This article is part of our Weekly Rankings series.
Saturday Update Complete
Welcome to the Weekly Value Meter Rankings. This is a guide to help you decide who to start and sit this week. If you're looking for Playoff Draft Rankings, please see Chris Liss's 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 "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 welcome debate on the rankings in the comments. Please keep it friendly.
Quarterbacks
| 1. | Josh Allen BUF vs. IND |
| 2. | Lamar Jackson BAL at TEN |
| 3. | Ryan Tannehill TEN vs. BAL |
| 4. | Tom Brady TB at WAS |
| 5. | Ben Roethlisberger PIT vs. CLE |
| 6. | Baker Mayfield CLE at PIT |
| 7. | *Russell Wilson SEA vs. LAR Note: Wilson was held in check for three quarters last week before throwing for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. He draws a rematch of |
Saturday Update Complete
Welcome to the Weekly Value Meter Rankings. This is a guide to help you decide who to start and sit this week. If you're looking for Playoff Draft Rankings, please see Chris Liss's 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 "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 welcome debate on the rankings in the comments. Please keep it friendly.
Quarterbacks
| 1. | Josh Allen BUF vs. IND |
| 2. | Lamar Jackson BAL at TEN |
| 3. | Ryan Tannehill TEN vs. BAL |
| 4. | Tom Brady TB at WAS |
| 5. | Ben Roethlisberger PIT vs. CLE |
| 6. | Baker Mayfield CLE at PIT |
| 7. | *Russell Wilson SEA vs. LAR Note: Wilson was held in check for three quarters last week before throwing for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. He draws a rematch of Week 16, home against the Rams. |
| 8. | Drew Brees NO vs. CHI |
| 9. | *Philip Rivers IND at BUF Note: Rivers (toe) was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday's practice estimate - this has been the standard procedure for he and the Colts the last few weeks. |
| 10. | *Mitchell Trubisky CHI at NO Note: Trubisky came up small (252 yards, no touchdowns, one interception) despite throwing a whopping 42 passes in the loss to the Packers. |
| 11. | *Taylor Heinicke WAS vs. TB Note: Heinicke has a real chance to start after taking most of the first-team snaps in practice this week. |
| 12. | *John Wolford LA at SEA Note: Wolford's ability to scramble came in handy against Arizona, when he ran six times for 56 yards. It first appears that he'll start on Saturday. The decision on Goff vs. Wolford will come down to the wire. I can't get behind starting either of them. |
| 13. | *Taysom Hill NO vs. CHI Note: With both Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray out, Hill carried the ball seven times for 41 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Panthers. Hill appears to have cleared the concussion protocol. |
| 14. | *Jared Goff LA at SEA Note: Goff (thumb) hasn't been ruled out yet, but he has an uphill battle in order to get ready by Saturday's game. Goff's status is up in the air, but he's 'pushing to play.' It looks like a game-time decision. |
| 15. | *Alex Smith WAS vs. TB Note: Smith (calf) played every snap Sunday night against the Eagles, but didn't play especially well - 22-for-32 for 169 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Coach Ron Rivera might have been blowing smoke, but he said that they would 'definitely have to look at' using a QB rotation with Taylor Heinicke. Smith's calf has yet to loosen up. Taylor Heinicke took most of the first-team snaps this week. |
| 16. | Patrick Mahomes KC at |
| 17. | Aaron Rodgers GB at |
Running Backs
| 1. | Derrick Henry TEN vs. BAL |
| 2. | *J.K. Dobbins BAL at TEN Note: The Titans by far have the worst run defense of the playoff teams active this week. |
| 3. | *Jonathan Taylor IND at BUF Note: Taylor (shoulder) was listed as limited on Tuesday's estimated practice report. He's finally taken over the lead back duties for the Colts. Taylor was listed as limited on Thursday to rest his shoulder, but was subsequently cleared from the injury list. |
