2024 Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings: TE, K, DEF

Hunter Heinrich wondering if this will finally be spike week, TJ Hockenson fights with his receiver teammates for goals and Brenton Strange prepares to continue his 11-catch outing.

Other positions: quarterback | Run back | Recipient

Updated 12/20/2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Cade Otton moved down. The questionable Nick Folk was moved down.

Week 16 tight ends

TE notes: Things were far from ideal Brock Bowers However, that appears to be changing recently, with Aidan O’Connell (knee) set to return in Week 16. It’s never really good news when, um, the good news is that Aidan O’Connell will be playing, but everything is better news than Desmond Ridder. …As expected, Jonnu SmithThe zero goals in regulation in Week 14 were an anomaly. He immediately returned to make eleven appearances against the Texans. One can doubt the wisdom of this approach, but there’s no reason to believe it will change against the 49ers, who admittedly do a good job of policing. … There has never been a better time to chase points Sam LaPortawho started playing his best football when the rest of the Lions ended up in the infirmary. That includes a two-point day against the Bears on Thanksgiving, who scored the fourth-most TE fantasy points in the past month. LaPorta finally has volume to match his touchdown chances.

A fight Travis Kelce will at least have Patrick Mahomes there against the Texans. Kelce looks like he might be even worse for wear than Pat…Although it’s a Warrior target magnet, David Njoku remains uncertain whether he will overcome his thigh problems. When Njoku returns, the problem, aside from possible hamstring aggravation, is quarterback aggravation. Passer Jameis Winston was dropped in favor of sacrificial lamb Dorian Thompson-Robinson. That makes Njoku a shaky option for the fantasy semifinals, but one that still comes out on top. … Sophomore second-rounder Brenton Strange He’s found it surprisingly easy to make a splash every time Evan Engram is out this season. He’s not someone you’re looking for Violence in the lineups, but he performs and is someone the Jags will undoubtedly want to take a closer look at heading into 2025. Engram’s contract could cause him to leave. …A classic “touchdown or bust” tight end option, Tucker Kraft at least has an amazing semi-final duel with the Saints.

Hunter Heinrich always somehow finds a way to square the circle of being launchable, but someone you never want to launch. The case in Week 16 is that the Patriots literally have no choice but to face the Bills, and no one else on the Pats is capable of pulling off an impressive look. … Pat Freiermuth has a great match, but that didn’t play a big role this season. With George Pickens (hamstring injury) trending towards other inactive or decoy status, Freiermuth will likely be the closest thing Pittsburgh has to a No. 1 target. … Dalton KincaidThe targets are trending upward, just in time for the Bills to not actually have to compete against the Patriots. Still, they have the highest implied team number of the week and Kincaid is playing his best football. … Kyle PittsSomehow he has 10 targets in the last two weeks. That’s something to hold onto as the Falcons throw their Michael Penix Hail Mary. …Mason Rudolph really seems to enjoy aiming Chig Okonkwo. The seamer has quietly racked up three receptions in three consecutive starts. … Stone Smartt is more than 50 yards on consecutive games. However, in this goal-hungry offense, it’s easy to see the path to three Hayden Hurst comes from IR on Thursday evening.

Week 16 Kickers

Week 16 Defense/Special Teams