Courtland Sutton or Ladd McConkey Week 16 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy football projections for WRs

Week 16 of the 2024 season begins with an intradivisional matchup between Courtland Sutton's Denver Broncos and Ladd McConkey's Los Angeles Chargers. Fantasy managers have a few matchups to keenly observe.

One of them is between WR1s Courtland Sutton and Ladd McConkey, who cannot be any more different from each other. So, who wins this and is a better starter?

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Is Courtland Sutton a good fantasy pick in Week 16?

Indianapolis Colts v Denver Broncos - Source: Getty

From his drafting in 2018 to Russell Wilson's departure after the 2023 season, Courtland Sutton had to put up with horrendous quarterback play to record magnificent stats.

For instance, in 2019 (the only time he has reached the Pro Bowl), he had a strong 1,112 yards despite a quarterback carousel that contributed to their poor offensive performance (bottom five in multiple categories).

Now, he's with a competent quarterback in Bo Nix, who has made the most of his gifts. Sportskeeda's WR13 shouldn't face much trouble adding to his 193 points against the Chargers' "mid" anti-WR defense that has allowed 33.16 points - just four spots above the bottom quarter.

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Is Ladd McConkey a good fantasy pick in Week 16?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Los Angeles Chargers - Source: Getty

Don't blink, but Ladd McConkey may be the new frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. With 88 catches for 873 yards, he has the second-most among rookies, behind only Brian Thomas Jr. That has him at WR22, again just behind the rookie Jaguar.

The Broncos, though, have Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, and PJ Locke to throw at him. They are one of only seven teams heading into this week to be at below 30 points allowed against WRs. So, a difficult day beckons for him.

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Whom should I start between Courtland Sutton and Ladd McConkey?

Whom should I start between Courtland Sutton and Ladd McConkey?

Once, again, Sportskeeda's Start/Sit tool is siding with the veteran. Sutton may be playing with a rookie, but Bo Nix is a dual threat who can run through holes in the offense if the opportunity arises, so it's better than hopelessly flinging a target.

However, most importantly, Sutton also has the benefit of having a defense that can maximize the importance and efficiency of the snaps that he gets on the field.