Weekly Rankings: Wild-Card Round Value Meter

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Updated on January 17, 2024 1:38PM EST

Saturday 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, and it's also not really intended as a free agent guide. While I appreciate that you want my opinion on pickups, every league is different, and your decision on whether to add/drop a particular player might also be dictated by other factors than who is rated higher in a given week.

For rankings to cover the duration of the playoffs, please see Jim Coventry's playoff rankings.

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 "Should I start Patrick Mahomes or Bryce Young?"

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

I will do a set of updates before kickoff on Thursday, and again before kickoff on Saturday morning.

When setting your lineups, make sure to refer to the NFL inactives to ensure all of your players are set to receive snaps.

I welcome debate on the rankings in the comments. Please keep

Saturday Update complete

For rankings to cover the duration of the playoffs, please see Jim Coventry's playoff rankings.

Here are my operating assumptions for the rankings:

These are the rankings I use when I make my start/sit decisions. Please consult the rankings first before asking "Should I start Patrick Mahomes or Bryce Young?"

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

I will do a set of updates before kickoff on Thursday, and again before kickoff on Saturday morning.

When setting your lineups, make sure to refer to the NFL inactives to ensure all of your players are set to receive snaps.

I welcome debate on the rankings in the comments. Please keep it friendly.

Quarterbacks

1.	Dak Prescott DAL vs. GB
2.	Jared Goff DET vs. LAR
3.	Matthew Stafford LA at DET
4.	Patrick Mahomes KC vs. MIA
5.	Joe Flacco CLE at HOU
6.	Jalen Hurts PHI at TB Note: Hurts dislocated his right middle finger against the Giants, but x-rays afterward were negative. Hurts was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, though 'things are progressing the right way.' Hurts had a full practice Friday, but he'll also be without A.J. Brown on Monday night.*
7.	Josh Allen BUF vs. PIT Note: We had the full Josh Allen experience last week, with three turnovers but a number of electric plays. The weather forecast is frightful - sustained 25 mph winds, with gusts up to 50 mph.*
8.	C.J. Stroud HOU vs. CLE
9.	Jordan Love GB at DAL
10.	Baker Mayfield TB vs. PHI Note: Mayfield missed Thursday's walk-through with rib and ankle issues. Mayfield was limited in Friday's practice.*
11.	Tua Tagovailoa MIA at KC
12.	*Mason Rudolph PIT at BUF Note: Rudolph was named the starter for the Wild Card game against the Bills, even though Kenny Pickett (ankle) is healthy. It's not surprising, given the Steelers' rally under Rudolph, but still seems noteworthy.
13.	Lamar Jackson BAL at
14.	Brock Purdy SF at

Running Backs

1.	Jahmyr Gibbs DET vs. LAR
2.	*Isiah Pacheco KC vs. MIA Note: Pacheco (shoulder) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice and should be good to go for Saturday night's game.
3.	Kyren Williams LA at DET
4.	Tony Pollard DAL vs. GB
5.	Rachaad White TB vs. PHI
6.	James Cook BUF vs. PIT
7.	D'Andre Swift PHI at TB Note: Sat out last week with an illness. Full practice Thursday.*
8.	Devin Singletary HOU vs. CLE
9.	De'Von Achane MIA at KC Note: Achane (toe/ribs) was limited to start practice on Tuesday. Achane was cleared from the injury list.*
10.	Aaron Jones GB at DAL Note: Jones (knee/finger) has had two limited practices so far this week. Jones has been cleared from the injury report.*
11.	Najee Harris PIT at BUF Note: Harris (knee) returned to a full practice Thursday.*
12.	Raheem Mostert MIA at KC Note: Mostert (knee/ankle) was listed as limited on Tuesday's estimated practice report. The Dolphins are optimistic that he can return to action after missing the last two games. Mostert has been limited in all three practices this week, and is listed as questionable for Saturday night.*
13.	David Montgomery DET vs. LAR
14.	Jerome Ford CLE at HOU
15.	Jaylen Warren PIT at BUF
16.	Kenneth Gainwell PHI at TB
17.	Jeff Wilson MIA at KC
18.	Kareem Hunt CLE at HOU Note: Hunt (groin) was held out of practice on Tuesday. Cleared from the injury list on Thursday.*
19.	Leonard Fournette BUF vs. PIT
20.	Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC vs. MIA
21.	Royce Freeman LA at DET
22.	Ty Johnson BUF vs. PIT Note: Johnson suffered a concussion in the win over the Dolphins last week. Johnson cleared the concussion protocol and is off the injury report.*
23.	Patrick Taylor GB at DAL
24.	Dameon Pierce HOU vs. CLE
25.	Pierre Strong CLE at HOU Note: Strong (back) missed practice on Tuesday. Listed as questionable for Saturday.*
26.	Rico Dowdle DAL vs. GB
27.	Latavius Murray BUF vs. PIT
28.	AJ Dillon GB at DAL Note: Sat out last week with neck issues. Dillon (stinger) has sat out the first two practices this week. Dillon missed all three practices and is listed as doubtful.*
29.	Christian McCaffrey SF at
30.	Elijah Mitchell SF at
31.	Jordan Mason SF at
32.	Gus Edwards BAL at
33.	Justice Hill BAL at

