Weekly Rankings: Wild-Card Round Value Meter

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Updated on January 19, 2022 9:57PM EST

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

Here are my operating assumptions for the rankings:

These are my particular rankings. If you want a second opinion elsewhere on the site, you can see our Weekly Projections.

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