There's never a good time for a situation like the one we have with the Vikings running backs. But Week 16 may just be the worst time. Here's what we know:
Mike Zimmer told us on Monday that Dalvin Cook could play through the injury. Cook's backup, Alexander Mattison, missed Week 15 with an ankle injury and his status for Week 16 remains unclear. Mike Boone would lead the backfield if both Cook and Mattison are unable to go. That's the way we're ranking it as of Tuesday, and that makes Boone a borderline top-20 back in non-PPR and a PPR flex. He does not have one target this season, so you shouldn't expect anything out of him in the passing game.
Of course, the bigger problem is that this game is a Monday night affair. It doesn't help anything that we have three games on Saturday. Hopefully we get more information as the week goes on, and we'll keep you updated if we do. For now, plan on being without Cook and make sure both Boone and Mattison are rostered. Both could be a league-winner this week. As of Tuesday morning, I would prioritize Boone.
Week 16 RB Preview
Who's Out
The following players are not being projected to play Week 16 at this time. Here's what it means:
If Cook and Mattison are both out, you're starting Mike Boone.
|
Numbers to know
- 4.6 - Yards per carry for Mattison this season. He's cals caught 10 of 12 targets. If Mattison is active and Cook is out, the rookie is a top-12 option.
- 23 - Touches for Kenyan Drake in Week 15. I don't believe we have to worry about a committee.
- 10.2 - Alvin Kamara has not topped 10.2 non-PPR Fantasy points in the past month.
- 13 - Targets for Boston Scott. He's in play as a PPR flex as long as Howard is out.
Matchups that matter
Waiver Wire Targets
Boone is only at the top because he currently seems like the most likely to start. This list is fluid.
| |
Johnson is angling to play in Week 16. There's no chance the Lions bring hm back unless he's 100%, so if he's active, I'd view him as No. 2 running back.
| |
Mattison has the highest upside on this list, but he needs a lot to change between now and Monday night.
| |
Scott is a good fallback plan in PPR.
|
DFS Plays
It feels like we're due one more regression special from Fournette before the season ends. He's on pace for nearly 1,800 yards and somehow only has three touchdowns.
| ||||
It's a great matchup for Laird, who is still dirt cheap.
| ||||
Heath's Projections
Non-PPR Rank | PPR Rank | RB | FPTs | PPR FPTs |
1 | 1 | 21.71 | 28.74 | |
5 | 2 | 16.90 | 23.55 | |
3 | 3 | 17.87 | 21.83 | |
2 | 4 | 18.78 | 21.26 | |
4 | 5 | 17.42 | 20.44 | |
12 | 6 | 14.31 | 19.41 | |
7 | 7 | 15.25 | 18.96 | |
11 | 8 | 14.46 | 18.41 | |
23 | 9 | Alvin Kamara | 12.48 | 17.96 |
10 | 10 | 14.47 | 17.84 | |
8 | 11 | 15.20 | 17.58 | |
6 | 12 | 16.10 | 17.17 | |
15 | 13 | Kenyan Drake | 13.50 | 16.77 |
13 | 14 | 14.09 | 16.66 | |
20 | 15 | 12.74 | 15.96 | |
18 | 16 | 13.01 | 15.85 | |
22 | 17 | 12.63 | 15.76 | |
25 | 18 | 12.39 | 15.34 | |
16 | 19 | 13.32 | 15.01 | |
9 | 20 | 14.80 | 15.00 | |
14 | 21 | 13.81 | 14.66 | |
26 | 22 | 11.60 | 14.61 | |
21 | 23 | 12.69 | 14.60 | |
31 | 24 | 8.91 | 14.40 | |
17 | 25 | 13.14 | 14.15 | |
24 | 26 | 12.40 | 14.03 | |
30 | 27 | 8.94 | 13.56 | |
28 | 28 | 10.31 | 13.01 | |
19 | 29 | Mike Boone | 12.99 | 12.99 |
29 | 30 | 9.03 | 11.85 | |
38 | 31 | 7.07 | 11.26 | |
27 | 32 | 10.70 | 11.10 | |
34 | 33 | 8.09 | 11.03 | |
36 | 34 | Boston Scott | 7.91 | 10.97 |
32 | 35 | 8.81 | 10.16 | |
35 | 36 | 8.08 | 10.15 |
So who should you sit and start this week? And which surprising quarterback could lead you to victory? Visit SportsLine now to get Week 16 rankings for every position, plus see which QB is going to come out of nowhere to crack the top 10, all from the model that out-performed experts big time last season.
