December 20, 2016

Nick Mariano analyzes Week 16 sleepers available on your 2016 fantasy football waiver wire. These NFL running backs (RBs), wide receivers (WRs), tight ends (TEs), quarterbacks (QBs) and defenses (DEFs) are fantasy football sleepers.

Welcome to the post-Week 15 installment of the Waiver Wire weekly series for the 2016 fantasy football season.Below are my Week 16 waiver wire pickups and sleepers (depending on league size) to consider adding for your fantasy teams. As always, ownership levels are from Fleaflicker leagues.

If you’re reading this, then you’re likely fighting for the right to hoist your league’s trophy in 2016. Or perhaps you just have some hope going into Monday night’s Washington-Carolina tilt and want to stay abreast of the happenings should you succeed. Whatever your reason, we’re here for you with a largely uninspiring and recycled group of names since we saw more returns than injuries here.

Be sure to also check out our weekly rankings and analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all options heading into Week 16.

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

Week 16 Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups

Ty Montgomery (RB/WR, GB) – 39% Owned

Montgomery was given the start at running back in the frigid cold against the Bears, and averaged over 10 yards per carry for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, with two catches for one yard. The passing line isn’t fantastic, but he truly dazzled as the feature back here against a Chicago defense that was missing its nose tackle in Eddie Goldman. We’ve seen this hype train rise and fall before, but this is great to see heading into a rough matchup against Minnesota at home. He’ll need some more passes to make value in that one.

Derrick Henry (RB, TEN) – 60% Owned

Well, reports had surfaced before Tennessee’s bye that they were interested in using Henry more in short-yardage situations. It came to fruition against Kansas City in Week 15, as he tallied 58 yards and two touchdowns on only nine touches in an extremely efficient effort. One touchdown capped off his own personal drive, and another was when he came in to spell Murray after the Titans got to the one. He’ll face the Jaguars in Week 16, who have allowed at least one rushing TD in each of their last four games.

Kenneth Dixon (RB, BAL) – 39% Owned

Dixon’s workload took a step back in Week 15 against the Eagles, as the Ravens didn’t find themselves needing to catch up to a potent offense as they did in Week 14 against the Patriots. Still, Dixon took a nice halfback sweep off of a fake fullback dive to the left into the end zone. He finished with nine carries for 36 yards and the score, and could find himself in more of a Week 14 scenario in Week 16 against Pittsburgh with Big Ben and company at home.

Dion Lewis (RB, NE) – 42% Owned

Lewis finally had a big game, as he eclipsed 100 total yards against the Broncos with the Pats utilizing his agility against a horrible rush defense. He should be employed in a similar fashion against a Jets defense that is strong against north-south runners like LeGarrette Blount, but susceptible to the quicker backs on the edge.

Tim Hightower (RB, NO) – 43% Owned

Hightower didn’t gain a lot of yardage against Arizona (48 total) but tallied two rushing scores to entrench himself as an RB1 in Week 15. He wasn’t great compared to Mark Ingram (and trust me, Ingram let his coaches know this on the sideline in a tantrum), but he got the carries that mattered. He’ll be an RB4 at home against a Bucs defense that contained him in Week 14.

Kenneth Farrow (RB, SD) – 24% Owned

Farrow flopped in relief of the injured Melvin Gordon to the tune of 15 carries for 39 yards and two catches for 14 yards alongside a fumble lost. Yuck. It’s pretty clear that Farrow isn’t ready to be a viable starter in this league, but at least he’s getting some experience under his belt. Still, there’s no ignoring that Cleveland’s woeful defense is San Diego’s Week 16 opponents, so if Gordon cannot go again then Farrow will be a solid flex option based on opportunity alone.

Justin Forsett (RB, DEN) - 30% Owned

Forsett ran ahead of Devontae Booker again, totaling 53 yards on 10 carries and four catches. He had a decent flex showing as a PPR option, but it’s clear that Denver’s offensive line is getting overmatched by just about anyone right now. Week 16 brings a road date with Kansas City’s D-line, which is not one I’d want to tangle with. Forsett is just a PPR lottery ticket with RB3 potential.

