This article is part of our Weekly Rankings series.
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 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. | Patrick Mahomes KC vs. CIN |
| 2. | Joe Burrow CIN at KC |
| 3. | Matthew Stafford LA vs. SF |
| 4. | *Jimmy Garoppolo SF at LAR Note: |
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 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. | Patrick Mahomes KC vs. CIN |
| 2. | Joe Burrow CIN at KC |
| 3. | Matthew Stafford LA vs. SF |
| 4. | *Jimmy Garoppolo SF at LAR Note: Garoppolo directed the game-winning field goal drive, but otherwise the Niners won despite his play, not because of it. He's able to play through his thumb and shoulder injuries, but he's clearly affected by the injuries. Garoppolo fully practiced on Wednesday. |
Running Backs
| 1. | *Elijah Mitchell SF at LAR Note: The Niners are still managing practice reps for Mitchell (knee), and he didn't practice Wednesday. Mitchell was limited on Thursday. |
| 2. | Joe Mixon CIN at KC |
| 3. | *Jerick McKinnon KC vs. CIN Note: CEH was the more effective runner last week, but McKinnon still made an impact in the passing game, catching five passes on seven targets for 54 yards. |
| 4. | *Cam Akers LA vs. SF Note: Akers struggled Sunday against the Bucs (24-48-0 with two fumbles lost), but out-snapped Michel 58-14. He'll be on a closer watch this week presumably, if he fumbles again. |
| 5. | *Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC vs. CIN Note: Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) looked fully healed and fresh last week, running seven times for 60 yards in the win over the Bills. |
| 6. | *Sony Michel LA vs. SF Note: Michel had only one carry and 14 snaps in the win over the Bucs, but maybe he'll play more this week after Cam Akers lost two fumbles. |
| 7. | Samaje Perine CIN at KC |
| 8. | *Jeff Wilson SF at LAR Note: Wilson sprained his ankle covering a kickoff against the Packers and was limited in Wednesday's practice. |
| 9. | *Darrel Williams KC vs. CIN Note: Williams (toe) was inactive last week, but fully practiced Wednesday. He scored twice against the Bengals in Week 17, but that was with CEH out and McKinnon barely active. Williams was limited Thursday. |
| 10. | Chris Evans CIN at KC |
| 11. | JaMycal Hasty SF at LAR |
| 12. | Derrick Gore KC vs. CIN |
Wide Receivers
| 1. | Cooper Kupp LA vs. SF |
| 2. | Ja'Marr Chase CIN at KC |
| 3. | *Deebo Samuel SF at LAR Note: Samuel (knee) was not on Wednesday's injury report. |
| 4. | Tyreek Hill KC vs. CIN |
| 5. | Tee Higgins CIN at KC |
| 6. | Odell Beckham LA vs. SF |
| 7. | Byron Pringle KC vs. CIN |
| 8. | Tyler Boyd CIN at KC |
| 9. | Mecole Hardman KC vs. CIN |
| 10. | Brandon Aiyuk SF at LAR |
| 11. | Jauan Jennings SF at LAR |
| 12. | *Van Jefferson LA vs. SF Note: Jefferson (knee) was a non-participant in Wednesday's walkthrough. |
| 13. | Demarcus Robinson KC vs. CIN |
| 14. | Ben Skowronek LA vs. SF |
Tight Ends
| 1. | Travis Kelce KC vs. CIN |
| 2. | Tyler Higbee LA vs. SF |
| 3. | *George Kittle SF at LAR Note: Kittle was limping after Saturday's game last week, but was cleared from the injury list on Wednesday. |
| 4. | C.J. Uzomah CIN at KC |
| 5. | Blake Bell KC vs. CIN |
Flex (RB/WR/TE)
| 1. | Cooper Kupp LA vs. SF |
| 2. | Ja'Marr Chase CIN at KC |
| 3. | *Deebo Samuel SF at LAR Note: Samuel (knee) was not on Wednesday's injury report. |
| 4. | Tyreek Hill KC vs. CIN |
| 5. | Travis Kelce KC vs. CIN |
| 6. | *Elijah Mitchell SF at LAR Note: The Niners are still managing practice reps for Mitchell (knee), and he didn't practice Wednesday. Mitchell was limited on Thursday. |
| 7. | Joe Mixon CIN at KC |
| 8. | Tee Higgins CIN at KC |
| 9. | Odell Beckham LA vs. SF |
| 10. | *Cam Akers LA vs. SF Note: Akers struggled Sunday against the Bucs (24-48-0 with two fumbles lost), but out-snapped Michel 58-14. He'll be on a closer watch this week presumably, if he fumbles again. |
| 11. | *Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC vs. CIN Note: Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) looked fully healed and fresh last week, running seven times for 60 yards in the win over the Bills. |
| 12. | Byron Pringle KC vs. CIN |
| 13. | Tyler Boyd CIN at KC |
| 14. | Tyler Higbee LA vs. SF |
| 15. | *George Kittle SF at LAR Note: Kittle was limping after Saturday's game last week, but was cleared from the injury list on Wednesday. |
| 16. | Mecole Hardman KC vs. CIN |
| 17. | Brandon Aiyuk SF at LAR |
| 18. | *Jerick McKinnon KC vs. CIN Note: CEH was the more effective runner last week, but McKinnon still made an impact in the passing game, catching five passes on seven targets for 54 yards. |
| 19. | C.J. Uzomah CIN at KC |
| 20. | Jauan Jennings SF at LAR |
| 21. | *Sony Michel LA vs. SF Note: Michel had only one carry and 14 snaps in the win over the Bucs, but maybe he'll play more this week after Cam Akers lost two fumbles. |
| 22. | Samaje Perine CIN at KC |
| 23. | Demarcus Robinson KC vs. CIN |
Kickers
| 1. | Evan McPherson CIN at KC |
| 2. | Harrison Butker KC vs. CIN |
| 3. | Robbie Gould SF at LAR |
| 4. | *Matt Gay LA vs. SF Note: Gay seemed to injure himself in pregame warmups last week, which might explain why he felt short on a 47-yard attempt. |
Defenses
| 1. | *San Francisco 49ers at LAR Note: CB Ambry Thomas (knee) sat out last week's win but was a full practice participant on Thursday. |
| 2. | *Los Angeles Rams vs. SF Note: Taylor Rapp (concussion) has missed the last two weeks, and was a limited participant in Thursday's practice. |
| 3. | *Kansas City Chiefs vs. CIN Note: Tyrann Mathieu (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice. CB Rashad Fenton (back) missed the first two playoff games, but he was a full participant Wednesday. |
| 4. | *Cincinnati Bengals at KC Note: Cam Sample (groin) sat out Wednesday's practice. Josh Tupou (knee) will be a game-time decision most likely. |
