This article is part of our Weekly Rankings series.
Sunday Update complete
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 for the playoffs (please check out Chris Liss's Playoff Rankings for that).
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 rankings I use when I make my start/sit decisions. Please consult the rankings first before asking "Player X vs. Player Y?" without any other mitigating factors. Of course, I welcome debate - if you think I'm wrong, let me know. But please check out the rankings first before asking your start/sit question. This truly reflects my opinion in my leagues.
These are my particular rankings. If you want a second opinion elsewhere on the site, you can see our Weekly Projections.
I will then do a set of updates before kickoff on Saturday, and again before kickoff on Sunday morning. I will post at the top of the article in bold font when ranking updates are in progress and when they're complete.
I welcome debate on the rankings in the comments. Please keep it friendly.
Quarterbacks
| 1. | Tom Brady TB vs. PHI |
| 2. | *Joe Burrow CIN vs. LV Note: Burrow (knee) fully |
Sunday Update complete
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 for the playoffs (please check out Chris Liss's Playoff Rankings for that).
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 rankings I use when I make my start/sit decisions. Please consult the rankings first before asking "Player X vs. Player Y?" without any other mitigating factors. Of course, I welcome debate - if you think I'm wrong, let me know. But please check out the rankings first before asking your start/sit question. This truly reflects my opinion in my leagues.
These are my particular rankings. If you want a second opinion elsewhere on the site, you can see our Weekly Projections.
I will then do a set of updates before kickoff on Saturday, and again before kickoff on Sunday morning. I will post at the top of the article in bold font when ranking updates are in progress and when they're complete.
I welcome debate on the rankings in the comments. Please keep it friendly.
Quarterbacks
| 1. | Tom Brady TB vs. PHI |
| 2. | *Joe Burrow CIN vs. LV Note: Burrow (knee) fully practiced Tuesday after sitting out in Week 18. He's good to go for Saturday's Wild Card Round game. |
| 3. | Dak Prescott DAL vs. SF |
| 4. | Patrick Mahomes KC vs. PIT |
| 5. | Josh Allen BUF vs. NE |
| 6. | Kyler Murray ARZ at LAR |
| 7. | *Matthew Stafford LA vs. ARI Note: Stafford injured his toe in the loss to the Niners in Week 18. Stafford is good to go for Monday night, but he's playing with a sore back, sore elbow and sore toe. |
| 8. | *Jalen Hurts PHI at TB Note: Hurts was a full participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice. Slight downgrade due to the weather in Tampa. |
| 9. | *Jimmy Garoppolo SF at DAL Note: Garoppolo (thumb) was limited in Wednesday's practice, which is according to plan. He's slated to have a full practice Thursday, and then another limited practice Friday. ***Teammate Trent Williams (elbow) had a full practice Friday and has been cleared to play, which is huge for Garoppolo and the rest of the Niners' offense.*** |
| 10. | Derek Carr LV at CIN |
| 11. | *Ben Roethlisberger PIT at KC Note: Roethlisberger (shoulder/pectoral) put in a full practice Thursday. |
| 12. | Mac Jones NE at BUF |
| 13. | Trey Lance SF at DAL |
| 14. | Ryan Tannehill TEN at |
| 15. | Aaron Rodgers GB at |
Running Backs
| 1. | Joe Mixon CIN vs. LV |
| 2. | *Damien Harris NE at BUF Note: Harris (hamstring) once again is listed as questionable after practicing in a limited fashion all week. He's done the same the last couple of weeks. |
