The court case for Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson, who is facing five misdemeanor charges, has been postponed for a third time, per Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. The hearing is now scheduled for January 25, well after the regular season comes to an end. From an on-field perspective, the latest delay shouldn’t affect Richardson and the Jets significantly, since any discipline from the NFL was always likely to be applied for the 2016 season, rather than this year.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

• The Colts have arguably been the NFL’s biggest underachiever this season, leaving owner Jim Irsay no choice but to make changes in the offseason. While neither head coach Chuck Pagano nor general manager Ryan Grigson should feel safe heading into 2016, Mike Wells of ESPN.com takes a look at the problem areas for the two men to get an idea of whether they ought to be replaced.
• Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams, and Patriots outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard were among the top free agent signings of the 2015 offseason, writes Mike Sando of ESPN.com in an Insider-only piece.
• Before signing Chris Carter to their active roster and Nordly Capi to their practice squad, the Ravens also worked out veteran linebacker Ricky Sapp, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
• Wilson also has the details on the latest Jaguars tryouts, tweeting that fullback Ray Agnew, defensive lineman Shayon Green, tackle Sean Hickey, defensive back Josh Johnson and safety Earl Wolff auditioned for Jacksonville.
• One more workout note from Wilson, who tweets that the Browns are taking a look at former Towson offensive tackle Randall Harris today.

TUESDAY, 8:03am: Per Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Garrett confirmed on Monday that Escobar will land on IR along with Tony Romo this week, so the Cowboys will open up two spots on their 53-man roster when the moves become official.

SUNDAY, 8:17am: Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar suffered a torn Achilles in last night’s loss to the Jets and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, according to head coach Jason Garrett (Twitter link via Charean Williams of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

Escobar, of course, has not become the receiving threat at tight end the Cowboys expected him to be when they selected him in the second round of the 2013 draft. He has caught just 26 passes for 303 yards and seven scores during his time with the club, and although the presence of Jason Witten has certainly played a role in Escobar’s lack of productivity, it is clear that Escobar has not developed as hoped.

The San Diego State product is under contract through the end of next season and is eligible to hit free agency in 2017, but at this point, it is fair to wonder whether he has played his last game in a Cowboys uniform.

For devout fantasy football players, Week 16 is more important than the Super Bowl. The pivotal weekend hosts title games across the land for those lucky enough to withstand the preceding gauntlet. 

First, take a second to appreciate every fortunate twist and turn making this possible. Did a garbage-time touchdown save the day? How about a questionable penalty negating an opponent’s score? Watch a full day of football from a fantasy lens, and it’s impossible not to fill the day with “what if?” scenarios.

Or maybe it was just Cam Newton and Antonio Brown being awesome. Whatever the path to the championship, here you are. Soak it all in. Now snap out of it. This is the most important lineup of the season, so don’t take Week 16’s roster decisions lightly.

In order to get a head start, here’s an early look at flex rankings for standard and point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

 

Heading into Week 15, Danny Woodhead hadn’t scored since Week 9. Those four scoreless games weren’t exactly a treasure chest of production otherwise, featuring 110 total yards from the San Diego Chargers scatback. In most standard leagues, owners jettisoned him to the bench or waiver wire and watched in horror as he scored four touchdowns on Sunday.

In what could have been the Chargers’ last game in San Diego, Woodhead made an emphatic closing statement. As noted by ESPN Stats & Info, he matched a feat last obtained by a franchise legend:

Take away the scores, however, and it was far from a dominating performance. He compiled 60 yards on 14 touches, placing the 30-year-old behind his season average of 65.8 yards per contest.

Despite a month of futility, he ranks No. 12 among running backs in NFL.com fantasy scoring, sandwiched between LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte. That’s using standard-scoring formats, which doesn’t account for his 64 receptions. 

While gamers shouldn’t overreact and treat him like a stud, he deserves a spot in most Week 16 starting lineups. When he faced the Oakland Raiders earlier this season, he stockpiled a season-high 11 receptions for 75 yards and two scores. Antonio Gates is now in the picture, but Keenan Allen isn’t.

The Raiders rank No. 28 in passing defense, and San Diego’s recent offensive blunders came against the tougher Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. When it’s clicking, Woodhead becomes a prolific PPR weapon.

On the other side of the coin, Latavius Murray quietly ranks No. 4 in rushing attempts (236) and No. 5 in rushing yards (956). Yet the Raiders running back has just five touchdowns this season and one over the last four games.

