Week 16 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Deep Sleepers to Grab on Waiver Wire

The postseason has arrived in season-long fantasy leagues, which means that every lineup decision from here on out will be critical.

While managers no longer need to worry about bye weeks, they must still navigate unfavorable matchups and injuries. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, for example, is dealing with an ankle injury. Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery suffered a torn MCL in Week 15.

The good news is that managers should have an easier time finding reinforcements on the waiver wire, since most non-playoff participants won't bother to poach players.

Here, we'll examine some of the top waiver wire targets to consider in Week 16 based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring. First, though, let's dive into some updated flex rankings.

Week 16 PPR Flex Rankings

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Eagles RB Saquon Barkley

1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
3. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
4. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
5. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
6. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
7. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
8. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
9. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
10. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
11. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
12. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
13. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
14. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
15. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
16. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
17. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
18. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
19. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
20. Davante Adams, WR, New York Jets
21. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
22. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
23. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
24. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
25. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
26. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
27. Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys
28. Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
29. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
30. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
31. Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans
32. Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings
33. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
34. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
35. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
36. Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Rams
37. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
38. Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
39. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
40. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
    

*Rankings based on past production, player health and projected role

Cooper Rush, QB, Dallas Cowboys

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Cooper Rush #10 of the Dallas Cowboys attempts a pass during the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Managers may not be searching for a starting quarterback this week, unless they're concerned about Mahomes' injury. The Chiefs quarterback admitted that he won't push to face the Houston Texans if he's not at 100 percent.

"You don't want to go out there and put yourself in harm's way," Mahomes said, per ESPN's Adam Teicher.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush is a solid wire target for those seeking a bit more insurance at quarterabck. He had a strong outing against the Carolina Panthers in Week 15, finishing with 214 passing yards and three touchdowns. He has another enticing matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week.

While Tampa limited Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in Week 15, it has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season. Rush is still available in over 90 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Other QBs to consider on the wire this week include:

• Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
• Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
  

Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Jerome Ford #34 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb was another injury casualty in Week 15, suffering a broken foot that will end his season. This leaves the door open for Jerome Ford to serve as Cleveland's high-volume ball-carrier.

While Ford's fantasy value was limited even before Chubb returned from last year's torn ACL, he's a strong wire target to consider for depth. Managers simply don't usually find starting RBs at this point in the season.

Ford is still available in over 50 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. He had two receptions, 104 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against Kansas City last week, though, 62 yards came on a single carry.

This week, Ford will face a Cincinnati Bengals defense that has been decidedly average against opposing RBs (16th-most fantasy points allowed). His situation isn't ideal, as the Browns are turning to third-string quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but Ford should see enough volume to warrant flex consideration.

Other RBs to consider on the waiver wire include:

• Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
• Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
• Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders
  

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers

Steph Chambers/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 15: Romeo Doubs #87 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of the game at Lumen Field on December 15, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers have widely utilized a committee approach at receiver, which has made things difficult to predict in fantasy. Romeo Doubs, for example, has been Jordan Love's go-to target in some weeks and a near-afterthought in others.

Coming off of a three-catch, 40-yard, two-touchdown game, however, Doubs should have the confidence of his quarterback. He returned in Week 15 after missing the previous two games with a concussion, and Love was thrilled to have him back.

"He's one of our best playmakers on offense, so it's always good having him back out there," Love said, per Brandon Carwile of Packers Wire.

Doubs, who is still available in roughly 60 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues, also has an intriguing matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. The Saints have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2024.

Other wide receivers to consider include:

• Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
• Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
  

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*Fantasy roster and scoring information via FantasyPros.