Saturday Games: CAR@TB, SEA@SF
Welcome to the Weekly Value Meter Rankings. This is a guide to help you decide who to start and sit in a given week. It's is not a season-long ranking nor a draft guide, and it's also not really intended as a free agent guide. While I appreciate that you want my opinion on pickups, every league is different, and your decision on whether to add/drop a particular player might also be dictated by other factors than who is rated higher in a given week.
Here are my operating assumptions for the rankings:
- The RB/WR/TE position rankings are for PPR leagues.
- The Flex rankings are for Standard leagues.
- 1 point per 10 rushing/receiving yards.
- 1 point per 20 passing yards.
- 4 points per passing touchdowns.
These are the fantasy football rankings I use when I make my start/sit decisions. Please consult the rankings first before asking "Should I start Patrick Mahomes or Bryce Young?"
These are my particular rankings. If you want a second opinion elsewhere on the site, you can see our Weekly Projections.
Each week after Week 1, the first set of rankings will be posted late on Tuesday night. I will then do a set of updates before kickoff on Thursday, and again before kickoff on Sunday morning.
When setting your lineups, make sure to refer to the NFL inactives to ensure all of your players are set to receive snaps.
I welcome debate on the rankings
Saturday Games: CAR@TB, SEA@SF
Welcome to the Weekly Value Meter Rankings. This is a guide to help you decide who to start and sit in a given week. It's is not a season-long ranking nor a draft guide, and it's also not really intended as a free agent guide. While I appreciate that you want my opinion on pickups, every league is different, and your decision on whether to add/drop a particular player might also be dictated by other factors than who is rated higher in a given week.
Here are my operating assumptions for the rankings:
- The RB/WR/TE position rankings are for PPR leagues.
- The Flex rankings are for Standard leagues.
- 1 point per 10 rushing/receiving yards.
- 1 point per 20 passing yards.
- 4 points per passing touchdowns.
These are the fantasy football rankings I use when I make my start/sit decisions. Please consult the rankings first before asking "Should I start Patrick Mahomes or Bryce Young?"
These are my particular rankings. If you want a second opinion elsewhere on the site, you can see our Weekly Projections.
Each week after Week 1, the first set of rankings will be posted late on Tuesday night. I will then do a set of updates before kickoff on Thursday, and again before kickoff on Sunday morning.
When setting your lineups, make sure to refer to the NFL inactives to ensure all of your players are set to receive snaps.
I welcome debate on the rankings in the comments. Please keep it friendly.
Quarterbacks
| 1. | Drake Maye NE vs. MIA |
| 2. | *Josh Allen BUF vs. NYJ Note: Allen underwent x-rays on his foot following last week's loss, which were negative. There's a chance he rests this week. |
| 3. | *Matthew Stafford LA vs. ARI Note: Coach Sean McVay said on Monday night that he intends to play Stafford in the season finale. That could change if the Niners defeat the Seahawks on Saturday night, thus locking the Rams into the sixth seed. |
