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Week 16 Deeper Waiver Wire Sleepers: Standard Leagues

Matt Terelle's deeper standard league sleepers & Week 16 NFL waiver wire pickups for the 2016 fantasy football season. These RBs, WRs & TEs and D/STs should be added as sleepers.

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to my deeper standard league sleepers column for Week 16 of the NFL season. In this weekly article we are going to take a look at some deeper waiver wire options for standard leagues, who could help out your team in this upcoming week.

For reference's sake, we are looking at standard scoring leagues and will be using ownership percentage data from Fleaflicker. In order to qualify as a deep sleeper, a player must be 20% owned or less.

Let's get to the picks!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 16 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - CUTS

 

Quarterback

Matt Barkley (CHI) vs. Washington Redskins

(Ownership: 6%)

Barkley continues to turn in productive fantasy outings for the Bears, throwing for six touchdowns and five interceptions over his past four games. Those numbers would be even better if it weren't for the snowy game against San Francisco, which saw the Bears lean heavily on the running game to pick up the win. Granted, Barkley's turnovers aren't ideal, but he offers more multi-touchdown upside than any of the other quarterback options who are less than 20% owned. A matchup against the Redskins shouldn't be much of an issue for Barkley, as Washington's pass defense is ranked just 22nd in the league through Week 14. Barkley makes for a solid streaming option in very deep leagues, and is fine as a QB2 in two-quarterback formats.

 

Running Back

Robert Turbin (IND) @ Oakland Raiders

(Ownership: 8%)

It's getting hard to ignore Turbin's usage as a red zone threat for the Colts. The veteran running back has only 38 carries this season, but he's leveraged those looks into six rushing touchdowns. Operating as the team's preferred red zone back, Turbin has 16 attempts from inside the 20-yard line this season, just 10 fewer than starting running back Frank Gore. The Colts will take on a Raiders defense that can be run on, ranking just 26th in the league in DVOA before Week 15's action. When looking for a deep sleeper at running back, chasing touchdowns is usually the way to go, which makes Turbin a solid choice.

 

Wide Receiver

Eli Rogers (PIT) vs. Baltimore Ravens

(Ownership: 14%)

Rogers turned in a big game for the Steelers in Week 15 against the Bengals. The rookie slot receiver caught 5-of-6 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. As a fourth or fifth option in the Steelers' passing offense he is subject to inconsistencies, but when searching for a deep sleeper it's worth targeting an explosive offense such as Pittsburgh's. The Steelers will take on the Ravens in Week 16 in a big game that could wrap up the AFC North for Pittsburgh. Rogers runs the majority of his routes from the slot, meaning he will avoid coverage from solid corners Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young. Instead, he will face off against slot corner Jerraud Powers, who has been the weak link in Baltimore's secondary this season.

 

Tight End

Jermaine Gresham (ARI) @ Seattle Seahawks

(Ownership: 10%)

Gresham just keeps putting up solid, if unspectacular, numbers at the tight end position. As a result of the eroding skills of Carson Palmer, the veteran tight end has become a major part of Arizona's passing offense over the past six games. Gresham has been leaned on in short and intermediate routes, which has played well with the diminished arm strength that Palmer has been displaying. In his six games since Week 10, he now has 24 catches for 245 yards and a touchdown. Considering the state of the tight end position in fantasy this year, those numbers put him in the low TE1 conversation. A matchup against the Seahawks is up next for Gresham and the Cardinals. While Seattle sports an excellent defense, it has been susceptible to tight ends over the past few seasons.

 

Defense/Special Teams

Tennessee Titans (TEN) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

(Ownership: 14%)

The Titans pull a plus matchup against a Jaguars offense that has been one of the best units in the league to target with opposing fantasy defenses. Jacksonville, mostly thanks to the interception-prone Blake Bortles, has been allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. The Jaguars have been quite generous in takeaways, allowing 16 interceptions and 10 lost fumbles on the year. Tennessee is installed as an early -4.5 point road favorite against a Jags team that is in disarray, having just fired Gus Bradley on Sunday following their most recent loss.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Andrew Nembhard

Out Again on Sunday Night
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Expected to Play Versus Cleveland
Cam Skattebo

Exits Week 8 Early Due to Serious Ankle Injury
Derrick White

Good to Go Against Detroit
Cam Thomas

Available on Sunday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Dealing with a Finger Injury
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Underwent Eye Surgery Last Monday
D'Andre Swift

Cleared to Play in Week 8
Michael Penix Jr.

Officially Inactive on Sunday
Dalton Kincaid

Active for Week 8 Against Panthers
Mason Taylor

Suiting Up in Week 8
Breece Hall

Active for Week 8 Against Bengals
David Njoku

Suiting Up for Week 8 Against Patriots
Drake London

Inactive with Hip Injury
Matthew Golden

Expected to Play Against Steelers
Tua Tagovailoa

Added to Injury Report, Will Play Sunday
Chris Buescher

Is Chris Buescher A Playable DFS option for Martinsville?
Ryan Preece

is an Intriguing DFS Option For Martinsville
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Return in Week 9
Daniel Suarez

May be Worth Rostering in DFS for Martinsville
Drake London

Falcons to Determine Availability of Drake London in the Morning
Austin Dillon

Is Austin Dillon Worth Rostering in DFS for Martinsville This week?
Robert Thomas

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Rickard Rakell

Hurt Versus Blue Jackets
Roope Hintz

Injured on Saturday
Mikael Granlund

Exits Early Saturday
Dylan Strome

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Saturday
William Nylander

Maple Leafs Hope to Have William Nylander Back on Tuesday
Christopher Bell

Kyle Larson Should Advance to Championship 4
Joey Logano

Don't Expect Joey Logano to Significantly Contend for Championship 4
William Byron