| 3. | *Josh Jacobs LV at CIN Note: Jacobs (ribs) was cleared from the injury list for Saturday's game after being limited in practice this week. |
| 4. | Devin Singletary BUF vs. NE |
| 5. | Sony Michel LA vs. ARI |
| 6. | *Najee Harris PIT at KC Note: Harris (elbow) didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he's scheduled to return to practice Friday. Harris was cleared from the injury list after a full practice Friday. |
| 7. | *Elijah Mitchell SF at DAL Note: Mitchell (knee) was held out of practice on Wednesday to limit his reps to begin the week, and was bumped up to a limited practice Thursday. Full practice on Friday, was cleared from the injury list. |
| 8. | Ezekiel Elliott DAL vs. SF |
| 9. | *Darrel Williams KC vs. PIT Note: Williams (toe) has been limited at practice both Wednesday and Thursday. Williams was limited all week and is listed as questionable, but the indications are positive that he can play. |
| 10. | *Chase Edmonds ARZ at LAR Note: Edmonds (ribs/toe) put in a limited practice Thursday, the Cardinals' first practice of the week. Teammate James Conner did not practice. Edmonds has been cleared from the injury list. |
| 11. | *Tony Pollard DAL vs. SF Note: Pollard (foot) put in a full practice Wednesday after sitting out Week 18. |
| 12. | Boston Scott PHI at TB |
| 13. | *James Conner ARZ at LAR Note: Conner (ribs) was held out of practice entirely on Thursday. Conner sat out Friday, but was present for the start of practice on Saturday. I anticipate that he'll play, but hopefully we'll have more info soon. ***Conner was listed as limited, and is officially listed as questionable.*** |
| 14. | *Ke'Shawn Vaughn TB vs. PHI Note: Vaughn and Bell will lead the way this week with Fournette still on the IR, but they also will have Gio Bernard to share reps with this week. |
| 15. | *Rhamondre Stevenson NE at BUF Note: Stevenson (head) isn't on the Patriots' injury report for this week despite being limited to nine snaps last week. |
| 16. | *Le'Veon Bell TB vs. PHI Note: Fournette is *not* coming back this week. |
| 17. | *Miles Sanders PHI at TB Note: Sanders (hand) has put in limited practices Wednesday and Thursday to begin the week. Sanders has been cleared to play - but how much? |
| 18. | Brandon Bolden NE at BUF |
| 19. | Cam Akers LA vs. ARI |
| 20. | Jordan Howard PHI at TB |
| 21. | Jerick McKinnon KC vs. PIT |
| 22. | *Jeff Wilson SF at DAL Note: Teammate Elijah Mitchell was fully cleared from the injury list, so I'm moving Wilson down. |
| 23. | Eno Benjamin ARZ at LAR |
| 24. | Derrick Gore KC vs. PIT |
| 25. | *Samaje Perine CIN vs. LV Note: The Bengals threw everyone for a loop by not giving Perine any snaps in Week 18 despite Joe Mixon sitting out. I missed out on that - my guess is that they just were preserving him in case Mixon was slow to return from the COVID-IR. |
| 26. | Zack Moss BUF vs. NE |
| 27. | *Giovani Bernard TB vs. PHI Note: Bernard (hip) was designated to return from IR, along with teammate Leonard Fournette. Bernard was activated from the IR in time for Sunday's game. |
| 28. | Jalen Richard LV at CIN |
| 29. | Matt Breida BUF vs. NE |
| 30. | JaMycal Hasty SF at DAL |
| 31. | *Kenneth Gainwell PHI at TB Note: Downgraded with Miles Sanders returning. |
| 32. | *Ronald Jones TB vs. PHI Note: Jones (ankle) didn't practice Thursday and hasn't yet since injuring himself in Week 17. |
| 33. | *Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC vs. PIT Note: Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) put in a limited practice Wednesday, but then didn't practice at all on Thursday. Edwards-Helaire has been ruled out. |
| 34. | *Jonathan Ward ARZ at LAR Note: Ward (knee) did not practice Thursday. |