| 4. | *Alvin Kamara NO vs. CHI Note: We might not know about Kamara's status until Sunday. Luckily the Saints play on Sunday. Kamara posted on his Twitter account that he is on track to be able to play on Sunday. |
| 5. | Nick Chubb CLE at PIT |
| 6. | *Cam Akers LA at SEA Note: Akers not only came back after missing one week with a high-ankle sprain, but he had 48 snaps to 23 for Malcolm Brown. Akers upgraded to a full practice Wednesday and is expected to start. |
| 7. | *David Montgomery CHI at NO Note: Montgomery has been on a roll, but the Saints shut down opposing backs. |
| 8. | *Chris Carson SEA vs. LAR Note: Carson's practice reps were capped again this week to rest his foot, but he's been cleared from the injury list for Saturday's game. |
| 9. | Gus Edwards BAL at TEN |
| 10. | Kareem Hunt CLE at PIT |
| 11. | Nyheim Hines IND at BUF |
| 12. | Ronald Jones TB at WAS |
| 13. | Zack Moss BUF vs. IND |
| 14. | *Latavius Murray NO vs. CHI Note: I suspect that Murray will be activated from the COVID-IR as a close contact during the week. Murray was officially activated on Wednesday. Alvin Kamara tweeted that he's on track to play Sunday, but obviously that's not the official word from the Saints. |
| 15. | *Antonio Gibson WAS vs. TB Note: Gibson (toe) was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday's practice estimate, but he played 37 snaps Sunday night despite not practicing last week. Gibson is listed as questionable but is expected to play. |
| 16. | James Conner PIT vs. CLE |
| 17. | J.D. McKissic WAS vs. TB |
| 18. | Devin Singletary BUF vs. IND |
| 19. | *Malcolm Brown LA at SEA Note: Brown took a backseat to Cam Akers last week, and I only expect that to continue this week. |
| 20. | Ty Montgomery NO vs. CHI |
| 21. | *Leonard Fournette TB at WAS Note: Fournette started Week 17's win over the Falcons, but Ronald Jones got more carries. I'd expect Jones to be the main guy this week. |
| 22. | *Carlos Hyde SEA vs. LAR Note: Hyde missed last week's game with an illness but has been cleared to play Saturday, but he might have to share the backup duties with Rashaad Penny. |
| 23. | *Darrynton Evans TEN vs. BAL Note: Evans (shoulder) fully practiced Friday and was removed from the injury list. |
| 24. | Benny Snell PIT vs. CLE |
| 25. | Peyton Barber WAS vs. TB |
| 26. | Ke'Shawn Vaughn TB at WAS |
| 27. | Jaylen Samuels PIT vs. CLE |
| 28. | Jeremy McNichols TEN vs. BAL |
| 29. | *Rashaad Penny SEA vs. LAR Note: Penny (knee) was added to the injury list on Friday as questionable. |
| 30. | *Darrell Henderson LA at SEA |
| 31. | *LeSean McCoy TB at WAS Note: McCoy (illness) has been ruled out due to an illness. Ke'Shawn Vaughn might get more reps in his place. |
| 32. | Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC at |
| 33. | Darwin Thompson KC at |
| 34. | Darrel Williams KC at |
| 35. | Le'Veon Bell KC at |
| 36. | Aaron Jones GB at |
| 37. | Jamaal Williams GB at |
| 38. | AJ Dillon GB at |
Wide Receivers
| 1. | *Stefon Diggs BUF vs. IND Note: Diggs (oblique) was listed as limited for Tuesday's walkthrough practice. Diggs is listed as questionable but will play. |
| 2. | Chris Godwin TB at WAS |
| 3. | *JuJu Smith-Schuster PIT vs. CLE Note: Smith-Schuster (knee) has had his practice reps managed all season long, including this week. He had a full practice Friday and should be good to go, though. |
| 4. | *Allen Robinson CHI at NO Note: Robinson (hamstring) was given a maintenance day Thursday but returned to practice Friday and has been removed from the injury report. |
| 5. | *A.J. Brown TEN vs. BAL Note: Brown (knee/hand) only did limited work on Wednesday and then sat out entirely Thursday and Friday, yet isn't on the injury list and will play. |
| 6. | Jarvis Landry CLE at PIT |
| 7. | Marquise Brown BAL at TEN |
| 8. | T.Y. Hilton IND at BUF |
| 9. | *Antonio Brown TB at WAS Note: Brown turned the clock back to 2017 with his massive game against the Falcons. If Mike Evans has to sit out, Brown will see a similar workload. |
| 10. | *Cooper Kupp LA at SEA Note: Kupp was activated from COVID-IR on Wednesday. |
