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Deeper Sleepers for Fantasy Football (Week 16)

Deeper waiver wire sleepers and pickups to add for Week 16 of the NFL season. Justin Carter finds lightly owned players for fantasy football owners to target.

It's (probably) your championship week and you might have some issues if, for instance, you're an Antonio Brown owner in a deep league. That's why Rotoballer is here: to help you through this final week of your fantasy season.

Because so many of our readers are done after this week, none of these targets take Week 17 into consideration. I know there are a few of you that have Week 17 championships, so I'll be back here next week to help y'all out. Also, though, stop having Week 17 championships, because the randomness involved in those is not indicative of your fantasy team's strengths and weaknesses.

Anyway, let's look at deeper waiver wire targets and sleepers for Week 16, players whose ownership is currently under 20% and are likely available in many of your leagues. Note: All ownership percentages are for Yahoo leagues.

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

 

Deeper Waiver Wire Targets for Week 16

QUARTERBACKS

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens - 18% owned

Flacco makes this list for a second consecutive week, which surprises me a little because he was 14% owned coming into this past weekend and was playing Cleveland, so I expected him to be streamed a little more than he was. If you're still in need of a quarterback for this upcoming week, check out Flacco, who has three strong fantasy games in a row and a match-up with a Colts defense that's allowed the ninth-most points to opposing fantasy quarterbacks. A knee injury to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin could hurt his upside a little bit, but he's worth a shot.

Mitch Trubisky, Chicago Bears - 6% owned

How desperate are you? Trubisky has a good match-up on paper against the Cleveland Browns (i.e. the team that Flacco put up big numbers against in Week 15), but he's a little scary to trust because of the Jordan Howard factor. Howard could see almost thirty carries against a bad Browns defense, which obviously limits Trubisky's upside, but if the game stays close or Chicago gets behind, there's an exploitable Browns secondary for Trubisky to carve up. He's a risk, but if for some reason you're in need of a starting quarterback this week and he's there, don't be too afraid.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Wayne Gallman, New York Giants - 5% owned

Running back is kind of a wasteland this week, but there a couple of reasonable dart throws. Wayne Gallman looked immensely better than Orleans Darkwa in New York's loss to the Eagles, rushing eight times for 39 yards to Darkwa's nine carries for seven yards, though Darkwa did find the end zone. Gallman was also a factor in the passing game, hauling in six catches for 40 yards. The Arizona Cardinals have a good run defense, but if you have a spot on your bench and need a running back then Gallman is worth a grab. Monitor reports out of New York over the course of the week and see if anything gets said about Gallman starting over Darkwa. If he does, he's got flex consideration in deeper leagues.

Tion Green, Detroit Lions - 3% owned

I really like Tion Green this week for a few reasons. First, he's overtaken Ameer Abdullah on the depth chart. Second, he's a better option in short yardage situations than Theo Riddick. Finally, THE BENGALS RUN DEFENSE. Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon combined for 100 yards this past week, and Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen combined for over 200 rushing yards in Week 14. If Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict (concussion) is out again, the Lions could actually have a good day on the ground. Really!

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Keelan Cole, Jacksonville Jaguars  - 5% owned

There is a whole lot to like about Keelan Cole this week. He's got a touchdown in three straight games, he's playing against the 49ers passing defense, and Marqise Lee (ankle) is expected to be out in Week 16, allowing Cole to claim an even larger role in the offense. If you lost Antonio Brown and don't have receiver depth, Cole gives you a reasonable shot at finding the end zone. He's definitely worth a look for receiver-needy fantasy owners.

Kendall Wright, Chicago Bears  - 4% owned

I'm a big believer in tracking targets, because they can be good predictors of future success. Wright's targets over the past two games? 11 in Week 14 (10 catches for 107 yards) and 12 in Week 15 (7 catches for 81 yards). As mentioned above, the Bears get to play a weak Browns defense. He's a good option in deeper formats this week, though there's always some bust potential with Bears wide outs--remember when Dontrelle Inman was the next big thing? Still, if the usage holds up then Wright is a solid floor play in a week where you might need someone who can be that person, especially if you're trying to replace any injured receivers.

Damiere Byrd, Carolina Panthers  - 0% owned

Byrd found the end zone twice in Week 15. The Panthers are thin at wide receiver right now and Devin Funchess doesn't appear to be at 100%. The reemergence of tight end Greg Olsen hurts Byrd's upside, but this past week proved that Cam Newton isn't afraid to look his way with the ball near the goal line. He's risky, but at this point most players still on waivers are risky.

 

TIGHT ENDS

Benjamin Watson, Baltimore Ravens - 14% owned

I suggested Flacco above and I'm going to suggest his tight end here. The tight end position has been hard to predict this year, so if you're looking for a deep league streamer this week you could do worse than Watson against the Colts. He's found the end zone in two of Baltimore's last three games, though that other game is worrisome--no catches in the Ravens high-scoring loss to the Steelers. But if you're willing to ride out the potential bust factor, Watson could have a strong day against an Indianapolis defense allowing the 11th-most points to fantasy tight ends this season.

