Let’s be honest, though – if you have Mark Andrews (vs. Falcons in Week 16), T.J. Hockenson (vs. Giants), Pat Freiermuth (vs. Raiders), or George Kittle (vs. Commanders), you’re probably not considering a streamer. Andrews, Hockenson, and Freiermuth have favorable matchups this week, so that makes sense despite recent disappointments, but Kittle is facing off against a Commanders’ defense that entered Week 15 allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to TEs. Should you blindly trust him?

It’s likely that you will, as Kittle always has a high ceiling, but with your playoff life on the line, it never hurts to take a second look. That would also apply to Dallas Goedert (@ Cowboys), who’s set to return this week from a shoulder injury, David Njoku (vs. Saints), Evan Engram (@ Jets), Juwan Johnson @ Browns), and Darren Waller (@ Steelers), all of whom face top-12 TE defenses.

WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Again, it’s tough to suggest benching those proven studs for waiver-wire pickups, but if you prefer to play the matchup game, there are some solid options. Robert Tonyan (@ Dolphins), Tyler Conklin (vs. Jaguars), Cade Otton (@ Cardinals), and Daniel Bellinger (@ Vikings) all square off against defenses in the top 12 in fantasy points allowed to TEs. Otton is in an especially good situation against Arizona’s league-worst TE defense, but he’ll be splitting snaps and targets with Cameron Brate. Tonyan is also in a great spot against a Miami defense that entered Week 15 allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to TEs and was promptly lit up by Dawson Knox. He likely has the highest floor in PPR leagues.

WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers

Deep-leaguers who really want to live dangerously could try Trey McBride (vs. Buccaneers), Jordan Akins (@ Titans), or Ian Thomas (@ Lions). Their opponents rank sixth, third, and fifth, respectively, in fantasy points allowed to TEs, so there’s higher yardage and touchdown potential. Even though McBride (five targets last week) and Akins (6) have been more involved lately, you can’t count on a lot of catches from these guys, which really lowers their floors in PPR leagues. 

WEEK 16 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em

Fantasy owners have been dealing with that phenomenon on a slightly different level with Taysom Hill (@ Browns) all year, and now we can add another converted QB to the list: Jeff Driskel (@ Titans). Driskel is TE-eligible in Yahoo leagues, and he’s actually playing more “actual” QB than Hill while also running the ball around five times per game. That gives him a relatively high floor, even in PPR leagues, but you likely need a touchdown for him to really pay off. There’s always the possibility that the Texans just roll with him at QB for most of the game, which would likely lead to him being a top-five TE in Week 16 (especially against Tennessee’s putrid pass defense), so consider Driskel the ultimate boom-or-bust candidate.

WEEK 16 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

We’re not high on Dawson Knox (@ Bears), Chig Okonkwo (vs. Texans), and Tyler Higbee (vs. Broncos) this week, as all are streaky and have below-average matchups. At least one or two will step up and have a nice game, but it’s tough to predict which ones. Knox has a relatively decent floor in PPR, though, so if you’re projected to win big, you should be able to get by with him in your lineup. 

WEEK 16 DFS: Best values | Best stacks

We’ll be updating these TE PPR rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.

Week 16 fantasy TE PPR rankings

Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring

Rank    Player 1    Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Seahawks 2    T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Giants 3    Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Falcons 4    George Kittle, 49ers vs. Commanders 5    Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Cowboys 6    Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs. Raiders 7    Dalton Schultz, Cowboys vs. Eagles 8    Greg Dulcich, Broncos @ Rams 9    Evan Engram, Jaguars @ Jets 10    Juwan Johnson, Saints @ Browns 11    Darren Waller, Raiders @ Steelers 12    Taysom Hill, Saints @ Browns 13    David Njoku, Browns vs. Saints 14    Noah Fant, Seahawks @ Chiefs 15    Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Dolphins 16    Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Jaguars 17    Cade Otton, Buccaneers @ Cardinals 18    Daniel Bellinger, Giants @ Vikings 19    Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Colts 20    Dawson Knox, Bills @ Bears 21    Jordan Akins, Texans @ Titans 22    Jeff Driskel, Texans @ Titans 23    Trey McBride, Cardinals vs. Buccaneers 24    Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Bengals 25    Chig Okonkwo, Titans vs. Texans 26    Ian Thomas, Panthers vs. Lions 27    Logan Thomas, Commanders @ 49ers 28    Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Broncos 29    Austin Hooper, Titans vs. Texans 30    Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Bills 31    Mike Gesicki, Dolphins vs. Packers 32    MyCole Pruitt, Falcons @ Ravens

Week 16 TE PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

We’re proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings every week. To see Draft Sharks’ Week 16 3D floor-to-ceiling projections for tight ends – plus get access to all of Draft Sharks’ industry-leading tools – become a Draft Sharks’ member today at the link below!

TRY DRAFT SHARKS FREE: Dominate with exclusive tools, including Free-Agent Finder & Trade Navigator!