| 11. | *Michael Thomas NO vs. CHI Note: Thomas (ankle) has been designated to return from IR; presumably the Saints will officially activate him Saturday afternoon, but it hasn't happened yet. |
| 12. | Diontae Johnson PIT vs. CLE |
| 13. | Robert Woods LA at SEA |
| 14. | *Terry McLaurin WAS vs. TB Note: McLaurin played through his high-ankle sprain Sunday night and will have to manage the pain again Saturday night. He sat out Tuesday's estimated practice. McLaurin will try to gut it out again this week, perhaps without Alex Smith though. |
| 15. | Tyler Lockett SEA vs. LAR |
| 16. | *DK Metcalf SEA vs. LAR Note: Metcalf draws Jalen Ramsey once again this week. |
| 17. | Chase Claypool PIT vs. CLE |
| 18. | *Emmanuel Sanders NO vs. CHI Note: Sanders had nine catches in the finale against the Panthers, but will Michael Thomas (ankle) return this week? |
| 19. | *Mike Evans TB at WAS Note: Evans suffered a hyperextended knee in the win over the Falcons. He sat out Tuesday's estimated practice. Evans only managed a limited practice Thursday, but is going to give it a go. |
| 20. | Michael Pittman IND at BUF |
| 21. | Rashard Higgins CLE at PIT |
| 22. | Gabriel Davis BUF vs. IND |
| 23. | *Corey Davis TEN vs. BAL Note: Davis had at least three drops in the win over Houston, and another could have been classified as a drop. |
| 24. | John Brown BUF vs. IND |
| 25. | Zach Pascal IND at BUF |
| 26. | *Cole Beasley BUF vs. IND Note: Beasley (knee) did not practice Tuesday after sitting out last week's game and being deemed 'week-to-week' earlier last week. Beasley was listed as questionable but is expected to give it a go on Saturday. |
| 27. | *Anthony Miller CHI at NO Note: Miller could be busier than usual if Darnell Mooney can't play. |
| 28. | James Washington PIT vs. CLE |
| 29. | David Moore SEA vs. LAR |
| 30. | Van Jefferson LA at SEA |
| 31. | Cam Sims WAS vs. TB |
| 32. | Miles Boykin BAL at TEN |
| 33. | *Willie Snead BAL at TEN Note: The Ravens are hopeful that Snead (ankle) will be able to play after missing Week 17. Sat out practice Wednesday, had limited practices Thursday and Friday. |
| 34. | *Donovan Peoples-Jones CLE at PIT Note: Peoples-Jones left Week 17's win over the Steelers with a concussion. Practiced on Friday, listed as questionable, but it appears likely that he'll play. |
| 35. | Josh Reynolds LA at SEA |
| 36. | *Isaiah McKenzie BUF vs. IND Note: McKenzie (ankle) was listed as limited for Tuesday's walkthrough practice. |
| 37. | Dez Bryant BAL at TEN |
| 38. | Marquez Callaway NO vs. CHI |
| 39. | Devin Duvernay BAL at TEN |
| 40. | Ray-Ray McCloud PIT vs. CLE |
| 41. | *Darnell Mooney CHI at NO Note: Mooney was having a breakout game - 11-of-13 for 93 yards - before leaving with an ankle injury against the Packers. Mooney didn't practice at all this week and is listed as questionable. |
| 42. | Tre'Quan Smith NO vs. CHI |
| 43. | Tyreek Hill KC at |
| 44. | Sammy Watkins KC at |
| 45. | Demarcus Robinson KC at |
| 46. | Byron Pringle KC at |
| 47. | Mecole Hardman KC at |
| 48. | Davante Adams GB at |
| 49. | Marquez Valdes-Scantling GB at |
| 50. | Allen Lazard GB at |
| 51. | Equanimeous St. Brown GB at |
Tight Ends
| 1. | Mark Andrews BAL at TEN |
| 2. | *Jared Cook NO vs. CHI Note: Cook caught his seventh touchdown pass of the year last week, and now faces a Bears team that was the second-worst team in defending tight ends during the regular season. |
| 3. | Rob Gronkowski TB at WAS |
| 4. | Logan Thomas WAS vs. TB |
| 5. | Dawson Knox BUF vs. IND |
| 6. | *Eric Ebron PIT vs. CLE Note: Ebron sat out last week on the COVID-IR after being deemed a high-risk, close contact. Ebron has been activated from the COVID-IR. |
| 7. | Jonnu Smith TEN vs. BAL |
| 8. | Cole Kmet CHI at NO |
| 9. | Austin Hooper CLE at PIT |
| 10. | Tyler Higbee LA at SEA |
| 11. | *Jimmy Graham CHI at NO Note: Graham still gets more red zone targets, but he had just two targets last week compared to eight for Cole Kmet. |
| 12. | Gerald Everett LA at SEA |
| 13. | Jack Doyle IND at BUF |
| 14. | Anthony Firkser TEN vs. BAL |
