Entering the final few weeks of the NFL season, every snap of the ball is gaining importance. The same could ring true for those still playing fantasy football, and lineup decisions aren’t getting any easier.
Balancing playing time fluctuations, injuries, target shares, red zone data, and more is tricky. In Sunday’s Buccaneers vs. Panthers contest (1:00 p.m. ET on FOX), WR Emeka Egbuka presents that kind of challenge for league managers. His case for a prime spot in your lineup is anything but cut-and-dry.
That raises a big-time question: Is Egbuka worth starting this week? Let’s break down our Week 16 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em and decide. Take player projections to the next level by using the real-money PrizePicks NFL game.
Fantasy rankings and 2025 point totals are courtesy of FantasyPros.
Week 16 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Emeka Egbuka vs. Panthers
Egbuka leads our Week 16 WR Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em dilemma. Consider targeting PrizePicks player projections for this weekend’s game and more.
Why Start Egbuka?
- Egbuka is fantasy WR11 on the year, largely thanks to his 117 targets (T-seventh), 870 receiving yards (14th) and 6 TDs (T-11th).
- Among all WRs, the standout rookie is 20th in total EPA with 69.92, according to SumerSports.
- Via NFL Pro, the No. 19 overall NFL Draft pick is tied with Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte for the most deep-ball TDs in the league with 4.
- Per Fantasy Points Data, among qualified WRs, Egbuka has the third-most uncatchable expected fantasy points per game. He hasn’t had the best of circumstances, yet produced anyway.
- The Panthers rank 26th in EPA/pass allowed at 0.12, just ahead of the lowly Raiders (0.14).
Emeka Egbuka PrizePicks Projections: 40.5 Rec Yards, 6.5 Rec Targets, 9.5 Fantasy Score
Week 16 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Avoid Egbuka Against Panthers
For as many reasons as there are to roll with Egbuka this week in your starting lineup, there’s ample justification to avoid doing so.
Since his 13-target, 115-yard performance in Week 10 against the Patriots, the first-year man has been quiet. Despite averaging 8.2 targets in the next five games, he’s netted just 38.6 receiving yards an outing to show for it. He’s also gone without a TD in that span, ranking as fantasy WR56.
Dating back to Week 9, Egbuka has the lowest fantasy points over expected per game (-8) of all WRs with 25+ routes. Among 78 WRs with 250+ routes on the year, his 49.57% catch rate is 72nd. The star rookie’s lava-hot start is a thing of the past.
Add in the reemergence of WR Chris Godwin (66 snaps in Week 15) and the returns of WRs Mike Evans (38 snaps) and Jalen McMillan (32 snaps), and you get a tough sell regarding Egbuka.
Make NFL Week 16 Picks on PrizePicks
Looking for more ways to get in on the action in Week 16? With PrizePicks’ real-money NFL game, you can make picks on player projections for this weekend’s slate and beyond.
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Keep it locked in here with the Playbook for continued NFL picks, predictions, and news.