| 4. | *Joe Burrow CIN vs. CLE Note: Burrow will play the season finale against the Browns. He historically has poor numbers against them. |
| 5. | Trevor Lawrence JAC vs. TEN |
| 6. | Caleb Williams CHI vs. DET |
| 7. | *Brock Purdy SF vs. SEA Note: Purdy's mobility has added an extra dimension to the 49ers' offense. If they win on Saturday night, they clinch the first seed in the NFC. With a loss, they drop to either 5 or 6. |
| 8. | Sam Darnold SEA at SF |
| 9. | Bo Nix DEN vs. LAC |
| 10. | Jalen Hurts PHI vs. WAS |
| 11. | *Dak Prescott DAL at NYG Note: Prescott and the other Cowboys starters are expected to play against the Giants in the season finale. |
| 12. | *Jaxson Dart NYG vs. DAL Note: The Giants allowed Dart to play his game against the Raiders, and he responded with two rushing touchdowns on nine carries for 48 yards. |
| 13. | Tyler Shough NO at ATL |
| 14. | C.J. Stroud HOU vs. IND |
| 15. | Jared Goff DET at CHI |
| 16. | *Baker Mayfield TB vs. CAR Note: Mayfield was listed as limited on Tuesday with right knee and shoulder injuries. |
| 17. | Jacoby Brissett ARZ at LAR |
| 18. | Kirk Cousins ATL vs. NO |
| 19. | Bryce Young CAR at TB |
| 20. | *Aaron Rodgers PIT vs. BAL Note: Rodgers struggled against the Browns without DK Metcalf and to a lesser extent Calvin Austin. |
| 21. | Cam Ward TEN at JAX |
| 22. | *Malik Willis GB at MIN Note: Willis played so well in Jordan Love's absence that coach Matt LaFleur felt compelled to reassert Jordan Love's status as the starter. |
| 23. | *Tyler Huntley BAL at PIT Note: Teammate Lamar Jackson's status is still TBD, though the Ravens expect to have more information on Wednesday. |
| 24. | *Josh Johnson WAS at PHI Note: Johnson is likely to get another start against the Eagles this week. |
| 25. | Quinn Ewers MIA at NE |
| 26. | Shedeur Sanders CLE at CIN |
| 27. | Chris Oladokun KC at LV |
| 28. | *Trey Lance LAC at DEN Note: Lance will be thrown to the wolves against the Broncos, with the Chargers resting Justin Herbert and other starters. |
| 29. | *Kenny Pickett LV vs. KC Note: Pickett is likely to start the season finale as Geno Smith nurses an ankle injury. |
| 30. | Brady Cook NYJ at BUF |
| 31. | Max Brosmer MIN vs. GB |
| 32. | *Riley Leonard IND at HOU Note: Leonard is expected to get his first career start in the finale against the Texans now that the Colts have been eliminated. |
| 33. | *Lamar Jackson BAL at PIT Note: Jackson's status is still TBD, but the Ravens will have a better idea by Wednesday. |
| 34. | *Jordan Love GB at MIN Note: Love (concussion) will resume starting once healthy, but with the Packers locked into the 7-seed, they might rest their starters for all or some of this week's game. |
| 35. | *Clayton Tune at Note: Tune reverted back to the practice squad after Saturday's loss to the Ravens. Tune could go anywhere from staying on the practice squad in Week 18 to starting, depending upon the statuses of Jordan Love (concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder). The Packers are locked into the seventh seed. |
| 36. | Tyrod Taylor NYJ at BUF |
| 37. | Mitchell Trubisky BUF vs. NYJ |
| 38. | *J.J. McCarthy MIN vs. GB Note: The swelling in McCarthy's injured right hand is subsiding, but his status for this week hasn't been determined yet. |