| 15. | *Vance McDonald PIT vs. CLE Note: McDonald had six targets last week with Eric Ebron on the COVID-IR last week. Ebron has been activated from the COVID-IR. |
| 16. | David Njoku CLE at PIT |
| 17. | Adam Trautman NO vs. CHI |
| 18. | Trey Burton IND at BUF |
| 19. | Will Dissly SEA vs. LAR |
| 20. | Mo Alie-Cox IND at BUF |
| 21. | Cameron Brate TB at WAS |
| 22. | Jacob Hollister SEA vs. LAR |
| 23. | Tyler Kroft BUF vs. IND |
| 24. | *Greg Olsen SEA vs. LAR Note: Olsen sat out last week after a flare-up with his foot. |
| 25. | Travis Kelce KC at |
| 26. | Robert Tonyan GB at |
Flex (RB/WR/TE)
| 1. | *Stefon Diggs BUF vs. IND Note: Diggs (oblique) was listed as limited for Tuesday's walkthrough practice. Diggs is listed as questionable but will play. |
| 2. | Derrick Henry TEN vs. BAL |
| 3. | *J.K. Dobbins BAL at TEN Note: The Titans by far have the worst run defense of the playoff teams active this week. |
| 4. | *Jonathan Taylor IND at BUF Note: Taylor (shoulder) was listed as limited on Tuesday's estimated practice report. He's finally taken over the lead back duties for the Colts. Taylor was listed as limited on Thursday to rest his shoulder, but was subsequently cleared from the injury list. |
| 5. | *Alvin Kamara NO vs. CHI Note: We might not know about Kamara's status until Sunday. Luckily the Saints play on Sunday. Kamara posted on his Twitter account that he is on track to be able to play on Sunday. |
| 6. | Nick Chubb CLE at PIT |
| 7. | Chris Godwin TB at WAS |
| 8. | *JuJu Smith-Schuster PIT vs. CLE Note: Smith-Schuster (knee) has had his practice reps managed all season long, including this week. He had a full practice Friday and should be good to go, though. |
| 9. | *A.J. Brown TEN vs. BAL Note: Brown (knee/hand) only did limited work on Wednesday and then sat out entirely Thursday and Friday, yet isn't on the injury list and will play. |
| 10. | *Cam Akers LA at SEA Note: Akers not only came back after missing one week with a high-ankle sprain, but he had 48 snaps to 23 for Malcolm Brown. Akers upgraded to a full practice Wednesday and is expected to start. |
| 11. | *David Montgomery CHI at NO Note: Montgomery has been on a roll, but the Saints shut down opposing backs. |
| 12. | *Allen Robinson CHI at NO Note: Robinson (hamstring) was given a maintenance day Thursday but returned to practice Friday and has been removed from the injury report. |
| 13. | Jarvis Landry CLE at PIT |
| 14. | Marquise Brown BAL at TEN |
| 15. | *Chris Carson SEA vs. LAR Note: Carson's practice reps were capped again this week to rest his foot, but he's been cleared from the injury list for Saturday's game. |
| 16. | Gus Edwards BAL at TEN |
| 17. | T.Y. Hilton IND at BUF |
| 18. | *Antonio Brown TB at WAS Note: Brown turned the clock back to 2017 with his massive game against the Falcons. If Mike Evans has to sit out, Brown will see a similar workload. |
| 19. | *Cooper Kupp LA at SEA Note: Kupp was activated from COVID-IR on Wednesday. |
| 20. | *Michael Thomas NO vs. CHI Note: Thomas (ankle) has been designated to return from IR; presumably the Saints will officially activate him Saturday afternoon, but it hasn't happened yet. |
| 21. | *Terry McLaurin WAS vs. TB Note: McLaurin played through his high-ankle sprain Sunday night and will have to manage the pain again Saturday night. He sat out Tuesday's estimated practice. McLaurin will try to gut it out again this week, perhaps without Alex Smith though. |
| 22. | Robert Woods LA at SEA |
| 23. | Tyler Lockett SEA vs. LAR |
| 24. | Mark Andrews BAL at TEN |
| 25. | Diontae Johnson PIT vs. CLE |
| 26. | *DK Metcalf SEA vs. LAR Note: Metcalf draws Jalen Ramsey once again this week. |
| 27. | *Emmanuel Sanders NO vs. CHI Note: Sanders had nine catches in the finale against the Panthers, but will Michael Thomas (ankle) return this week? |
| 28. | *Mike Evans TB at WAS Note: Evans suffered a hyperextended knee in the win over the Falcons. He sat out Tuesday's estimated practice. Evans only managed a limited practice Thursday, but is going to give it a go. |
