One down, two to go. It is semifinals week, and we are here to help you get into your fantasy Super Bowls! What players can help your final push sink or swim? Let’s get to the Week 16 IDP Start Sit article!
Somehow, we only have two more weeks in the fantasy season (for most of us, at least). It has been a fun and incredible year that is culminating shortly. If you are still here, congratulations! You are either in your semifinals or are just an absolute sicko like myself. The playoffs are fickle and even the best teams can plummet (I had my worst week across all my leagues since week 15 of 2023… yay). What players can help you cross the finish line? Who has a chance to tank the IDP season? Let’s dive in!
Disclaimers! In this series I will be basing picks off of a balanced scoring system (like the IDP+ Invitational, which also boosts DTs and CBs to even their production out), to cover as many bases as possible! Please also note that mentions of previous finishes/points allowed comes from the IDP+ data suite. If you have a more complex league scoring system, these suggestions may serve as a baseline. For a more degenerate breakdown, jump into the Discord and chat with our stellar team! Now that the intro is done, let’s introduce the week 16 start-sit options!
Tier up: DT Denico Autry, Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (Saturday Night Football)
Over the past 4 weeks, only 2 teams have allowed more PPG to DTs than the Chiefs. This problem has worsened, with All-Pro Joe Thuney kicking out to LT to try and stop outside bleeding. While this should help the edge, Thuney’s absence is a detriment to the interior. Add in Patrick Mahomes’ high ankle sprain, and legendary mobility has been dampened. Autry has been cold over the last 3 weeks, with 3 total tackles, but his metrics are still solid. He has been great for fantasy over the past years and has the potential to vastly outplay DT3 rankings this week.
Last week: Quinnen Williams, New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars. Finished with 3.25 points (IDPI scoring). 1 solo tackle.
Tier Down: DT Zach Sieler, Miami Dolphins vs San Francisco 49ers
Both teams in this matchup are rough opponents for DTs, allowing bottom-6 PPG over the past 4 weeks. Sieler is the nod here as the highest-ranked DT. Sieler is on a hot streak with 5.5 sacks in the last 5 games, though his metrics do not reflect this level of success. He is still a great run-defender, though the 49ers run game has fallen off. In multi-DT leagues, Sieler should still be started. However, the matchup feels like a regression from his normal DT1 role.
Last week: Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks vs Green Bay Packers (SNF). Finished with 20.75 points. 7 total tackles.
Thank you all for taking the time and trust to read my start-sit article! I am honored and excited to go through this exercise each week and hope that I am able to help y’all win some matchups. I will not be perfect, but promise to give this my best each week and give well-thought and backed information. Feel free to reach out to chat with me about this (or anything else!) in discord or on X, where you can find me @JoeLow63. Please also check out my podcast, Ride or Dynasty (@RideorDynasty on X) with myself, Jameson Hutchison (@Jamesonrulez) and host JJ Wenner (@JJWenner) LIVE on X each Thursday at 6EST/4MT and in your podcast feeds Friday mornings! Catch more great content at IDP+!