Jerick McKinnon (RB, MIN) – 42% Owned

McKinnon only got three carries with Adrian Peterson back, with which he got a measly 12 yards. The kicker here is that he caught nine targets for 59 yards as Minnesota was in full-on catchup mode early against Indianapolis. They may find themselves in the same spot against Green Bay at Lambeau Field next week if they cannot pull it together, but McKinnon is a low-end RB3 in PPR formats at best.

Charles Sims (RB, TB) – 48% Owned

Sims’ performance took a step back against Dallas in Week 15, as he only caught three passes for 15 yards alongside four yards on three carries. He didn’t have much of a difference in snaps compared to Week 14, but the Cowboys contained him better than the Saints did. Doug Martin is going to be the clear starter for Tampa Bay when healthy, with Sims’ change-of-pace role bringing a low floor such as this week. He should fare better in Week 16’s must-win rematch with the Saints in their dome, making him an RB4 in PPR formats.

Paul Perkins (RB, NYG) – 21% Owned

Perkins ran quite well when he was given the ball against the Lions on Sunday, as he averaged over five yards per carry (11 rushes for 56 yards). He’s shown flashes of brilliance as a rookie, but those continue to come with some pretty poor plays that are indicative of his not being a complete back just yet. Leave him as a deep-league or dynasty stash for now.

Dwayne Washington (RB, DET) – 13% Owned

Washington had the opportunity to perform with Theo Riddick (wrist) out again for Week 15 against the Giants, but said Giants defense contained him with ease. He only mustered 31 yards on 14 carries, and it won’t get much easier in Week 16 against a Dallas defense that hasn’t allowed an opposing RB to tally over 100 yards. With Washington, we’d be happy with just 50 yards and a cheap plunge. Of course, if Riddick comes back then he’s unplayable.

Rex Burkhead (RB, CIN) - 6% Owned

Burkhead topped four yards per carry yet again, rushing for 32 yards on seven totes alongside two catches for 18 yards. In the four weeks since Giovani Bernard went down, Burkhead is just a hair shy of averaging five yards per carry with the steady, albeit underwhelming, passing-game usage. With Houston’s sturdy secondary on the agenda for Week 16, look for Burkhead to be a decent PPR option in deep formats.

Week 16 Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups

Malcolm Mitchell (WR, NE) – 37% Owned

Mitchell was locked down by Denver’s secondary in Week 15, though the Pats really didn’t need to press the action considering the Broncos only put up 3 points in the game. If you’ve made it this far with Mitchell, then you’ve endured the rough matchups and can now feast on the Jets perpetually-torched secondary in Week 16.

Tyler Lockett (WR, SEA) – 56% Owned

Lockett has clearly embraced his role as the #2 receiver in Seattle over the last three weeks now, as he popped off on Thursday for a ridiculous 130 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. Russell Wilson has really rounded into form lately with that ankle injury well in the rearview mirror, and the WR success follows from his arm being healthy. With Doug Baldwin possibly getting shadowed by Arizona’s Patrick Peterson in Week 16, Lockett could be in line to feast.

Taylor Gabriel (WR, ATL) – 47% Owned

Gabriel continues to be a lightning rod for Atlanta, as he caught three-of-six targets for 60 yards and a nine-yard TD in the first quarter. He’s now found pay dirt six times over Atlanta’s last seven games, though his chances for sustained success are greatly tied to Julio Jones’ health. Still, the ceiling that he provides is much greater than that of Mohamed Sanu, Aldrick Robinson or Austin Hooper. Carolina’s poor secondary awaits in Week 16, so definitely keep him around.

Cameron Meredith (WR, CHI) – 24% Owned

Meredith has now been solid in his last three games, with each performance improving upon the last. His season has been extremely volatile, but it appears he and Matt Barkley have finally develop some consistent chemistry here as evidenced by his 9-104-0 line on 13 targets. This was his first game with double-digit targets since the days of Brian Hoyer, and provides him with some solid momentum heading into a Week 16 matchup with Washington. Josh Norman should shadow Alshon Jeffery there, leaving Meredith as a solid WR3 as their best pass-catching option.

Dontrelle Inman (WR, SD) – 36% Owned

Inman’s touchdown streak was snapped at three, but his eight targets were actually a high-water mark since that streak began in Week 12. While he didn’t score, he still caught five balls for 68 yards to make it four weeks in a row that he’s provided 10+ points in PPR formats. That also applies to six of his last seven games. He has had a very kind slate of matchups down the stretch, which will peak with his Week 16 date with the Browns. Keep rolling him out there, folks.