A DFS Must-Start Due to Lap-Leader Points
Ross Chastain

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Josh Berry

a Top Contender for DFS Place-Differential Points
Brad Keselowski

an Intriguing Martinsville Option
Shane Van Gisbergen

Now Competent on Ovals, but Don't Start Him Here
Kyle Busch

Qualifies Well but Probably Won't Have Staying Power
Carson Hocevar

Lack of Finesse Makes Him a Risky Martinsville Pick
Michael McDowell

Missing Martinsville Mastery
Breece Hall

Expected to Play Against Cincinnati
D'Andre Swift

Likely to Suit Up in Week 8
A.J. Brown

"Expected to Have a Realistic Chance to Return" in Week 10
Kirk Cousins

"Officially" Starting in Week 8
Michael Penix Jr.

"Has a Real Chance" to Return in Week 9
Lamar Jackson

NFL to Review Practice "Situation" Surrounding Lamar Jackson
Bryce Young

Hopeful to Play in Week 9
Patrik Laine

Ruled Out for 3-4 Months
Brandon Montour

Ready to Face Oilers
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Available Saturday
Roman Josi

Out Week-to-Week With Upper-Body Injury
Anze Kopitar

Set to Rejoin Kings Lineup Saturday
William Nylander

Good to Go Saturday
Morgan Rielly

Returns to Action Saturday
Drake London

Downgraded to Questionable with Hip Injury
Zaccharie Risacher

Out Again on Saturday
Mark Williams

Sidelined Versus Denver
Jalen Johnson

Uncertain to Suit Up Versus OKC
Andrew Nembhard

Ruled Out Against Memphis
Kristaps Porzingis

Questionable on Saturday Night
Jalen Suggs

Ruled Out on Saturday
Chet Holmgren

Available to Face the Hawks
Jonathan Lekkerimaki

to Miss 2-3 Weeks
Matt Duchene

Expected to Remain Out Saturday
Alexander Kerfoot

Undergoes Surgery
Tyson Kozak

to Miss Rematch With Maple Leafs
William Nylander

Injured on Friday
Joseph Woll

Rejoins Maple Leafs
Bryce Harper

Phillies Aren't Planning to Trade Bryce Harper
Josh Hart

Available Versus the Celtics
Karl-Anthony Towns

Cleared to Face the Celtics
De'Andre Hunter

Sidelined on Friday Night
Kristaps Porzingis

Won't Play on Friday
Nick Leddy

to Sit Out at Least Two Games
Cody Glass

Set to Miss Time
Vince Williams Jr.

Grizzlies Injury Woes Continue, Without Vince Williams Jr. Friday
Bo Bichette

Starting at Second, Batting Cleanup in Game 1 of World Series
Jae'Sean Tate

Questionable to Return Friday
Danny Wolf

Will Miss Friday's Matchup with Ankle Injury
Drake Powell

Rookie Drake Powell Ruled Out for Matchup with Cavs
Bo Bichette

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Ciryl Gane

Scheduled For A Title Fight
Tom Aspinall

Set for First Official Title Defense
Mackenzie Dern

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Virna Jandiroba

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Mario Bautista

Aims To Extend His Win Streak
MMA

Umar Numagomedov A Favorite At UFC 321
Jailton Almeida

Hopes To Get A Title Shot With A Win
Caris LeVert

Probable for Friday's Game
Alexander Volkov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Azamat Murzakanov

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Aleksandar Rakic

In Dire Need Of Victory
CFB

Texas Tech QB Will Hammond Will Start vs. Oklahoma State Saturday
CFB

Kansas State RB Dylan Edwards Out For Sunflower Showdown
CFB

Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson Will Not Play In Week 9
Zack Wheeler

Could be Ready for Opening Day in 2026
William Contreras

Could Need Finger Surgery
CFB

Utah QB Devon Dampier Listed as Questionable on Big 12 Injury Report
San Francisco Giants

Tony Vitello Named New Manager of the Giants
Francisco Lindor

has Elbow Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
PGA

Alex Noren is a Smash Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Maverick McNealy

Look Out For Maverick McNealy This Week in Utah
Justin Lower

Unlikely to Flip The Script at Bank of Utah Championship
Stephan Jaeger

Looking for Repeat Performance in Utah
CFB

Behren Morton Will be Listed as Questionable on Wednesday
Max McGreevy

a Longer Shot to Contend in Utah
Jackson Suber

on the Bubble for the PGA in 2026
Greyson Sigg

Improving at the Right Time This Fall
Seamus Power

Hopes to Make More Birdies This Week
Patton Kizzire

May Struggle Once Again in Utah
Beau Hossler

Up and Down Heading to Bank of Utah Championship
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Find the Weekend in Utah
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Enjoying the Fall Golf Season
Tom Hoge

Sputtering into Bank of Utah Championship
Sahith Theegala

On the Upswing Heading into Utah
Andrew Putnam

Looks to Find Form in Utah
Matt McCarty

Looks to Defend Title in Utah
Ben Kohles

a Strong Value Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Max Homa

Trending Up Entering the Bank of Utah Championship
Nick Dunlap

Searching for Spark at Bank of Utah Championship
Quade Cummins

Struggling to Find Form Ahead of Bank of Utah Championship
Jason Day

Making a Spot Start at Bank of Utah Championship
Los Angeles Angels

Kurt Suzuki to be the Angels' Next Manager
Bo Bichette

Plans to be Ready for World Series
Brandon Woodruff

Expects to Be Ready for Opening Day

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP