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Target Risers & Potential Breakouts, Week 16

Chris Moore looks to identify PPR sleepers based on targets and receptions risers from Week 16 of fantasy football. Add these WRs, TEs and RBs if possible.

Well, we've reached Week 16. For most leagues, it's championship week. With that in mind, if you're still browsing fantasy football content at this point in the season, it likely means you've had a pretty good year and are playing for a title. Or maybe you're a go-getter in a third place matchup with some money on the line. In either case, you've made it deep enough into your league's postseason that your roster is probably in reasonably good shape.

Still, it's always a good idea to keep your finger on the pulse of what's going on around the league. Sometimes you'd be surprised who you find available in free agency during the fantasy playoffs. Maybe you lost Antonio Brown last week find yourself in a desperate situation that you didn't expect. Or maybe your opponent had Antonio Brown and still hasn't settled on a replacement. It's always a good idea to know what's out there and take action accordingly, even if you're only adding a player to block your championship nemesis.

This week's target column will go over some of the biggest and/or most surprising target totals from Week 15, but we'll place additional emphasis on what's most actionable for your league's championship.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Rising Target Grabbers

WIDE RECEIVERS

Michael Crabtree (WR, OAK) - 17 Targets

If you add in the 13 looks he got in Week 14 against the Chiefs, that makes a monstrous 30 total targets over his last two weeks. That said, he's only accumulated 14 receptions for 99 yards over that span. Still, Derek Carr has found him in the end zone a total of three times in the last two games, for a pair of TDs and a two-point conversion. You will take this type of volume every time. With Amari Cooper looking questionable at best for a Monday night date with Philadelphia to close out the week, Crabtree is a WR1 for your fantasy championship game, despite the recent inefficiency.

Sterling Shepard (WR, NYG) - 16 Targets

After two straight miserable fantasy performances in Weeks 14 and 15, Shepard, and the Giants offense as a whole, came to life in giving the presumptive #1 NFC seed Philadelphia Eagles a run for their money in their first game after losing Carson Wentz to a torn ACL. Shepard racked up 11 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown against what had been a formidable defense against the pass. Considering the peaks and valleys we've seen from Shepard's production of late, it's necessary to consider him a potentially risky WR3 for Week 16, but he certainly has a high ceiling, despite a tough matchup against Patrick Peterson and the Arizona Cardinals defense.

Randall Cobb (WR, GB) - 14 Targets

It's a mixed bag for Cobb's outlook heading into Week 16. On one hand, he was clearly rejuvenated by Aaron Rodgers's ever so brief return to action against the Panthers, catching seven balls for 84 yards and a touchdown, but on the other hand it's right back to the Brett Hundley show for the season's final two weeks. The third factor to consider is the fact that Davante Adams is dealing with a concussion that may hold him out of a Week 16 matchup with the division rival Minnesota Vikings. Cobb again figures to be a big part of the game plan so even against a tough defense, he belongs in the WR3 conversation.

Mike Wallace (WR, BAL) - 10 Targets

With six catches for 89 yards in Week 15's drubbing of the Cleveland Browns, Mike Wallace now has 9.8 or more fantasy points in PPR formats in each of his last seven games. Furthermore, he should be considered a higher ceiling play than usual, at home against a Colts defense that is allowing the 8th most fantasy points to wide receivers in Week 16. Wallace deserves flex consideration in deeper leagues as Flacco and the Ravens offense has shown signs of life in scoring 109 points over the last three weeks.

Alshon Jeffery (WR, PHI) 10 Targets and Nelson Agholor (WR, PHI) 9 Targets

Last week's contest against the division rival Giants involved a lot of fireworks from both offenses, despite the absence of Carson Wentz and the extended futility we'd witnessed from Eli Manning in 2017. Questions about the relative usability of Eagles pass-catchers were pretty substantially answered with Nick Foles putting together a decidedly Wentz-like fantasy game in completing 24 of 38 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns against the Giants in Week 15. We're not quite ready to give this Foles led offense our full trust with fantasy championships on the line, but there's no denying that Alshon Jeffery (4 catches, 49 yards, and a TD in Week 15), and Nelson Agholor (7 catches, 59 yards, and a TD in Week 15) are firmly in play. If you had been using them with Wentz at QB, it looks like you can use them reasonably confidently with Foles under center as well.

Keelan Cole (WR, JAX) - 9 Targets

It wouldn't be entirely fair to say that Cole's outburst against Houston, in which he caught seven passes for 189 yards and a pair of touchdowns, came out of nowhere. While we certainly didn't expect this kind of production, and while he was aided by an early injury to Marqise Lee, it's worth noting that he had been putting up respectable fantasy efforts in each of his last two games, with three catches for 49 and a TD in Week 13 and three catches for 99 and a TD in Week 14. San Francisco represents a neutral matchup for WRs, but Cole can be considered as a WR3 in the event that Marqise Lee has to miss this contest, a prospect looking extremely likely as of this writing.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Kenyan Drake (RB, MIA) - 11 Targets

We already knew that Drake was good before this performance at Buffalo. As such, there's little to really take away from this performance that's going to make much of a difference in how we approach Drake for the rest of 2017. He went from being a high end RB2 to a pretty clear RB1 as he saw a spike in passing game involvement that accentuates just how high his floor is, even in a tough game flow situation. Now with 447 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns over his last three games, he's an absolute must start in Week 16 and will probably flirt with second round value in 2018 drafts, regardless of what happens with backfield-mate Damien Williams.

 

TIGHT ENDS

Greg Olsen (TE, CAR) - 12 Targets

Anyone who has been tracking Olsen's return since his first action in Week 12 after nine weeks off with a foot injury, is probably scratching their head wondering just where this came from. Nine catches for 116 yards and a touchdown is simply a mammoth tight end stat line. Don't overthink it. If you're lucky enough to have Olsen on your roster at this point, you're starting him, despite the risks, especially given the fact that a goose egg looms as a potential floor for just about any TE in 2017.

Charles Clay (TE, BUF) - 9 Targets

Clay made this list as a post-hype breakout candidate for Week 15 as he had come available in a big percentage of Yahoo leagues, and was finally healthy and getting Tyrod Taylor back as his QB. He didn't disappoint against the Dolphins, catching five passes for 68 yards and returning to the TE1 streamer conversation. With Kelvin Benjamin still likely at less than 100% even if he does play at New England this week, Clay should once again be one of Taylor's primary targets in this key divisional matchup.

 

Potential Week 16 Breakouts


Benjamin Watson (TE, BAL)

Piggy-backing a bit off of what I wrote about Mike Wallace, the Ravens offense has come out of the cellar to post 109 points over the team's last three games. Meanwhile Watson has posted 11+ fantasy points in PPR in three of his last six. It's not the sexiest play, but Watson gets a very beatable Indianapolis defense for Week 16 and you could do worse as a streamer for Week 16.

Danny Woodhead (RB, BAL)

See above. Woodhead's usage has been trending in the right direction since his return in Week 11. Though he's yet to put up a game in the double digits in PPR scoring in 2017, a forward thinking fantasy player might give him a long look in DFS, especially in full-PPR formats. He's seen his targets and catches increase in each of his last three games. There are no season saviors at the RB position in season long leagues at this point, but if there were to be a running back that came out of the woodwork to post 15+ PPR points in Week 16, it's as likely to be Woodhead as anybody.

Tyrell Williams (WR, LAC)

Once again, we're swinging for the fences in the breakouts section, as we must acknowledge that Williams carries with him a disturbingly low floor, especially making him a dicey season-long consideration. Still, if we're looking for a player that is both widely available and truly capable of being a difference maker in Week 16, Williams is the name that jumps off the page. The New York Jets have allowed four different WRs to go over 93 yards receiving in their last three games. Williams himself exploded for 132 yards and a touchdown in a Week 14 win over the Redskins and with Keenan Allen having left Week 15's contest against the Chiefs early with a back injury, Williams could hypothetically see a safer target share than usual, even if Allen is ready to play, as expected. Not for the faint of heart, Williams is a sleeper with a huge ceiling and rock-bottom floor.

 

More Week 16 Lineup Prep




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Quinten Post

Set to Suit Up Versus Philadelphia
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Will Play on Thursday Night
Joel Embiid

Back on Thursday Night
Al Horford

Available on Thursday
Jonathan Kuminga

Cleared for Action on Thursday Night
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Out of Action Thursday
Terance Mann

Available Versus Utah
Kirill Marchenko

Returns From Four-Game Absence
De'Anthony Melton

to be Capped at 20 Minutes on Thursday
Carter Verhaeghe

Ready to Return Thursday
Scott Wedgewood

Skips Thursday's Game
Paolo Banchero

Upgraded to Questionable for Friday Night
Danila Yurov

Misses Second Straight Game
CFB

Billy Napier Finalizing Deal to Become James Madison's New Head Coach
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Unavailable Thursday
CFB

Buster Faulkner Set to Become Florida's New Offensive Coordinator
Dereck Lively II

to Seek "Multiple Opinions" on Right Foot Treatment
David Pastrnak

Still Out Thursday
Ryan McDonagh

Lightning Sign Ryan McDonagh to Three-Year Extension
Trayce Jackson-Davis

Set to Suit Up Thursday
Ja Morant

Considered Day-to-Day
Tee Higgins

Ready to Return After Full Practice?
Jimmy Butler III

Sidelined Thursday
Jayden Daniels

Practices in Full on Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Ruled Out Thursday Against the Wizards
Lamar Jackson

