Fantasy Football WR Sleepers: Smash Spots for Week 16 Include Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jameson Williams, Calvin Austin III, Brenton Strange

December 18, 2024

Ellis looks at fantasy football WR sleepers (and one TE) in smash spots for Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season. Target these fantasy football wide receivers as starts in lineups.

It’s finally fantasy semifinal week! With the holiday season and the fantasy championship on the horizon, it’s hard not to love this time of year. 

I hope you all made it through last week. With some star players putting up their first duds of the year (Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry), and others dropping massive weeks (Jared Goff, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson), it was truly a minefield in Week 15.

This week, I have selected three more receivers who are in positions to exceed their projections and one tight end. My name is Ellis Johnson, and this is your Wide Receiver Smash Starts for Week 16.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, SEA)

A few years ago, all we could talk about was third-year WRs having breakout seasons. This has completely changed with multiple players breaking out in either their rookie or sophomore season. A perfect example of this is JSN.

Since Week 9, JSN only has one game outside the top 24 WRs. That’s remarkably consistent, with four of those six games finishing in the top 15. He also hasn’t had fewer than 70 yards over that stretch. 

With DK Metcalf only being found on milk cartons, JSN has powered this passing offense. In a massive game for the Seahawks against the Vikings this week, I expect this trend to continue.

The Vikings are allowing the most fantasy points to the position. Although they are a great defense, their aggressive approach to rushing the passer opens up short throws to WRs. This is perfect for a route-running, separation expert like JSN.

The Seattle offensive line has been struggling lately and should force Geno Smith to get the ball out quickly. Assuming Smith is healthy enough to play, we could see JSN have a massive target share.

Wide Receivers With The Most Advantageous NFL Week 16 Fantasy Matchups.
(ReceivingYards)
1: Jaxon Smith Njigba vs Min
2: Mike Evans vs Dal
3: Ladd McConkey vs Den
4: Courtland Sutton vs LAC
5: Brian Thomas Jr vs LV
6: Zay Flowers vs Pit
7: Nico Collins vs KC
8: DJ Moore vs… pic.twitter.com/KD72u3rBpW

— Big Draft Energy (@BigDraftersHQ) December 17, 2024

Jameson Williams (WR, DET)

This Lions team might be the best story in the entire league. With a 12/10 head coach and a team full of amazing personalities, it’s hard not to have a soft spot for them. Unfortunately, injuries have slowly dwindled their team, taking out their entire defensive line, some of the secondary, and half of their two-headed backfield. 

The good news about these injuries on defense is that we see shootouts like last week. Although the Bears in Week 16 don’t pose nearly as much of a threat as Josh Allen and company, they should find a way to score points.

The Bears also run single-high coverage at a league-high rate of around 40%. That’s a great recipe for teams that have a solid secondary option. With the safety fading toward the primary receiver, the opposite side becomes single coverage. For a player as fast and talented as Jamo, this is a dream matchup.

Last week, Jordan Addison had seven receptions for 63 yards alongside Justin Jefferson. I expect Jamo will have similar numbers and a great chance of finding the end zone in Week 16.

𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀 has found his footing and us truthers are loving it. 𝗪𝗥3🆙

🔵 12 Games
⚫️ 68 Targets
🔵 42 Receptions
⚫️ 747 REC Yards
🔵 5 REC TD
⚫️ 11 Yards Per Target
🔵 17.8 Yards Per REC
⚫️ 62.3 Yards Per Game
🔵 8 Rush ATT
⚫️ 56 Rush Yards pic.twitter.com/Cpi6eAUA59

— DD101 (@DynastyDaily101) December 17, 2024

Calvin Austin III (WR, PIT)

Considering Austin only has four games over two receptions, he’s been sneaky for fantasy. Most of his production has been a result of big plays and long touchdowns; however, when you’re linked to Russell Wilson, that tends to happen.

With George Pickens likely out with a hamstring injury on a short week, Austin should be a viable boom-bust flex play. Even if Pickens is back, Austin’s ability to come through on limited volume makes him viable for fantasy.

Last week, he had a season-high five receptions on five targets for 65 yards. This week, he faces a Ravens team that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the WR position. Last week, we even saw Tim Boyle and Malik Nabers come through in a big way against this Ravens secondary.

In a game that is pivotal to winning the AFC North, I expect Austin to have some schemed touches along with a chance or two downfield. It’s a risk, but I like how this matchup shapes up.

Nice release and route from Calvin Austin against first round rookie Quinyon Mitchell. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/e6bNdgKqpr

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) December 17, 2024

Brenton Strange (TE, JAX)

I’m going to call an audible here and select a TE who I believe will score equivalent to a top 30 WR this week. I know it sounds Strange, but it’s not often a backup TE walks into 11 receptions in Week 15.

This Jaguars team is a skeleton of what they were at the start of the season. With virtually no defense and only one true pass-catcher, this team can’t wait for the offseason.

Thankfully for fantasy, Mac Jones isn’t ready to call it quits. Last week, we saw a very entertaining shootout against the Jets, even though both teams had been eliminated from playoff contention. This week, the Jaguars have a similar matchup against the Raiders.

The Raiders have been a bottom-4 defense against the TE position on the season, allowing a per-game average of six receptions, 65 yards, and 0.5 touchdowns to the position. If Strange can find a way to get double-digit targets again (which there is no reason he shouldn’t), he could be a league winner to close out this season. 

Jaguars TE Brenton Strange made a bunch of tough catches with many big hits while fighting for YAC pic.twitter.com/pwlkUXOCr4

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) December 17, 2024

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