Week 16 of the 2025 fantasy football season has arrived, and with second round of fantasy playoffs this week in most leagues, lineup decisions are more crucial than ever. This week’s matchups are loaded with volatility, injuries, and shifting depth charts, making it essential for managers to rely on clear, structured rankings across all four positions: quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, and running back.
Below, you’ll find full positional rankings broken into tiers to help you identify elite starters, strong plays, and deeper options. In addition, four must start players stand out due to matchup advantages, recent usage, and rising production. Whether your favored to win this week’s playoff matchup or not these week 16 rankings will give you the edge against your opponent.
Week 16 Quarterback Rankings
Tier 1
1. Josh Allen @ CLE
2. Drake Maye @ BAL
3. Jalen Hurts @ WAS
4. Joe Burrow @ MIA
Tier 2
5. Matthew Stafford @ SEA
6. Dak Prescott vs LAC
7. Lamar Jackson vs NE
8. Brock Purdy @ IND
9. Jordan Love @ CHI
10. Jacoby Brissett vs ATL
Tier 3
11. Jared Goff vs PIT
12. Trevor Lawrence @ DEN
13. C.J. Stroud vs LV
14. Justin Herbert @ DAL
15. Jaxon Dart vs MIN
Tier 4
16. Caleb Williams vs GB
17. Bo Nix vs JAC
18. Tyler Shough vs NYJ
19. J.J. McCarthy @ NYG
20. Baker Mayfield @ CAR
Tier 5
21. Bryce Young vs TB
22. Tua Tagovailoa vs CIN
23. Kirk Cousins @ ARI
24. Sam Darnold vs LAR
Must Start: Quarterback
C.J. Stroud vs LV
C.J. Stroud draws one of the most favorable matchups of the fantasy playoffs as he faces a Raiders defense that has struggled to limit explosive passing plays all season. Las Vegas has allowed consistent yardage through the air and has shown vulnerability against quarterbacks who can extend plays and attack all levels of the field. Stroud’s combination of efficiency, volume, and red zone passing gives him a strong fantasy floor, while the matchup provides clear multi touchdown upside. In a win or go home playoff week, Stroud is positioned to deliver one of his most productive outings of the season.
Week 16 Tight End Rankings
Tier 1
1. Trey McBride vs ATL
Tier 2
2. George Kittle @ IND
3. Kyle Pitts Sr. @ ARI
4. Dallas Goedert @ WAS
Tier 3
5. Brock Bowers @ HOU
6. Travis Kelce @ TEN
7. Tyler Warren vs SF
8. Harold Fannin Jr. vs BUF
9. Dalton Kincaid @ CLE
10. Colby Parkinson @ SEA
Tier 4
11. Dalton Schultz vs LV
12. Oronde Gadsden II @ DAL
13. Theo Johnson vs MIN
14. Hunter Henry @ BAL
15. Darren Waller vs CIN
16. Mark Andrews vs NE
Tier 5
17. Colston Loveland vs GB
18. AJ Barner vs LAR
19. Juwan Johnson vs NYJ
20. Mike Gesicki @ MIA
21. Jake Ferguson vs LAC
22. Brenton Strange @ DEN
23. Isaiah Likely vs NE
24. Gunnar Helm vs KC
Must Start: Tight End
Colby Parkinson @ SEA
Colby Parkinson steps into an excellent matchup against a Seahawks defense that has had trouble containing tight ends, particularly in the intermediate and red zone areas. Parkinson’s size and catch radius make him a reliable target on third downs and near the goal line, and his snap share has remained stable over the past several weeks. With defenses focusing on limiting perimeter threats, Parkinson is likely to see favorable coverage and consistent involvement. That combination of usage and matchup makes him a strong streaming option with legitimate touchdown upside in Week 16.