Robby Anderson (WR, NYJ) – 9% Owned

The brief MNF showing with Bryce Petty in Week 13 against the Colts doesn’t appear to have been a fluke, as Anderson totaled 99 yards on six catches as he was drenched in 11 targets from his rookie QB. Anderson saw 12 targets in Week 13, so this is a trend we need to take seriously in a fantasy football season that normally only lasts 16 games. It may not be pretty, but volume can take one a long way. In this case, it takes Anderson into low-end WR3 territory in Week 15 against the Dolphins.

John Brown (WR, ARI) – 51% Owned

While both of Arizona’s non-Larry Fitzgerald receivers performed well, Brown had the better day with Michael Floyd now out of the picture thanks to a 5-81-1 line on six targets. It could’ve been an even bigger day if Palmer didn’t miss him on a long bomb; unfortunately, that’s who Palmer is now. Unfortunately, the speedy Brown is still #3 in snaps behind Fitzgerald and J.J. Nelson as Arizona looks to keep him healthy, and a road date with Seattle’s defense looms in Week 16.

Brandon LaFell (WR, CIN) – 35% Owned

LaFell was Andy Dalton’s favorite target against Pittsburgh in Week 15, as he turned in a useful 7-91-0 line on nine targets against a strong Steelers defense at home. Most of the damage came in the first half, as Pittsburgh clamped down in the second half and eventually won the game. Still, at least LaFell showed some life. The issue here is that A.J. Green may come back for Week 16 against the Texans, and LaFell would need volume to keep him afloat against a good Houston secondary.

Anquan Boldin (WR, DET) – 47% Owned

Boldin predictably had a rough go of things against a strong Giants secondary in Week 15, only catching a few passes for 30 yards. It won’t get any easier in Week 16 against Minnesota’s Xavier Rhodes and Terrance Newman, making him a TD-dependent WR4 in standard formats.

Kenny Stills (WR, MIA) – 30% Owned

Stills continues to be a wildly efficient deep-ball threat, and finally scored a touchdown in back-to-back weeks this season with his lone Week 15 reception. It was a 52-yard strike from Matt Moore where Stills was uncovered, but that also speaks to the Jets’ awful secondary. His seven TDs on the season can’t be ignored, even if the potential for a two-catch, 12-yard game lurks in the shadows. A road date with Buffalo awaits him in Week 16, so risk-seeking lottery players can throw him in amongst an otherwise stable lineup for some upside.

Marqise Lee (WR, JAC) – 19% Owned

Lee didn’t reel in a single target (he only saw three) against the Texans in Week 15, but did take a punt back to the house to avoid a goose egg in most leagues. While nothing about Jacksonville’s situation sounds enticing right now, they do get to face a Tennessee defense that has been shredded through the air recently. Look for Lee to remain a low-end WR3 in PPR formats there, but Blake Bortles means the floor is scary low.

J.J. Nelson (WR, ARI) – 17% Owned

Nelson remains inefficient when given serious looks in this offense, as he only notched a 5-38-1 line on 11 targets from Carson Palmer. Running as the #2 receiver in place of the recently-departed Michael Floyd, Nelson has now scored touchdowns in each of his last three games. While facing New Orleans in Week 15 gave him a decent floor, a Week 16 tilt in Seattle won’t be as forgiving. He’s a WR4 there.

Philip Dorsett (WR, IND) – 38% Owned

Dorsett was able to use his plus speed to get behind Minnesota’s defense for a long 50-yard touchdown on his only target of the day. With Donte Moncrief out, Dorsett was running as the #2 behind T.Y. Hilton but still only saw the one look. He had seen eight targets the week before, but could only turn them into a 3-19-0 line. The inconsistency will be there, but if you need a big play piece in a deep league then Dorsett isn’t the worst play against Oakland in Week 16.

Jeremy Kerley (WR, SF) – 15% Owned

The good news is that Kerley saw eight targets in a second consecutive game on Sunday, but he could only produce a 5-28-0 line off of it. That’s a step back from Week 14’s 5-50-0 line, and paints him as a deep-league PPR play at best. A date with the Rams looms in Week 16, which should greatly limit San Francisco’s efforts to run the ball. Consider Kerley a low-end WR4 in PPR formats for the matchup.