Even though Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers eliminated them from playoff contention, the Raiders have made strides behind a bright offensive nucleus. Murray, however, takes little solace in his personal quest for 1,000 rushing yards, per Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle: 

He’ll rarely top the weekly leaderboard, but a heavy workload makes him a stable No. 2 fantasy rusher. His investors, however, would love to see his first 100-yard outing since Nov. 1 with championships on the line.

Woodhead wasn’t the only running back to enjoy the last Chargers-Raiders showdown. Murray sliced up San Diego—who has relinquished 4.7 yards per carry this season—for 85 yards and a score on 15 carries.

The 25-year-old will certainly get opportunities to flourish. He has received at least 13 touches in every game this season, and his low touchdown tally isn’t indicative of his chances. According to NFLsavant.com, Oakland has given him 29 red-zone rushing attempts this season, which ties him with Jeremy Hill for No. 10 on the ledger. As long as the Raiders keep calling his number, fantasy owners should follow.

Martavis Bryant has taken a weird turn from touchdown machine to PPR master. While the Pittsburgh Steelers wideout failed to score in consecutive games for the first time this season, he corralled 17 combined catches.

His seven receptions against the Cincinnati Bengals set a personal best before quickly topping it with 10 grabs versus the Denver’s top-ranked passing defense. Most fantasy players will prefer the scores, but Bryant’s investors should relish the heightened workload.

Not only did he provide usefulness in the league’s toughest matchups, he received 14 targets in a game where Antonio Brown exploded for 16 catches, 189 yards and two scores. Earlier in his season, the second-year pro had a couple of three-reception games which would have looked ugly without a “1” in the touchdown column. Now he’s no longer an all-or-nothing upside gamble.

This weekend, owners should enjoy the best of both worlds. Per NFL.com, the Baltimore Ravens have surrendered the most touchdowns (25) and fantasy points per game (28.53) to opposing wide receivers. Those numbers would look worse had Michael Vick not started for Pittsburgh instead of Ben Roethlisberger in Week 4.

Don’t worry too much about the Steelers going run-heavy in a blowout. They didn’t take their foot off the pedal during Week 13’s 45-10 slaughtering of the Indianapolis Colts, when Bryant tallied 114 yards and a score. In a must-win game against a bitter division rival, the Steelers will relish running up the score against a wounded adversary simply waiting for their nightmare season to end.

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Fantasy football owners still in the hunt have little time to celebrate making it this far going into Week 16.

After a week in which out-of-nowheres such as Kirk Cousins, Teddy Bridgewater and Danny Woodhead came close to topping the leaderboard, start ’em, sit ’em decisions will be as difficult as ever.

One thing not changing? The necessity of stars and sleepers. Last week, everyone knew to ride Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and got 41 points. Folks who unearthed Jacksonville Jaguars sleeper quarterback Blake Bortles got 23.

Here’s a look at value comparisons for the top 16 names and some stars and sleepers to exploit.

 

QB      

Star to Know: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (at BAL)

It seems almost impossible to stop Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger now. 

In two of his last three games, Big Ben has posted 21 or more points while leaning on a deep wideout corps headed by Antonio Brown. He’s tossed eight touchdowns in that span, even posting solid numbers against strong Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos secondaries.

So what happens when Big Ben faces a defense with more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese? Owners are about to find out in Week 16 when he takes on the Baltimore Ravens, the team that entered last weekend allowing the second-most points to the position.

 

Sleeper to Exploit: Kirk Cousins, Washington (at PHI)

Washington’s Kirk Cousins falls into sleeper territory still because owners just don’t seem to trust him yet, hence his ownership percentage sitting at an even 25 percent.

Owners needing a streaming option would be smart to take advantage, though. Cousins has 21 or more points in three out of his last four and four out of his last six with both DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed healthy.

Now Cousins takes his show on the road for a date with the Philadelphia Eagles, a defense he already torched once this season to the tune of 21 points back in Week 4.

Philadelphia hasn’t changed much after entering last weekend allowing the fourth-most points to the spot.

 

RB   

Star to Know: Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CHI)

Some might not realize it, but Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin sits as fantasy’s third-highest scorer at the position.

Martin’s had a superb rebound campaign and looked great as of late, scoring nine or more points in each of his last six outings.

Next up for Martin is a dance with the Chicago Bears, a team that ranked poorly before this past weekend, when it allowed Minnesota Vikings backup running back Jerick McKinnon to post 14 points.

Owners can bank on Martin flirting with a such a number for himself against such an exploitable unit.

 

Sleeper to Exploit: Christine Michael, Seattle Seahawks (vs. STL)

With Marshawn Lynch out of the way and Thomas Rawls now joining him on the sidelines, it appears the bulk of the work in the Seattle backfield will go to Christine Michael. 

