Saints Fantasy Football Outlook for Week 16 with Alvin Kamara Likely Out and Spencer Rattler Starting | Kendre Miller, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Juwan Johnson and More

The New Orleans Saints have a very slim chance to make the postseason, but are more or less just playing out the season and looking toward the future.

They’ll get a chance to look to the future because of two announcements on Thursday.

Alvin Kamara is trending toward not playing in week 16, and it looks like he might be done for the season.

The Saints also announced that Spencer Rattler is going to start on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers.

Let’s look into what those two things mean for the Saints and their few offensive fantasy players. 

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Week 16 Matchups

The Packers are one of the toughest matchups for a fantasy quarterback, sitting in the top five in terms of least points allowed.

Running backs have an average matchup, although the Packers have slowed backs a bit better as of late.

The matchup for wide receivers is tough as well, with the Packers sitting in the top 10 in terms of least points allowed. 

The lone favorable matchup belongs to tight ends. Green Bay sits in the bottom 10 in terms of most points allowed.

Quarterback Fantasy Outlook

Rattler is projected for nine fantasy points this week, and that might rise a little bit now that he’s been named the starter.

Rattler has played in four games this season, with three of those being starts. The team is 0-3 in those games. He started in weeks 6-8 against the Buccaneers, Broncos and Chargers.

He had 243 passing yards, but a touchdown and two interceptions against the Bucs. Rattler rushed for 27 yards on four scrambles and was sacked five times.

Rattler had 172 passing yards and no touchdowns or interceptions against the Broncos. He rushed for 34 yards on five carries, was sacked six times and lost two fumbles.

He then had 156 passing yards with no touchdowns or interceptions against the Chargers. He didn’t attempt a rush and was sacked three times.

Rattler’s first start was OK, but he’s been a way below-average fantasy quarterback in his outings since. In a tough matchup this week, I don’t like the idea of starting Rattler. The only way I would be in a deep league (most likely two-QB setups). 

Running Back Fantasy Outlook

Kamara has been one of the top PPR fantasy backs all season, only trailing Saquon Barkley, so his absence would be a massive blow to fantasy teams.

Kendre Miller returned to the field in week 14 and has amassed 78 rushing yards on 19 attempts in the two games since. He’s likely going to be the Saints’ workhorse back if Kamara is out.

Jordan Mims and Jamaal Williams are the other two running backs on the Saints’ active roster. Williams has 42 touches across 119 snaps this season, while Mims has 18 touches across 56 snaps.

Those numbers would indicate that Williams would likely be the No. 2 back behind Miller, but if the Saints want to see what they possibly have in the younger Mims, this would be a good chance for that. I don’t see either back being a good fantasy asset unless Miller were to also be inactive in an upcoming game.

In the more average (but probably worse) matchup, Miller is close to the start/sit line for week 16. I’d need to see your other options before making a final decision on him. He’ll probably pop up in our start/sit stories later this week (if Kamara is inactive), so be sure to check back for those.

Williams and Mims are just really deep-league options, and more lottery starts than guys you should be trusting to do anything.

Wide Receiver Fantasy Outlook

The Saints’ wide receiver room has been hit hard by injuries this season, and three guys are on the injury report this week.

Chris Olave has been out since week 9 with a concussion. He was cleared for football activities and returned to practice in a limited capacity, but interim coach Darren Rizzi said he likely won’t be playing this week.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been the team’s top wideout the past several weeks. He’s dealing with a chest injury now. MVS has scored nine or more fantasy points in five straight games.

Kevin Austin played the second-most snaps among the team’s receivers last week. He has 11 targets across the past three games, but just five catches for 44 yards.

Dante Pettis played 26 snaps last week. He has nine targets over the past three games, but only three grabs for 29 yards in that span.

Cedrick Wilson logged 20 snaps in week 15. He has a single target in each of the past three games - he caught two for 37 yards.

Bub Means is another option - he didn’t practice on Thursday and is still on the injured reserve list.

In the tough matchup, I don’t like the idea of starting any Saints’ wideout in a standard league. Olave would get a little consideration if he plays, but I’d prefer to start him in a deeper league. If Olave misses the game, MVS would fall under the same category.

If MVS is also out, I still wouldn’t start any of the other Saints’ wideouts. One of them might have a couple grabs, but it’s anybody’s guess who it might actually be.

Tight End Fantasy Outlook

Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau are the top tight ends in New Orleans.

Johnson has 15 targets over the past three games, making 11 grabs for 98 yards and a score. He’s dealing with a foot injury, so his status will be one to watch.

Moreau has 10 targets across the previous three contests. He’s made eight catches for 85 yards and a score.

It’s a favorable matchup for the tight ends, but with two guys playing a lot, they are more likely to split the production and not be great fantasy assets. I’d consider each guy in a deeper league, but not want to play either in a standard league.

Be sure to run all your Saints’ fantasy options through the start/sit tool!