Biggest Sleepers at Every Position for Week 16 Fantasy Football 2025

Some of you are one step away from your league's fantasy football championship, which means a few pickups will make or break your season. Our batch of Week 16 sleepers will help managers advance to the title game.

In critical moments, it's reasonable to rely on old, reliable quarterbacks who have repeatedly produced in favorable matchups. Passers who are past their primes but have shown the ability to carve up below-average pass defenses. Respect the "Uncs" at the position.

Running back injuries will open up opportunities for unheralded ball-carriers who are must-roster players with RB1 upside this week.

Of course, it wouldn't be a sleeper list without at least one rookie. A wide receiver coming back from injury likely returns in time for a smash matchup.

Jump out to a quick start on your opponent by putting early pressure on them with an emerging tight end, especially with a top receiver on his team in doubt for Thursday night.

Check out our biggest sleeper options who are available in more than 50 percent of leagues, according to FantasyPros' roster consensus percentages. We also listed DraftKings' daily fantasy sports price for each player.

QB Aaron Rodgers at Detroit Lions (30 Percent Rostered)

AP Foto/Justin Berl

DK DFS Price: $5,000 

In a booming year for older quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers is a mid-level QB1 option against the Detroit Lions. The Pittsburgh Steelers will need to push the ball downfield to keep pace with the Lions' top-ranked scoring offense.

Despite a wrist injury, the 42-year-old is playing well, even from a fantasy perspective. In Week 14, he finished as QB8. This past Monday, Pittsburgh didn't need to be aggressive in the passing game with a comfortable lead over the Miami Dolphins for most of the contest. Yet he still threw for 224 yards and a touchdown.

Going against a decimated Detroit secondary that is without cornerback Terrion Arnold and safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, Rodgers should have some success through the air in a fast-paced contest.

Tied with the Washington Commanders, the Lions are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and they field a vulnerable 24th-ranked pass defense that allows the fourth-most touchdowns.

QB Kirk Cousins at Arizona Cardinals (10 Percent Rostered)

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

DK DFS Price: $4,800 

Yes, another well-seasoned quarterback who can still sling the football. Last Thursday, Kirk Cousins threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he did it without No. 1 wide receiver Drake London.

This week, Cousins gets a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed over 255 passing yards in back-to-back games and field the 21st-ranked pass defense.

DraftKings' over/under point total for this game is set at 48.5 points, indicating the potential for a high-scoring contest. 

For now, London is trending in the right direction to suit up for this outing. On Wednesday, he practiced for the first time since suffering a knee injury in Week 11. With or without the receiver, Cousins is a viable starter. 

If London isn't able to go on Sunday, Cousins can feed targets to tight end Kyle Pitts, who's coming off his best pro performance, and star three-down running back Bijan Robinson in a fantasy-friendly game between defenses that rank outside the top 21 in points allowed.

RB Michael Carter vs. Atlanta Falcons (34 Percent Rostered)

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

DK DFS Price: $5,400 

The Arizona Cardinals placed Bam Knight on injured reserve, which thins their running back rotation for the next few weeks.

In his absence for most of last week's game against the Los Angeles Rams, Michael Carter took over the majority workload out of the backfield, logging 18 touches for 94 yards.

Assuming Carter continues to handle the lion's share of touches ahead of Emari Demercado, he'll have plenty of opportunities to rack up chunk yardage against the Atlanta Falcons' 25th-ranked run defense. 

In Week 15, the 26-year-old logged double-digit carries (14) and should register a similar number of rush attempts on Sunday.

Even though Demarcado is the primary third-down running back, Carter is also heavily involved in the passing game. Over the last five weeks, he's recorded 19 receptions for 155 yards.

So, even if Marvin Harrison Jr. returns from a heel injury, expect Carter to maintain some of his receiving duties.

RB Audric Estime vs. New York Jets (8 Percent Rostered)

AP Photo/Ella Hall

DK DFS Price: $5,000 

The New Orleans Saints have ruled out Devin Neal for their game against the New York Jets. Starting running back Alvin Kamara hasn't played since Week 12 because of knee and ankle injuries. Second-string tailback Kendre Miller is on injured reserve.

With an injury-riddled running back room, Audric Estime could be the next man up, just in time for a favorable matchup against the New York Jets, who field the 29th-ranked run defense and allow the second-most fantasy points to running backs. 

After Neal exited the previous game with a hamstring injury, Estime flashed his three-down playmaking ability, logging three carries for 11 yards and three receptions for 39 yards. 

