As we head into Week 16, the DFS landscape is more volatile than ever with playoff positioning on the line for nearly a dozen teams. Between Patrick Mahomes being sidelined and players like Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow battling through late-season injuries, choosing the right signal-caller requires a careful balance of health and high-stakes motivation. This slate offers a unique mix of high-priced anchors and extreme value plays that can completely change the construction of your roster. We’ve crunched the numbers on team tendencies and defensive vulnerabilities to give you the edge you need for your DraftKings and FanDuel lineups. Let's dive into the Week 16 QB Coach to find your winning plays.

 

 

 

NFL DFS QB Top Tier Picks for NFL Week 16

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow has provided a spark to the Cincinnati offense since returning from his toe injury. In the three games since his return, he has thrown for 770 yards with 6 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. While he is coming off a tough shutout loss to Baltimore, he displayed his elite ceiling the week prior with a 4-touchdown performance against Buffalo. Facing a Miami secondary that has struggled with consistency (ranking 24th in opponent passer rating), Burrow is a premier candidate to bounce back.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

The Lions' offense is the gold standard right now, leading the NFL in scoring over the last six weeks and ranking 1st in red zone touchdown percentage (72.1%). Goff is especially effective at home, where he averages 8.2 adjusted yards per attempt. With the Steelers' pass rush potentially diminished by injuries, Goff should be able to exploit a secondary allowing roughly 242 passing yards per game.

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert has shown incredible grit, playing through a fractured non-throwing hand to keep the Chargers in playoff contention. On the season, he has compiled 3,191 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also offers a strong rushing floor, having totaled 419 yards and a touchdown on the ground this year. He faces a Dallas defense that is currently a "flow chart" target, ranking 32nd in the league in passing yards allowed per game (254.8).

 

 

 

NFL DFS QB Mid-Tier Picks for NFL Week 16

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mayfield is "cooking" again now that his full complement of weapons, including a healthy Mike Evans, has returned to the lineup. On the season, Baker has racked up 2,999 passing yards and 22 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. He faces a Panthers defense that ranks 17th in passing yards allowed per game (215.5) but has struggled to contain veteran passers when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are both on the field. Mayfield’s connection with rookie Emeka Egbuka (870 yards) provides him with a tournament-winning ceiling in this divisional matchup.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

The rookie has been highly efficient, recording a 69.0% completion rate through his first six starts. His rushing upside remains a key factor, providing a dual-threat floor that many mid-tier options lack. Facing a Jets defense that has fallen to the bottom of the league in pass efficiency, Shough is an elite point-per-dollar play.

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

Brissett has been a revelation since taking over the starting role in Week 6. He is currently averaging over 300 passing yards per game and has thrown at least two passing touchdowns in all but one start this season. Facing an Atlanta defense that is allowing a 67.4% completion rate, Brissett offers an elite ceiling-to-price ratio for those looking to save salary without sacrificing production.

 

 

 

NFL DFS QB Value Picks for NFL Week 16

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Young’s performance has stabilized recently, accounting for 8 touchdowns over his last four games. He faces a Buccaneers defense that ranks 30th in opponent passing yards per completion (11.8). With Tampa Bay missing several key starters in the secondary, Young’s volume should lead to 3x-4x value at a heavily discounted price.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

McCarthy has found his rhythm as a scorer, totaling five touchdowns over his last two games. While his rushing yardage has leveled off to an average of 14.7 yards per game over his last three starts, his efficiency in the red zone has spiked. The Giants' defense ranks 29th in opponent red zone scoring percentage, making McCarthy a strong tournament option.

Gardner Minshew, Kansas City Chiefs

Starting for the injured Patrick Mahomes, Minshew inherits an offense that ranks 2nd in the league in time of possession. While he lacks a superstar ceiling, the system remains elite. The Titans are 29th in defensive pass efficiency, and with the Chiefs' playmakers around him, Minshew is well-positioned to hit value at a near-minimum salary.

 

 

 

NFL DFS QB Fades for NFL Week 16

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lawrence is the ultimate "trap" play this week. Despite a massive performance last week, he faces a Denver defense that ranks 1st in the NFL in both opponent points per game (15.2) and opponent yards per play (4.4). Additionally, historical data shows Lawrence’s production tends to drop in cold-weather games, and the forecast for Mile High suggests a significant performance cap.