It is about that time in the week where you need to lock in who is going to be in your fantasy football lineups going into this weekend’s slate of games in the NFL. Whether you are in the first round or the second round of the fantasy football playoffs and it is important to put in the players that will get you the maximum number of points to help you advance on to the next round. Here are the players you should start heading into week 16:
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins have been on the wrong side of the win column after suffering their third straight loss against the Buffalo Bills. Tagovailoa hasn’t been able to have success in recent weeks in fantasy, until he was able to throw for 234 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 32-29 loss to Buffalo.
Miami will look to end their losing streak at home against the Green Bay Packers. Tagovailoa will get a favorable matchup this weekend as the Packers defense has allowed 18.5 fantasy points per game to the quarterback position in the last month. The Miami offense has the receiver talent for Tagovailoa to go off at any moment.
He has the upside that is necessary for fantasy owners to feel confident in starting the former Alabama product this weekend against the Packers. Look for Miami to bounce back in this game and Tagovailoa will be able to get back on track.
Running Back Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs
Jerick McKinnon has been the talk of the town in fantasy football as he has been the leading scorer in back-to-back weeks at the running back position. Not only does McKinnon give you points in the running game, but he is also very effective in the Chiefs passing game. McKinnon was able to lead Kansas City to a win against the Houston Texans with his game-winning 26-yard touchdown run in overtime.
He finished the game with 10 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown. In the receiving game, he would cap off his day with 8 receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown. McKinnon will have another shot to explode this week as the Chiefs will face off against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks defense has been the defense for running backs to exploit as they give up the second-most fantasy points per game to the position (28.9).
McKinnon has been able to continue his hot stretch and the end is not in sight this week as the Chiefs will look to feast on a vulnerable Seahawks defense. Start McKinnon with confidence as he continues to be an impact for this Kansas City offense down the stretch.
Wide Receiver D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers
It hasn’t been the season that fantasy owners who drafted D.J. Moore were hoping for, but there is a sense of hope with Sam Darnold unter center. Moore has seen an increase of production ever since Carolina made the move at the starting quarterback position. He was able to find the endzone against the Steelers as Moore was the leading receiver for the Panthers on the day.
Moore has a chance to put on a good showing this weekend when the Panthers will take on the Detroit Lions. The Lions secondary has been vulnerable against wide receivers as they have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to the position (40.7).
There have been several weeks of questioning of whether we need to be starting D.J. Moore or not, but this is the best opportunity to Moore to provide you the upside that is needed to advance to the next round.
Tight End Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Juwan Johnson continues to become Andy Dalton’s favorite target, especially when the Saints enter the redzone. Johnson was able to haul in four receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns in New Orleans’ 21-18 win over the Atlanta Falcons. There is an opportunity for increased target share with Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry being ruled out in this weekend’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Most tight ends are touchdown reliant, but Johnson has been one of the more consistent at the position to find the endzone. Week 15 was Johnson’s first game back in action after missing several weeks due to an injury. New Orleans will have their hands full against a stingy Cleveland defense, but there should be an elevated production for Johnson with the wide receiver room being thin.
Continue to trust Johnson in your starting lineups as he has been able to provide consistent production and look for that to continue this weekend when the Saints will travel to take on the Browns.
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