Charles Johnson (WR, MIN) – 4% Owned

With Adam Thielen (concussion) missing much of Week 15 after a blow to the head, Johnson was the one to step in as the replacement in three-wide sets. He ended up collecting 50 yards on five catches, and did not drop a target. If Thielen cannot go in a potential Week 16 shootout against the Packers, Johnson would be a decent WR4 dart throw.

Aldrick Robinson (WR, ATL) – 2% Owned

Robinson’s best game of the season predictably came with Julio Jones on the shelf against the horrible 49ers defense. He ended up with 111 yards on four catches (five targets) with the bulk of his action coming on a 59-yard scamper, as it was made very clear that this offense can make things happen. If Jones cannot go in Week 16 against Carolina, then Robinson will be a WR4 considering the state of Carolina’s secondary.

Monday night forget-me-nots: 

Pierre Garcon (WR, WAS) – 47% Owned

Ted Ginn Jr. (WR, CAR) - 26% Owned

Week 16 Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups

N.B. – The top-20 QBs are owned in roughly 70% of leagues or more.

Matt Barkley (QB, CHI) – 6% Owned

Barkley hasn’t been incredible, but he’s been solid fantasy asset ever since he took over for Jay Cutler back in Week 12. He threw for a whopping 362 yards on 30-for-43 passing, connecting for two touchdowns to mitigate the three interceptions that he threw. He was taking chances, making mistakes and getting messy as he tried to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers. He’ll need to do the same against Kirk Cousins in Week 16, so don’t scoff at the low-owned option.

Colin Kaepernick (QB, SF) – 37% Owned

After two miserable weeks, Kaepernick pulled it together for a solid Week 15 effort against the Falcons. San Francisco still lost 41-13, but he managed to pass for two touchdowns alongside 183 passing yards and 21 rushing yards. Unfortunately, he’ll have an uphill climb against a strong Rams defensive line in Week 16, but at least it'll be without Robert Quinn. Proceed with caution.

Robert Griffin III (QB, CLE) – 13% Owned

RG3 wasn’t at his best on Sunday, completing 17-of-28 passes for 196 yards through the air, but did tack on 48 yards and a rushing score to generate QB1 value for those in 2-QB leagues who rolled the dice. It wasn't pretty, but he looked spry on his feet at least. He'll need to tap into that agility yet again to be of use in Week 16 against a Chargers team that entered Week 15 ranked eighth in overall Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA).

Tom Savage (QB, HOU) - 1% Owned

Hey now, Brock Osweiler finally got benched for his atrocious efforts! Mr. Savage promptly totaled 260 yards on 23-of-36 passing as he breathed some life into DeAndre Hopkins and company. While Osweiler still has a crazy contract backing his playing, Houston would be wise to not fall prey to the sunk cost fallacy and instead stick with Savage considering they have a real chance to make a playoff run with this team. He'll have to battle with a Cincinnati defense that has only allowed a paltry three passing TDs compared to six interceptions over their last five games, but Savage is out to prove himself. And if you pick him up then you get to make some fun team names.

Week 16 Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups

Cameron Brate (TE, TB) – 61% Owned

Brate turned in a strong TE1 effort against Dallas, catching five of his eight targets for 73 yards and a big-man touchdown in Week 15. Dallas had shown a weakness against the tight end entering this game, but it’s still encouraging to see him produce. While Jameis Winston’s delivery was again inconsistent, but he seems to be a bit more accurate when targeting Brate over the middle of the field. It doesn’t hurt that Brate is 6’5” either. He’ll be a TE1 again in Week 16 against the Saints in New Orleans.

Ladarius Green (TE, PIT) – 52% Owned

Green didn’t score a touchdown in Week 15, but still returned to form with a 5-72-0 line on eight looks against the Bengals. It wasn’t fantastic, but it was a much-needed effort after the 2-25-0 flop from Week 14. Luckily, he and the Steelers will return to the friendly confines of Heinz Field in Week 16 against Baltimore. The only other home game where Green has been 100% was when he went off against the Giants for 110 yards and a touchdown. Don’t expect all that, but he should be a low-end TE1 here.

