Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Lineup Advice: Week 16 (2025)

Week 15 of the NFL season had its ups and downs. We saw some big plays on both sides of the ball, but the injury monster continues to ravage NFL locker rooms. Week 16 is here, and Thursday Night Football turned from what looked like it was going to be a stomping by the Los Angeles Rams, into a Thursday night overtime classic. 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.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 16

Start em

Jeffery Simmons (DT – TEN)
Jeffery Simmons continued to dominate in Week 15, stacking an impressive four solos, three assists, one sack, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one receiving touchdown. The touchdown was a thing of beauty, but the real news here is Simmons moving into the DL1 conversation based on recording at least one sack in four of his last five games to move him to nine sacks on the season. Fire Simmons up as a top-15 option everywhere for a plus matchup against Gardner Minshew and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Zaire Franklin (LB – IND)
Zaire showed up in Week 15, tallying seven solos, three assists, and one tackle for loss. After starting the season in disappointing fashion, Franklin has stepped it up and checks in as the LB5 in fppg since Week 10. Fire Zaire up as a top-15 option for Week 16, thanks to both his recent production and a plus matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Dane Belton (S – NYG)
Belton was at it again in Week 15, tallying four solos, four assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and two forced fumbles. The DB2 in fppg since Week 13, thanks to two straight splash weeks, Belton’s fantasy value is on the rise. His three consecutive plus outings place him firmly on the DB2 radar for a tasty Week 16 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Start him wherever possible in competitive leagues.

Cam Bynum (S – IND)
Cam Bynum was excellent in Week 15, racking up seven solos and one assist. Bynum has turned it on over his last five contests, checking in as the DB10 in fppg since Week 10. Treat Cam as a top-25 option for Week 16, thanks to both his recent production and the plus matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Mike Jackson (CB – CAR)
Mike Jackson showed up in Week 15, registering five solos, one assist, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. Jackson has forced his way into the flex conversation after three strong weeks, and of course, makes for an intriguing CB1 option in CB leagues. The Panthers’ corner has stacked three plus outings together and has a plus matchup on tap for Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Start Jackson where needed.

Sit em

Elandon Roberts (LB – LV)
Elandon Roberts showed up in Week 15, racking up six solos, three assists, and three tackles for loss. Elandon has had some spike weeks, but hasn’t been productive enough to trust outside of 20+ team leagues. Those in 12-team leagues should look elsewhere for Week 16 despite the strong production and plus matchup.

Mohamoud Diabate (LB – CLE)
Mohamoud Diabate showed up in Week 15, racking up four solos, four assists, and two tackles for loss. The Browns linebacker has been a non-factor this season due to playing behind Devin Bush and Carson Schwesinger in nickel packages, but played a season high 52 percent of the snaps against Chicago. The snap increase seems to be gameplan related as Carson and Bush played their normal allotment. Feel free to keep Diabate on benches for Week 16.

Myles Murphy (DE – CIN)
Myles Murphy showed up in Week 15, stacking two solos, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Murphy has looked improved recently, recording a sack in two of his last five games. The once promising prospect may finally be turning a corner in what has been a disappointing start to his career. Murphy remains a dynasty stash but should not be in lineups for Week 16, regardless of league size.

Marcus Harris (CB – TEN)
Marcus Harris showed up in Week 15, racking up five solos, two assists, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended against the San Francisco 49ers. Harris has flirted with bench value over the last few weeks, but remains someone that those in 20+ team leagues or CB leagues will want to pay attention to as opposed to those in DB leagues. Look elsewhere for Week 16 despite the strong production.

Erick Hallett (S/CB – DET)
Erick Hallet showed up in Week 15, racking up five solos, five assists, and one pass defended. Hallet played starters’ snaps due to Kerby Joseph (knee) and Thomas Harper (concussion) missing the game, which, coupled with the season ending injury to Brian Branch, left the Lions incredibly thin at safety. Hallet could get the start if Harper misses another contest and is worth stashing in deeper formats.