We have two more victories until we reach the top of the 2023 fantasy football mountain. Now, all we need to do is find the perfect sleepers or streamers to fill out the Week 16 starting lineup. With Keenan Allen and Michael Pittman out and the likes of Nico Collins, Tyreek Hill, Zay Jones, and Kenneth Walker all truly questionable, we may need to bring in reinforcements.
Let’s dive deep into Week 16 and unearth some gems.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 16 SLEEPERS
JAMESON WILLIAMS, WR DETROIT LIONS (22%)
AT VIKINGS
The former first round pick is finally starting to get it together after seeing a season-high in usage in Week 15. Although he only totaled four receptions for 47 yards, he saw seven targets (second to Amon-Ra St. Brown) and had a season-high 72% route participation, playing ahead of Josh Reynolds for the first time this season.
Now, the matchup with the Vikings is not great, but it’s good enough. They have allowed the eight-most fantasy points to receivers and the 16th-most yards per target (7.9). It also shouldn’t surprise anyone if the two NFC North teams get into a shootout, as they both compete for playoff seeding.
With Jamo’s elite vertical speed, fantasy managers only need one big play to make the stream worth it.
PARKER WASHINGTON, WR JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (6%)
AT BUCCANEERS
Parker Washington will operate as the Jaguars’ WR2 in Week 16 with Christian Kirk (IR) and Zay Jones (hamstring) on the shelf. Over the last three weeks, he’s seen 15 targets and has turned that into 12 catches for 120 yards and two scores. He also plays for a team that has the fourth-highest passing rate this season.
This week, Washington squares off against a Bucs’ secondary that’s allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers and should only trail Calvin Ridley in targets. Trevor Lawrence practiced Friday, which also brightens Washington’s outlook.
ROSCHON JOHNSON, RB CHICAGO BEARS (24%)
VS CARDINALS
The Bears backfield is a three-headed nightmare right now, with Roschon Johnson, D’Onta Foreman, and Khalil Herbert. Johnson led the team with a 53% snap share in Week 15, and could be in line for an even bigger workload this week. The Bears are favored against the Cardinals and the game script should play in favor of Chicago’s rushing attack. The Bears will also be without Foreman this week (personal), creating more opportunity for Johnson to get touches.
While no one should feel confident in any Bears’ running back role, the running back streamers are scarce as we enter the second-to-last week of the season. The Bears will play the Cardinals’ soft run defense this week, who have allowed the most rushing yards per game since Week 10 and give up an average of nearly 24 fantasy points per game to the position.
It may not be pretty, but expect Johnson to get plenty of work and have a chance to find the end zone at least once on Sunday.
HUNTER HENRY, TE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (28%)
AT BRONCOS
12/23 UPDATE: HUNTER HENRY HAS BEEN RULED OUT;
TUCKER KRAFT (18% ROSTERED) REPLACES HENRY AS THE TOP TE SLEEPER
Even though Hunter Henry used to have a bromance with Mac Jones (Henry lived in Jones’ house), just like the Patriots, he’s moved onto Bailey Zappe. Since Zappe became the starter two weeks ago, Henry has a 20% target share, securing 10 receptions on 12 targets for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
Henry gets the Broncos this week, who get smashed by tight ends. Denver has allowed the second-most receiving yards and the most fantasy points per game to the position. If you’re in the same tight end streaming boat as you were all season, Henry is the best of the available options. He’s still available in 72% of leagues.
