[h=1]Fantasy football flex rankings for Week 16[/h]
Eric Karabell
ESPN PLUS
For those of you still playing for something, best of luck as we get to Week 16! The stakes are higher than ever and some of the decisions might be wrong, but as always, it comes down to taking into account the recent trends, the schedule and matchups, and also your instincts. Here we go, combining the best of the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends into one list. Good luck and let us flex!
1. Todd Gurley II, RB, Los Angeles Rams: He has overcome the troubles of the rest of the offense, scoring more than 30 PPR points in two of three games. He should finish strong with this schedule and end up as fantasy's top running back.
2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys: He has been so good the past two months that his underwhelming Week 15, with a strong 17.8 PPR points, was his worst since Week 9.
3. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers: Fantasy's No. 2 running back for the season keeps producing, as with Gurley, despite the struggles of his quarterback.
4. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants: Looks like he will fall short of 100 receptions, but still, what a monster season!
5. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns: Another rookie running back in the top five. What a season for rookies!
6. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons: Surpassed 100 receptions for the third time in his career and has solid matchups remaining.
7. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans: Gets to face the Eagles defense this week, but then it is the Jaguars. Then again, are you playing Week 17?
8. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers: Perhaps the most amazing stat of the season is his topping 15 PPR points in every game this season. Incredible! Something to watch: Aaron Rodgers might not play again this season.
9. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints: The Saints did not score much on Monday, but Kamara did. No worries here.
10. Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers: Looks like he is back in the lineup after missing three games, but this is not a friendly Ravens defense he faces. Still, he is back.
11. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals: On his way to finishing as a top-10 running back and should continue to improve next season.
12. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints: Fewer than 50 receiving yards in three of four games, but should top that against the Steelers.
13. Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Brown should get his yards also, though.
14. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: The most commonly found player on ESPN finalists' rosters has not even played the past two games. He plays this week.
15. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings: Now he looks like the player we drafted in Round 2.
16. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
17. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants: Perhaps he plays, perhaps not. If he plays, go with him.
18. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
19. David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals: All will be well next season when the rookie quarterback is no longer a rookie and has more weapons.
20. Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: I'm starting to think he needs a change of scenery. Nobody likes that second-half benching, especially fantasy managers, and now we hear he is dealing with a foot injury. He might sit.
21. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Denver Broncos
22. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Only two touchdowns the past 11 games, but still a top-10 receiver for the season.
23. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings: Certainly not finishing his great season strong. Had 100 receiving yards in each of the first eight games, but only once in the next six.
24. Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings: There is nothing wrong with Kirk Cousins. All is well.
25. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts
26. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans: Nobody is sure what really changed, but this is a different player the past two weeks, so fantasy managers have to consider him an RB2.
27. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks
28. Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts: Seemed like he had a tough Week 15 matchup, but then he set a career high in rushing. Go figure.
29. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs: He has a 32-point PPR lead for top honors at tight end and 58 points over third place. Fantastic season.
30. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: I have doubts he plays this week through a hip injury, but here is the ranking if he can suit up. Plan ahead because, you know, fantasy football is wild.
31. Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys: All or nothing with this fellow, but the "all" is great.
32. Brandin Cooks, WR, Los Angeles Rams
33. Robert Woods, WR, Los Angeles Rams: Something seems amiss with Jared Goff, but things should improve against the Cardinals.
34. Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears
35. Mark Ingram II, RB, New Orleans Saints: Has yet to see as many as four targets in any of his 10 games. Not quite what was expected here.
36. Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns: A bit more inconsistent than what was expected here.
37. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
38. Lamar Miller, RB, Houston Texans: Dealing with an ankle injury, but expected to keep playing.
39. Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay Packers: Injury to Aaron Jonespushes Williams to the starting role, and he is better than you think if he gets a ton of volume.
40. Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons: He disappointed for a month before embarrassing the Arizona defense in Week 15.
41. Spencer Ware, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Word is he will return to the lineup, and he was not sharing so much before.
42. Matt Breida, RB, San Francisco 49ers
43. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
44. DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers: His last touchdown came in Week 11, but the Falcons tend to give up touchdowns.
45. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles: Do not read much into Ertz and Nick Foles failing to make big plays. They made them last season in the playoffs. He should get the 10 catches he needs in two games to break the record for tight ends.
46. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers: A shining star in a morass of mediocrity.
47. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears
48. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Surpassed 100 rushing yards in three of five games. Impressive. Should have been starting all season.
49. Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots
50. James White, RB, New England Patriots: Not much here in four of the past five games, and the Bills do play defense.
51. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
52. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks: His four touchdowns have come in the past four games, so we have to consider him.
53. Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions: Finally overcame a tough matchup with myriad receiving yards.
54. Josh Gordon, WR, New England Patriots: He still matters, but Week 15 was rather disappointing.
55. Elijah McGuire, RB, New York Jets: The No. 1 back on this team has scored rushing touchdowns in consecutive games.
56. Kalen Ballage, RB, Miami Dolphins: It remains unclear if the loss of Frank Gore presents him with major opportunity, but it seems likely. And this guy can play.
57. Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago Bears
58. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Another tough road matchup for Jameis Winston and his receivers.
59. Adam Humphries, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
60. DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Denver Broncos
61. Robert Foster, WR, Buffalo Bills: Has reached 94 receiving yards in four of five games, and his rookie quarterback is emerging. Watch this passing offense.
62. Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans: When the QB cannot reach 100 passing yards it does not bode well for the top receiver.
63. Eric Ebron, TE, Indianapolis Colts
64. Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots: Has fallen short of 30 receiving yards in two of three games. Hard to expect big things anymore.
65. Jared Cook, TE, Oakland Raiders
66. Damien Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Would like to see him get volume, but the return of Ware likely stops it.
67. Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Should be more involved in the passing game by now. There is upside here.
68. Jaylen Samuels, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Anyone Pittsburgh starts at running back does well, apparently.
69. Dion Lewis, RB, Tennessee Titans: Cannot make a great case to activate him, but do not be the least bit surprised if he outplays his streaking colleague.
70. Peyton Barber, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
71. Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions
72. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons
73. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Houston Texans
74. Golden Tate, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: You know, perhaps he would have struggled to get PPR points had he remained in Detroit, too.
75. Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers
76. Kenyan Drake, RB, Miami Dolphins: His usage lately is hard to understand.
77. Adrian Peterson, RB, Washington Redskins
78. Josh Reynolds, WR, Los Angeles Rams
79. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos: Not the top rookie receiver on this team anymore.
80. Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets: Salvaging a tough season with touchdowns the past two games.
81. Jalen Richard, RB, Oakland Raiders
82. Doug Martin, RB, Oakland Raiders: His three-game stretch with rushing touchdowns ended in the easiest matchup of them all.
83. Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants: Far too quiet the past two months. Cannot really blame the quarterback.
84. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
85. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons
86. Josh Adams, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Tough to trust this team's running game.
87. Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
88. LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills: Seems improbable he would suit up for this game, but even if he does, avoid.
89. Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, San Francisco 49ers: Looks like he can produce numbers, but it seems not when Breida does.
90. Curtis Samuel, WR, Carolina Panthers
91. Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos
92. John Ross, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: This is obviously not the ranking Tyler Boyd usually gets, but it seems unlikely Boyd will play.
93. Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts
94. Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
95. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: Showed in Week 15 how he can be a tremendous fantasy asset, but still lacks consistency. Move him up far if Keenan Allen sits.
96. T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Watch Fournette because Yeldon could become an RB3 if he sits.
97. Chris Thompson, RB, Washington Redskins
98. Taylor Gabriel, WR, Chicago Bears
99. Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers
100. Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Others: Zay Jones, WR, Buffalo Bills; Kenny Stills, WR, Miami Dolphins; Latavius Murray, RB, Minnesota Vikings; Jordy Nelson, WR, Oakland Raiders; Tyrell Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers; Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers; Justin Jackson, RB, Los Angeles Chargers; Austin Hooper, TE, Atlanta Falcons; LeGarrette Blount, RB, Detroit Lions; Danny Amendola, WR, Miami Dolphins; Trenton Cannon, RB, New York Jets; Duke Johnson Jr., RB, Cleveland Browns
Eric Karabell
ESPN PLUS
For those of you still playing for something, best of luck as we get to Week 16! The stakes are higher than ever and some of the decisions might be wrong, but as always, it comes down to taking into account the recent trends, the schedule and matchups, and also your instincts. Here we go, combining the best of the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends into one list. Good luck and let us flex!