| 35. | *Leonard Fournette TB vs. PHI Note: Fournette (hamstring) was designated to return from the IR on Wednesday. There's a chance he can return in time for Sunday's game. Did not get activated in time for this week. |
| 36. | Aaron Jones GB at |
| 37. | AJ Dillon GB at |
| 38. | D'Onta Foreman TEN at |
| 39. | Dontrell Hilliard TEN at |
| 40. | Derrick Henry TEN at |
Wide Receivers
| 1. | Cooper Kupp LA vs. ARI |
| 2. | Deebo Samuel SF at DAL |
| 3. | *Mike Evans TB vs. PHI Note: Evans (hamstring) played well last week despite being limited for most of the practice week. This week he was limited Wednesday, but fully practiced Thursday. |
| 4. | Ja'Marr Chase CIN vs. LV |
| 5. | Amari Cooper DAL vs. SF |
| 6. | Stefon Diggs BUF vs. NE |
| 7. | *Tyreek Hill KC vs. PIT Note: Hill (heel) practiced fully Wednesday but was limited Thursday. Hill had a full practice Friday and was cleared from the injury list. |
| 8. | CeeDee Lamb DAL vs. SF |
| 9. | Diontae Johnson PIT at KC |
| 10. | *Tee Higgins CIN vs. LV Note: Higgins (foot) missed the Week 18 game against the Browns and was limited in practice this week, but also was cleared from the injury list on Thursday. |
| 11. | DeVonta Smith PHI at TB |
| 12. | Gabriel Davis BUF vs. NE |
| 13. | Hunter Renfrow LV at CIN |
| 14. | Odell Beckham LA vs. ARI |
| 15. | Chase Claypool PIT at KC |
| 16. | Brandon Aiyuk SF at DAL |
| 17. | Cedrick Wilson DAL vs. SF |
| 18. | Christian Kirk ARZ at LAR |
| 19. | Byron Pringle KC vs. PIT |
| 20. | *Tyler Boyd CIN vs. LV Note: Boyd is not on the injury list for this week's game - he was active last week though didn't play as the Bengals rested their regulars. |
| 21. | Jauan Jennings SF at DAL |
| 22. | Ray-Ray McCloud PIT at KC |
| 23. | Mecole Hardman KC vs. PIT |
| 24. | Kendrick Bourne NE at BUF |
| 25. | *JuJu Smith-Schuster PIT at KC Note: Smith-Schuster (shoulder) practiced Thursday, but this is the start of his 21-day practice window. There's a chance still that he plays Sunday night, but it's by no means a certainty. Smith-Schuster was activated from the IR on Saturday, and presumably he'll play Sunday night. |
| 26. | *Van Jefferson LA vs. ARI Note: Jefferson was limited by a shoulder injury Friday and Saturday and is listed as questionable. |
| 27. | Zay Jones LV at CIN |
| 28. | A.J. Green ARZ at LAR |
| 29. | Nelson Agholor NE at BUF |
| 30. | Cole Beasley BUF vs. NE |
| 31. | *Breshad Perriman TB vs. PHI Note: Perriman (hip) practiced fully on Friday and is good to go for Sunday. |
| 32. | Bryan Edwards LV at CIN |
| 33. | *Jakobi Meyers NE at BUF Note: Meyers (thigh) was limited all week and is listed as questionable - one of 13 Pats listed as questionable this week. |
| 34. | *Emmanuel Sanders BUF vs. NE Note: Sanders (knee) was a full participant at Tuesday's practice and is expected to return after missing the last two games. |
| 35. | Demarcus Robinson KC vs. PIT |
| 36. | Tyler Johnson TB vs. PHI |
| 37. | Quez Watkins PHI at TB |
| 38. | Scotty Miller TB vs. PHI |
| 39. | Isaiah McKenzie BUF vs. NE |
| 40. | Jalen Reagor PHI at TB |
| 41. | DeSean Jackson LV at CIN |
| 42. | *Rondale Moore ARZ at LAR Note: Moore has been limited at practice the last two weeks with an ankle injury and didn't play last week. Limited all week, listed as questionable. |
| 43. | *Cyril Grayson TB vs. PHI Note: Grayson (hamstring) got hurt early in the Week 18 win and hasn't practiced yet this week. Grayson has officially been ruled out. |
| 44. | Davante Adams GB at |
| 45. | Allen Lazard GB at |
| 46. | Marquez Valdes-Scantling GB at |
| 47. | A.J. Brown TEN at |
| 48. | Julio Jones TEN at |
| 49. | Nick Westbrook-Ikhine TEN at |
Tight Ends
| 1. | Travis Kelce KC vs. PIT |
