Which under-the-radar players might be able to give your fantasy team a lift? Which chalky players might not be as safe as they seem?
Our featured analysts name some potential sleepers and underachievers for Week 16.
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If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Q. Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is a good sleeper start and why do you think he has upside this week?
Isaiah Hodgins (WR – NYG)
“The New York passing attack has dealt with several injuries this year. However, Isaiah Hodgins has stepped up for the Giants. Over the past six weeks, he has played the second-most wide receiver snaps behind Darius Slayton. Furthermore, Hodgins has averaged 5.3 targets and 10.8 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks. Meanwhile, he has an excellent matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday. They have surrendered 33.1 fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season, the third-most in the NFL.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
K.J. Osborn (WR – MIN)
“It’s usually a mistake to chase last week’s points, but I swear that’s not what I’m doing by suggesting that K.J. Osborn could have another productive week on the heels of his 10-157-1 explosion in Week 15. There are weather concerns in a number of games this week with a major weather system poised to backhand the Midwest and East Coast. Frigid temperatures and high winds could neuter the passing attacks in a number of games, making a number of WR options unappealing, but Osborn will play in the weather-proof splendor of Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium. Osborn hasn’t drawn consistent targets this season — an occupational hazard of sharing the field with Justin Jefferson — but he’s probably earned some trust from QB Kirk Cousins after playing such a key role in the Vikings’ epic comeback win over the Colts. Osborn also gets a favorable matchup against Giants slot cornerback Darnay Holmes, last seem committing unpenalized pass interference against Washington’s Curtis Samuel at the end of the Giants’ Week 15 win.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Rashid Shaheed (WR – NO)
“It’s gonna be difficult to trust in Rashid Shaheed in a Fantasy playoff matchup, but we’re talking sleepers right here. Even with Andy Dalton, he has performed well and shown his playmaking ability. He has at least 53 receiving yards in three straight games. Chris Olave is dealing with a hamstring injury, so more targets could be coming his way.”
– Mauricio Gutierrez (Estadio Fantasy)
Taysom Hill (TE – NO)
“Call me crazy, but I think this is going to be a Taysom Hill week. The Saints play the Browns on Saturday in what is expected to be very cold and windy weather which normally causes teams to have to run more than normal. We know Alvin Kamara will lead the rushing attack (although he’s been underwhelming of late), but with Mark Ingram injured and recently signed David Johnson looking like a ghost of his former self, I’m expecting Hill to be a big part of the Saint’s game plan. When you add in that the Browns give up the 9th most rushing yards and tied for the 5th most rushing TDs to opposing offenses, Hill is not only a great TE option but a decent flex play.”
– Wyatt Bertolone (JWB Fantasy Football)
Russell Gage (WR – TB)
“Russell Gage saw 12 targets in Week 15 and hauled in eight passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Assuming Julio Jones is out again when the Bucs take on the Cardinals, Gage presents an interesting case for fantasy playoff teams looking for a Flex in deeper leagues. Arizona ranks 26th in DVOA against WR3, and Tom Brady was willing to look his way repeatedly against Cincinnati. Don’t expect the two touchdowns again, but one score is certainly a possibility, landing him higher than his current ranking of 118. ”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
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Q. Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?
Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)
“Since returning from a concussion that cost him two games, Joe Mixon has struggled for fantasy players. Over the past two weeks, he has averaged only 9.8 fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, the star running back has an awful matchup this week against the New England Patriots. They have held running backs to only 15.8 fantasy points per game this season, the second-fewest in the NFL. Fantasy players might not be able to bench Mixon, but be prepared for a disappointing performance in Week 16.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA)
“The Seahawks’ running game has gone missing. Seattle is averaging 62 rushing yards over its last five games and hasn’t rushed for 100 yards in any game during that stretch. Rookie Kenneth Walker averaged 102.4 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns from Week 5 to Week 9 after Rashaad Penny went down with a season-ending injury. But Walker has averaged just 3.2 yards per carry since Week 10 and hasn’t topped 47 rushing yards in any of his last four games. He’s also been dealing with an ankle injury. I have Walker ranked outside the top 20 at running back this week in a matchup against a respectable Chiefs run defense.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)
“Jaylen Waddle’s involvement in the Dolphins offense still worries me. Yes, he had a great production in Week 15, but he did it with only three receptions. His big play ability has never been in doubt, but the volume could be an issue even in a favorable matchup. In the last three games, he averaged 5.33 targets and two receptions per game.”
– Mauricio Gutierrez (Estadio Fantasy)
Miles Sanders (RB – PHI)
“I’m worried about Miles Sanders this week. With Gardner Minshew set to start as Jalen Hurts sits out with injury, I have serious concerns about how the Eagles offense will operate compared to how it has up to this point. Jalen Hurts has the arm talent to push the ball down the field and is a dynamic runner, both of which put stress on the defense, opening up opportunities for Sanders. Minshew is a fine NFL QB, but he’s far behind Hurts in these areas, and this will allow the Dallas defense to tighten up and essentially make the field smaller leaving less room for Sanders to operate. It’s hard to sit Sanders, but I wouldn’t expect much more than a low-end RB2 performance. ”
– Wyatt Bertolone (JWB Fantasy Football)
CeeDee Lamb (WR – DAL)
“CeeDee Lamb has been a bit of an enigma in 2022. He has alternated between being a clear fantasy WR1 to finishing a week as a fantasy WR3 or worse, leaving fantasy managers to wonder what production they can rely on. His next contest, the long-awaited showdown with the Eagles in Week 16, could prove daunting. Philadelphia has the top-rated pass defense by DVOA against WR1s, and his first matchup against them resulted in only five receptions for 68 yards. Lamb always has the potential to go off and win a fantasy matchup, but I think he will struggle to live up to his current ranking of 20 in Week 16.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
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