Streaming Sleepers: Week 16

By :: Juan Carlos Blanco (@jcblanco22)

Each week, Streaming Sleepers will highlight at least five non-QB skill-position players and one team defense that currently have start or roster rates of 20% or less in season-long leagues but may be prudent options this week due to matchups and other circumstances, particularly in deeper formats. 

Additionally, the plays suggested here could be viable DFS large-field tournament options for the coming slate and are likely to carry modest ownership rates in that format as well.

Colby Parkinson, LAR at SEA - 3% start rate

Parkinson should be a popular option this week in playoff games for those scrambling at tight end, or even for managers who’ve been dissatisfied with their current options and are willing to roll the dice a bit. Parkinson is in the midst of an impressive multi-week stretch of play, having posted a 22-230-6 line on 28 targets over his last six games. 

Tyler Higbee (ankle) will remain out for Thursday’s divisional showdown, while Davante Adams appears like a long shot to play through the hamstring injury he aggravated in the Week 15 win over the Lions. Both developments should naturally only brighten Parkinson’s fantasy outlook, and even more so against a Seahawks defense that’s tied for second-most receptions (91) and fourth-most receiving yards (952) allowed to tight ends. 

Darren Waller, MIA vs. CIN - 19% start rate

The tight-end position has a prominent spot in this week’s space, with Waller certainly in play due both to recent performance and matchup. The veteran has shown quite the knack for the end zone when he’s been healthy this season, recording six touchdowns in seven games. Waller has 20 receptions and 243 yards overall, and he recorded a pair of scoring grabs as part of his seven catches for 66 yards on eight targets against the Steelers in Week 15. 

One major storyline to keep tabs on as the week unfolds is the potential benching of Tua Tagovailoa for this Week 16 matchup. Nevertheless, whether it’s the much-maligned Tua, Zach Wilson or even Quinn Ewers under center (Update: Tua has been benched for Ewers), Waller figures to be a frequent target considering his reliability when he’s on the field. Additionally, it certainly doesn’t hurt that Cincinnati has been the best matchup for tight ends this season, as the Bengals have given up massive 99-1,276-15 line to the position.

Michael Carter, ARI vs. ATL - 1% start rate 

Carter appears set to operate as the Cardinals’ lead back for the final three games, considering Bam Knight was placed on injured reserve Tuesday due to the ankle sprain he suffered after just one play against the Texans in Week 15. The versatile veteran handled 18 touches and parlayed them into 94 total yards against Houston, and that came in an exceedingly tough matchup and with a bad game script for the run.

Carter should be in much better circumstances this week for a couple of reasons. To begin with, Arizona is at home, and additionally, the Cards are facing a Falcons defense that’s allowed 4.5 RB yards per carry and also ranks in the bottom half of the league in both second-level and open-field yards per carry allowed. Then, Atlanta has also conceded a 61-439-4 receiving line to running backs, so Carter should have his fair share of opportunity to round out his production via his pass-catching work.

Jayden Reed, GB at CHI - 7% start rate

Reed continued to ramp up his involvement in Week 15, his second game back from an extended absence due to multiple injuries. Reed bumped up from 25 snaps in Week 14 to 41 on Sunday against the Broncos, and he saw his target count increase to six after he drew four looks in his Week 14 return. Reed posted a 5-56-0 line in the difficult matchup against Denver, a game in which Christian Watson suffered chest and shoulder injuries that leave his Week 16 status murky for the time being.

The Bears secondary has struggled with injuries throughout the season, and they just placed Kyler Gordon on IR before Week 15 due to his lingering groin injury. Soldier Field can be tough for opposing offenses in December and the Packers will still focus heavily on getting Josh Jacobs involved on the ground, but Reed could also be due for a prominent role whenever Jordan Love drops back – particularly if Watson sits out – and the versatile wideout may also see a rush attempt or two. 

Keenan Allen, LAC at DAL - 18% start rate

The Chargers face the generous Cowboys secondary in Week 16, putting both Allen and tight end Oronde Gadsden (highlighted in our Also Consider section below) into play. Allen has been somewhat quiet in recent weeks, as he has a rather mundane 24-245-0 line on 36 targets over his last seven games. However, we’ve seen Allen exhibit much higher ceiling this season, and this is a game in which the Chargers passing attack could be both busy and aggressive.

The Cowboys have kept the pressure on opposing offenses all season, and Dallas’ run defense has also improved significantly since the trade for Quinnen Williams. Those factors could certainly lead to a nice increase in targets for Allen, who also averages 2.4 yards per route run against the zone coverage Dallas plays at an NFC-high 74.6% clip.

New Orleans Saints Defense vs. New York Jets - 14% start rate

It’s not often one goes out of the way to play the defense of a 4-10 team, but there’s an argument to be made this qualifies as an exception. The Jets may well be led by rookie signal-caller Brady Cook again this week, as there’s likely little appetite to have Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee) take the field at this stage of the season with New York having plenty to gain by losing.  

The Saints have collected eight interceptions and 29 sacks, and they have the NFL’s fourth-highest sack percentage (6.6%). In turn, New York has surrendered 50 sacks overall despite having two mobile QBs under center most of the season, and the Jets have conceded an NFL-high 11.4% adjusted sack rate.

Cook has already thrown five interceptions in his first 63 career pass attempts while also taking nine sacks, and given the always raucous environment at the Caesars Superdome, there could be plenty of turnovers coming New Orleans’ way. 

ALSO CONSIDER ::

Oronde Gadsden, LAC at DAL - 15% start rate 

Bounced back with a 4-61 line on five targets against the Chiefs after several quiet games and faces a Cowboys defense that’s allowed an 81-777-4 line to TEs (77.1% catch rate).

Devin Neal, NO vs. NYJ - 20% start rate  (questionable w/ hamstring injury as of Wednesday)

If he’s cleared to suit up and Alvin Kamara remains out, has solid matchup in his robust dual role against beatable Jets run defense.

Theo Johnson, NYG vs. MIN - 17% start rate 

Has eclipsed 70 receiving yards in three of the last five games, and he’s now drawn at least five targets in eight of 14 contests.

Luther Burden III, CHI vs. GB - 5% start rate

Is dealing with minor ankle issue to start week, but thrived in Rome Odunze’s second straight absence in Week 15 and now has 23-308-0 line on 32 targets over last six games.