5 best fantasy football pickups to make for Week 16

Let’s break down the five best fantasy football pickups to make for Week 16.

Week 15 of the NFL season included some surprising performances and notable storylines, which had a profound impact in fantasy football leagues.

Running backs such as Tyler Allgeier and Latavius Murray had breakout games, while Zack Moss and Royce Freeman stepped up in the wake of injuries. There were many big storylines this week. Desmond Ridder made his NFL start. Zach Wilson got another opportunity at quarterback for the Jets. Jonathan Taylor suffered a high-ankle sprain.

Without further ado, let’s break down the five best fantasy football pickups to make for Week 16. All players listed are widely available in ESPN leagues.

Best fantasy football pickups for Week 16: QB Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons

Rostered: 3.5%

Ridder made his first NFL start on Sunday, and well, it was underwhelming. He completed 13 out of 26 passes for 97 yards, and he had six carries for 38 yards. However, there is still upside here.

He showcased his mobility, and he did not turn over the football. Additionally, the Saints’ pass defense has been excellent this season. They are allowing the seventh-fewest passing yards per game (195.1), and they are tied for the sixth-fewest passing touchdowns allowed (16). As the season progresses, he should become more comfortable.

Notably, his next two opponents are the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals. This season, both of those defenses rank in the bottom-10 in passing yards per game. So, Ridder has a chance to have a couple of breakout fantasy performances against vulnerable defenses. If you are looking for a quarterback on the waiver wire, Ridder is worth a flier.