| 39. | *Geno Smith LV vs. KC Note: Smith left last week's game with a 'significant' ankle sprain that is not a high-ankle sprain, but is likely to sideline him this week. |
| 40. | *Philip Rivers IND at HOU Note: Riley Leonard is expected to start ahead of Rivers for the Colts' season finale. |
| 41. | *Marcus Mariota WAS at PHI Note: Mariota (hand/quadriceps) is unlikely to play against the Eagles in the finale. |
| 42. | *Justin Herbert LAC at DEN Note: Herbert (rest) will sit out the season finale against the Broncos. |
Running Backs
| 1. | *Bijan Robinson ATL vs. NO Note: Is Bijan your No. 1 overall pick next season? |
| 2. | *Christian McCaffrey SF vs. SEA Note: McCaffrey sat out Tuesday's practice to rest his sore back. |
| 3. | De'Von Achane MIA at NE |
| 4. | Jahmyr Gibbs DET at CHI |
| 5. | Derrick Henry BAL at PIT |
| 6. | James Cook BUF vs. NYJ |
| 7. | Chase Brown CIN vs. CLE |
| 8. | Saquon Barkley PHI vs. WAS |
| 9. | Travis Etienne JAC vs. TEN |
| 10. | Jonathan Taylor IND at HOU |
| 11. | D'Andre Swift CHI vs. DET |
| 12. | Jaylen Warren PIT vs. BAL |
| 13. | Kyren Williams LA vs. ARI |
| 14. | Ashton Jeanty LV vs. KC |
| 15. | Malik Davis DAL at NYG |
| 16. | Bucky Irving TB vs. CAR |
| 17. | Woody Marks HOU vs. IND |
| 18. | Rhamondre Stevenson NE vs. MIA |
| 19. | Tyrone Tracy NYG vs. DAL |
| 20. | *Rico Dowdle CAR at TB Note: Dowdle sat out Tuesday's walk-through practice with a sore toe, and the Panthers have labeled him as day-to-day. |
| 21. | Tony Pollard TEN at JAX |
| 22. | Aaron Jones MIN vs. GB |
| 23. | *TreVeyon Henderson NE vs. MIA Note: Henderson out-carried Rhamondre Stevenson 19-to-8, but Stevenson got the rushing touchdown, five catches and another touchdown. |
| 24. | Zach Charbonnet SEA at SF |
| 25. | RJ Harvey DEN vs. LAC |
| 26. | Kenneth Walker SEA at SF |
| 27. | Kenneth Gainwell PIT vs. BAL |
| 28. | Kyle Monangai CHI vs. DET |
| 29. | *Audric Estime NO at ATL Note: Estime took on more of a lead back type of role against the Titans, as it appears Week 16 was a 'going-away present' type of game for Taysom Hill. |
| 30. | Jacory Croskey-Merritt WAS at PHI |
| 31. | Michael Carter ARZ at LAR |
| 32. | Omarion Hampton LAC at DEN |
| 33. | *Josh Jacobs GB at MIN Note: Jacobs (knee) had just four carries in the loss to the Ravens. With the Packers locked into the 7-seed, he might be similarly limited this week. |
| 34. | Dylan Sampson CLE at CIN |
| 35. | Emanuel Wilson GB at MIN |
| 36. | Chuba Hubbard CAR at TB |
| 37. | Devin Singletary NYG vs. DAL |
| 38. | David Montgomery DET at CHI |
| 39. | Isiah Pacheco KC at LV |
| 40. | Jawhar Jordan HOU vs. IND |
| 41. | Jeremy McNichols WAS at PHI |
| 42. | Samaje Perine CIN vs. CLE |
| 43. | Tyjae Spears TEN at JAX |
| 44. | Ty Johnson BUF vs. NYJ |
| 45. | Tyler Allgeier ATL vs. NO |
| 46. | Raheim Sanders CLE at CIN |
| 47. | Rachaad White TB vs. CAR |
| 48. | Sean Tucker TB vs. CAR |
| 49. | Nick Chubb HOU vs. IND |
| 50. | Kareem Hunt KC at LV |
| 51. | Jaylen Wright MIA at NE |
| 52. | Keaton Mitchell BAL at PIT |
| 53. | Brian Robinson SF vs. SEA |
| 54. | Ollie Gordon MIA at NE |
| 55. | Jaleel McLaughlin DEN vs. LAC |
| 56. | Emari Demercado ARZ at LAR |
| 57. | Ronnie Rivers LA vs. ARI |
| 58. | Evan Hull NO at ATL |
| 59. | LeQuint Allen JAC vs. TEN |
| 60. | Trayveon Williams CLE at CIN |