Expected to Play Against Steelers
Quentin Grimes

Is Ready to Return on Thursday
Deshaun Watson

Not Expected to Play This Year
Paul George

Will Not Play Against the Warriors
Joel Embiid

Upgraded to Questionable for Thursday
CFB

Joe Sloan Expected to be Kentucky's New Offensive Coordinator
Justin Herbert

Chargers "Really Optimistic" That Justin Herbert Will Play on Monday
Michael Porter Jr.

Will Not Play Thursday
CFB

Lane Kiffin Working to Keep Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker at LSU
Noa Essengue

Out for the Season
Mike Evans

has "Real Chance" to Return in Week 14
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Expected To Miss 2-4 Weeks
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Realistic Expectation is for Amon-Ra St. Brown to Return Next Week
Jalen Carter

Won't Play in Week 14 After Having Shoulder Surgeries
Justin Herbert

Expected to Practice Either Thursday or Friday
Mike Evans

Practicing Again Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable With Rib Contusion
Marcus Smart

Sidelined Thursday Against Raptors
CFB

Brian Daboll a Candidate for Penn State Head-Coaching Job?
Karel Vejmelka

Records Impressive Shutout
JJ Peterka

Rocks Ducks With Four-Point Effort
Cole Caufield

Extends Point Streak With Power-Play Assist
Matvei Michkov

Delivers Two Assists Wednesday
Jake Oettinger

Grabs Fourth Consecutive Victory With Shutout
Ryan Leonard

Tallies Four Points in Wednesday's Win
Cam York

Exits Win Early
Kyren Williams

Expected to Play in Week 14
Davante Adams

Expected to Play Despite Missing Wednesday's Practice
Kyle Tucker

Visits With Blue Jays
Woody Marks

Texans Say Woody Marks Will be Fine
Rasmus Ristolainen

to Miss at Least One More Week
Drew Doughty

Logs Full Practice Wednesday
Emilio Pagán

Reds Bring Back Closer Emilio Pagan on Two-Year Deal
Jeff Skinner

Remains Sidelined Wednesday
Petr Mrazek

Out 2-3 Weeks
Tyler Seguin

Likely Done for the Season
Neal Pionk

Returns to Jets Lineup
J.J. McCarthy

Practices in Full, on Track to Return in Week 14
Cedric Mullins

Rays Agree on One-Year Deal
Mark Andrews

Agrees to Three-Year Extension With Ravens
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Considering Trading Freddy Peralta
Kyle Schwarber

Reds Serious About Adding Kyle Schwarber in Free Agency?
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Officially Questionable for Thursday Night
Omarion Hampton

"on Track and Looking Good" for Week 14
CFB

Brent Key Signing Five-Year Deal to Remain at Georgia Tech
Joey Bosa

Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury
Bryce Young

Panthers Expected to Pick Up Bryce Young's Fifth-Year Option
Deshaun Watson

Browns Opening Practice Window for Deshaun Watson
CFB

Brian Hartline Expected to Land USF Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Collin Klein Expected to be Top Target for Kansas State if Head-Coach Job Opens
CFB

Chris Klieman Considering Stepping Down at Kansas State
Alexander Wennberg

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
CFB

D.J. Durkin Staying at Auburn Under Alex Golesh
CFB

Charlie Weis Jr. Permitted to Coach Ole Miss Offense in College Football Playoff
CFB

Five-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Flips Commitment From Georgia to Vanderbilt
CFB

Florida Hiring Brad White as Defensive Coordinator
Kyle Schwarber

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber
Willson Contreras

Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?
Edwin Díaz

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz
Devin Williams

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets
Cole Ragans

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?
CFB

Kentucky Hires Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein As Head Coach
CFB

Kalani Sitake the Top Target for Penn State Coaching Job
CFB

Josh Heupel Says He's Not a Candidate for Penn State Head Coach Job
CFB

Will Stein, Brian Hartline the Top Candidates for Kentucky Job?
CFB

Nebraska Fires Defensive Coordinator John Butler After One Season
CFB

UCLA Expected to Hire Bob Chesney as Next Head Coach
CFB

Lane Kiffin to Make $13 Million Salary, Ties Kirby Smart
CFB

Buster Faulkner, Joey Halzle Candidates for Florida Offensive Coordinator Job?
Zack Wheeler

Likely to Return in May
Ryan Helsley

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles

RANKINGS

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K
DEF
RANKINGS
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1B
2B
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OF
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