Hunter Henry (TE, SD) – 39% Owned

Well, if you’re going to be dependent on scoring touchdowns then at least be damn good at it. Henry has now hauled in a TD in three of San Diego’s four games since their bye, and four of his last five games since returning from injury. While he still runs behind Antonio Gates from a snaps standpoint, Gates is struggling to separate as another full season weighs on his body. Meanwhile, Henry is looking fresh out there and able to provide Philip Rivers will a quicker big frame in the end zone. He’s also a TD-dependent TE2 in Week 16, but he gets to face the aforementioned awful Browns defense. His chances of scoring won’t ever be greater.

Jared Cook (TE, GB) – 34% Owned

Cook caught 77 of his 85 yards in the first half against the Bears before Chicago remembered they were playing a football game, but we were still reminded of Cook’s potential here in Green Bay’s resurgent offense. With a gritty divisional game against Minnesota on deck for Week 16, it would be wise of the Pack to attack the Vikings with Cook. Minnesota’s defense entered Week 15 rated as a paltry 24^th in DVOA against TEs, while they were 11^th or better versus every other facet of the passing game. This will likely change a bit after their own drubbing at the hands of the Colts, but the point remains that without Harrison Smith they are vulnerable there.

Ryan Griffin (TE, HOU) – 5% Owned

With C.J. Fiedorowicz out with a concussion, Griffin saw eight targets against Jacksonville in Week 15. He caught all eight of them for 85 yards, though most of them came after Brock Osweiler was benched for Tom Savage. What a world we live in, but Savage clearly had a good thing going. If Fiedorowicz cannot go in Week 16 against the Bengals then Griffin will be a solid TE2 streamer again, with bonus points available if Savage was given the unlikely start.

Charles Clay (TE, BUF) – 40% Owned

Clay’s last two weeks cannot be ignored, but the stats don’t appear to be very bankable moving forward. His long TD in Week 14 came on a broken coverage where he was left unmarked, and this most recent 7-72-1 line came against Cleveland. The Browns entered the week ranked dead last in DVOA against TEs. Clay and the Bills will face the Dolphins in Week 16, where he’ll be a TD-dependent TE2.

Dion Sims (TE, MIA) – 2% Owned

It doesn’t feel good to rely on a guy who has only 13 balls over his last four games, especially now that Matt Moore is his quarterback, but here we are after Sims put up a 4-31-2 line on the Jets. He doesn’t see much usage outside of the red zone, but the big-bodied TE has now caught four TDs over the same last four games and is clearly a noted target in their system. He’ll be a low-end, TD-dependent TE2 streamer in Week 16 against Buffalo, who entered Week 15 ranked 9^th in DVOA against TEs.

Garrett Celek (TE, SF) – 2% Owned

Celek delivered with a touchdown in Week 15 for the truly desperate, though he only had two catches for 22 yards on top of the score. With Vance McDonald done for the season, Celek will run most of the routes as San Francisco’s pass-catching tight end. That won’t yield much in the final two weeks of the season (at LA, vs. SEA), but desperation doesn’t begin to describe some of you out there.

Week 16 Defense Waiver Wire Pickups

New York Giants D/ST – 56% Owned

If the Giants are somehow still out there, you should look into scooping their 2007-like selves with a date against Carson Wentz and the low-flying Eagles in Week 16. Opponents have only topped 16 points against them in one of their last five games, in which they’ve tallied a combined 17 sacks with 11 turnovers. Also, they’ve held Dallas and Detroit to single digits in their last two games. They’re feeling it. Keep an eye on Janoris Jenkins’ status, but even without him this is a good play against the turnover-prone Wentz.

San Diego D/ST – 40% Owned

The Chargers have lost their last three games, but their defense hasn’t exactly folded on itself in the process. Even again a powerful Oakland offense in Week 15, they only allowed 19 points alongside two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. They’ve gone five straight weeks with a sack and four straight with a pick, which bodes well heading into a Week 16 matchup with Robert Griffin III and the toothless Browns.

Washington D/ST – 31% Owned

There isn’t much to love here with Washington’s penchant for forcing turnovers being quite low (only five over their last five games), but they have recorded multiple sacks 10 of their 13 games thus far. Perhaps they’ll make it 11 on Monday night against Cam Newton, but the point is that they can get to the quarterback. When that quarterback is Matt Barkley in Week 16, the turnovers may just flow.