For most fantasy players, the champagne has been popped after the commencement of Week 16. For others, the cork is still on the bottle. Or perhaps you use the reading material for DFS purposes of just plain out love fantasy football. Regardless, let's bring that trophy home!
Same rules as always - in this column we will be looking at NFL players owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues. These players can be sneaky fantasy football lineup sleepers for Week 16 as you consider adding players off the waiver wire and optimizing your fantasy football lineups.
Same as last week, I'll include a player from every position (including D/ST) each week - as long as the options are worthy of discussion. Let's get to it.
Digging Deeper - Week 17 Playoffs Waiver Wire Options
Brock Osweiler (QB, DEN)
28% Owned in Fleaflicker
This isn't the area you want to be finding replacements on championship week, but if you're looking for a sleeper here's your spot. Osweiler and the Broncos still have something to play for, as a win clinches the AFC West over Kansas City. This week they have a home date versus San Diego, a team that is falling apart at the seams and recently fined it's best defender and placed him on IR against his wishes. Look for the Broncos to come out firing and Brock to eclipse the 300-mark.
Bold Prediction: 22-32 passing, 310 yards, 2 TD
FAAB: $1 should do
Cameron Artis-Payne (RB, CAR)
21% Owned in Fleaflicker
Running backs are dropping like flies in Carolina at the worst possible time. Jonathan Stewart has been sidelined (although he may play Sunday) and Fozzy Whittaker left Week 16's contest with a high ankle sprain. Artis-Payne played well on Sunday, rushing five times for 49 yards and adding a 7-yard catch. Should Stewart and Whitaker miss the contest, Artis-Payne will see the majority of the carries with Mike Tolbert in a game that still has meaning (Carolina clinches home-field with a win). If Stewart ends up playing, Artis-Payne becomes too volatile to trust. Keep an eye on the injury report throughout the week.
Bold Prediction: 15 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD
FAAB: Everything you got
Kenny Britt (WR, STL)
10% Owned in Fleaflicker
This may be a wild theory, but do the Rams not play better when nothing meaningful is on the line? After falling to 4-8 and being eliminated from playoff contention, they've rattled off three straight wins to climb closer to .500. Jeff Fisher really is a .500 man.
Anyways, the focus here is on Britt. He has touchdowns in back-to-back games and has a date with the putrid 49ers secondary that is the 25th ranked pass defense. Putting your fantasy title hopes in the hands of Britt is frightening, but in deep leagues he may be just the contrarian play to put you over the top.
Bold Prediction: 3 catches, 60 yards, TD
FAAB: $5
Will Tye (TE, NYG)
10% Owned in Fleaflicker
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice.. you get the idea. Will Tye burned us in Week 16, catching only three balls for 28 yards. That said, given the tight end landscape under 25% there's few quality options to pivot to. I'm sticking with Tye in this spot versus a Philadelphia pass defense that is ranked 27th in receiving yards allowed. Look for a shootout in New Jersey when these NFC-East foes face off.
Bold Prediction: 5 catches, 50 yards, TD
FAAB: $5
Indianapolis Colts Defense
13% Owned in Fleaflicker
I'll keep this short and sweet. The Colts need a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive, and the Titans scored 0 points last week while starting Zach Mettenberger. Fire up the Colts' D if you need a sleeper play in this crucial Week 17.
Bold Prediction: 13 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 INT
FAAB: $1
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