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Deeper PPR Sleepers for Fantasy Football (Week 16)

Assuming your league's championship round concludes in Week 16, now is not the time to be looking for "depth." Instead, this last week of the waiver wire is to find an emergency starter, typically for an injury replacement.

Whether you lost Antonio Brown or are crossing your fingers waiting on Keenan Allen, anyone you add this week should be within starting consideration. That is unless of course your league extends into Week 17, but the majority of leagues out there will wrap up this week.

Either way, think "would I actually need to start this guy this week?" when reading the names listed. Here are some deeper PPR-league sleepers for Week 16. All ownership percentages are from Yahoo leagues.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Deeper PPR Sleepers For Week 16

Wayne Gallman - RB, New York Giants (5% Owned)

Not only has Wayne Gallman surpassed Orleans Darkwa on the depth chart the last few weeks, but Gallman has also been a nice surprise in PPR formats. In fact, part of me regrets not featuring Gallman sooner. Nevertheless, his production over the last two games warrants paying attention to. Gallman hasn't topped more than 59 rushing yards over that span, but it's his receiving numbers that stand out. He had six receptions in Week 15 and seven in Week 14, both of which amassed 40 yards a piece. That's rock solid production as a low-end RB2/flex piece in PPR.

Keelan Cole - WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (7% Owned)

Keelan Cole had a massive outing this past Sunday to the tune of 186 yards and a score. In fact, it was actually his third straight game with a touchdown, giving a banged up receiving corps a much needed boost. With both Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns ailing, Cole is in line for another heavy workload against the San Francisco 49ers on Christmas Eve. Cole should be one of the week's top adds in deep-leagues for owners looking for an Antonio Brown replacement.

Antonio Gates - TE, Los Angeles Chargers (14% Owned)

Sometimes the obvious answer can be the right one. Hunter Henry sustained a lacerated kidney, effectively knocking him out of the last two games of the season. Long-time veteran Antonio Gates will step back up into the starting role, one he can easily still contribute toward. If anything, the potential absence of Keenan Allen only helps matters for Gates Week 16 prospects. Gates did haul in a touchdown this past week, but admittedly hasn't done much of anything prior. Such is life when a young tight end takes the starting gig. The waiver wire might be a little too thin to do better than Antonio Gates at this point.

Kendall Wright - WR, Chicago Bears (4% Owned)

Kendall Wright has strung together two strong games in a row for the Bears, putting him back on the fantasy radar to close out the year. Wright followed up a 107 yard showing with an 81 yard performance. Perhaps more importantly, Wright had double digit targets (11, 13) in each of those games. The Bears draw the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, a great matchup for sure. Wright is another player to consider as a desperation replacement at wide receiver.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Analysis




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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Taking a Job with CBS for 2026 Season
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Suffers Back-To-Back Losses
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Gets Back In The Win Column
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Odell Beckham Jr.

Signing with Giants
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
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and Jared Verse Swap Teams in Blockbuster Deal
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Scores First-Round Knockout Win
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Suffers Third Loss In A Row
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a Steal in the Second Round of Rookie Drafts?
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Scores A Solid Top-10 Finish at Nashville
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Worth Targeting Now Before Eventual Breakout?
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Expected to Require Some Patience in Dynasty Leagues
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a First-Round Target in Dynasty Rookie Drafts
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Dynasty Value Impacted by Inconsistency
Jeremiyah Love

Can Jeremiyah Love Become an Instant Fantasy Contributor?
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Working Out for Giants
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Could Be Dealt Within Next 24 Hours
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Set to Play "Most Important Role" of His Career in Jaguars Offense
Elly De La Cruz

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Tyler Reddick

Is One of the Top Favorites to Win at Nashville
Kyle Larson

May Continue his Top-10 Consistency at Nashville this week
Christopher Bell

Is One of the Top Competitors for the Win at Nashville
Chase Briscoe

Is A Must Start for Nashville DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

has Plenty of Upside for Nashville DFS Lineups
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Dynasty Value May Have Peaked in 2025
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Should Fantasy Players Roster Bubba Wallace at Nashville?
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Dynasty Upside Remains High Despite Questionable Offensive Environment in New York
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Could Show Life at Nashville
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Ends Postseason with Strong Showing
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Caps MVP Season with Game 7 Exit
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Shines in Series-Clinching Win
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Provides Secondary Punch in Game 7 Triumph
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Chicago Bulls Explore Kevin Young as Coaching Candidate
Kyrie Irving

Reports He's Nearing Full Strength in ACL Recovery
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Posts a Power-Play Assist in Game 5 Loss
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Nets a Power-Play Goal in Season-Ending Loss
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Notches Three Points in Big Game 5 Win
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Racks Up Three Points in Series-Clinching Win
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Remains Stellar as Hurricanes Clinch Finals Berth
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is Heading to the Big Leagues
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Exits with Hamstring Tightness
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Plans to Play in Game 1 After Finger Surgery
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Ruled Out for Game 7
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Unavailable in Decisive Game 7
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Cameron Smotherman

Looks To Bounce Back
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Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
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Sebastian Aho Pots Game-Winner on Power Play
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Nikolaj Ehlers Tallies Two Helpers in Impressive Road Win
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Shayne Gostisbehere Records Two Assists in Game 4 Win
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Looking to Stay Hot at Colonial
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RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF