Week 16: Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains

It’s a Super Bowl edition of Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains. Between a slew of injuries (RB Melvin Gordon and WR Seth Roberts) and an inability to capitalize on opportunity (QB Matt Ryan), my Week 15 picks flamed out in epic fashion. Only RB Bilal Powell showed up, finishing among the top fifteen players at the position.

Rather than sulk, though, I’m determined to close out the year in winning fashion. After all, they don’t call me the Rubber Band for nothing. If you, too, are ready to bounce back, then check out the under the radar plays listed below.

As always, each of the highlighted players is owned in less than sixty percent of Yahoo leagues (or is a significant value in our daily game). They’re not the obvious picks, and they’re not without their risks, but that’s why they’re so cheap and available! I’d never advocate taking all of these guys, but rather utilizing them if a manager were in a pinch at a position or aiming to build a “stars and scrubs” sort of DFS lineup. Have at it!

[Yahoo Daily Fantasy: $10 could win you $25K in our $250K contest for Week 16]

Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers ($16)
Having won their last three games in a row, Pittsburgh’s offense is humming. Since returning from bye in Week 12, QB Ben Roethlisberger has completed the most passes (130) for the most yards (1,482). In that time, Wheaton has emerged as a legitimate weapon in the passing game. Garnering double-digit targets in two of his last four games and scoring in three of his past four contests, the third-year speedster has cracked the top 25 fantasy wideouts in three of his last four outings.

In Week 16 the white hot Steelers will travel to Baltimore to take on a beleaguered Ravens squad that has surrendered nine scores to opposing receivers since Week 12. Allowing the most fantasy points to the WR position, the Ravens are a phenomenally friendly matchup for the Burgh’s trio of playmakers. Owned in just 35 percent of Yahoo leagues and $20 cheaper than Antonio Brown in DFS, Wheaton is the most accessible piece of a must-own offense.

Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Carolina Panthers ($16)
With Jonathan Stewart nursing a sprained foot, Artis-Payne led the Panthers backfield in Week 15. The rookie averaged 4.2 YPC against a soft Giants run defense, racking up 93 combined yards on 16 total touches. Despite not starting, Artis-Payne was on the field for 40 percent of the snaps, which was more than either Mike Tolbert or Fozzy Whitaker. A tough runner without much wiggle, it was encouraging to see the Auburn product successfully used as a receiver, as he caught both of the balls Cam threw his way.

This Sunday the Panthers will attempt to earn their fifteenth win of the season at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons have surrendered an average of nearly 127 rushing yards per game, over their last three games. When in Carolina two weeks ago, they allowed both Stewart and Whittaker into the end zone. Relinquishing the fourth most fantasy points to opposing running backs, Atlanta is a plus matchup for the underpriced rookie.

[Week 16 rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Receiver | Tight End | Flex | All Positions]

Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants ($14)
It only took three quarters of the season, but the Giants finally chose a lead back and gave him the ball more than 15 times. The lucky beneficiary of those aforementioned totes was Jennings, who existed as a fantasy starter (Week 14 = RB19 and Week 15 = RB6) in back-to-back weeks. Racking up at least 100 yards in both Weeks 14 and 15, Jennings has an opportunity to produce against Minnesota on Sunday night.

The Vikings had been tough against the run for the bulk of the season, but various key injuries have prevented them from stuffing opposing backs as of late. Allowing 100+ yard outings to lead RBs for five consecutive weeks, backs opposing Minnesota since Week 11 have finished at least among the top 18 players at the position. Jennings is likely to see numerous stacked boxes with Odell Beckham Jr. out of the lineup, but should also be heavily leaned upon.

BONUS:

Karlos Williams, RB, Buffalo Bills ($18)
With LeSean McCoy yet to practice this week, it looks as though Williams will carry the rock for Buffalo. Scoring 7 TDs in nine weeks of play, the rookie’s end zone appeal is obvious. He has recently been limited by a shoulder injury, and Mike Gillislee has picked up the slack, but Williams is a more proven commodity who could be a low-end RB2 in Week 16.

[Don’t miss Yahoo’s NBA free roll on Christmas. Join our $25K Stocking Stuffer Contest]

James White, RB, New York Jets ($14)
No, it’s never easy to trust New England’s backfield. And, yes, the Pats did add Steven Jackson earlier in the week. However, White’s involvement in the passing game cannot be denied. Second in team looks for three consecutive weeks, White has reeled in 21 balls and 2 scores via the air since Week 13. With both Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman banged up, White should continue to be heavily targeted. The Jets are stingy against the run, but can be beat underneath, which is where White should make hay.

Jaelen Strong, WR, Houston Texans ($10)
Stepping up in the stead of Cecil Shorts last Sunday, Strong scored the Texans’ lone touchdown. The rookie receiver has only caught six balls in 2015, but three of them have been in the end zone. With Shorts expected to sit again in Week 16 and 32-year-old Nate Washington struggling, Strong could make a statement against the Titans who have surrendered six scores to wideouts over their last three contests.

Follow Liz on Twitter @LizLoza_FF