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Week 16 rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
Fantasy Flames: QB | RB
Fantasy Forum: Ask Brad
Each week, the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must have started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week. Scoring thresholds (0.5 PPR) – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points (10 for shockers); WR: 11 fantasy points; TE: 10 fantasy points.
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Josh Downs, Colts
Start pct.
13% on Yahoo
Matchup
vs. Titans
BetMGM line
Colts -3.5
BetMGM total
42.5 points
BetAlytics projection
N/A
Non-stop online shopping, peppermint schnapps and an endless supply of holiday treats. OH SO MANY HOLIDAY TREATS!
Screw the nice. When it comes to consumption, ‘tis the season to feel quite naughty.
Trusting a Colts wide receiver in the second round of the fantasy playoffs also feels like an indecorous decision. It’s not like Anthony Richardson is vintage Peyton Manning.
More of a threat on the ground than through the air, Richardson dwells with Santa in adjusted completion percentage in the rather chilly North Pole. His 59.6% mark in the category ranks rock bottom among eligible passers.
Still, despite his unfavorable QB tie, Downs is worth strong consideration at the WR3 or FLEX position in 12-team leagues. He’s tallied double-digit fantasy points in four of his last six contests. His advanced metrics have also impressed.
On the season, Downs ranks WR20 in fantasy points per route (0.50), WR25 in yards per route run (2.18), WR18 in total red-zone targets (18) and, most outstandingly, WR3 in route win percentage (56.5%). His 8.0 targets per game are also quite noteworthy.
Downs’ matchup is undeniably delightful. The wideout is seeing action from the slot on 72.0% of snaps played, which means a dream face-off with Jarvis Brownlee Jr. is imminent. Tennessee’s slot cornerback is the definition of a “giver.” On 440 coverage snaps, he’s surrendered the eighth-most yards of any DB (600), a 69.4% catch rate and a 102.8 passer rating. So generous.
Strap on your favorite dance shoes and get Downs. The Indianapolis receiver should have title seekers tasting sweetness.
Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 71 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 15.1 fantasy points
Week 16 Bonus Flames
Jauan Jennings, WR, 49ers
Start pct.
55% on Yahoo
Matchup
at Dolphins
Can Roger Craig come of retirement already? The Niners, who will be without Isaac Guerendo this week due to a hamstring injury, are going through running backs like curvaceous Hollywood starlets’ boyfriends. Patrick Taylor will be San Francisco’s fourth RB starter this season. In Miami, the depleted RB room could turn Brock Purdy loose. His season high of 36 pass attempts is very much on notice. Bank on Jennings benefitting from the presumed cranked volume. The Dolphins are a respectable No. 12 in pass EPA defense and have allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to WRs since Week 10, but dig a little deeper and an advantageous matchup surfaces. Jennings’ projected primary assignment, $72 million man Jalen Ramsey, has given up the sixth-most yards (293) of any defensive back over the last six weeks. The 49ers wideout, who is hard to wrangle after the catch, could clock in a top-20 final line. Keep in mind, Jennings ranks top-20 in total red-zone targets (14), yards per route run (2.64), QB passer rating when targeted (115.3) and fantasy points per route (0.58). Sip on an umbrella drink on South Beach.
Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 61 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.6 fantasy points
Brenton Strange, TE, Jaguars
Start pct.
11% on Yahoo
Matchup
vs. Raiders
As we learned from The Doors circa 1967, "When you’re strange, no one remembers your name." However, when you haul in an unforgettable 11 receptions out of nowhere in a single game, it defies the common belief. Jim Morrison would probably agree. Strange was Mac Jones’ clear underneath flavor of choice last week against the Jets. The Jacksonville tight end averaged an uneventful 1.70 yards per route run and posted a 4.3 aDOT, but while working soft spots in New York’s zone coverage, he grabbed virtually everything Jones tossed at him. Though Strange suffered an ACL joint sprain in his shoulder, head coach Doug Pederson expects him to be a full go. Given the fantastic matchup, the 2023 second-round pick could amass quality PPR production yet again. Since Week 10, the Raiders are No. 27 in pass EPA defense. Most importantly, they’ve conceded THE most fantasy points to the tight end position during the span. Get weird.
Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 48 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 13.3 fantasy points
Season record: 20-22
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