 

More Weekly Lineup Prep

 




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Gabe Vincent

Set to Suit Up Tuesday
C.J. Stroud

Expected to Return in Week 13 Against Colts
C.J. Stroud

to Miss Another Game
Jonathan Kuminga

Remains Out Tuesday
Keegan Murray

Could Make his Season Debut This Week
Caris LeVert

Liston as Out on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

Could Return Thursday
Ausar Thompson

Questionable Again on Tuesday
Joe Mixon

Uncertainty Remains Around Joe Mixon's Return Timeline
Cade Cunningham

is Questionable Tuesday in Atlanta
Jaylen Warren

Mike Tomlin Optimistic About Jaylen Warren's Availability for Week 12
C.J. Stroud

Not Expected to Play on Thursday Night
Aaron Rodgers

Won't Need Surgery on Fractured Wrist, Could Play in Week 12?
Davis Mills

Prepping for Third Straight Start in Week 12?
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Mason Rudolph

Could Make His First Start of 2025 in Week 12
Brock Wright

Sets Career-High in Targets; Lined Up for More Work?
Stephon Castle

Out Against Grizzlies
Kimani Vidal

Struggles Again and Faces Role Uncertainty After Bye
Dak Prescott

in Full Command Monday Night With Four Touchdown Passes
Quentin Johnston

Posts Zero Catches During Offensive Collapse
George Pickens

Erupts for 144 Yards, Touchdown in Monday Night Win
Jrue Holiday

Unlikely to Play Tuesday
CeeDee Lamb

George Pickens Benched for First Drive
LeBron James

Officially Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Exits Monday's Game With Groin Injury
Julian Strawther

Out on Monday
Cameron Johnson

Cleared for Action Monday
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Available Against Bulls
Zaccharie Risacher

Considered Questionable for Tuesday's Game
Onyeka Okongwu

Iffy for Tuesday
Kristaps Porzingis

May Miss Another Game Tuesday
Jalen Suggs

Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Paolo Banchero

to Remain Out Tuesday
Ayo Dosunmu

Playing on Minutes Restriction Monday
Tre Jones

Still Out Monday
Alex Singleton

Broncos Optimistic Patrick Surtain, Alex Singleton Will Return After the Bye
Trey Hendrickson

Doubtful Again in Week 12
Shedeur Sanders

Expected to Make First Career Start in Week 12
Josh Jacobs

Dealing With Knee Contusion
Mikael Granlund

Unavailable Monday
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
Conor Garland

Misses Monday's Game
Eetu Luostarinen

Out on Monday
Drake London

Considered "Week-to-Week"
Drew Doughty

Listed as Week-to-Week
Ja'Marr Chase

Being Suspended for One Game for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
John Carlson

a Game-Time Call Monday
Viktor Arvidsson

Out Week-to-Week
Charlie McAvoy

Out Against Hurricanes
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers Won't Open Brandon Aiyuk's Practice Window This Week
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
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Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Mitchell Marner

Establishes Vegas Record Sunday
Mats Zuccarello

Logs Two Assists in Overtime Victory
Lucas Raymond

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Quinn Hughes

Delivers Four Assists in Sunday's Win
Conor Garland

Limited to Handful of Minutes Sunday
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Agrees to $85 Million Extension With Kings
Jack Della Maddalena

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Zhang Weili

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Valentina Shevchenko

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Sean Brady

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Remains Unbeaten
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Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

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Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

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Scott Mayfield

Available Sunday
NYI

Max Shabanov Returns From 12-Game Absence Sunday
Samuel Honzek

Out Week-to-Week
Kirby Dach

Sidelined for 4-6 Weeks
Thatcher Demko

Considered Week-to-Week
Filip Hronek

Good to Go Sunday
Quinn Hughes

Back in Action Sunday
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Blue Jays Interested in Signing Edwin Diaz?
Jacob deGrom

Named AL Comeback Player of the Year
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
Aroldis Chapman

Named AL Reliever of the Year
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Named NL Reliever of the Year
Justin Thomas

Will Miss Start Of 2026 After Undergoing Back Surgery
Islam Makhachev

Set For UFC 322 Main Event
Jack Della Maddalena

Set For His First Title Defense
Zhang Weili

Can Become The New Women's Flyweight Champion
Valentina Shevchenko

Set For UFC 322 Co-Main Event
Michael Morales

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Mario Craver a Game-Time Decision for Week 12
Sean Brady

Set For Title Eliminator Bout
Carlos Prates

A Favorite At UFC 322
Leon Edwards

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set To Open Up UFC 322 Main Card
Beneil Dariush

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
CFB

Virginia's Chandler Morris Trending Toward Facing Duke on Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Says There's a "50-50" Chance he Returns to Mets
Shohei Ohtani

Wins his Fourth MVP Award
Aaron Judge

Wins AL MVP Award Again
Raisel Iglesias

Dodgers Interested in Signing Raisel Iglesias
Pete Alonso

Orioles Could be in the Mix to Sign Pete Alonso
Félix Bautista

Felix Bautista Could Return in Second Half in 2026
Kodai Senga

Attracting Trade Interest, Will the Mets Move him?
Yordan Alvarez

Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Byron Buxton

Could Waive his No-Trade Clause
Paul Skenes

the Unanimous NL Cy Young Winner
Tarik Skubal

Wins AL Cy Young for Second Straight Year

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