| 61. | *Breece Hall NYJ at BUF Note: Hall left the Jets' loss to the Pats with a knee injury that he later downplayed, but his status for this week against the Bills is uncertain. |
| 62. | *Blake Corum LA vs. ARI Note: Corum left Monday's game with an ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return. He was seen on the sidelines during the second half, however. |
| 63. | *Javonte Williams DAL at NYG Note: Williams left Thursday's win over the Commanders in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. |
| 64. | Chris Rodriguez WAS at PHI |
| 65. | Jordan Mason MIN vs. GB |
| 66. | Alvin Kamara NO at ATL |
| 67. | Kimani Vidal LAC at DEN |
| 68. | Bhayshul Tuten JAC vs. TEN |
| 69. | *Isaiah Davis NYJ at BUF Note: Davis left Sunday's loss to the Pats with a concussion. The Jets could be down to their fourth-string running back should Davis and Breece Hall (knee) sit out the finale. Kene Nwangwu and Khalil Herbert are next in line. |
Wide Receivers
| 1. | Puka Nacua LA vs. ARI |
| 2. | Jaxon Smith-Njigba SEA at SF |
| 3. | Chris Olave NO at ATL |
| 4. | CeeDee Lamb DAL at NYG |
| 5. | Nico Collins HOU vs. IND |
| 6. | Ja'Marr Chase CIN vs. CLE |
| 7. | A.J. Brown PHI vs. WAS |
| 8. | Courtland Sutton DEN vs. LAC |
| 9. | Jauan Jennings SF vs. SEA |
| 10. | Jakobi Meyers JAC vs. TEN |
| 11. | Mike Evans TB vs. CAR |
| 12. | *Amon-Ra St. Brown DET at CHI Note: St. Brown is dealing with the same knee irritation that landed him on the injury report last week. |
| 13. | George Pickens DAL at NYG |
| 14. | Michael Wilson ARZ at LAR |
| 15. | Tee Higgins CIN vs. CLE |
| 16. | Zay Flowers BAL at PIT |
| 17. | Jameson Williams DET at CHI |
| 18. | DeVonta Smith PHI vs. WAS |
| 19. | Khalil Shakir BUF vs. NYJ |
| 20. | *Tetairoa McMillan CAR at TB Note: McMillan popped up on the injury list over the weekend with an illness, and he appeared affected by it on the field. |
| 21. | *Stefon Diggs NE vs. MIA Note: Diggs is facing criminal charges and a Jan. 23 arraignment date. There has not yet been word from the league and/or the Pats on his availability for this week. |
| 22. | Drake London ATL vs. NO |
| 23. | *Jaylen Waddle MIA at NE Note: Waddle missed a good chunk of the game last week with a rib injury, returning in the third quarter but failing to register a catch. |
| 24. | Terry McLaurin WAS at PHI |
| 25. | Jayden Higgins HOU vs. IND |
| 26. | *Chris Godwin TB vs. CAR Note: Godwin went for 108 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Dolphins. |
| 27. | Christian Watson GB at MIN |
| 28. | *DJ Moore CHI vs. DET Note: Moore had just one catch on four targets while playing through an illness Sunday night, though he played 61 offensive snaps. |
| 29. | Parker Washington JAC vs. TEN |
| 30. | *Luther Burden CHI vs. DET Note: Burden suffered a minor quad injury on the final play Sunday night against the Niners. Before that, he had a breakout game on a national platform. |
| 31. | Ladd McConkey LAC at DEN |
| 32. | Wan'Dale Robinson NYG vs. DAL |
| 33. | Adonai Mitchell NYJ at BUF |
| 34. | Quentin Johnston LAC at DEN |
| 35. | *Ricky Pearsall SF vs. SEA Note: Pearsall (knee/ankle) was limited during Tuesday's practice. He caught five passes for 85 yards in the win over the Bears in his first game back. |
| 36. | Jayden Reed GB at MIN |
| 37. | Justin Jefferson MIN vs. GB |
| 38. | Troy Franklin DEN vs. LAC |
| 39. | Deebo Samuel WAS at PHI |
| 40. | Emeka Egbuka TB vs. CAR |
| 41. | Keenan Allen LAC at DEN |
| 42. | Romeo Doubs GB at MIN |
| 43. | Alec Pierce IND at HOU |
| 44. | Tre Tucker LV vs. KC |
| 45. | Jalen Coker CAR at TB |
| 46. | Brian Thomas JAC vs. TEN |
| 47. | Josh Downs IND at HOU |
| 48. | Chimere Dike TEN at JAX |
| 49. | *Michael Pittman IND at HOU Note: Pittman exited last week's loss with a calf injury but later returned. |
| 50. | Xavier Worthy KC at LV |
| 51. | Cooper Kupp SEA at SF |
| 52. | Kyle Williams NE vs. MIA |
| 53. | Jerry Jeudy CLE at CIN |
| 54. | John Metchie NYJ at BUF |
| 55. | Jordan Addison MIN vs. GB |
| 56. | Adam Thielen PIT vs. BAL |
| 57. | Isaac TeSlaa DET at CHI |
| 58. | Darnell Mooney ATL vs. NO |
| 59. | Elic Ayomanor TEN at JAX |
| 60. | Jalen McMillan TB vs. CAR |
| 61. | Marquez Valdes-Scantling PIT vs. BAL |
| 62. | Darius Slayton NYG vs. DAL |
| 63. | Jalen Nailor MIN vs. GB |
| 64. | Xavier Smith LA vs. ARI |
| 65. | Brandin Cooks BUF vs. NYJ |
| 66. | Matthew Golden GB at MIN |
| 67. | Marvin Mims DEN vs. LAC |
| 68. | Malik Washington MIA at NE |
| 69. | DeMario Douglas NE vs. MIA |
| 70. | Andrei Iosivas CIN vs. CLE |
| 71. | Xavier Legette CAR at TB |
| 72. | Konata Mumpfield LA vs. ARI |
| 73. | Rashod Bateman BAL at PIT |
| 74. | Tyler Lockett LV vs. KC |
| 75. | Christian Kirk HOU vs. IND |
| 76. | *Marvin Harrison ARZ at LAR Note: Harrison aggravated his heel injury in the loss to the Bengals and played only 19 snaps. |
| 77. | *Rashid Shaheed SEA at SF Note: Shaheed suffered a concussion in the win over Carolina and was limited on Tuesday. |
| 78. | Ryan Flournoy DAL at NYG |
| 79. | *Olamide Zaccheaus CHI vs. DET Note: Sat out Sunday night due to an illness. |
| 80. | Pat Bryant DEN vs. LAC |
| 81. | Rome Odunze CHI vs. DET |
| 82. | *Davante Adams LA vs. ARI Note: It's uncertain whether Adams (hamstring) will be available. |
| 83. | Kayshon Boutte NE vs. MIA |
| 84. | *Dontayvion Wicks GB at MIN Note: Wicks suffered a concussion in the loss to the Ravens. |
Tight Ends
| 1. | Trey McBride ARZ at LAR |
| 2. | Colston Loveland CHI vs. DET |
| 3. | Dallas Goedert PHI vs. WAS |
| 4. | Brenton Strange JAC vs. TEN |
| 5. | Jake Tonges SF vs. SEA |
| 6. | Kyle Pitts ATL vs. NO |
| 7. | Dalton Schultz HOU vs. IND |
| 8. | Chig Okonkwo TEN at JAX |
| 9. | Juwan Johnson NO at ATL |
| 10. | Travis Kelce KC at LV |
| 11. | Michael Mayer LV vs. KC |
| 12. | Oronde Gadsden LAC at DEN |
| 13. | AJ Barner SEA at SF |
| 14. | Colby Parkinson LA vs. ARI |
| 15. | Hunter Henry NE vs. MIA |
| 16. | Tyler Warren IND at HOU |
| 17. | Darren Waller MIA at NE |
| 18. | Pat Freiermuth PIT vs. BAL |
| 19. | Mark Andrews BAL at PIT |
| 20. | Jake Ferguson DAL at NYG |
| 21. | Mike Gesicki CIN vs. CLE |
| 22. | Josh Oliver MIN vs. GB |
| 23. | Evan Engram DEN vs. LAC |
| 24. | Gunnar Helm TEN at JAX |
| 25. | Cole Kmet CHI vs. DET |
| 26. | Dawson Knox BUF vs. NYJ |
| 27. | Isaiah Likely BAL at PIT |
| 28. | Terrance Ferguson LA vs. ARI |
| 29. | Taysom Hill NO at ATL |
| 30. | Jonnu Smith PIT vs. BAL |
| 31. | Luke Musgrave GB at MIN |
| 32. | Cade Otton TB vs. CAR |
| 33. | *George Kittle SF vs. SEA Note: Kittle (ankle) was limited Tuesday after being a DNP all last week. |
| 34. | *Harold Fannin CLE at CIN Note: Fannin suffered a groin injury and will receive an MRI this week. |
| 35. | *Mason Taylor NYJ at BUF |
| 36. | *David Njoku CLE at CIN |
| 37. | *Dalton Kincaid BUF vs. NYJ Note: Kincaid (knee) was inactive for the loss to the Eagles. |
| 38. | *T.J. Hockenson MIN vs. GB |
| 39. | *Theo Johnson NYG vs. DAL |
| 40. | *Darnell Washington PIT vs. BAL Note: Washington suffered a broken forearm and is out for the season. |
| 41. | *Ja'Tavion Sanders CAR at TB Note: Sanders suffered a broken ankle and has been scheduled for surgery. |
Flex (RB/WR/TE)
| 1. | *Bijan Robinson ATL vs. NO Note: Is Bijan your No. 1 overall pick next season? |
Kickers
| 1. | Brandon Aubrey DAL at NYG |
| 2. | Jason Myers SEA at SF |
| 3. | Chris Boswell PIT vs. BAL |
| 4. | Cameron Dicker LAC at DEN |
| 5. | Ka'imi Fairbairn HOU vs. IND |
| 6. | Cam Little JAC vs. TEN |
| 7. | Eddy Pineiro SF vs. SEA |
| 8. | Andy Borregales NE vs. MIA |
| 9. | Charlie Smyth NO at ATL |
| 10. | Wil Lutz DEN vs. LAC |
| 11. | Evan McPherson CIN vs. CLE |
| 12. | Chase McLaughlin TB vs. CAR |
| 13. | Jake Bates DET at CHI |
| 14. | Nick Folk NYJ at BUF |
| 15. | Riley Patterson MIA at NE |
| 16. | Joey Slye TEN at JAX |
| 17. | Harrison Mevis LA vs. ARI |
| 18. | Will Reichard MIN vs. GB |
| 19. | Jake Elliott PHI vs. WAS |
| 20. | Ryan Fitzgerald CAR at TB |
| 21. | Jake Moody WAS at PHI |
| 22. | Cairo Santos CHI vs. DET |
| 23. | Harrison Butker KC at LV |
| 24. | Brandon McManus GB at MIN |
| 25. | Zane Gonzalez ATL vs. NO |
| 26. | Blake Grupe IND at HOU |
| 27. | *Chad Ryland ARZ at LAR |
| 28. | Tyler Loop BAL at PIT |
| 29. | Andre Szmyt CLE at CIN |
| 30. | Daniel Carlson LV vs. KC |
| 31. | Ben Sauls NYG vs. DAL |
| 32. | *Joshua Karty ARZ at LAR |
| 33. | *Matt Prater BUF vs. NYJ |
| 34. | *Michael Badgley at Note: Badgley got cut by a team for the second time this season for failing on an extra point attempt, this time getting one blocked. |
Defenses
| 1. | *Denver Broncos vs. LAC Note: Already awesome, gets to face Trey Lance. |
| 2. | *Houston Texans vs. IND Note: Already awesome, gets to face Riley Leonard. |
| 3. | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TEN |
| 4. | *Minnesota Vikings vs. GB Note: Could face Clayton Tune. |
| 5. | New England Patriots vs. MIA |
| 6. | Buffalo Bills vs. NYJ |
| 7. | Philadelphia Eagles vs. WAS |
| 8. | Los Angeles Rams vs. ARI |
| 9. | Kansas City Chiefs at LV |
| 10. | Baltimore Ravens at PIT |
| 11. | Cincinnati Bengals vs. CLE |
| 12. | Carolina Panthers at TB |
| 13. | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL |
| 14. | Los Angeles Chargers at DEN |
| 15. | Seattle Seahawks at SF |
| 16. | Green Bay Packers at MIN |
| 17. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. CAR |
| 18. | Dallas Cowboys at NYG |
| 19. | Chicago Bears vs. DET |
| 20. | New Orleans Saints at ATL |
| 21. | Las Vegas Raiders vs. KC |
| 22. | Atlanta Falcons vs. NO |
| 23. | Detroit Lions at CHI |
| 24. | Cleveland Browns at CIN |
| 25. | Tennessee Titans at JAX |
| 26. | San Francisco 49ers vs. SEA |
| 27. | Miami Dolphins at NE |
| 28. | New York Giants vs. DAL |
| 29. | Indianapolis Colts at HOU |
| 30. | New York Jets at BUF |
| 31. | Washington Commanders at PHI |
| 32. | Arizona Cardinals at LAR |