| 2. | *Zach Ertz ARZ at LAR Note: Ertz has averaged nearly 11 targets per game over the last four weeks. |
| 3. | *Dallas Goedert PHI at TB Note: Goedert was activated from the COVID-IR after missing Week 18. |
| 4. | *Darren Waller LV at CIN Note: Waller (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but was cleared from the injury list for Saturday's game against the Bengals. |
| 5. | George Kittle SF at DAL |
| 6. | Rob Gronkowski TB vs. PHI |
| 7. | *Pat Freiermuth PIT at KC Note: The Chiefs are the second-worst team in the league defending against TE's, at least from a fantasy perspective. |
| 8. | Dalton Schultz DAL vs. SF |
| 9. | Tyler Higbee LA vs. ARI |
| 10. | Dawson Knox BUF vs. NE |
| 11. | *C.J. Uzomah CIN vs. LV Note: Uzomah (knee/hip) sat out Week 18 but is clear to go for Saturday. |
| 12. | Foster Moreau LV at CIN |
| 13. | Hunter Henry NE at BUF |
| 14. | Jonnu Smith NE at BUF |
| 15. | Cameron Brate TB vs. PHI |
| 16. | Demetrius Harris ARZ at LAR |
| 17. | Anthony Firkser TEN at |
| 18. | Geoff Swaim TEN at |
| 19. | Josiah Deguara GB at |
Flex (RB/WR/TE)
| 1. | Cooper Kupp LA vs. ARI |
| 2. | Deebo Samuel SF at DAL |
| 3. | Joe Mixon CIN vs. LV |
| 4. | *Mike Evans TB vs. PHI Note: Evans (hamstring) played well last week despite being limited for most of the practice week. This week he was limited Wednesday, but fully practiced Thursday. |
| 5. | Ja'Marr Chase CIN vs. LV |
| 6. | Travis Kelce KC vs. PIT |
| 7. | Amari Cooper DAL vs. SF |
| 8. | Stefon Diggs BUF vs. NE |
| 9. | *Tyreek Hill KC vs. PIT Note: Hill (heel) practiced fully Wednesday but was limited Thursday. Hill had a full practice Friday and was cleared from the injury list. |
| 10. | CeeDee Lamb DAL vs. SF |
| 11. | *Damien Harris NE at BUF Note: Harris (hamstring) once again is listed as questionable after practicing in a limited fashion all week. He's done the same the last couple of weeks. |
| 12. | Diontae Johnson PIT at KC |
| 13. | *Tee Higgins CIN vs. LV Note: Higgins (foot) missed the Week 18 game against the Browns and was limited in practice this week, but also was cleared from the injury list on Thursday. |
| 14. | *Josh Jacobs LV at CIN Note: Jacobs (ribs) was cleared from the injury list for Saturday's game after being limited in practice this week. |
| 15. | Devin Singletary BUF vs. NE |
| 16. | Sony Michel LA vs. ARI |
| 17. | *Zach Ertz ARZ at LAR Note: Ertz has averaged nearly 11 targets per game over the last four weeks. |
| 18. | *Dallas Goedert PHI at TB Note: Goedert was activated from the COVID-IR after missing Week 18. |
| 19. | DeVonta Smith PHI at TB |
| 20. | *Darren Waller LV at CIN Note: Waller (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but was cleared from the injury list for Saturday's game against the Bengals. |
| 21. | George Kittle SF at DAL |
| 22. | Rob Gronkowski TB vs. PHI |
| 23. | *Najee Harris PIT at KC Note: Harris (elbow) didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he's scheduled to return to practice Friday. Harris was cleared from the injury list after a full practice Friday. |
| 24. | *Elijah Mitchell SF at DAL Note: Mitchell (knee) was held out of practice on Wednesday to limit his reps to begin the week, and was bumped up to a limited practice Thursday. Full practice on Friday, was cleared from the injury list. |
| 25. | Ezekiel Elliott DAL vs. SF |
| 26. | Gabriel Davis BUF vs. NE |
| 27. | Hunter Renfrow LV at CIN |
| 28. | Odell Beckham LA vs. ARI |
| 29. | Chase Claypool PIT at KC |
| 30. | Brandon Aiyuk SF at DAL |
| 31. | Cedrick Wilson DAL vs. SF |
| 32. | Christian Kirk ARZ at LAR |
| 33. | *Darrel Williams KC vs. PIT Note: Williams (toe) has been limited at practice both Wednesday and Thursday. Williams was limited all week and is listed as questionable, but the indications are positive that he can play. |