If Kamara sits out, Evan Hull, who has 11 career rush attempts, and versatile tight end Taysom Hill are the biggest threats to Estime's touch volume. Make sure the bruising 5'11", 227-pound tailback isn't available for your opponent; he could be a difference-maker for the remainder of the fantasy playoffs.

WR Jalen Coker vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14 Percent Rostered)

AP Photo/Butch Dill

DK DFS Price: $4,400 

The Carolina Panthers' leading receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, may be at well less than 100 percent for Sunday's contest. He missed the first practice of the week because of foot and ankle issues. If he's out, Jalen Coker becomes a must-start player.

Over the last two weeks, Coker has emerged as a consistent playmaker in the Panthers' aerial attack, hauling in eight of his 10 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns, scoring in both contests.

Regardless of McMillan's status, Coker gets a favorable matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 30th-ranked pass defense that just allowed 365 passing yards to the Atlanta Falcons. In that game, three Falcons' pass-catchers racked up at least six catches and 78 receiving yards.

As the clear-cut No. 2 option in the Panthers' passing offense with a touchdown streak coming into this NFC South showdown, Coker has boom potential for managers who need a boost at wide receiver.

WR Pat Bryant vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (4 Percent Rostered)

AP Photo/Candice Ward

DK DFS Price: $3,700 

Pat Bryant sat out the Denver Broncos' previous outing because of a hamstring injury, but managers should catch him on the comeback. He started the week with a full practice, which bodes well for his availability this weekend.

Before the injury, the 23-year-old had been coming along well in the Broncos offense, registering 12 catches for 156 yards over his last three appearances. Averaging 13.9 yards per reception, the rookie third-rounder can be a big-play threat against a leaky pass defense.

The Jacksonville Jaguars rank 20th in passing yards allowed, and one of their starting cornerbacks, Greg Newsome II, who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in a midseason trade, has allowed five touchdowns and a 115.1 passer rating in coverage this season.

Don't be fooled by the Jaguars giving up fewer than 200 passing yards in three consecutive games. They went through that stretch playing mostly rookie quarterbacks: Cam Ward (No. 1 overall pick), Riley Leonard (sixth-rounder) and Brady Cook (undrafted). Before that run, Jacksonville allowed 317 passing yards to Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who didn't have wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. in that game.

This week, Jacksonville steps up in competition against second-year signal-caller Bo Nix, who's building a solid rapport with Bryant.

TE Colby Parkinson at Seattle Seahawks (18 Percent Rostered)

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

DK DFS Price: $3,800 

Here's an option for an early jump on your opponent.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams is doubtful to play Thursday night because of a hamstring injury.

Though the Rams have raved about rookie seventh-rounder Konata Mumpfield, he's far too risky in a fantasy playoff matchup, given his lack of production (five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown). 

Managers should target Colby Parkinson. Over the past month, he's become a key playmaker in the L.A. aerial attack, standing out in a crowded tight end room. Since Week 11, he has six touchdown receptions, but don't dismiss him as a scoring-dependent fantasy asset.

In four of his last six outings, the 26-year-old has at least four receptions, eclipsing 40 receiving yards in four of those contests. Last week, he finished with season highs in targets (seven), catches (five) and receiving yards (75). 

In a plus matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, who are tied for sixth in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, look for Parkinson to build off last week's momentum.

TE  Mike Gesicki at Miami Dolphins (6 Percent Rostered)

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki

DK DFS Price: $3,600 

For the third time, Mike Gesicki will play against the team that selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft.

Although we're far removed from the "revenge game" narrative, since the pass-catching tight end has played the Miami Dolphins twice while with the New England Patriots, he's still worth consideration because of the circumstances and the matchup.

The Miami Dolphins gave up two garbage-time touchdowns to tight end Darren Waller on Monday night. They rank just behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in fantasy points allowed to TEs, giving up the third-most fantasy points to the position.

Gesicki could see more targets with a favorable matchup if wideout Tee Higgins doesn't clear concussion protocol for this game. Even if Higgins plays, Gesicki should be the No. 3 option in a pass-heavy offense that's second in passing attempts.

Even though Joe Burrow's recent subpar outings raise concerns for the outlook of his pass-catching group, Gesicki is in a good spot for another productive outing. In Week 14, with Higgins mostly healthy, he hauled in all six of his targets for 86 yards and a touchdown, finishing as TE2. 

Fantasy points scored against statistics are provided by FantasyPros.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.