| 29. | *Jared Cook NO vs. CHI Note: Cook caught his seventh touchdown pass of the year last week, and now faces a Bears team that was the second-worst team in defending tight ends during the regular season. |
| 30. | Rob Gronkowski TB at WAS |
| 31. | Kareem Hunt CLE at PIT |
| 32. | Nyheim Hines IND at BUF |
| 33. | Gabriel Davis BUF vs. IND |
| 34. | Ronald Jones TB at WAS |
| 35. | Zack Moss BUF vs. IND |
| 36. | Van Jefferson LA at SEA |
| 37. | John Brown BUF vs. IND |
| 38. | Chase Claypool PIT vs. CLE |
| 39. | Logan Thomas WAS vs. TB |
| 40. | *Antonio Gibson WAS vs. TB Note: Gibson (toe) was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday's practice estimate, but he played 37 snaps Sunday night despite not practicing last week. Gibson is listed as questionable but is expected to play. |
| 41. | James Conner PIT vs. CLE |
| 42. | *Latavius Murray NO vs. CHI Note: I suspect that Murray will be activated from the COVID-IR as a close contact during the week. Murray was officially activated on Wednesday. Alvin Kamara tweeted that he's on track to play Sunday, but obviously that's not the official word from the Saints. |
| 43. | Michael Pittman IND at BUF |
| 44. | Rashard Higgins CLE at PIT |
| 45. | Dawson Knox BUF vs. IND |
| 46. | Jonnu Smith TEN vs. BAL |
| 47. | J.D. McKissic WAS vs. TB |
| 48. | Devin Singletary BUF vs. IND |
| 49. | *Corey Davis TEN vs. BAL Note: Davis had at least three drops in the win over Houston, and another could have been classified as a drop. |
| 50. | James Washington PIT vs. CLE |
| 51. | Cam Sims WAS vs. TB |
| 52. | *Vance McDonald PIT vs. CLE Note: McDonald had six targets last week with Eric Ebron on the COVID-IR last week. Ebron has been activated from the COVID-IR. |
| 53. | Cole Kmet CHI at NO |
| 54. | Zach Pascal IND at BUF |
| 55. | Miles Boykin BAL at TEN |
Kickers
| 1. | Justin Tucker BAL at TEN |
| 2. | Tyler Bass BUF vs. IND |
| 3. | Wil Lutz NO vs. CHI |
| 4. | *Rodrigo Blankenship IND at BUF Note: Not a great finish to the season for Blankenship - he missed field goals from 49 and 56 yards, and now goes on the road at Buffalo. |
| 5. | Ryan Succop TB at WAS |
| 6. | *Jason Myers SEA vs. LAR Note: Myers has made 35 consecutive field goals, though he has missed four extra points. |
| 7. | Cody Parkey CLE at PIT |
| 8. | *Stephen Gostkowski TEN vs. BAL Note: Gostkowski was in the COVID-19 protocol last week and was replaced by Samuel Sloman, who in his stead hit the game-winning field goal. Activated from the COVID-IR on Thursday. |
| 9. | Matt Gay LA at SEA |
| 10. | *Chris Boswell PIT vs. CLE Note: Boswell sat out last week with a groin injury, but will try to work his way back for Sunday night's game. Boswell put in a full workout Thursday and appears ready to go - because the Steelers are playing the last game of the weekend, he's still extra risky. |
| 11. | Cairo Santos CHI at NO |
| 12. | Dustin Hopkins WAS vs. TB |
| 13. | *Matthew Wright at Note: Wright will remain on standby in case Boswell can't go again. |
| 14. | Harrison Butker KC at |
| 15. | Mason Crosby GB at |
Defenses
| 1. | Los Angeles Rams at SEA |
| 2. | New Orleans Saints vs. CHI |
| 3. | *Tampa Bay Buccaneers at WAS Note: Carlton Davis (groin) was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday's practice estimate. He has missed the last two games. |
| 4. | *Seattle Seahawks vs. LAR Note: Adams (shoulder/hand) is likely going to be a game-time decision on Saturday. |
| 5. | *Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CLE Note: Terrell Edmunds (shoulder) might be able to return Sunday night. |
| 6. | Buffalo Bills vs. IND |
| 7. | Washington Football Team vs. TB |
| 8. | Baltimore Ravens at TEN |
| 9. | *Cleveland Browns at PIT Note: Olivier Vernon suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon in Week 17. |
| 10. | *Chicago Bears at NO Note: Roquan Smith left with an elbow injury in the loss to the Packers. |
| 11. | *Indianapolis Colts at BUF Note: Khari Willis (concussion) was a full participant Tuesday after missing Week 17. DeForest Buckner is battling an ankle injury, but is expected to play Saturday. |
| 12. | Tennessee Titans vs. BAL |