Wide Receivers

1.	CeeDee Lamb DAL vs. GB
2.	Amon-Ra St. Brown DET vs. LAR
3.	Tyreek Hill MIA at KC Note: Hill was limited at Tuesday's practice with ankle and quad issues. Notably, he was out of the game on the Dolphins' game-sealing interception, where Chase Claypool was targeted. Hill has been cleared from the injury list.*
4.	Puka Nacua LA at DET
5.	Mike Evans TB vs. PHI
6.	Amari Cooper CLE at HOU Note: Cooper sat out practice Tuesday due to rest and the heel injury that kept him out the last two games. That the Browns cited 'rest' suggests potential good news for Saturday. Cooper has been cleared from the injury list.*
7.	Cooper Kupp LA at DET
8.	DeVonta Smith PHI at TB Note: Sat out the Week 18 loss with an ankle injury. Smith put in a full practice Thursday.*
9.	Nico Collins HOU vs. CLE
10.	Chris Godwin TB vs. PHI
11.	Jayden Reed GB at DAL
12.	*Rashee Rice KC vs. MIA Note: Rice (hamstring) was a full practice participant Tuesday.
13.	Brandin Cooks DAL vs. GB
14.	Dontayvion Wicks GB at DAL
15.	Stefon Diggs BUF vs. PIT
16.	Diontae Johnson PIT at BUF
17.	George Pickens PIT at BUF
18.	Jaylen Waddle MIA at KC Note: Waddle (ankle) has missed the last two games and was listed as limited on Tuesday's estimated practice report. Waddle had limited practices this week and is listed as questionable. Hopefully the bitter cold forecasted for the game doesn't hurt his status.*
19.	Josh Reynolds DET vs. LAR
20.	Khalil Shakir BUF vs. PIT Note: Shakir had 105 receiving yards Sunday night, stepping up with Gabe Davis (PCL sprain) getting hurt. Davis has been ruled out, which will give Shakir more snaps at least. But the scary weather forecast likely limits his upside.*
21.	Demarcus Robinson LA at DET
22.	Bo Melton GB at DAL
23.	Elijah Moore CLE at HOU
24.	Quez Watkins PHI at TB
25.	Romeo Doubs GB at DAL Note: Doubs left last week's win over the Bears with a chest injury. He may have been surpassed by Jayden Reed and Dontavion Wicks. Doubs was cleared from the injury list.*
26.	Julio Jones PHI at TB
27.	Justin Watson KC vs. MIA
28.	*Jameson Williams DET vs. LAR Note: Williams (ankle/illness) is expected to play after sitting out Week 18.
29.	David Bell CLE at HOU
30.	Cedrick Wilson MIA at KC
31.	Richie James KC vs. MIA
32.	Michael Gallup DAL vs. GB
33.	Jalen Tolbert DAL vs. GB
34.	Noah Brown HOU vs. CLE Note: Brown (back) sat out Tuesday after missing the Week 18 win over the Colts. Brown logged a limited practice Thursday after missing Tuesday and Wednesday, and is listed as questionable.*
35.	Christian Watson GB at DAL Note: Watson is listed as questionable for Sunday.*
36.	A.J. Brown PHI at TB Note: Brown left the loss to the Giants with a knee injury, but later that injury was classified as 'minor.' It's not looking as minor as initially indicated - Brown missed practice Thursday and Friday. Brown is not expected to play Monday night.*
37.	Gabe Davis BUF vs. PIT Note: Davis left last week's win over the Dolphins with a PCL sprain. Ruled out this week.*
38.	Kalif Raymond DET vs. LAR Note: Raymond left the Week 18 win over the Vikings with a knee injury in the second half. Ruled out for this weekend.*
39.	Robert Woods HOU vs. CLE Note: Woods (hip) sat out Tuesday's practice. Woods had limited reps Wednesday and Thursday and is listed as questionable.*
40.	*Kadarius Toney KC vs. MIA
41.	*Cedric Tillman CLE at HOU Note: Tillman sat out Tuesday's practice due to a concussion suffered Sunday against the Bengals.
42.	Deebo Samuel SF at
43.	Brandon Aiyuk SF at
44.	Zay Flowers BAL at
45.	Odell Beckham BAL at
46.	Nelson Agholor BAL at
47.	Rashod Bateman BAL at