1. Todd Gurley II, RB, Los Angeles Rams: He has overcome the troubles of the rest of the offense, scoring more than 30 PPR points in two of three games. He should finish strong with this schedule and end up as fantasy's top running back.
2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys: He has been so good the past two months that his underwhelming Week 15, with a strong 17.8 PPR points, was his worst since Week 9.
3. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers: Fantasy's No. 2 running back for the season keeps producing, as with Gurley, despite the struggles of his quarterback.
4. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants: Looks like he will fall short of 100 receptions, but still, what a monster season!
5. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns: Another rookie running back in the top five. What a season for rookies!
6. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons: Surpassed 100 receptions for the third time in his career and has solid matchups remaining.
7. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans: Gets to face the Eagles defense this week, but then it is the Jaguars. Then again, are you playing Week 17?
8. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers: Perhaps the most amazing stat of the season is his topping 15 PPR points in every game this season. Incredible! Something to watch: Aaron Rodgers might not play again this season.
9. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints: The Saints did not score much on Monday, but Kamara did. No worries here.
10. Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers: Looks like he is back in the lineup after missing three games, but this is not a friendly Ravens defense he faces. Still, he is back.
11. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals: On his way to finishing as a top-10 running back and should continue to improve next season.
12. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints: Fewer than 50 receiving yards in three of four games, but should top that against the Steelers.
13. Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Brown should get his yards also, though.
14. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: The most commonly found player on ESPN finalists' rosters has not even played the past two games. He plays this week.
15. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings: Now he looks like the player we drafted in Round 2.
16. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
17. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants: Perhaps he plays, perhaps not. If he plays, go with him.
18. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
19. David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals: All will be well next season when the rookie quarterback is no longer a rookie and has more weapons.
20. Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: I'm starting to think he needs a change of scenery. Nobody likes that second-half benching, especially fantasy managers, and now we hear he is dealing with a foot injury. He might sit.
21. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Denver Broncos
22. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Only two touchdowns the past 11 games, but still a top-10 receiver for the season.
23. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings: Certainly not finishing his great season strong. Had 100 receiving yards in each of the first eight games, but only once in the next six.
24. Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings: There is nothing wrong with Kirk Cousins. All is well.
25. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts
26. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans: Nobody is sure what really changed, but this is a different player the past two weeks, so fantasy managers have to consider him an RB2.
27. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks
28. Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts: Seemed like he had a tough Week 15 matchup, but then he set a career high in rushing. Go figure.
29. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs: He has a 32-point PPR lead for top honors at tight end and 58 points over third place. Fantastic season.
30. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: I have doubts he plays this week through a hip injury, but here is the ranking if he can suit up. Plan ahead because, you know, fantasy football is wild.
31. Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys: All or nothing with this fellow, but the "all" is great.
32. Brandin Cooks, WR, Los Angeles Rams
33. Robert Woods, WR, Los Angeles Rams: Something seems amiss with Jared Goff, but things should improve against the Cardinals.
34. Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears
35. Mark Ingram II, RB, New Orleans Saints: Has yet to see as many as four targets in any of his 10 games. Not quite what was expected here.
36. Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns: A bit more inconsistent than what was expected here.
37. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
38. Lamar Miller, RB, Houston Texans: Dealing with an ankle injury, but expected to keep playing.
39. Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay Packers: Injury to Aaron Jonespushes Williams to the starting role, and he is better than you think if he gets a ton of volume.
40. Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons: He disappointed for a month before embarrassing the Arizona defense in Week 15.
41. Spencer Ware, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Word is he will return to the lineup, and he was not sharing so much before.
42. Matt Breida, RB, San Francisco 49ers
43. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
44. DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers: His last touchdown came in Week 11, but the Falcons tend to give up touchdowns.
45. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles: Do not read much into Ertz and Nick Foles failing to make big plays. They made them last season in the playoffs. He should get the 10 catches he needs in two games to break the record for tight ends.
46. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers: A shining star in a morass of mediocrity.
47. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears
48. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Surpassed 100 rushing yards in three of five games. Impressive. Should have been starting all season.
49. Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots
50. James White, RB, New England Patriots: Not much here in four of the past five games, and the Bills do play defense.
51. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
52. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks: His four touchdowns have come in the past four games, so we have to consider him.
53. Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions: Finally overcame a tough matchup with myriad receiving yards.
54. Josh Gordon, WR, New England Patriots: He still matters, but Week 15 was rather disappointing.
55. Elijah McGuire, RB, New York Jets: The No. 1 back on this team has scored rushing touchdowns in consecutive games.
56. Kalen Ballage, RB, Miami Dolphins: It remains unclear if the loss of Frank Gore presents him with major opportunity, but it seems likely. And this guy can play.
57. Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago Bears
58. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Another tough road matchup for Jameis Winston and his receivers.
59. Adam Humphries, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
60. DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Denver Broncos
61. Robert Foster, WR, Buffalo Bills: Has reached 94 receiving yards in four of five games, and his rookie quarterback is emerging. Watch this passing offense.
62. Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans: When the QB cannot reach 100 passing yards it does not bode well for the top receiver.
63. Eric Ebron, TE, Indianapolis Colts
64. Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots: Has fallen short of 30 receiving yards in two of three games. Hard to expect big things anymore.
65. Jared Cook, TE, Oakland Raiders
66. Damien Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Would like to see him get volume, but the return of Ware likely stops it.
67. Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Should be more involved in the passing game by now. There is upside here.
68. Jaylen Samuels, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Anyone Pittsburgh starts at running back does well, apparently.
69. Dion Lewis, RB, Tennessee Titans: Cannot make a great case to activate him, but do not be the least bit surprised if he outplays his streaking colleague.
70. Peyton Barber, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
71. Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions
72. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons
73. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Houston Texans
74. Golden Tate, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: You know, perhaps he would have struggled to get PPR points had he remained in Detroit, too.
75. Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers
76. Kenyan Drake, RB, Miami Dolphins: His usage lately is hard to understand.
77. Adrian Peterson, RB, Washington Redskins
78. Josh Reynolds, WR, Los Angeles Rams
79. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos: Not the top rookie receiver on this team anymore.
80. Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets: Salvaging a tough season with touchdowns the past two games.
81. Jalen Richard, RB, Oakland Raiders
82. Doug Martin, RB, Oakland Raiders: His three-game stretch with rushing touchdowns ended in the easiest matchup of them all.
83. Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants: Far too quiet the past two months. Cannot really blame the quarterback.
84. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
85. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons
86. Josh Adams, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Tough to trust this team's running game.
87. Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
88. LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills: Seems improbable he would suit up for this game, but even if he does, avoid.
89. Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, San Francisco 49ers: Looks like he can produce numbers, but it seems not when Breida does.
90. Curtis Samuel, WR, Carolina Panthers
91. Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos
92. John Ross, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: This is obviously not the ranking Tyler Boyd usually gets, but it seems unlikely Boyd will play.
93. Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts
94. Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
95. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: Showed in Week 15 how he can be a tremendous fantasy asset, but still lacks consistency. Move him up far if Keenan Allen sits.
96. T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Watch Fournette because Yeldon could become an RB3 if he sits.
97. Chris Thompson, RB, Washington Redskins
98. Taylor Gabriel, WR, Chicago Bears
99. Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers
100. Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Others: Zay Jones, WR, Buffalo Bills; Kenny Stills, WR, Miami Dolphins; Latavius Murray, RB, Minnesota Vikings; Jordy Nelson, WR, Oakland Raiders; Tyrell Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers; Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers; Justin Jackson, RB, Los Angeles Chargers; Austin Hooper, TE, Atlanta Falcons; LeGarrette Blount, RB, Detroit Lions; Danny Amendola, WR, Miami Dolphins; Trenton Cannon, RB, New York Jets; Duke Johnson Jr., RB, Cleveland Browns
