High-Upside Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 16

December 21, 2025

High-upside fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for the fantasy playoffs in Week 16. Andy's favorite waiver wire pickups, streamers, sleepers that can boom.

Congratulations to those who have made it to the fantasy semifinals. However, to those who have already dug themselves a hole after Thursday night's game between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, don't worry, we have a solution.

In this piece, we will spotlight four high-risk, high-upside options, one from each position, to give you that much-needed boost to save your matchup. Only players rostered in fewer than 40% of fantasy football leagues are considered potential streamers.

Who are the top high-upside plays in Week 16? Let's dive in!

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings

35% Rostered

Those with a fringe low-end QB1 should consider streaming J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy has had his fair share of struggles during his first full NFL season, but has recently begun to find his footing. Over his last two games, albeit against the Commanders and Cowboys, McCarthy has averaged a promising 25.1 PPR points per game during this stretch.

During this two-game stretch, the former Michigan star found the end zone six times (five passing) and three times with just one interception. Prior to this stretch, he averaged only 15.1 PPR points (from Weeks 9 through 12). He has another elite matchup this weekend to stay hot, facing the Giants, who have allowed the seventh-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season.

The risk is there, but his upside is a legit top-10 play.

Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots

25% Rostered

Kayshon Boutte has been New England's serious threat this season and could shine against a weak Baltimore secondary. Boutte will line up against a Ravens defense that has allowed the 10th-most PPR points to opposing WRs. While Boutte's track record has been tough to trust on a weekly basis, this matchup does raise his ceiling to be a viable FLEX option.

While he averaged just 2.4 receptions per game over his last seven contests, Boutte has tallied 17.8 yards per reception, which is among the highest marks in the sport. Overall, he enters the fantasy semifinals, averaging 13.1 YPT and 17.0 YPR. He has caught 10 passes of 20 yards or more and has found the end zone six times.

Kayshon Boutte lays out for the catch!

BUFvsNE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/HPK5jwNLlR

— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2025

His floor is quite low, but his ceiling is a legit mid-end WR2, especially in this matchup.

Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

10% Rostered

The final player we will spotlight is Mike Gesicki of the Bengals. Gesicki was a popular streamer last weekend, but fell way short of expectations, tallying just 2.1 PPR points on an 11-yard catch. However, Gesicki has a prime matchup to bounce back, facing a Miami defense that has allowed the third-most PPR points to opposing TEs this season.

Over his three games leading up to Week 14 (Weeks 11-13), Gesicki was carving out a larger role in this offense, seeing at least four targets in each game and even seeing six or more in all but one. During this stretch, the veteran tight end averaged 10.7 PPR points per game and was seeing ample looks in the red zone, earning three targets within the 20, two within the 10-yard line, and one within the five.

GESICKI GRIDDIES ARE INEVITABLE 🔥

CINvsBUF on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/eCpQDKO7rb

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025

While he only scored one touchdown during this stretch, his matchup on Sunday suggests significant positive regression could be on the way.

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons

40% Rostered

Tyler Allgeier has been a boom-or-bust player this season, making him the perfect high-risk, high-upside play. Through 15 weeks, Allgeier has eclipsed the double-digit PPR point mark five times but fallen below it in the other nine games. During these five showings, he averaged 13.6 PPR points, making him a viable RB2.

On Sunday, he may have the path to reach that status once again. The Falcons will face the Arizona Cardinals, who boast one of the worst rushing defenses in the sport, allowing the fifth-most PPR points per game. If the Falcons get a sizable lead, expect them to lean on their No. 2 back to churn out the clock.

The last time Allgeier faced defenses that are within the top four in terms of PPR points allowed to the position, he averaged 12.2 PPR points per game. Managers with a disappointing RB2, such as Jaylen Warren or Ashton Jeanty, should consider this alternative.

Jawhar Jordan, RB, Houston Texans

10% Rostered

Jawhar Jordan saw a heavy workload last week as he took 145 carries for 101 yards. In this contest, the Woody Marks (ankle) exited with an injury, and veteran Nick Chubb was unable to suit up. While Chubb has returned to practice this week and is listed to return, Jordan could still share the backfield as Marks is not making much progress.

During the week, Marks has been unable to practice before returning on Friday in a limited capacity. If Marks is unable to play, Jordan has a path to potentially leading this backfield, given the upside he flashed last weekend. Facing a Raiders defense that is allowing the 12th-most PPR points to opposing RBs makes Jordan viable as a low-end RB2 in deeper formats if Marks is eventually ruled out.

Will Reichard, K, Minnesota Vikings

25% Rostered

Will Reichard is one of the most talented kickers in the sport, entering Week 16 with an elite 92.3 FG%, but his upside has been capped by the inconsistency of Minnesota's offense. However, over the past two weeks, the young QB, McCarthy, has turned the corner and brought Reichard back onto the streaming radar.

Over the past two games, McCarthy has led the Minnesota offense to six total TDs and, more importantly, 65 total points. While both of these games were against weak defensive units, the Vikings have another smash matchup against the Giants, as noted above.

Over his last nine games, Reichard has gone 16-for-17 on attempts and an impressive 6-for-7 on field goals from 50+ yards, suggesting he carries elite upside given his ability to convert from longer ranges. Facing a Giants defense that has allowed the fifth-most PPR points to opposing kickers makes him a viable top-12 option in standard formats.

New Orleans Saints, DST

30% Rostered

The New Orleans Saints have one of the best matchups for a defensive unit this week, facing the New York Jets and Brady Cook. In his first career start last Sunday, Cook was able to get points on the board, but struggled throughout the afternoon, tossing a hefty three interceptions with just one passing score and 176 total yards.

Over the past three games, the Saints have held their opponents to 20 or fewer points in all but one. Last week, they held the Panthers to just 17 points and added one sack.

Given Cook's poor decision-making and the Jets' overall offense struggles this season (entering Week 16 averaging the sixth-fewest PPG), the Saints have legit top-10 upside on this slate. If you have been relying on a top defense that has a tough matchup on Sunday, like the Broncos facing the Jaguars, I'd suggest pivoting to the Saints.

Other High-Upside Streamers

• Tyler Shough, NO
• Kenneth Gainwell, PIT
• Alec Pierce, IND
• Isaiah Likely, BAL

Who To Pick Up for Fantasy Football Week 16?

Waiver wire pickup options, including how to prioritize them for your league, depending on the league size. Quarterbacks and Defenses (D/ST) are grouped at the bottom of the list:

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Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:

Who Should I Pickup for Week 16?

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Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like J.J. McCarthy, Tyler Allgeier, Kayshon Boutte, and Mike Gesicki. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pick up... all free! Make the right decisions.

2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - J.J. McCarthy, Tyler Allgeier, Kayshon Boutte, and Mike Gesicki. These are some common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.

Using The Tool. This is a simple tool, but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy football rankings, projections, and more.

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Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for J.J. McCarthy, Tyler Allgeier, Kayshon Boutte, and Mike Gesicki:

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