December 20, 2016

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!

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.