Tight Ends

1.	David Njoku CLE at HOU
2.	Travis Kelce KC vs. MIA
3.	Dallas Goedert PHI at TB
4.	Jake Ferguson DAL vs. GB
5.	*Dalton Kincaid BUF vs. PIT Note: Kincaid finished strong, with seven catches for 84 yards against Miami. If Gabe Davis is out this week, Kincaid could garner more targets again.
6.	Dalton Schultz HOU vs. CLE
7.	Pat Freiermuth PIT at BUF
8.	Tucker Kraft GB at DAL
9.	Sam LaPorta DET vs. LAR Note: LaPorta hyperextended his left knee and suffered a bone bruise in the season finale against the Vikings. He has an 'outside shot' to play this weekend against the Rams. Did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but had a full practice Friday, albeit with a heavy brace. He is listed as questionable.*
10.	Cade Otton TB vs. PHI
11.	Tyler Higbee LA at DET Note: Higbee had a shoulder injury that forced him out last week and bears watching for this week. Higbee is listed as questionable, but managed limited practices this week, and coach Sean McVay suggested that Higbee should be able to play.*
12.	Dawson Knox BUF vs. PIT
13.	Durham Smythe MIA at KC
14.	*Brock Wright DET vs. LAR Note: Wright (hip) has missed the last three games. But Sam LaPorta hurt his knee last week and is iffy for this weekend, which could push Wright into a bigger role if healthy himself.
15.	*Luke Musgrave GB at DAL Note: Musgrave (kidney laceration) played nine snaps in his return to action last week.
16.	Brevin Jordan HOU vs. CLE
17.	*Davis Allen LA at DET Note: Allen could be a sneaky target this week, if Tyler Higbee's shoulder injury keeps him out, though Brycen Hopkins is also healthy now and might also start ahead of Allen.
18.	Brycen Hopkins LA at DET
19.	James Mitchell DET vs. LAR Note: Mitchell (hand) has been ruled out this week.*
20.	George Kittle SF at
21.	Isaiah Likely BAL at
22.	Mark Andrews BAL at

Flex (RB/WR/TE)

