The fantasy football playoffs are upon us, but that doesn’t mean managers aren’t going to be forced to take some chances in their lineups with a host of injuries to multiple fantasy contributors.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top sleeper options — like Baker Mayfield, Chase Brown, and Joshua Palmer — for your fantasy lineup heading into Week 16.
Week 16 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. JAX)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept their postseason hopes alive after a phenomenal 381-yard, four-touchdown performance from QB Baker Mayfield against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Mayfield has thrown for multiple scores and topped the 200-yard mark through the air in six of his last eight games, which gives him a reliable fantasy floor heading into their matchup against a Jacksonville Jaguars squad, who may be without Trevor Lawrence if he is unable to clear concussion protocol heading into Week 16.
Week 16 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Running Backs
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (at PIT)
Cincinnati Bengals RB Chase Brown may be playing second fiddle to Joe Mixon, but he is making an impact with his limited opportunities over the last three games. Brown has posted three straight games with 6+ fantasy points and has caught a minimum of three passes in two straight games.
Brown will be facing off against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense this Saturday that just gave up 170 yards on the ground to the trio of Indianapolis Colts running backs in Zack Moss, Trey Sermon, and Tyler Goodson. If the Steelers continue to struggle to slow down opposing rushing attacks, then Brown is fully capable of being a fantasy producer in a complementary role in Week 16.
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders (at KC)
The Las Vegas Raiders got a fantastic performance from RB Zamir White in his first outing as a leading ball carrier in this offense against the Los Angeles Chargers, with 85 total yards and a score on 20 total touches.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Sure, much of this recommendation is closely tied to the injury status of RB Josh Jacobs, who would essentially make White a complete nonfactor if he is active. But with Jacobs on a one-year deal and potentially heading to free agency this offseason, it would not be shocking to see White get another at-bat in this leading role if Jacobs isn’t 100 percent heading into their matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 16 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Wide Receivers
Noah Brown, Houston Texans (vs. CLE)
The Houston Texans were in desperate need of a leading man in the passing game with both Nico Collins and Tank Dell unavailable for their Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans, and WR Noah Brown delivered in a big way with eight receptions for 82 yards and a score.
Brown has gone for more than 20 fantasy points in full-PPR formats in three of his last five games but produced a goose egg in the other two games, which makes him a very big boom-or-bust option heading into their matchup against a formidable Cleveland Browns defense in Week 16.
The Texans could get QB C.J. Stroud back under center this week, which could help stabilize his fantasy value despite the tough matchup.
Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BUF)
No one is really super excited about potentially starting any Los Angeles Chargers player with Easton Stick under center, but WR Joshua Palmer managed to have a nice fantasy day last week with four receptions for 113 yards and a score without Keenan Allen in the lineup.
Fantasy managers will want to temper expectations with Stick under center, but if Allen misses a second straight game with a heel injury, then Palmer could be in store for another busy day against a Buffalo Bills team that is riding into southern California with a ton of momentum after getting wins against the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys in consecutive weeks.
Week 16 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Tight Ends
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (vs. ARI)
The Chicago Bears passing offense continues to be a bit of a work in progress, but TE Cole Kmet continues to be heavily involved as the clear-cut second option to dynamic leading WR DJ Moore.
He has seen 6+ targets in six out of his last seven games while catching 5+ passes in three straight games. He had another productive fantasy outing against a tough Browns defense on Sunday by scoring his sixth touchdown of the season on one of his five receptions.
If the Arizona Cardinals’ defense continues to struggle against opposing passing attacks — they’ve allowed the third-most touchdown passes in the league this season with 26 — then Kmet could have another productive fantasy outing in Week 16.
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