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Week 16 Deeper Waiver Wire Sleepers: Standard Leagues

Matt Terelle's deeper standard league sleepers & Week 16 NFL waiver wire pickups for the 2016 fantasy football season. These RBs, WRs & TEs and D/STs should be added as sleepers.

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to my deeper standard league sleepers column for Week 16 of the NFL season. In this weekly article we are going to take a look at some deeper waiver wire options for standard leagues, who could help out your team in this upcoming week.

For reference's sake, we are looking at standard scoring leagues and will be using ownership percentage data from Fleaflicker. In order to qualify as a deep sleeper, a player must be 20% owned or less.

Let's get to the picks!

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

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 16 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - CUTS

 

Quarterback

Matt Barkley (CHI) vs. Washington Redskins

(Ownership: 6%)

Barkley continues to turn in productive fantasy outings for the Bears, throwing for six touchdowns and five interceptions over his past four games. Those numbers would be even better if it weren't for the snowy game against San Francisco, which saw the Bears lean heavily on the running game to pick up the win. Granted, Barkley's turnovers aren't ideal, but he offers more multi-touchdown upside than any of the other quarterback options who are less than 20% owned. A matchup against the Redskins shouldn't be much of an issue for Barkley, as Washington's pass defense is ranked just 22nd in the league through Week 14. Barkley makes for a solid streaming option in very deep leagues, and is fine as a QB2 in two-quarterback formats.

 

Running Back

Robert Turbin (IND) @ Oakland Raiders

(Ownership: 8%)

It's getting hard to ignore Turbin's usage as a red zone threat for the Colts. The veteran running back has only 38 carries this season, but he's leveraged those looks into six rushing touchdowns. Operating as the team's preferred red zone back, Turbin has 16 attempts from inside the 20-yard line this season, just 10 fewer than starting running back Frank Gore. The Colts will take on a Raiders defense that can be run on, ranking just 26th in the league in DVOA before Week 15's action. When looking for a deep sleeper at running back, chasing touchdowns is usually the way to go, which makes Turbin a solid choice.

 

Wide Receiver

Eli Rogers (PIT) vs. Baltimore Ravens

(Ownership: 14%)

Rogers turned in a big game for the Steelers in Week 15 against the Bengals. The rookie slot receiver caught 5-of-6 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. As a fourth or fifth option in the Steelers' passing offense he is subject to inconsistencies, but when searching for a deep sleeper it's worth targeting an explosive offense such as Pittsburgh's. The Steelers will take on the Ravens in Week 16 in a big game that could wrap up the AFC North for Pittsburgh. Rogers runs the majority of his routes from the slot, meaning he will avoid coverage from solid corners Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young. Instead, he will face off against slot corner Jerraud Powers, who has been the weak link in Baltimore's secondary this season.

 

Tight End

Jermaine Gresham (ARI) @ Seattle Seahawks

(Ownership: 10%)

Gresham just keeps putting up solid, if unspectacular, numbers at the tight end position. As a result of the eroding skills of Carson Palmer, the veteran tight end has become a major part of Arizona's passing offense over the past six games. Gresham has been leaned on in short and intermediate routes, which has played well with the diminished arm strength that Palmer has been displaying. In his six games since Week 10, he now has 24 catches for 245 yards and a touchdown. Considering the state of the tight end position in fantasy this year, those numbers put him in the low TE1 conversation. A matchup against the Seahawks is up next for Gresham and the Cardinals. While Seattle sports an excellent defense, it has been susceptible to tight ends over the past few seasons.

 

Defense/Special Teams

Tennessee Titans (TEN) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

(Ownership: 14%)

The Titans pull a plus matchup against a Jaguars offense that has been one of the best units in the league to target with opposing fantasy defenses. Jacksonville, mostly thanks to the interception-prone Blake Bortles, has been allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. The Jaguars have been quite generous in takeaways, allowing 16 interceptions and 10 lost fumbles on the year. Tennessee is installed as an early -4.5 point road favorite against a Jags team that is in disarray, having just fired Gus Bradley on Sunday following their most recent loss.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Keon Coleman

to be a Healthy Scratch Again on Thursday Night
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal
Jarrett Allen

Questionable for Friday
Simon Holmstrom

Ready for Action Thursday
Lars Eller

Available Thursday
Domantas Sabonis

Will Miss at Least 3-4 Weeks
Ridly Greig

Out Against Ducks
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Out Against Bulls on Friday
Jake Neighbours

Back for Blues Thursday
Alexandre Sarr

Listed as Questionable for Friday Against the Raptors
TB

Nicholas Paul Available Thursday
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Set to Suit Up Thursday
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Out for "Couple of Weeks"
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Set to Return Thursday
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Added to the Injury Report as Questionable for Thursday
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Added to Colts' Injury Report With Calf Issue
Andrew Wiggins

Unavailable For Friday's Matchup With Chicago
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Garrison Mathews Will Join the Pacers
Joe Burrow

Logs Second Straight Full Practice on Thursday
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Will Miss the Rest of the Season
Keegan Murray

Is Available For His Season Debut Thursday
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Listed as Probable for Thursday
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Will Not Play Thursday Against Memphis
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Listed as Out for Thursday
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Seen at Practice on Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Moving Around Well on Thursday
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Will be on a Snap Count When he Returns
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Could Clear Concussion Protocol Thursday
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Returns to Thursday's Practice
Josh Jacobs

to Do Individual Drills on Thursday
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Not Expected to Play This Season
Chris Godwin

Attending Thursday's Practice
Bucky Irving

Continues Practice Attendance
Rasmus Andersson

Bags Three Points Wednesday Night
Morgan Geekie

Nets Two Power-Play Goals Wednesday
Joe Burrow

Bengals Haven't Ruled Out Joe Burrow for Week 12
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Posts Three Assists in Wednesday's Win
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Islanders Place Alexander Romanov on Injured Reserve
Lars Eller

to Miss Thursday's Action
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Out on Thursday
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Jaren Jackson Jr.

Likely Out on Thursday
Zaccharie Risacher

Questionable for Thursday
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Ruled Out for Two Weeks
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Targeting Return on Monday
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Limited in Practice on Wednesday
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Available Wednesday Night
Raisel Iglesias

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Absent Due to Ankle Injury
Conor Garland

to Return on Thursday
Thomas Harley

to Miss Road Trip
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Out Week-to-Week After Barbecue Accident
Curtis Lazar

to Miss at Least Three Games
Vladimir Tarasenko

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Mikael Granlund

Remains Out Wednesday
Charlie McAvoy

Out Indefinitely After Facial Surgery
Joe Burrow

to Potentially Return in Week 12?
Aaron Rodgers

Out on Wednesday, Hopes to Practice Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Not Seen at Wednesday's Practice
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Lands on Injury Report Ahead of Week 12 With Hip Injury
Rhamondre Stevenson

Targeting a Return in Week 12?
Isiah Pacheco

Returning to Practice on Wednesday
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Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
Tom Hoge

Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
Joe Highsmith

Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
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Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
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Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
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Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
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Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
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Cameron Champ

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Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

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Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
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Remains Unbeaten
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Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

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Josh Naylor

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CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
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Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
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Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday
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Jacob deGrom

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Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
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Named AL Reliever of the Year
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Named NL Reliever of the Year

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