1.	CeeDee Lamb DAL vs. GB
2.	Amon-Ra St. Brown DET vs. LAR
3.	Tyreek Hill MIA at KC Note: Hill was limited at Tuesday's practice with ankle and quad issues. Notably, he was out of the game on the Dolphins' game-sealing interception, where Chase Claypool was targeted. Hill has been cleared from the injury list.*
4.	A.J. Brown PHI at TB Note: Brown left the loss to the Giants with a knee injury, but later that injury was classified as 'minor.' It's not looking as minor as initially indicated - Brown missed practice Thursday and Friday. Brown is not expected to play Monday night.*
5.	Jahmyr Gibbs DET vs. LAR
6.	Kyren Williams LA at DET
7.	Puka Nacua LA at DET
8.	Mike Evans TB vs. PHI
9.	Amari Cooper CLE at HOU Note: Cooper sat out practice Tuesday due to rest and the heel injury that kept him out the last two games. That the Browns cited 'rest' suggests potential good news for Saturday. Cooper has been cleared from the injury list.*
10.	Tony Pollard DAL vs. GB
11.	*Isiah Pacheco KC vs. MIA Note: Pacheco (shoulder) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice and should be good to go for Saturday night's game.
12.	Rachaad White TB vs. PHI
13.	James Cook BUF vs. PIT
14.	Cooper Kupp LA at DET
15.	Nico Collins HOU vs. CLE
16.	Stefon Diggs BUF vs. PIT
17.	David Njoku CLE at HOU
18.	Travis Kelce KC vs. MIA
19.	D'Andre Swift PHI at TB Note: Sat out last week with an illness. Full practice Thursday.*
20.	Chris Godwin TB vs. PHI
21.	Jayden Reed GB at DAL
22.	George Pickens PIT at BUF
23.	*Rashee Rice KC vs. MIA Note: Rice (hamstring) was a full practice participant Tuesday.
24.	De'Von Achane MIA at KC Note: Achane (toe/ribs) was limited to start practice on Tuesday. Achane was cleared from the injury list.*
25.	Devin Singletary HOU vs. CLE
26.	Aaron Jones GB at DAL Note: Jones (knee/finger) has had two limited practices so far this week. Jones has been cleared from the injury report.*
27.	Raheem Mostert MIA at KC Note: Mostert (knee/ankle) was listed as limited on Tuesday's estimated practice report. The Dolphins are optimistic that he can return to action after missing the last two games. Mostert has been limited in all three practices this week, and is listed as questionable for Saturday night.*
28.	Dallas Goedert PHI at TB
29.	Jake Ferguson DAL vs. GB
30.	Diontae Johnson PIT at BUF
31.	Brandin Cooks DAL vs. GB
32.	Jerome Ford CLE at HOU
33.	David Montgomery DET vs. LAR
34.	Najee Harris PIT at BUF Note: Harris (knee) returned to a full practice Thursday.*
35.	Khalil Shakir BUF vs. PIT Note: Shakir had 105 receiving yards Sunday night, stepping up with Gabe Davis (PCL sprain) getting hurt. Davis has been ruled out, which will give Shakir more snaps at least. But the scary weather forecast likely limits his upside.*
36.	Dontayvion Wicks GB at DAL
37.	Demarcus Robinson LA at DET
38.	Bo Melton GB at DAL
39.	Elijah Moore CLE at HOU
40.	*Dalton Kincaid BUF vs. PIT Note: Kincaid finished strong, with seven catches for 84 yards against Miami. If Gabe Davis is out this week, Kincaid could garner more targets again.
41.	Dalton Schultz HOU vs. CLE
42.	Pat Freiermuth PIT at BUF
43.	Tucker Kraft GB at DAL

Kickers

1.	Brandon Aubrey DAL vs. GB
2.	Harrison Butker KC vs. MIA
3.	Jake Elliott PHI at TB
4.	Tyler Bass BUF vs. PIT
5.	Ka'imi Fairbairn HOU vs. CLE
6.	Michael Badgley DET vs. LAR
7.	Jason Sanders MIA at KC
8.	Chase McLaughlin TB vs. PHI
9.	*Anders Carlson GB at DAL Note: Carlson missed another field goal last week, his sixth miss of the season.
10.	Chris Boswell PIT at BUF
11.	Riley Patterson CLE at HOU Note: Patterson reverted back to the practice squad Monday, but he's likely to fill in for Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) again this week. Hopkins has been ruled out, Patterson will kick Saturday.*
12.	*Brett Maher LA at DET Note: Maher missed an extra point attempt last week. The Rams have very little trust in him.
13.	Dustin Hopkins CLE at HOU Note: Hopkins (hamstring) is unlikely to be available for the Wild Card round games. Ruled out this week.*
14.	Justin Tucker BAL at
15.	Jake Moody SF at

Defenses

1.	Buffalo Bills vs. PIT
2.	Dallas Cowboys vs. GB
3.	Kansas City Chiefs vs. MIA
4.	Cleveland Browns at HOU
5.	Detroit Lions vs. LAR
6.	Philadelphia Eagles at TB
7.	Los Angeles Rams at DET
8.	*Houston Texans vs. CLE Note: Will Anderson (ankle) did not practice Tuesday. He was able to play last week against the Colts. Teammate Jerry Hughes left with an ankle injury.
9.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. PHI
10.	*Miami Dolphins at KC Note: The Dolphins will be missing their top three pass rushers, with Andrew Van Ginkel (foot) being the latest to get hurt. They'll be missing LB Jerome Baker (wrist) and CB Xavien Howard (foot) as well.
11.	*Pittsburgh Steelers at BUF Note: T.J. Watt (knee) has been ruled out for the Wild Card game. The Steelers might get Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) back this week.
12.	Green Bay Packers at DAL