The tight end position has been an absolute rollercoaster this year, but somehow, we're hitting a high point in the second round of the fantasy football playoffs. Our Week 16 fantasy TE PPR rankings are arguably as deep as they've been all season, so there's no shortage of studs and sleepers for your must-win matchup.
A bunch of ailing TEs got back on the field last week, and we managed to make it through the weekend without any new big injuries. Don't question it, just enjoy it, especially if you're still fighting for your league title.
Without further ado, let's break down our Week 16 TE rankings.
Who are the best fantasy TEs in Week 16?
As was the case last week, T.J. Hockenson (vs. Lions in Week 16) tops our rankings. He's followed by Trey McBride (@ Bears), Travis Kelce (vs. Raiders), David Njoku (@ Texans), and Sam LaPorta (@ Vikings). You can't go wrong with any of them, but Hockenson, McBride, and Njoku all have top-seven TE matchups, so they have even higher ceilings than usual this week.
WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
Evan Engram (@ Buccaneers), Jake Ferguson (@ Dolphins), Darren Waller (@ Eagles), Pat Freiermuth (vs. Bengals), and Dalton Kincaid (@ Chargers) finish out our top 10. Freiermuth and Waller aren't usually "must-starts," but both have above-average matchups and should see plenty of targets. We also expect Kincaid to get back on track in better conditions in a favorable matchup.
WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy TE sleepers, pickups, & streamers in Week 16?
We already mentioned how Freiermuth (vs. Bengals) and Waller (@ Eagles) are better plays than usual this week, with Freiermuth looking to replicate his nine-catch, 120-yard outing against Cincinnati in Week 12.
Similarly, Kyle Pitts (vs. Colts) is in play this week, as the Colts entered Week 15 allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends. We know the floor is low, but Pitts' ceiling is always high. The same is true for Taysom Hill (@ Rams), at least in PPR leagues. The Rams struggle mightily against TEs, so Hill has a little more upside than usual when he runs routes this week. We already know what he can do as a runner and goal-line weapon -- assuming the Saints actually use him this week, that is.
If you need to go deeper, Hunter Henry (@ Broncos), assuming he's healthy, and Cade Otton (vs. Jaguars) are the top streamers against Denver's and Jacksonville's bottom-five TE defense, but Logan Thomas (vs. Jets) and Tyler Higbee (vs. Saints) aren't too far behind in favorable matchups of their own. In really deep leagues, you could try Jonnu Smith (vs. Colts) or Juwan Johnson (@ Rams). Both have rock-bottom floors, so it will be tough to trust them in a win-or-go-home scenario.
WEEK 16 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit
Who are the biggest potential fantasy TE busts in Week 16?
George Kittle (vs. Ravens) has seemingly regained "must-start" status, but a tough matchup against Baltimore's top-eight TE defense awaits. His floor and ceiling are lower than usual. Ditto for Dallas Goedert (vs. Giants) in a statistically tougher matchup. His ceiling hasn't even been that high this year, so you can likely do better. The same goes for Dalton Schultz (vs. Browns), though Cleveland has allowed four tight end touchdowns over the past four games.
Isaiah Likely's late-season surge could be halted against San Francisco's top-five TE defense, making him tough to trust with seasons on the line. Trey McBride came through in a big way in the same matchup last week, but Baltimore has more offensive firepower than Arizona. We'd also have a tough time trusting deep-league plays like Tyler Conklin (vs. Commanders), Cole Kmet (vs. Cardinals), and Gerald Everet (vs. Bills), who are borderline "must-sits."
WEEK 16 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
What are the biggest TE injuries in Week 16?
Other than Luke Musgrave (kidney), who's eligible (but unlikely) to come off the IR this week, and Hunter Henry (thigh/knee), the TE position is as healthy as you could hope for this time of year.
We'll be updating these TE PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.
Fantasy TE PPR Rankings Week 16: Who to start, sit at tight end
Rankings based on full-point PPR formats
Rank Player
1 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Lions
2 Trey McBride, Cardinals @ Bears
3 Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Raiders
4 David Njoku, Browns @ Texans
5 Sam LaPorta, Lions @ Vikings
6 Evan Engram, Jaguars @ Buccaneers
7 Jake Ferguson, Cowboys @ Dolphins
8 Darren Waller, Giants @ Eagles
9 Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs. Bengals
10 Dalton Kincaid, Bills @ Chargers
11 George Kittle, 49ers vs. Ravens
12 Taysom Hill, Saints @ Rams
13 Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Colts
14 Isaiah Likely, Ravens @ 49ers
15 Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Giants
16 Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Jaguars
17 Mike Gesicki, Patriots @ Broncos
18 Pharaoh Brown, Patriots @ Broncos
19 Logan Thomas, Commanders @ Jets
20 Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Saints
21 Dalton Schultz, Texans vs. Browns
22 Tucker Kraft, Packers @ Panthers
23 Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Commanders
24 Juwan Johnson, Saints @ Rams
25 Jonnu Smith, Falcons vs. Colts
26 Gerald Everett, Chargers vs. Bills
27 Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Cardinals
28 Tanner Hudson, Bengals @ Steelers
29 Dawson Knox, Bills @ Chargers
30 Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans vs. Seahawks
31 Austin Hooper, Raiders @ Chiefs
32 Noah Fant, Seahawks @ Titans
33 Tommy Tremble, Panthers vs. Packers
34 Adam Trautman, Broncos vs. Patriots
