You’ve finally figured out your draft strategy. You’ve anticipated any roadblocks you may face as you attempt to assemble the ideal roster that will establish the foundation for your 2016 fantasy season. However, there’s always that one piece of the puzzle that was overlooked during the chaotic celebration that is your fantasy football draft.
Perhaps you forgot about a critical handcuff that could serve as a crucial insurance policy for your elite running back. Perhaps you forgot about a lingering ailment with your veteran wide receiver that could decimate your lineup if it meant he lost significant time. Or, perhaps, you simply forgot about bye weeks.
It's rare that a bye week can ruin your fantasy season. In fact, it's almost not worth dwelling on as you assemble your roster. However, it shouldn't be completely overlooked.
As you enter your fantasy draft, awareness is the key. Don't let a bye week scare you from drafting a player that could be the difference maker on your roster, but don't completely ignore your bye weeks. It's important to be prepared. Have some idea of how you want to handle your player's bye week, and adjust accordingly.
Bye weeks begin in Week 4 of the 2016 season and end after Week 13. We're here to break down the key players for each week.
Week 4: Packers, Eagles
Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Sam Bradford
Running backs: Eddie Lacy, Ryan Mathews
Wide receivers: Jordy Nelson, Jordan Matthews
Tight ends: Jared Cook, Zach Ertz
Week 5: Jaguars, Chiefs, Saints, Seahawks
Quarterbacks: Black Bortles, Alex Smith, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson
Running backs: Chris Ivory, T.J. Yeldon, Jamaal Charles, Mark Ingram, Thomas Rawls
Wide receivers: Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Jeremy Maclin, Willie Snead, Brandin Cooks, Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett
Tight ends: Julius Thomas, Travis Kelce, Coby Fleener, Jimmy Graham
Week 6: Vikings, Buccaneers
Quarterbacks: Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston
Running backs: Adrian Peterson, Doug Martin
Wide receivers: Stefon Diggs, Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans
Tight ends: Kyle Rudolph, Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Week 7: Panthers, Cowboys
Quarterbacks: Cam Newton, Tony Romo
Running backs: Ezekiel Elliot, Jonathan Stewart
Wide receivers: Kelvin Benjamin, Dez Bryant
Tight ends: Greg Olsen, Jason Witten
Week 8: Ravens, Rams, Dolphins, Giants, Steelers, 49ers
Quarterbacks: Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger
Running backs: Justin Forsett, Todd Gurley, Arian Foster, Jay Ajayi, Rashad Jannings, Le’Veon Bell, Carlos Hyde
Wide receivers: Kamar Aiken, Mike Wallace, DeVante Parker, Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr., Antonio Brown
Tight ends: Jordan Cameron, Ladarius Green, Vance McDonald
Week 9: Cardinals, Bears, Bengals, Texans, Patriots, Washington
Quarterbacks: Carson Palmer, Jay Cutler, Andy Dalton, Tom Brady
Running backs: David Johnson, Jeremy Langford, Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Lamar Miller, LeGarrette Blount, James White, Matt Jones
Wide receivers: Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Michael Floyd, Alshon Jeffery, Kevin White, A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins, Julian Edelman, DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon
Tight ends: Zach Miller, Tyler Eifert, Rob Gronkowski, Jordan Reed
Week 10: Bills, Lions, Colts, Raiders
Quarterbacks: Tyrod Taylor, Matthew Stafford, Andrew Luck, Derek Carr
Running backs: LeSean McCoy, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Frank Gore, Latavius Murray
Wide receivers: Sammy Watkins, Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper
Tight ends: Charles Clay, Eric Ebron, Dwayne Allen
Week 11: Falcons, Broncos, Jets, Chargers
Quarterbacks: Matt Ryan, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Philip Rivers
Running backs: Devonta Freeman, C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman, Matt Forte, Melvin Gordon, Danny Woodhead
Wide receivers: Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin
Tight ends: Antonio Gates
Week 13: Browns, Titans
Quarterbacks: Robert Griffin III, Marcus Mariota
Running backs: Isaiah Crowell, DeMarco Murray
Wide receivers: Corey Coleman, Josh Gordon, Kendall Wright
Tight ends: Gary Barnidge, Delanie Walker