Fantasy Football Week 16: Biggest Sleepers at Every Position

With the fantasy football playoffs in focus, managers need league-winning pickups in Week 16. Believe it or not, they can put their hopes in a few rookies, including a third-string quarterback, and a couple of Seattle Seahawks. This will all make sense in a few moments.

First, let's get through some bad news. This week, managers won't have a ton of good sleeper options at quarterback. To make matters worse, Jalen Hurts may not suit up against the Dallas Cowboys, so if you have him on your roster without a viable replacement, prepare to throw a dart at someone in the free-agent pool.

On the bright side, two widely available quarterbacks have shown the potential to produce. Please refer to them below in case of an emergency.

Managers should pay close attention to the weather forecast for upcoming games. Several teams will likely lean on the ground attack in frigid and windy conditions, which means more work for complementary running backs.

Lastly, a couple of wide receivers rostered in fewer than 25 percent of leagues have great matchups that could turn them into fantasy stars.

Without further ado, let's check out eight sleeper options available in at least 40 percent of Yahoo leagues—all of whom are recommended for point-per-reception scoring formats.

DraftKings DFS Price: $5,500

Brock Purdy comes off as one of the most poised rookie quarterbacks in recent memory. He's composed in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, and the coaching staff has done a good job of setting him up to succeed with defined throws and creative play design (see the double pump-fake completion).

Purdy has thrown for two touchdowns in each of his three outings since quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a foot injury. He can keep that streak alive against the Washington Commanders, who have allowed 20 passing touchdowns in 14 contests (ranked 17th leaguewide). The NFC East club also lists 17th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks this season.

Sure, the Commanders have a decent defense, but in terms of fantasy metrics, Washington's unit shouldn't scare managers away from Purdy. In Week 14, his first career start, he scored 21.7 fantasy points in a matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who field the fifth-ranked pass defense while tied for 13th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.

Purdy will have running back Christian McCaffrey, wideout Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle at his disposal as he tries to dissect Washington's pass defense. With that trio of playmakers and an elite play-caller in Shanahan, Purdy belongs on the sleeper radar.

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,800

On Tuesday, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters the team will prepare Jalen Hurts (sprained shoulder) and Gardner Minshew to play Saturday, which puts managers in a tough situation.

This season, managers benefitted from Hurts' passing and rushing production; he's the highest-scoring fantasy player across all positions. With his status in doubt, anyone who plugged him into their weekly lineup should prepare to pivot on Saturday. Fortunately, the Eagles' potential in-house replacement can fill in for a solid outing.

Minshew has started in 22 out of 30 career games, throwing for 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 63.2 percent completion rate. He's started in two contests for the Eagles, going 43-of-64 passing for 473 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.

Based on his recent performances, Minshew is more than capable of moving the ball against the Dallas Cowboys, who gave up 311 net passing yards and four touchdowns to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Week 15. He'll have wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith at his disposal, along with tight end Dallas Goedert back from injured reserve.

Keep an eye on the Eagles injury report. Hurts has yet to practice this week.

DraftKings DFS Price: $5,200

Following a breakout performance, Tyler Allgeier should be on more rosters. Last week, he recorded 17 carries for 139 yards and a touchdown with a run for a two-point conversion against the New Orleans Saints. The rookie fifth-rounder nearly carried the Atlanta Falcons to victory, but the club fell short 21-18.

This week, Atlanta placed running back Caleb Huntley on injured reserve, which tightens the carry distribution in its backfield. Allgeier will continue to split the rushing workload with Cordarrelle Patterson, but managers should ride the former's momentum into the fantasy playoffs.

Despite a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens' third-ranked run defense, Allgeier will likely handle plenty of carries in frigid temperatures during Saturday's game. Moreover, head coach Arthur Smith may call for 40-plus run plays to take pressure off rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder, who's set to make his second career start.

If Allgeier's matchup scares you bit, consider the fact that the Ravens gave up 123 rushing yards to Cleveland Browns running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in inclement weather last week. In the event that Baltimore struggles with another run-heavy offense, Allgeier is in line for more than enough volume to capitalize on the Ravens in that scenario.

DraftKings DFS Price: $6,000

The Indianapolis Colts will feature a new running back in their backfield. On Tuesday, they placed Jonathan Taylor (high ankle sprain) on injured reserve. As a result, managers should pick up Deon Jackson and Zack Moss, though the former has more value in PPR leagues.

This season, Moss has just seven catches for 27 yards (with the Buffalo Bills), and Jackson has caught 21 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Managers should think back to Week 6 when Jackson filled in for Taylor. As the starting running back, he racked up 121 scrimmage yards. The dual-threat tailback rushed for 42 yards and hauled in all 10 of his targets for 79 receiving yards. Last week against the Minnesota Vikings, he rushed for 55 yards and caught a one-yard touchdown pass.

In the likely event Jackson takes on a sizable workload, he'll get a favorable matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs and given up the second-most yards per carry (5.3). The versatile running back belongs atop the list of sleeper options this week.

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,300

Wideout Tyler Lockett underwent surgery on his broken index finger, and head coach Pete Carroll provided some optimism that the wide receiver may only sit out for one game.

In the meantime, Marquise Goodwin will likely soak up more targets. He's put together a few solid outings primarily as a backup, scoring at least one touchdown in three contests. Two weeks ago, he hauled in five out of six targets for 95 yards and a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers' 13th-ranked pass defense.

This week, Goodwin will probably take on an expanded role in a mouth-watering matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs' 22nd-ranked pass defense. By the way, the AFC West club is tied with the Atlanta Falcons for fifth in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.

For the season, Goodwin has caught 27 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns with a sparkling 71.1 percent catch rate. If you need a WR3 or flex option with a high ceiling, he fits the bill.

On Saturday morning, make sure Goodwin is ready to suit up. He had a limited practice on Wednesday because of a wrist injury.

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,100

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has a budding rapport with Isaiah Hodgins. In Week 11, the third-year wide receiver cracked the starting lineup, and over the past three contests, he's hauled in 13 out of 16 targets for 119 yards and two touchdowns with a reception on a two-point conversion.

At 6'3", 201 pounds, Hodgins has become a reliable pass-catching target in the Giants' depleted receiver room that features Darius Slayton (40 receptions for 631 yards and two touchdowns) as the lead playmaker.

With that said, Slayton has seen his production dip over the past two weeks (seven catches for 65 yards) as Hodgins carved out a consistent role.

In Week 16, the Giants will face the Minnesota Vikings' leaky 31st-ranked pass defense, which has allowed at least 307 yards in seven contests this season. Furthermore, the Vikings allow the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers.

In a favorable matchup for wideouts, Hodgins should be able to post solid fantasy numbers in the WR3 or flex spot. He'll have a good chance to score his third touchdown in four weeks.

DraftKings DFS Price: $3,400

On Tuesday, head coach Pete Carroll seemed prepared to move forward without wideout Tyler Lockett (finger surgery) for at least one game. Assuming that's the case, the Seattle Seahawks will need a second pass-catcher to fill a void in the passing game.

While wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (see above) could see more opportunities in Lockett's absence, tight end Noah Fant may become the secondary option behind DK Metcalf in the aerial attack.

For the season, Fant ranks third on the team behind Lockett and Metcalf in targets (53), catches (42) and receiving yards (414) with three touchdown receptions.

Fant had a productive outing last week against the San Francisco 49ers, hauling in five out of six targets for 32 yards and a touchdown. On the field for 60 percent of the offensive plays through 14 contests, he's a viable fantasy sleeper in a matchup against the Chiefs' 22nd-ranked pass defense that's allowed the most touchdowns (30) through the air this season.

Managers should check on Fant's game status since he popped up on the Seahawks' injury report with a knee issue and missed practice at the beginning of the week.

DraftKings DFS Price: $2,800

Since tight Zach Ertz went down with a knee injury in Week 10, Trey McBride has seen a significant increase in his snap count. The rookie second-rounder has been on the field for at least 73 percent of the Arizona Cardinals' offensive plays in each of the past five games.

Even though the Cardinals lost quarterback Kyler Murray (torn ACL) for the season, and Colt McCoy exited the previous game with a concussion, McBride hauled in four passes for 55 yards against the Denver Broncos' fifth-ranked pass defense last week. The first-year tight end caught passes from McCoy and third-string signal-caller Trace McSorley, who will start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Christmas.

Despite the change at quarterback, McBride should maintain a solid role in the passing game. He could serve as the third pass-catching option behind wideouts DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown. Remember, wideout Rondale Moore is on injured reserve.

Furthermore, McBride has a plus matchup against the Buccaneers, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.

Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com for details.

Fantasy points scored against statistics are provided by FantasyPros.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.