should not hesitate to start him as a top-15 option for Week 16. Elliss was still effective in Week 15 in his more hybrid role, tallying two solos, two assists, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Shy away from Elliss at your own peril, he is a must-start for Week 16, especially with a plus matchup on tap against a Cleveland Browns team surrendering the 12th most fantasy points per game to the position.
Logan Wilson (LB – CIN)
Logan Wilson erupted again in Week 16, proving that he is finally back to full form. Wilson racked up nine solos, six assists, and one sack. The nine solos puts Wilson at 23 over the last two weeks alone, proof that he is back to his LB1 ways. Treat him as such for Week 16 despite the tough on-paper matchup against a New England Patriots team surrendering the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to the position.
Josh Uche (DE/LB – NE)
Josh Uche was a little quiet in Week 15, at least by his recent standards, recording zero solos, one assist, 0.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. He did fall back under 50 percent of the snaps after playing 64 percent in Week 15, which is disappointing, but he has still been too hot to stray from for this weekend. Uche has 10.5 sacks in his last seven games, a time frame in which he is the DL1 in fantasy points per game and the DL3 overall. Tap Uche as a strong DL1/DL2 option for a plus Week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
DeAndre Houston-Carson (S – CHI)
DHC is set to get another start for the Bears with Eddie Jackson out for the year and looks to have entered the DB2 conversation thanks to some inspired play. An S1 since entering the starting lineup, Houston-Carson racked up five solos, one interception, and one pass defended in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He has recorded five or more solos in two of his three starts and has posted a tackle for loss or an interception in each. DHC should be a starting option even for those in leagues that only require teams to start two defensive backs. Start him with confidence for Week 16 despite the neutral matchup against a Buffalo Bills team allowing the 21st most points to the position.
Nick Scott (S – LAR)
Nick Scott has been heating up in recent weeks and has pushed himself into the DB3 conversation for the rest of the fantasy playoffs. Scott recorded seven solos and two assists in Week 15, marking the fourth week in a row that he produced at least at a DB3 level. Scott was much too inconsistent to trust to open the season, but an increase in tackle numbers gives him a high enough floor to be a weekly DB3 option for what’s left of the fantasy campaign. Plug him in for Week 16 despite a tough on-paper matchup against a Denver Broncos team limiting the position to the 10th fewest fantasy points per game.
Sit em
Jadeveon Clowney (DE – CLE)
If you haven’t got the memo, Jadeveon Clowney should not be in fantasy lineups with the byes all wrapped up. Clowney still makes an impact on the field, but his on-field value does not translate to fantasy value as he doesn’t accrue enough counting stats. If that was not enough to sway you, Clowney is dealing with a concussion and has missed the whole week of practice, making him seriously doubtful for Saturday. Look elsewhere for your Week 16 DL3.
Jason Pierre-Paul (DE/LB – BAL)
JPP has been pretty quiet since joining the Ravens and should not be trusted as a starting option now that the byes are over. He has just two sacks to his name and has recorded more than two solos just three times all season. The plus matchup against an Atlanta Falcons team allowing the seventh most fantasy points per game to the position might be tempting, but there are better DL3 and even DL4 options for Week 16. Look elsewhere for your DL3 for semifinals week.
Deion Jones (LB – CLE)
Jones has flashed over the last two weeks, posting four solos, three assists, one interception, and two passes defended in Week 15, and two solos, one assist, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended in Week 16. He has been rock solid since being thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries to Sione Takitaki, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Jacob Phillips but is not a recommended option for Week 16. Jones needed the sack and interception to be more than an LB4-level contributor over the last two weeks, giving him a bench floor for when it matters the most. Jones should be left on benches in traditional 11 vs. 11 12-team leagues, but those in deeper formats can tap him as an LB4. Those looking for an LB3 should look elsewhere for Week 16 despite the plus matchup against a New Orleans Saints team relinquishing the seventh most fantasy points per game to the position.
K’Von Wallace (S – PHI)
K’Von has been filling in for the injured Reed Blakenship, starting in Week 15 and tallying eight solos, one assist, and one tackle for loss. He has put together back-to-back strong weeks and would be an option if he had a larger sample size and was not dealing with a hip injury. Blakenship was able to log full practices all week, while Wallace was a DNP on Tuesday before logging full sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. K’Von may not even get the start this week and will see his snaps scaled back if he does. Look elsewhere for your Week 16 DB3, even with the tremendous matchup on tap against a Dallas Cowboys team gifting the most fantasy points per game to the position.
Julian Blackmon (S – IND)
Julian Blackmon was excellent in Week 15, recording two solos, two assists, one interception, one pass defended, and one touchdown. Blackmon has seen more playing time over the last two weeks in the every down role but would have forgettable performances if not for the pick-six. He is not going to stack tackles playing slot coverage, so there should be better options available on the wire in most leagues. If you are still alive in the playoffs, you should avoid chasing when looking for your DB3 option. Avoid Blackmon in leagues of all sizes.
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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.