Michael’s had a hard time getting it going after plenty of draft hype, but he came through for the Seahawks this past Sunday with 16 carries for 84 yards, good for eight points.

For owners in need this looks like the perfect situation this time of year. Michael’s owned in just 8.5 percent of leagues heading into a Week 16 encounter with the St. Louis Rams, a team that allowed the ninth-most points to the position entering the weekend.

Some might fear a committee, but it’s hard to imagine the Seahawks will ignore how well Michael ran last week.

 

WR   

Star to Know: Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins (vs. IND)

Outside of guys such as Brown and DeSean Jackson, who are obvious starts this week, owners need to know about Miami Dolphins wideout Jarvis Landry. 

The Dolphins might be a running joke right now, but Landry certainly isn’t with his eight or more catches in three of his last four contests and seven times total this year.

Landry just finds ways to score, which is what most do against the Indianapolis Colts. Their defense allowed the third-most points before allowing nine to Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins Sunday.

A target hog and a threat to score from anywhere on the field, Landry should post massive numbers on the road against a fading team and defense.

 

Sleeper to Exploit: Travis Benjamin, Cleveland Browns (at KC)

It’s been a while since fantasy owners have heard from Cleveland Browns wideout Travis Benjamin. 

Benjamin looked like one of the league’s breakout players after showings of 14 and 29 points over the first two weeks of the season, but he has hit 10 or more points just three times since and has six total over his last three games.

It’s rebound time, though, and owners would be wise to hop on board. It wasn’t too long ago the Kansas City Chiefs topped the list in terms of defenses allowing points to wideouts, and last week the unit found a way to let Kamar Aiken of the Baltimore Ravens—without Joe Flacco under center—post 18 points.

Long story short, all the negatives go out the window when one encounters the Chiefs.

 

TE   

Star to Know: Julius Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars (at NO)

Julius Thomas is the next tight end in line to take advantage of the New Orleans Saints. 

Entering Week 15, the Saints allowed the most points to the position with 10 touchdowns allowed and four sets of opposing tight ends breaking the 100-yard mark.

Thomas, on the other hand, has gained steam all season after returning from an injury and touts an incredible floor with seven or more points in each of his past five games.

Pair the consistency at a position without a whole lot of it and an incredible ceiling thanks to the matchup, and Thomas stands as the start of the week.

 

Sleeper to Exploit: Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings (vs. NYG)

There was a time when Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph looked to be on his way to inhabiting a “star” placement in fantasy content.

Instead, Rudolph has found himself fitting more in a sleeper role after not carving out a niche for himself in the Teddy Bridgewater-led offense. He has just one trip to double digits this year and four touchdowns overall.

Rudolph should be able to make a bit of a comeback for himself in Week 16, though, thanks to a matchup against the New York Giants. Those Giants entered Week 15 surrendering the third-most points to the position before Carolina’s Greg Olsen posted 13.

It’s a ballpark number for Rudolph with the Vikings surely understanding the opponent’s weakness.

 

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as are points-against info and ownership stats as of December 21. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.com.  

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The Detroit Lions offense has been up and down this season but should be trending in the right direction in Week 16 with a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

 

Ameer Abdullah

Rookie Ameer Abdullah has had a rocky first year, but he has shown some flashes of the ability that made him a second-round draft pick in 2015.

Although he has not eclipsed 100 yards in a game this season, he did break a 12-game scoreless streak with a touchdown run Monday against the New Orleans Saints, but he also lost his second fumble of the season.

The 49ers allow the most fantasy points to running backs, per ESPN.com, which upgrades Abdullah‘s status for Week 16.

Don’t look for the former Nebraska Cornhuskers star to lead you to the fantasy championship, but because of his enticing matchup, he is worth a flex start if you are desperate.

 

Golden Tate

While Abdullah has not been in the end zone much, Lions wide receiver Golden Tate has found himself there many times over the past few weeks.

He caught two first-half touchdowns against the Saints after scoring two in the previous week. Tate is having his second straight strong season, with 76 receptions heading into Week 15. 

The 49ers allow the 15th-most fantasy points to receivers, and Tate should have no problem getting open with most of the focus on No. 1 receiver Calvin Johnson. 

With nearly nine targets per game over the past five weeks, consider Tate a low-end WR1 against the 49ers.

 

Eric Ebron

Tight end Eric Ebron has battled injuries and inconsistency this season, but he did have a nice catch-and-run for 45 yards against the Saints.

Ebron has not broken the 100-yard mark this year, and despite the fact that he has four touchdowns this season, he has scored only once in the past seven weeks.

There is a lot of top-tier tight end talent in the league this year, and until Ebron shows some consistency, he is no more than a TE3.

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