| 34. | *Chase Edmonds ARZ at LAR Note: Edmonds (ribs/toe) put in a limited practice Thursday, the Cardinals' first practice of the week. Teammate James Conner did not practice. Edmonds has been cleared from the injury list. |
| 35. | *Tony Pollard DAL vs. SF Note: Pollard (foot) put in a full practice Wednesday after sitting out Week 18. |
| 36. | *Pat Freiermuth PIT at KC Note: The Chiefs are the second-worst team in the league defending against TE's, at least from a fantasy perspective. |
| 37. | Dalton Schultz DAL vs. SF |
| 38. | Tyler Higbee LA vs. ARI |
| 39. | Byron Pringle KC vs. PIT |
| 40. | *Tyler Boyd CIN vs. LV Note: Boyd is not on the injury list for this week's game - he was active last week though didn't play as the Bengals rested their regulars. |
| 41. | Jauan Jennings SF at DAL |
| 42. | Ray-Ray McCloud PIT at KC |
| 43. | Mecole Hardman KC vs. PIT |
| 44. | *Jeff Wilson SF at DAL Note: Teammate Elijah Mitchell was fully cleared from the injury list, so I'm moving Wilson down. |
| 45. | Boston Scott PHI at TB |
| 46. | *Rhamondre Stevenson NE at BUF Note: Stevenson (head) isn't on the Patriots' injury report for this week despite being limited to nine snaps last week. |
| 47. | *James Conner ARZ at LAR Note: Conner (ribs) was held out of practice entirely on Thursday. Conner sat out Friday, but was present for the start of practice on Saturday. I anticipate that he'll play, but hopefully we'll have more info soon. ***Conner was listed as limited, and is officially listed as questionable.*** |
| 48. | Brandon Bolden NE at BUF |
| 49. | Cam Akers LA vs. ARI |
| 50. | Dawson Knox BUF vs. NE |
Kickers
| 1. | Greg Zuerlein DAL vs. SF |
| 2. | Harrison Butker KC vs. PIT |
| 3. | *Evan McPherson CIN vs. LV Note: McPherson (groin) returned to full practice this week after sitting out Week 18. |
| 4. | Robbie Gould SF at DAL |
| 5. | Tyler Bass BUF vs. NE |
| 6. | *Nick Folk NE at BUF Note: Folk (knee) is listed as questionable after being a limited participant Thursday. |
| 7. | Ryan Succop TB vs. PHI |
| 8. | Daniel Carlson LV at CIN |
| 9. | Matt Prater ARZ at LAR |
| 10. | Matt Gay LA vs. ARI |
| 11. | Jake Elliott PHI at TB |
| 12. | Chris Boswell PIT at KC |
| 13. | Mason Crosby GB at |
| 14. | Randy Bullock TEN at |
Defenses
| 1. | Kansas City Chiefs vs. PIT |
| 2. | Buffalo Bills vs. NE |
| 3. | New England Patriots at BUF |
| 4. | *Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. PHI Note: Shaq Barrett (knee) was activated off of the COVID-IR and has been limited in practice this week. |
| 5. | *Cincinnati Bengals vs. LV Note: Trey Hendrickson (COVID) sat out Week 18 but was activated from the COVID-IR on Monday. DT Josh Tupou (knee) is inactive. |
| 6. | *Los Angeles Rams vs. ARI Note: Darious Williams (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's walk-through. But the Rams will be without S Jordan Fuller (ankle) for the playoffs, and Taylor Rapp is in the concussion protocol. The Rams dragged Eric Weddle out of retirement because their secondary is so thin right now. |
| 7. | Dallas Cowboys vs. SF |
| 8. | *Arizona Cardinals at LAR Note: J.J. Watt (shoulder) was very limited in Thursday's practice session, which doesn't bode too well for his potential return on Monday. |
| 9. | *San Francisco 49ers at DAL Note: It looks as if the Niners could have Dre Greenlaw (groin) back on Sunday. |
| 10. | Pittsburgh Steelers at KC |
| 11. | *Las Vegas Raiders at CIN Note: DT Darius Philon (knee) was placed on IR on Tuesday. Teammate Johnathan Hankins (back) was questionable but is active. |
| 12. | Philadelphia Eagles at TB |
