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Jackson Sparks' deeper-league waiver wire sleepers for Week 16 (2023). His top free agent sleepers for 14-team fantasy football leagues or deeper.
The majority of fantasy teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, but fantasy managers who are still in the running for a championship should continue to monitor which players could be worth adding ahead of Week 16. The waiver wire in deep leagues is a wasteland, but it's always a good idea to improve your roster, even if it's the last player on your bench. Even if your Week 16 roster is good to go, you never know who could suffer an injury.
The top waiver wire adds are often obvious for traditional 10 and 12-team leagues, but a larger pool of players is in consideration in leagues of 14 people or more. Most of these Week 16 deeper-league waiver wire suggestions are specific to this week only since there are just two weeks of action left for most leagues. That said, this article will focus mostly on matchup-dependent streamers instead of bench stashes. We won't cover chalk waiver wire pickups for shallower leagues like Noah Brown and Zamir White.
Without further ado, here are the top deeper league waiver wire targets for Week 16, including Joe Flacco, Justice Hill, Jerick McKinnon, Jamal Agnew, Hunter Henry, and more.
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Running Back Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Note: Heading into Week 16, pure handcuff running backs are no longer priority adds. These suggestions are all Week 16-focused.
Tyler Allgeier is likely rostered in most deep leagues, but he fell under the 50% rostered threshold last week. The second-year back is still commanding plenty of touches (15 last week), so he remains a touchdown-dependent flex option every week. The Indianapolis Colts have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs this year, so Allgeier has some appeal in this spot.
Justice Hill will be back to a part-time role in the Ravens' offense after Keaton Mitchell suffered a torn ACL in Week 15. Although Hill has a low floor since Gus Edwards dominates the goal line touches, many fantasy managers are desperate for any running back options. He fits the bill.
Chase Brown has seen at least nine touches in each of his last three games. Joe Mixon was the Bengals' workhorse back for the majority of the season, but Brown has flashed and Zac Taylor will likely continue to utilize him. He has a path to double-digit fantasy points if things go right for him.
Rico Dowdle has scored four touchdowns as Tony Pollard's backup this year. He has not had value every week, but he's another low-end plug-and-play flex option. In the off-chance Pollard gets hurt in Week 17, Dowdle would be a must-start in Week 17.
Kenneth Gainwell hasn't seen double-digit touches since Week 2. He's off the fantasy radar for Week 16, but like Dowdle, an injury to the running back in front of him could give him Week 17 value.
Jerick McKinnon has scored three touchdowns from scrimmage in his last four games. Although Isiah Pacheco is expected to return from a shoulder injury in Week 16, he could be limited. If so, McKinnon would likely operate in the valuable receiving back role for Patrick Mahomes.
Roschon Johnson led the Chicago backfield in rushing and receiving last week. With the Bears falling out of the playoff picture, they should look to feature the rookie down the stretch. Will that happen? Who knows, but he's worth adding just in case.
Tyjae Spears has been given double-digit touches in each of the last three games. Although he needs a ton of receptions or a touchdown to be worth starting in lineups, he could have that chance as Derrick Henry's struggles continue.
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Demarcus Robinson has scored a touchdown in three straight games, so fantasy managers thin at wideout can throw him in lineups as a touchdown-or-bust option against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football.
Darius Slayton and Wan'Dale Robinson will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. The Eagles have allowed the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2023, so although both players are shaky flex options, they do have upside in this spot.
Treylon Burks led the Titans in receiving in Week 16 for just the second time all year. In Week 16, he'll face a Seattle squad that has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wideouts.
Parker Washington and Jamal Agnew are now on the fantasy radar since Christian Kirk (core) is out for the season, and Zay Jones picked up a hamstring injury in the Jaguars' loss to the Baltimore Ravens. However, Trevor Lawrence is in concussion protocol. If Lawrence can play and Jones can't, both Washington and Agnew will have boom-or-bust fantasy outlooks against the awful Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary in Week 16.
Cedric Tillman posted four receptions on eight targets for 52 yards in Week 15. All of those figures were career highs for the rookie. Although his performance could have been an outlier, it's notable, and he'll face a mid-level matchup against the Houston Texans this week.
Tight End Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Hunter Henry has hauled in three touchdowns over the last two weeks. In Week 16, he'll face a Denver Broncos team that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to tight ends and just gave up three scores to rookie Sam LaPorta. Assuming Henry (knee) plays, he's a premier streaming option.
Tucker Kraft has two touchdowns in four games without Luke Musgrave (kidney). He also has 57-plus receiving yards in each of his last two outings. Although the Carolina Panthers have been a tough matchup for tight ends, Kraft has become a high-floor play at the scarce tight end position.
Tyler Higbee hasn't been ultra-productive this season, but he's seen just under five targets per game and draws a matchup with the New Orleans Saints this week. New Orleans is statistically a bottom-five defense against fantasy tight ends.
Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Joe Flacco has averaged 19.4 fantasy points in three starts for the Browns. He could be in for another big day against the Houston Texans, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to the position this year. Although it's easy to dismiss the aging veteran, he has been excellent in fantasy football.
Derek Carr posted a season-high 20.3 fantasy points against the Giants last week, and he draws a favorable matchup with the Los Angeles Rams this week. Hopefully, Chris Olave (ankle) will have a shot to suit up.
Tommy Devito is tough to trust behind a shaky offensive line, but the Philadelphia Eagles are the premier matchup for fantasy quarterbacks. If you're desperate, DeVito has upside.
Backup Quarterbacks To Stash For Two-QB/Superflex Leagues
- Mike White
- Jacoby Brissett
- Tyler Huntley
- Marcus Mariota
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Jameis Winston
- Carson Wentz
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