Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 16: Aaron Rodgers, Hunter Henry among top streamers, stashes

12-19-2023
7 min read
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Our top Week 16 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds can help you no matter what you need this week. From undervalued (and underowned) running backs to streamers at every other position, there are plenty of potential contributors who will be scooped up before and after waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings in most ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Our full waivers list is packed with potentially week-winning RBs (Ty ChandlerTrey SermonTyler AllgeierJerick McKinnonZamir WhiteChase BrownTyjae SpearsChris Rodriguez Jr.) and some high-upside wide receivers (Curtis SamuelJosh Palmer, Noah BrownDontayvion Wicks, Jameson WilliamsTyler Boyd). As always, we also have a slew of streamer suggestions at QB, TE, and D/ST for the upcoming week, which can be found at the end of this list. We've highlighted our favorite streamers for each position below.

Everyone should be in survive-and-advance mode at this point, which means you shouldn't be holding back waiver claims if you really need a player. There's also no need to prioritize RBs like Chandler, Sermon, or White if you need another position more. Focus on your team first, then worry about "playing defense" and blocking your opponents.

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If you have any room left on your roster after you've set your lineup for this week and done whatever you need to do to block your opponent, you should then focus on Week 17 by grabbing potential streamers and handcuffs in free agency. That might mean dropping a low-ceiling player who's been on your roster all year, but if they have little chance of cracking your lineup in the next two weeks, then they're doing more harm than good taking up a roster spot.

WEEK 16 FANTASY: Full waivers list | FAAB budget planner

Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups and streamers for Week 16

Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Jets (vs. Commanders in Week 16). He's not really going to come back...right? It still feels like a major long shot, but Rodgers (Achilles) will reportedly be medically cleared to return in Week 16. The Jets have nothing to play for and a turnstile of an offensive line, but if Rodgers' ego is determined to make a point, he just might be out there on Sunday. If he is, he has major upside against Washington's league-worst pass defense. The Commanders have been awful against QBs all season, even giving up 246 yards and three TDs to Tommy DeVito in Week 11. Rodgers would be the ultimate -- and most unlikely -- boom-or-bust lotto ticket in fantasy playoff history. (UPDATE: Rodgers implied on Tuesday that he's not 100 percent and thus won't play in Week 16.)

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Joe Flacco, Browns (@ Texans). Flacco played well in his first three starts for Cleveland, and now he'll play in perfect indoor conditions against a Texans' defense that's allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to QBs. Another solid game is on the way.

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Falcons (vs. Colts). Allgeier is fresh of a team-high 14 carries, and it seems likely he'll continue to see double-digit totes for some reason. Other potential RB pickups, like Ty ChandlerZamir White, and Trey Sermon, could see bigger workloads in Week 16, but Allgeier has by far the best matchup against an Indy defense that entered last week allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to RBs. Consider him a solid flex in standard leagues.

WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Parker Washington, WR, Jaguars (@ Buccaneers). With Zay Jones (knee) unlikely to play this week, Washington will see even more targets after hauling in four-of-six looks last Sunday night. He scored in the previous two games, showing his value in the red zone. The big worry here is whether Trevor Lawrence can clear concussion protocol in time to start, but even if C.J. Beathard is under center, the Jaguars' passing game should have success against Tampa's 31st-ranked pass defense.

WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots (@ Broncos). Henry suffered a thigh/knee injury late in Sunday's game, so his status is up in the air for Sunday night. If he suits up, he's a virtual must-start against a Broncos' defense allowing by far the most fantasy points to TEs. Henry has come alive the past two weeks, catching 10-of-12 targets for 106 yards and two TDs, and his hot streak with Bailey Zappe should continue. If Henry is out, both Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown can work as boom-or-bust options in 12-team leagues.

Green Bay Packers D/ST (@ Panthers). The Packers' defense struggled against Tommy DeVito before getting roasted by Baker Mayfield last week, so you might not be keen on streaming them with your season on the line. That's fair, but the Panthers provide a high floor for anyone. They haven't scored more than 18 offensive points in a game since Week 5, getting held under 14 points six times in that span. They've also allowed at least three sacks in every game in that stretch. Even the Packers can take advantage. 

For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including top pickups Ty Chandler, Trey Sermon, Jeric McKinnonNoah Brown, and more, check out our full Week 16 list.