The Seattle Seahawks will face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding WR DK Metcalf.
Is DK Metcalf Playing in Week 16?
Metcalf is on the practice report more often than not but rarely misses games. He did not practice on Wednesday with a shoulder injury, which I thought was maintenance. Metcalf’s return to a full practices on Thursday and Friday confirm that. Metcalf will play on Sunday.
We’ll continue to monitor the Seahawks’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit DK Metcalf in Week 16?
Metcalf was on the field for 92.9% of Seattle’s snaps on Sunday night but saw just 27 air yards worth of targets, the second-lowest mark of his career. He’s been able to earn looks while Jaxon Smith-Njigba breaks out (6.5 targets per game over his past six), and in the past, that would be enough.
But, I’m not sure if you’ve heard, we live in the present, not the past.
Over that six-game run, Metcalf has been targeted on just 12.5% of his red-zone routes. For some context, he’s never had a season check in under 32% in that metric — this is where, historically, he’s paid the fantasy bills.
Geno Smith (he and Jameis Winston are tied for the most end-zone interceptions thrown this season with four — Smith had three in his career before this year) isn’t quite struggling like Kirk Cousins right now. In a vacuum, I’d take Metcalf over Drake London, but both of those receivers currently have a floor that I would have labeled as illogical two short months ago.
Smith’s knee injury should also be considered in this matchup, in which he is going to be asked to shift quickly. I’m not saying you bench Metcalf for any receiver on your bench with a pulse, but I’d be considering all options — he’s outside of my top 20 at the position this week, ranking alongside other struggling players like Jaylen Waddle and Deebo Samuel.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 16 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
DK Metcalf’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 16
As of Sunday morning, Metcalf is projected to score 13.9 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 4.5 receptions for 64.9 yards and 0.5 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
DK Metcalf’s Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 11:45 PM ET on Saturday, January 25.
Conference Championship WR PPR Rankings
1) A.J. Brown | PHI (vs. WAS)
2) Terry McLaurin | WAS (at PHI)
3) DeVonta Smith | PHI (vs. WAS)
4) Khalil Shakir | BUF (at KC)
5) Xavier Worthy | KC (vs. BUF)
6) Hollywood Brown | KC (vs. BUF)
7) DeAndre Hopkins | KC (vs. BUF)
8) Keon Coleman | BUF (at KC)
9) Dyami Brown | WAS (at PHI)
10) Mack Hollins | BUF (at KC)
11) Amari Cooper | BUF (at KC)
12) Curtis Samuel | BUF (at KC)
13) Olamide Zaccheaus | WAS (at PHI)
14) JuJu Smith-Schuster | KC (vs. BUF)
15) Jahan Dotson | PHI (vs. WAS)
16) Jamison Crowder | WAS (at PHI)
17) Luke McCaffrey | WAS (at PHI)
18) Justin Watson | KC (vs. BUF)
19) Johnny Wilson | PHI (vs. WAS)
20) Parris Campbell | PHI (vs. WAS)
21) Nikko Remigio | KC (vs. BUF)
22) Ainias Smith | PHI (vs. WAS)