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Week 16 Wide Receiver Preview: Matchup Keeps Us From Quitting Ladd
Top Fantasy WRs for Week 16
Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 16 WR Rankings.
1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
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Chase draws a Miami pass defense that has allowed opposing WR1s to score in three of their past four. Meanwhile, Chase enters with 90+ yards in seven of his past nine.
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
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St. Brown went 13-164-2 on 18 targets last week, continuing to dominate the target share. St. Brown has played all over the Lions’ formation to create mismatches, and that should happen again. The Steelers have had recent success against outside WRs, but struggle against WRs in the slot. St. Brown is a must start again this week.
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
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[Played Thursday night]
4. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
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[Played Thursday night]
5. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
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Lamb rebounded from his concussion at Detroit to deliver a 6-111 line in the loss to Minnesota. That marked his third straight game of 6+ catches and 111+ yards.
6. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
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Last week found Brown falling short of 10 targets for the first time in five games. But Jalen Hurts threw just 15 passes in a romp over the Raiders. Even if the Eagles control this matchup, we're betting on more passing volume and Brown remaining the clear lead target.
7. Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
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Wilson's fantasy value depends almost entirely on whether Marvin Harrison Jr. makes it back this week. Wilson has averaged 15.0 targets in four games without Harrison vs. just 4.5 targets in 10 games with him. Keep an eye on Shark Bites for updates on Harrison. If he's back, Wilson will likely fall into WR3 territory.
8. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
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The Raiders are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to WRs, and Collins has been rolling. He has gotten eight targets in back-to-back games and topped 13 PPR points seven of his last eight. The only concern is volume slowing down if the Texans build a big lead early. Regardless, Collins is a locked-in, elite option with top-3 upside in Week 16.
9. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
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With his back issues seemingly behind him, Olave delivered a 6-85-1 line last week. He has scored 14+ PPR points in four of his last five games, and seven of his last nine. WR Devaughn Vele's absence this weekend could mean even more targets for Olave. And he's in a great spot indoors against a lifeless Jets defense that has allowed 82 points over the last two weeks.
10. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
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Williams went 7-134-1 on nine targets last week. With TE Sam LaPorta hurt, Williams has had a consistent role running routes all over the field. The volume will keep Williams afloat. The Steelers have struggled against recent WRs, so this should be a must start spot for Williams.
11. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
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We've got London projected to play, but you'll need to watch him into the weekend. He's officially questionable after sitting out Friday's practice -- and last week's win over the Bucs. Barring some signal that London's headed for a limited role, however, you're best off starting him against a weak Arizona defense.
12. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
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Higgins (concussion) missed Week 15, despite practicing on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the Baltimore matchup. He’s practicing ahead of the Miami game, but we’ll see if he’s able to clear concussion protocol. Higgins will be a WR1/2 if active.
13. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
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Pickens posted a second straight worrisome stat line in last week's loss to the Vikings. He has managed just a 50% catch rate and 11.3 yards per reception over the past three weeks. But last week also marked the first time since Week 7 that he fell short of nine targets or 5 catches. So we're not willing to drop him too far in what should be a competitive contest for a team still in the playoff hunt.
14. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
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Flowers draws a New England pass defense that’s ninth-worst in our adjusted fantasy points allowed. This week finds them potentially missing starting CB Carlton Davis. Keep Flowers locked into fantasy lineups.
15. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Evans came back in a big way last week going 6-132-0 on 12 targets. He was locked in as the primary first read for Baker Mayfield and played more snaps than anticipated, thanks to rumors about him being limited. His success makes Evans an interesting start. He succeeded against the Falcons’ Cover-3 base defense, the same base the Panthers run. Start Evans this week.
16. DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Metcalf went 3-55-1 last week with strong after-catch run for his TD. He only had three targets in the game, but that could tick up this week. The Lions have struggled against WRs, giving up 8 TDs over the last six weeks. Metcalf should have a solid game to strong game.
17. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
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Sutton comes off two straight 10-target games looking like a safer start than he did just a month ago. He has gone for 4+ catches and at least 59 yards in four consecutive contests.
18. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
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Last week was another frustrating outing for Jefferson. He posted his third consecutive game under 25 receiving yards but was inches away from multiple TDs. That encompasses who Jefferson has become with J.J. McCarthy under center. Week 16 brings another elite matchup versus a Giants defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to WRs. That keeps Jefferson in the risk/reward WR2 conversation.
19. Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
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Robinson is tied for sixth among WRs with 120 targets. He ranks 11th with a 28% target share and has soaked up 8+ targets in six straight games. Robinson has topped double-digit fantasy points in seven of his last nine games. That volume keeps Robinson inside our top-20, even in a tough Week 16 matchup against a Vikings' defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to WRs. Start him as a safe, volume-driven WR2.
20. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
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Chalk last week's mere two targets up to abnormally low passing volume. Jalen Hurts attempted just 15 throws in a 31-0 laugher over the Raiders. And A.J. Brown got the same paltry target total. Expect more throwing this week. Smith drew 8+ targets in three straight contests before that one -- albeit three straight losses. Keep your expectations modest, though the Washington matchup boosts the efficiency upside.
21. Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
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Jennings has finished as a top-20 PPR WR in three straight games and four of his last five. Next up is an indoor game (no weather concerns!) against a Colts defense missing its top two CBs in Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward. WR Ricky Pearsall's expected absence certainly doesn't hurt Jennings' target outlook.
22. Jakobi Meyers, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Meyers' contract extension this week only supports what we've seen in his team-leading 25% target share since arriving for Week 10. This week's Denver matchup limits the upside and adds some risk. But Meyers has managed at least 4 catches in each of his past five games -- every outing since his Jacksonville debut (at Houston).
23. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
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McConkey has suffered for both L.A.'s limited passing volume and a shrunken target share in recent weeks. This week's Dallas matchup, though, boosts his upside. The Cowboys have supplied the league's largest scoring boost to WRs and played slot receivers weaker than outside guys.
24. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
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Waddle’s posted lines of 3-52, 3-40, 5-50-1, and 2-26 over his past four. Now, he’ll catch passes from rookie Round 7 pick Quinn Ewers after the benching of Tua Tagovailoa. That adds volatility to Waddle as a WR2, despite a positive scoring matchup with the Bengals.
25. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
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McMillan had another disappointing week going 2-25-0 on 4 targets. He’s also dealing with a foot and ankle injury which could limit him this week. He also will line up primarily against Bucs CB Jamel Dean who has been shutting down opposing top WRs as of late. There is always space for a boom week if the Panthers get down and have to throw, but that makes McMillan a boom or bust option this week.
26. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
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Watson took a hard fall last week and injured his chest/shoulder. He's listed as questionable but indicated he expects to play. If he's cleared, Watson looks like a strong WR3 with WR2 upside. He'll face a leaky Chicago defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to WRs. Watson lit up the Bears in Week 14, catching all four of his targets for 89 yards and 2 TDs. Verify his status on Saturday, but if Watson is cleared, he's a strong start in fantasy lineups.
27. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
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Chicago allows the eighth-most fantasy points to WRs, but they've really struggled against slot WRs. Reed has lined up inside on 70.8% of his snaps and is in a great spot. He just jumped to 31 routes last week and caught 5-of-6 targets for 66 yards. Facing a Bears' defense that hemorrhages fantasy points to WRs, Reed has one of the most advantageous matchups of the week. He's a strong WR3 with WR2 upside.
28. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
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Worthy continues to disappoint this season. He went 2-35-0 last week and has been borderline unusable all year. Rashee Rice has entered the concussion protocol, potentially making Worthy the No. 1 WR for the Chiefs this week. But, with Patrick Mahomes going on IR, Gardner Minshew will start at QB, which could impact deep passing targets. The Titans' defense struggles against the pass, allowing over 170 yards per game to WRs. Worthy has enough upside to be a flex play this week, but know that his floor is low if the Chiefs offense turns to dust without Mahomes.
29. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
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McLaurin followed a big return against Denver in Week 13 with just 3 receptions each of the past two weeks. But his 10 targets over those two contests constituted a strong 26% target share amid low passing volume. We're betting Washington will need to throw more this week against a pretty heavily favored Philly team. That doesn't make McLaurin a comfy start against a challenging set of corners. But he's solid in the middle of WR3 range. Last week also marked his third-largest snap share of the season and largest since Week 2.
30. D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears
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If you've been holding onto D.J. Moore through a frustrating season, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for. The Bears have already ruled out Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, setting up Moore to command an increased target share on Saturday. Moore has not topped seven targets and has yet to hit 75 yards in any game all season. This week's matchup looks decent. The Packers have allowed the 15th-most fantasy points to WRs, but let's not forget how erratic Moore has been. In the last month, he had a pair of 2-TD games and two games with fewer than 5 PPR points -- including an abysmal 0.6-point effort against this defense two weeks ago. The opportunity will be there for Moore in Week 16, but he remains a high-risk/reward WR3.
31. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
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Last week marked the first time since Week 6 that Thomas caught more than three passes in a game. Denver hits this week as the sixth-toughest matchup on WR scoring by our adjusted fantasy points allowed.
32. Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
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Deebo's far from a comfy play -- even in mid-to-low WR3 range -- coming off three straight PPR finishes of 32nd or lower. But we're betting on at least a slight boost in passing volume this week for the Commanders, who arrive as 5.5-point underdogs despite playing at home. Samuel has at least generated 4+ receptions in five of his past six games, despite shifting QBs and variable pass volume within that stretch.
33. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Egbuka went 4-64-0 on 7 targets last week. He was second in target share (21.9%) behind Mike Evans, but he was on the field less than usual. He only ran a route on 62.5% of dropbacks, his lowest of the season. He still has enough targets to be worthwhile, but don’t expect any more boom weeks for Egbuka.
34. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
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Allen has room to become a decent WR3 this week if the Chargers lean at all into the matchup with a Dallas defense that has allowed the league's largest scoring boosts to QBs and WRs. But he has reached 50 receiving yards just once over the past seven games and not gone past 53 since Week 7. So the ceiling remains lackluster without big-time TD luck.
35. Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots
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Diggs has posted 48.1% of yardage in only three games. Nearly 38% of his catches have come in the same limited sample. Mix in Diggs’ three straight games under 30 yards, and it’s tough to place him higher than WR3 range for a matchup with Baltimore. The Ravens at least present a favorable matchup for WRs, sitting seventh-friendliest in adjusted fantasy points allowed.
36. Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks
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[Played Thursday night]
37. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
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Shakir recorded 5 catches for 65 yards in Sunday's comeback win over New England. The outing marked only the second time that he’s cleared 60 yards over his past seven games. Now in a neutral matchup vs. Cleveland, Shakir remains a fringe WR3.
38. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
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There wasn't much production to be found in the Colts' passing game last week under QB Philip Rivers, who threw 27 passes for just 120 yards. Pittman tied for second on the team with five targets, catching three for 26 yards. Week 16 at least brings a better spot at home with no weather concerns against the 49ers' 18th-ranked WR defense. Still, Pittman is a low-end WR3 at best.
39. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Godwin went 4-20-1 last week. He was on the field for nearly every snap, but only had 5 targets. That was less than both Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka. Godwin’s usage on field gives him some upside if the Buccaneers keep their passing volume high, but he is clearly playing third fiddle in terms of Buccaneers’ WRs.
40. Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
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Coker went 4-60-1, catching all of his targets last week. He has had at least four targets in five straight games. He also has 52+ yards in three of the past four games. That consistency makes Coker a fine desperation flex play, but the lack of passing volume from the Panthers still makes this a risky bet.
41. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
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Addison has fared better than Justin Jefferson over the last three games, on lower volume. He's topped 60 yards in back-to-back games and looks like a good bet to post Flex production again in Week 16. He'll square off with a Giants' defense that has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to WRs.
42. Darius Slayton, New York Giants
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The Giants went pass-heavy last week against Washington, resulting in a season-high 10 targets for Slayton. He only caught four of those targets for a modest 53 yards. Slayton ranks third in New York's WR corps in route rate (80%) and second in target share (15%). However, the Vikings have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs, so Slayon offers modest WR4/Flex appeal in Week 16 fantasy lineups.
43. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
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Even if Johnston's groin is ready to go -- after costing him Week 15 -- he'll return to a passing game that supplied him just three targets each of his past three outings. The Dallas matchup boosts upside for the whole Chargers' pass offense. But L.A.'s issues (protection, volume) keep Johnston a lower-level fantasy option.
44. Pat Bryant, Denver Broncos
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Bryant had worked his way ahead of Troy Franklin before missing last week's game. The rookie's return to full practice participation this week has us expecting him to reclaim his role. The crowd at the position behind Courtland Sutton makes it tough to bet on any of them.
45. Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets
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Mitchell escaped Week 15 with a 6-58-1 receiving line, despite QB Brady Cook throwing for only 176 yards and one TD. Mitchell continues to impress in terms of separation and target-earning ability. But the floor remains low with Cook back under center vs. the Saints this weekend. New Orleans surprisingly ranks seventh in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.
46. Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans
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Higgins has had a couple of down games, but still ranks second on Houston's WR corps in route rate (60%) and targets share (16%) since Week 8. This week, he's in a good spot to be a Flex-worthy option facing a Raiders' secondary that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to WRs, but hope he gets his opportunities early. The Texans are massive favorites, setting up a potentially run-heavy approach in the second half.
47. Mack Hollins, New England Patriots
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Hollins hasn’t scored since Week 4, but he’s at least totaled 40 yards in four of his past five. He remains a deep-league option against Baltimore.
48. Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
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Even with Jayden Reed back, Doubs led the Packers last week with a 72% route rate. However, he only commanded 3 targets and has scored single-digit fantasy points in five of his past six outings. That includes a 0-point effort against Chicago in Week 14. If Christian Watson misses this game, Doubs would project to see an enhanced target share, but he's more of a boom-or-bust Flex option to consider in deeper leagues.
49. Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots
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Boutte's supplied several explosive plays this year, evidenced by his 17.0 yards per catch figure. But he’s only in play for deep leagues given his low target output. Boutte hasn’t topped five targets since Week 1.
50. Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
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Brown should benefit from Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton potentially being out due to a concussion. Brown hasn’t topped 4 catches since Week 2, but this could be a bounce-back opportunity. Unfortunately, Gardner Minshew will be starting at QB and that could limit any downfield targets for Brown. He has some upside, but is too risky to start this week.
51. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
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Franklin clearly benefited from Pat Bryant missing last week's game, posting his largest reception and yardage totals since Week 8. Franklin's playing time remained limited even then, though, vs. his role through Week 11. And now Bryant looks ready to return in full. That makes Franklin a shaky option at best, especially with receiving lines of 2-21 and 3-11 the two weeks prior.
52. Cooper Kupp, Seattle Seahawks
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Kupp has been a low-upside bet all season, reaching 60 yards just twice. And now he looks like Seattle's No. 3 WR after falling behind Rashid Shaheed in routes last week. Despite the plus matchup against a struggling Rams secondary on Thursday night, Kupp isn't a viable fantasy play.
53. John Metchie, New York Jets
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Metchie has caught 4+ balls in four straight games but averaged just 35.8 yards per game over that stretch. He's a low-upside fantasy play, especially with QB Brady Cook back at the helm this week. The Saints surprisingly rank seventh in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.
54. Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Better health in the Jacksonville passing game has meant lowered playing time and target shares for Washington. He has eclipsed 3 receptions just once among his past five games.
55. Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans
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Dike went for a measly 4-17-0, but that still led the Titans in receptions. The Chiefs have a top-10 defense against the pass, and that doesn’t bode well for Dike or other Titans WRs. Dike is a bench this week.
56. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
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Aside from a 364-yard outlier game vs. Tennessee, Shedeur Sanders has thrown for 209, 149, and 177 yards. That’s helped keep Jeudy below 40 yards in three of four games alongside the rookie. Now facing the run-funnel Bills, we’re not expecting a major bounce-back from Jeudy.
57. Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
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Pierce caught his only target for 16 yards from QB Philip Rivers last week. The downfield passing game that's fueled him all season is simply non-existent with Rivers at the helm. Pierce should be parked on fantasy benches.
58. Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders
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Tucker hasn't topped 50 receiving yards in a game since Week 6, and had double-digit fantasy points in one of his last eight outings. The Raiders are projected to score a league-low 11.5 points against the elite Houston defense, so we're not expecting a breakout performance. Tucker has scored fewer than 6 PPR points in three straight games and has one of the worst matchups of the week. He should only be started as a desperation Flex play in the deepest of leagues.
59. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
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The Colts deployed more three-WR sets with QB Philip Rivers last week, resulting in a season-high 89% route rate for Downs. He tied for second on the team with five targets and was on the receiving end of Rivers' only TD. Still, it's tough to trust Downs in fantasy lineups when Rivers totaled just 120 passing yards in his first game since 2020.
60. Olamide Zaccheaus, Chicago Bears
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Luther Burden and Rome Odunze are out, so Olamide Zaccheaus has a clear path to a lot of playing time in Week 16. Zaccheaus saw a lot of snaps in the first half of the season before losing playing time to Burden. However, he posted a 79% route rate last week and got three targets in Chicago's loss. Expect a handful of targets this week, which puts Zaccheaus on the Flex radar in exceptionally deep PPR leagues.
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