Week 16 Wide Receiver Rankings
Tier 1
1. Ja’Marr Chase @ MIA
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs LAR
3. Puka Nucua @ SEA
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs PIT
Tier 2
5. Nico Collins vs LV
6. CeeDee Lamb vs LAC
7. Jaylen Waddle vs CIN
8. Michael Wilson vs ATL
9. Mike Evans @ CAR
10. A.J. Brown @ WAS
11. Jameson Williams vs PIT
Tier 3
12. Rashee Rice @ TEN
13. George Pickens vs LAC
14. DK Metcalf @ DET
15. Chris Olave vs NYJ
16. Juan Jennings @ IND
17. Tetairoa McMillan vs TB
18. Terry McLaurin vs PHI
19. Zay Flowers vs NE
20. DeVonta Smith @ WAS
Tier 4
21. Courtland Sutton vs JAC
22. Justin Jefferson @ NYG
23. Ladd McConkey @ DAL
24. Chris Godwin Jr. @ CAR
25. Jakobi Meyers @ DEN
26. Jayden Reed @ CHI
Tier 5
27. Wan’Dale Robinson vs MIN
28. Michael Pittman Jr. vs SF
29. Deebo Samuel Sr. vs PHI
30. Stefon Diggs @ BAL
31. Emeka Egbuka @ CAR
Tier 6
32. Jordan Addison @ NYG
33. Brian Thomas Jr. @ DEN
34. DJ Moore vs GB
35. Luther Burden III vs GB
36. Ricky Pearsall @ IND
Must Start: Wide Receiver
Juan Jennings @ IND
Juan Jennings has emerged as a dependable fantasy option thanks to steady target volume and a matchup that plays directly into his strengths. Indianapolis has struggled against physical receivers who operate in traffic, and Jennings excels at winning contested catches and moving the chains. His role in the offense continues to grow, especially in high leverage situations, giving him both a reliable floor and ceiling potential.In a playoff matchup where every point matters, Jennings profiles as a confident WR start with strong reception and yardage upside and has been finding the end zone frequently.
Week 16 Running Back Rankings
Tier 1
1. Christian McCaffery @ IND
2. Jahmyr Gibbs vs PIT
3. De’Von Achane vs CIN
4. Bijan Robinson @ ARI
Tier 2
5. James Cook III @ CLE
6. Josh Jacobs @ CHI
7. Saquon Barkley @ WAS
8. Travis Etienne Jr. @ DEN
9. TreVeyon Henderson @ BAL
10. Bucky Irving @ CAR
11. Derrick Henry vs NE
Tier 3
12. Chase Brown @ MIA
13. Javonte Williams vs LAC
14. Kyren Williams @ SEA
15. Quinshon Judkins vs BUF
16. RJ Harvey vs JAC
17. D’Andre Swift vs GB
18. Woody Marks vs LV
Tier 4
19. Breece Hall @ NO
20. Aaron Jones Sr. @ NYG
21. Tyron Tracy Jr. vs MIN
22. Ashton Jeanty @ HOU
23. Omarion Hampton @ DAL
24. Rico Dowdle vs TB
25. Jaylen Warren @ DET
Tier 5
26. Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs PHI
27. Chuba Hubbard vs TB
28. Tony Pollard vs KC
29. Kenneth Gainwell @ DET
30. Kyle Monangai vs GB
Tier 6
31. David Montgomery vs PIT
32. Michael Carter vs ATL
33. Kareem Hunt @ TEN
34. Blake Corum @ SEA
35. Devin Singletary vs MIN
36. Zach Charbonnnet vs LAR
Must Start: Running Back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs MIN
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is set up for a breakout opportunity in Week 16 against a Minnesota defense that has been vulnerable to versatile backs. Tracy’s ability to contribute both as a runner and receiver keeps him on the field in all game scripts, which is critical during the fantasy playoffs. With his workload trending upward and Minnesota allowing consistent production to opposing backfields, Tracy has a path to both volume and efficiency. He offers a strong combination of floor and upside, making him a must start option in a crucial playoff week.
Conclusion
Week 16 represents a critical point in fantasy football, as playoff positioning continuing this week for many managers. By focusing on players with favorable matchups, strong usage, and recent momentum, managers can maximize their chances for success. C.J. Stroud, Colby Parkinson, Juan Jennings, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. each offer high upside opportunities that could swing matchups in your favor.
As you set your lineups this week, prioritize these must start players while monitoring injury news and game scripts to ensure your roster is optimized for a strong start continuing into the fantasy playoffs.