If you haven't heard of Mike Boone before this week, that's understandable. But with Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison hurting, Boone is in position to be a Week 16 sleeper on Monday Night Football with fantasy football championships on the line. Of course, there are other sleepers -- and you certainly wouldn't want to play any busts -- but it would take some guts to play Boone. As usual, though, it's all about matchup and the opportunities, which is why other injury fill-ins like Breshad Perriman and O.J. Howard are listed below.
Receivers Justin Watson and Russell Gage are both benefiting from increased opportunities thanks to injuries to Mike Evans/Chris Godwin and Calvin Ridley, respectively, but players don't necessarily need to injuries for chances to shine. Tarik Cohen, for example, has a favorable matchup and could have the game script turn in his favor.
WEEK 16 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
We have drastically different types of QBs as sleepers. You could take old man Philip Rivers, rookie Drew Lock, or previously benched Andy Dalton in favorable matchups if you're looking for a quarterback stream this week. Our sleeper D/STs and at least two of our TEs are all available on the waiver wire, too.
If you read one part of our Week 15 sleepers article, we really, really, really hope it was the Perriman section. Three touchdowns was even better than we could've dreamed of. If you followed our Ryan Tannehill advice, that didn't work out too bad, either. Sony Michel delivered coming off a bad week, and so did Jared Goff (eventually). Even Chris Conley found the end zone twice, and A.J. Brown was the stud we expected.
Patrick Laird didn't work out quite as well, but at least he got touches. Peyton Barber was as pedestrian as usual. And tight end wasn't great, as Ian Thomas disappointed and David Njoku was a surprise inactive.
MORE WEEK 16: Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Week 16 Fantasy Sleepers: Running backs
Tarik Cohen, Bears vs. Chiefs (Billy Heyen). Cohen's going to be on the field a lot as the Bears very likely get involved in a passing shootout, and coming off eight carries, he might also exploit Kansas City's poor run defense a couple of times.
Adrian Peterson, Redskins vs. Giants (Vinnie Iyer). He seems to get the ball All Day, and the Giants can’t offer much resistance against him all the way through the red zone.
Mike Boone, Vikings vs. Packers (Matt Lutovsky). Someone has to start at RB on Monday for the Vikings, and with Dalvin Cook (shoulder) and Alexander Mattison (ribs) banged up, it could be Boone, who ran for 56 yards and a score on 13 carries in relief of Cook last week. The Packers allow the seventh-most fantasy points to RBs, so this is a potential fantasy legend-making spot for Boone.
WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
Week 16 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers, Chargers vs. Raiders (Heyen). The Raiders continue to have one of the league's worst pass defenses, and Rivers has a bevy of weapons to work with. The possession passes to Keenan Allen, throws down the seam to Hunter Henry, jump balls to Mike Williams, and screens to Austin Ekeler should add up to a solid day.
Andy Dalton, Bengals @ Dolphins (Iyer). He should put some numbers dueling Fitzmagic with his receivers all having good matchups, and there’s no weather worry here.
Drew Lock, Broncos vs. Lions (Lutovsky). The Lions have allowed three or more passing TDs in six of the past nine games, and Lock threw for 443 yards and five TDs in his first two (non-snowy) starts. Take advantage of a collapsing Lions defense if you're in a QB bind.
WEEK 16 DFS LINEUPS:
FD Cash | FD GPP | DK Cash | DK GPP | Y! Cash | Y! GPP
Week 16 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide receivers
Justin Watson, Buccaneers vs. Texans (Heyen). Breshad Perriman will get his, but as long as Chris Godwin (hamstring) is out, Watson should see eight-plus targets and produce.
Breshad Perriman, Buccaneers vs. Texans (Iyer). He steps into another potential smash spot at home to be Jameis Winston’s most trusted outside target.
Russell Gage, Falcons vs. Jaguars (Lutovsky). Gage was shut down in Week 15 against the 49ers, but he's still the No. 2 receiver in a pass-happy offense. The Jaguars are reeling on defense, so Gage has a good shot to pile up receptions this week.
MORE WEEK 16 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup Builder
Week 16 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Tight ends
Jacob Hollister, Seahawks vs. Cardinals (Heyen). Yes, this is low-hanging (but delicious) fruit. Hollister should be played in every league possible against a defense that's allowed more than 800 yards and 15 touchdowns to the position this season.
Noah Fant, Broncos vs. Lions (Iyer). He can make multiple big plays against a defense giving up a ton and with no safety or linebacker to contain him.
O.J. Howard, Buccaneers vs. Texans (Lutovsky). Yes, another Buc. Howard led the team in targets (8) last week, and Houston is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to TEs. The Bucs throw almost 40 times per game, so there will be plenty of targets to go around.
MORE WEEK 16:
Waiver pickups | FAAB planning | Stock watch | Snap counts | Fantasy playoff tips
Week 16 Fantasy Sleepers: Defenses
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Raiders (Heyen). Derek Carr was so poor against the Jaguars that he was booed off the field in the Raiders' final home game in Oakland. The Chargers have a talented enough defense to keep Carr's struggles going.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Panthers (Iyer). Always use defenses going against QBs making their NFL debut, especially when those defenses are at home.
Denver Broncos @ Lions (Lutovsky). Over the past four games, Detroit has allowed 15 sacks and 10 takeaways while averaging 15 offensive points per game. Denver has 10 sacks and seven takeaways in that span. With this game in Denver, expect plenty of turnovers.