Welcome to week 16!

Custom gold-mining charts (that are specific to your league settings) are now available in our app. They are calculated slightly differently -using the top and bottom deciles for the error bars instead of the pseudomedian confidence interval. Visit our app and set up an account to input your league settings.

The graphs below summarize the projections from a variety of sources. This week’s summary includes projections from: FantasySharks, CBS, NFL, ESPN, FantasyPros, FleaFlicker and NumberFire. The data for this article was collected on 12/18/24. For more details on WR gold mining and how to interpret the graphs above, see Chad’s post explaining gold mining .

Projection Table

Projection Graphs Standard Leagues

QB

Standard Scoring League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

  • Drew Lock, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jake Haener, Desmond Ridder and Spencer Rattler are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and C.J. Stroud are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Patrick Mahomes, Geno Smith, Jameis Winston, Drew Lock and Jake Haener are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

RB

Standard Scoring League Running Backs

From the graph below notice that:

  • Alvin Kamara, Kenneth Walker III, Rachaad White, Zach Charbonnet and Craig Reynolds are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Jahmyr Gibbs, De’Von Achane, Cam Akers, Craig Reynolds and Trey Benson are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Alvin Kamara, Kenneth Walker III, Sincere McCormick, Kendre Miller and Alexander Mattison are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

WR

Standard Scoring League Wide Receiver

From the graph below notice that:

  • Puka Nacua, Zay Flowers, Brian Thomas Jr., Jerry Jeudy and Jayden Reed are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Tee Higgins, Malik Nabers, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Demario Douglas and Tre Tucker are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Drake London, George Pickens and Amari Cooper are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

TE

Standard Scoring League Tight-End

From the graph below notice that:

  • George Kittle, Trey McBride, Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and Will Dissly are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Trey McBride, Jake Ferguson, Dalton Schultz, Chigoziem Okonkwo and Will Dissly are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Brock Bowers, George Kittle, Sam LaPorta, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

Projection Graphs Point-per-Reception Leagues

QB

Point-per-Reception League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

  • Drew Lock, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jake Haener, Desmond Ridder and Spencer Rattler are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and C.J. Stroud are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Patrick Mahomes, Geno Smith, Jameis Winston, Drew Lock and Jake Haener are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

RB

Point-per-Reception League Running Back Roundup

From the graph below notice that:

  • Kenneth Walker III, Rachaad White, Alexander Mattison, Jaleel McLaughlin and Craig Reynolds are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • De’Von Achane, Justice Hill, Cam Akers, Craig Reynolds and Braelon Allen are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Alvin Kamara, Kenneth Walker III, Alexander Mattison, Kendre Miller and Sincere McCormick are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

WR

Point-per-Reception League Wide Receiver

From the graph below notice that:

  • Puka Nacua, Brian Thomas Jr., Jerry Jeudy, Jayden Reed and Amari Cooper are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Tee Higgins, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jayden Reed, Wan’Dale Robinson and Demario Douglas are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Davante Adams, Drake London, George Pickens, Jaylen Waddle and Amari Cooper are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

TE

Point-per-Reception League Tight-End

From the graph below notice that:

  • Trey McBride, Mark Andrews, Brenton Strange, Mike Gesicki and Will Dissly are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • T.J. Hockenson, Jake Ferguson, Dalton Schultz, Austin Hooper and Tanner Hudson are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Brock Bowers, Mark Andrews, Zach Ertz, Foster Moreau and Daniel Bellinger are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

Projection Graphs Half-Point-per-Reception Leagues

QB

Half-Point-per-Reception League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

  • Drew Lock, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jake Haener, Desmond Ridder and Spencer Rattler are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and C.J. Stroud are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Patrick Mahomes, Geno Smith, Jameis Winston, Drew Lock and Jake Haener are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

RB

Half-Point-per-Reception League Running Back Roundup

From the graph below notice that:

  • Kenneth Walker III, Rachaad White, Alexander Mattison, Jaleel McLaughlin and Craig Reynolds are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • De’Von Achane, Justice Hill, Cam Akers, Craig Reynolds and Braelon Allen are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Alvin Kamara, Kenneth Walker III, Alexander Mattison, Kendre Miller and Sincere McCormick are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

WR

Half-Point-per-Reception League Wide Receiver

From the graph below notice that:

  • Puka Nacua, Brian Thomas Jr., Jerry Jeudy, Jayden Reed and Amari Cooper are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Tee Higgins, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jayden Reed, Wan’Dale Robinson and Demario Douglas are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Davante Adams, Drake London, George Pickens, Jaylen Waddle and Amari Cooper are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

TE

Half-Point-per-Reception League Tight-End

From the graph below notice that:

  • Trey McBride, Mark Andrews, Brenton Strange, Mike Gesicki and Will Dissly are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • T.J. Hockenson, Jake Ferguson, Dalton Schultz, Austin Hooper and Tanner Hudson are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Brock Bowers, Mark Andrews, Zach Ertz, Foster Moreau and Daniel Bellinger are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

Projection Graphs Kickers

K

Standard Scoring K

From the graph below notice that:

  • Younghoe Koo, Ka’imi Fairbairn, Chris Boswell, Wil Lutz and Greg Joseph are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Justin Tucker, Chase McLaughlin, Joshua Karty, Jason Myers and Eddy Pineiro are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Brandon McManus, Jason Sanders, Brandon Aubrey, Cade York and Greg Joseph are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.