With Week 15 of the NFL season wrapped up, we’re continuing to focus on the best rookie playmakers leaguewide. The 2023 rookie wide receiver group is putting up big numbers week in and week out. Week 16 is right around the corner, so here are our dynasty rookie WR rankings in fantasy football for the upcoming slate.
Who Are the Best Rookie WRs for Fantasy This Week?
Our NFL Week 16 dynasty wide receiver rankings are courtesy of PFN’s Consensus Fantasy Rankings.
1) Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Rashee Rice is a fantasy WR1 if the last month is any indicator of what’s happening in Kansas City. It felt like it was only a matter of time until the Chiefs prioritized the rookie. Outside of Travis Kelce, the Chiefs simply lack reliable and explosive playmakers for Patrick Mahomes to target.
Rice is averaging 9.5 targets a game over the last month, and he’s been a touchdown magnet. He’s totaled 32 receptions for 334 yards and three touchdowns in that span. He was WR7 against New England last week.
The Las Vegas Raiders were torched by Rice in their last battle. The 6’2″ playmaker had a season-best 107 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. Look for him to repeat that outburst this week.
2) Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
There was a stretch where it seemed risky to start Puka Nacua when Cooper Kupp was playing, but the Los Angeles Rams have figured out how to balance the target share with both on the field.
Nacua continues to trail his teammate when both are on the field, but he’s finished as WR19 or better in three of the last four games. With five catches for 50 yards and two carries last week, Nacua’s floor is safer than it was even six weeks ago.
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He can be trusted as a starter in your lineup every week, but he’s not someone who has to be shoehorned in if there’s a similar option with a better matchup.
3) Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
When Christian Watson is out, Jayden Reed must be in your lineup. He’s been the most unheralded star in the league since Week 10, producing five top-25 finishes in PPR leagues. The lone week he fell out was Watson’s explosion against the Chiefs in Week 13.
Reed will continue to see favorable matchups through the rest of the season. He caught six passes for 52 yards and a touchdown in Week 15. With Carolina on deck, we’re hoping to see another top-20 finish from Reed.
4) Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
As soon as Zay Flowers saw the type of volume he needed to be a star in Weeks 12 and 14, he suffered a foot injury that limited his participation in Week 15. He’s not expected to miss time, but his target share will undoubtedly drop until Baltimore is confident he’ll be healthy enough for consistent targets. The Ravens can’t afford a further injury to Flowers as the playoffs approach.
Flowers’ volume will continue to be a concern until it’s not. He ranks 42nd in targets per route run, which is lower than several rookies. He’s a worthy starter when he’s healthy, but there’s still a risk that he’ll put up a bust performance.
5) Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Directly ahead of Flowers on the target-share chart is Josh Downs. However, Downs’ trajectory is going the opposite way of Flowers’.
Downs hasn’t landed in the top 44 receivers in PPR leagues since Week 8. Don’t start him unless you have to.
6) Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
It might seem crazy for a player coming off the best performance of any receiver in Week 15 to be this low, but Jordan Addison’s production has been all over the place. He has two WR1 finishes but seven games outside of the top 30 receivers. His six-catch, 111-yard, and two-touchdown performance against Cincinnati wasn’t a fluke, but it’s also not replicable.
Addison has to overcome an emerging rushing threat in Ty Chandler, a backup QB, and playing next to Justin Jefferson. Start him at your own risk in the hope of another star-level performance.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!