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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

Calvin Ridley

Anticipated to Play in Week 11
Coby White

Could Make Season Debut Sunday
Josh Giddey

Set to Return Sunday
Zion Williamson

Tagged as Questionable for Sunday
Ja Morant

Exits With Calf Injury Saturday
Alex Caruso

Injures Hand, Won't Return Saturday
Domantas Sabonis

Considered Questionable for Sunday
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Out Again on Sunday
Anthony Davis

Listed as Doubtful for Sunday
Aaron Nesmith

Ruled Out for at Least Four Weeks
Victor Wembanyama

Questionable for Sunday
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to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Julian Strawther

Will Play on Saturday Versus the Timberwolves
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Out With Illness Saturday
Cameron Johnson

Ruled Out on Saturday Evening
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Won't Play on Saturday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Officially Available Versus the Lakers
Jeff Skinner

Placed on Injured Reserve
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Available on Saturday Night
Matt Duchene

Continues to Sit Saturday
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a Game-Time Call Saturday
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Out Week-to-Week
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Starts on Saturday
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Out on Saturday
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Rejoins Sabres Lineup Saturday
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Will Return Versus Charlotte
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Remains Out on Saturday Night
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Cleared to Make 2025 Debut on Saturday
Cedric Coward

Available Against Cleveland
Sam LaPorta

Placed on Injured Reserve
J.K. Dobbins

Will Undergo Season-Ending Surgery to Repair "Significant" Foot Injury
Tyler Bertuzzi

a Game-Time Call Saturday
Andre Burakovsky

Available Saturday
Alex Nedeljkovic

Available for Saturday's Action
Filip Hronek

Pulled by Concussion Spotter Friday
Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Hurts Ankle in Friday's Win
Seth Jarvis

Not Expected to Be Out for Long
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Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
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Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Named NL Reliever of the Year
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Bill Belichick Won't Pursue NFL Head-Coaching Vacancies
Khalil Shakir

in the Clear to Play in Week 11
Bam Knight

Considered Questionable for Week 11
Brian Thomas Jr.

Tagged as Questionable for Week 11
Calvin Ridley

Listed as Questionable for Week 11
John Gibson

Fine for Saturday
Kaiden Guhle

Ruled Out for 8-10 Weeks
Justin Thomas

Will Miss Start Of 2026 After Undergoing Back Surgery
Alex Newhook

to Miss Four Months With Broken Ankle
Marco Rossi

Out Week-to-Week
J.K. Dobbins

Out in Week 11 and for "Foreseeable Future"
Zach Hyman

Set for Season Debut Saturday
Jack Hughes

Sustains Non-Hockey Hand Injury
Quinn Hughes

a Game-Time Decision Friday
Rashod Bateman

Ruled Out for Week 11
Sam LaPorta

Ruled Out for Week 11 With Back Injury
Isiah Pacheco

Officially Ruled Out for Week 11
Trey Hendrickson

Shemar Stewart Both Out for Week 11
Jaxson Dart

Officially Ruled Out for Week 11 Due to Concussion
Darius Slayton

Ruled Out for Sunday
Davante Adams

Questionable for Sunday but Expected to Play
Drake London

Questionable vs Panthers
Islam Makhachev

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Garrett Wilson

Jets Expect Garrett Wilson to Play Again This Season
Michael Morales

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Lamar Jackson

Ready to Roll for Sunday
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Mario Craver a Game-Time Decision for Week 12
Sean Brady

Set For Title Eliminator Bout
Quentin Johnston

Questionable to Play Against Jaguars
Carlos Prates

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Jaxson Dart

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Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
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Wins AL MVP Award Again
Raisel Iglesias

Dodgers Interested in Signing Raisel Iglesias
Pete Alonso

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Félix Bautista

Felix Bautista Could Return in Second Half in 2026
Kodai Senga

Attracting Trade Interest, Will the Mets Move him?
Yordan Alvarez

Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Byron Buxton

Could Waive his No-Trade Clause
Paul Skenes

the Unanimous NL Cy Young Winner
Tarik Skubal

Wins AL Cy Young for Second Straight Year
CFB

Still No Update on Jermod McCoy's Return Timeline
Sami Valimaki

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Matthieu Pavon

Struggling Through a Rough Season
Taylor Montgomery

Hopes to Get Back on Track at Port Royal
Ben Martin

a Risky Play at Bermuda Championship
Mark Hubbard

Primed for a Bounce-Back Week in Bermuda
Lee Hodges

Searching for a Spark in Bermuda
Stephen Vogt

Wins Back-to-Back AL Manager of the Year Honors
Milwaukee Brewers

Pat Murphy Named NL Manager of the Year Again
Patrick Fishburn

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Eric Cole

Carrying Momentum into Bermuda
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to Have Ankle Surgery Next Week
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks Unlikely to Trade Ketel Marte
Roman Anthony

to Have a Normal Offseason
Sahith Theegala

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