If you are reading this, you are likely still making a push for the fantasy football championship. Starting your studs is a tried and true way to win your matchups, but sometimes swinging for the fences on the waiver wire is needed, especially if you are navigating through injuries. This is where this week’s streaming options come in.
This article will focus on players available in at least 50% of Yahoo leagues, as well as some deep sleepers rostered in less than 20% of leagues. Without further ado, here are the best Week 16 fantasy football streaming options at every position.
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Quarterback Streaming Options Week 16
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19% Rostered)
Bryce Young wasn’t a big hit against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15, but he did still post a solid floor performance by scoring 15.6 fantasy points. It was his third outing in the last four games with at least 15.0 fantasy points.
Bryce Young Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Part of Young’s increased fantasy floor is his willingness to use his legs again. From Weeks 1 to 11, Young had just one game where he had four or more carries. In his last three games, he’s averaging 5.3 attempts and 29.0 rushing yards per game.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled against quarterbacks this season, allowing the fourth most fantasy points per game to the position (20.1). Tampa Bay has allowed the second-most passing yards (3,703) and the third-most rushing yards to quarterbacks (326) this season. If Young continues to be willing to win with his legs, he’s capable of putting up a strong fantasy performance.
Honorable Mention: Gardner Minshew, Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans (2% Rostered)
Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, which means Gardner Minshew will be under center for the Kansas City Chiefs for the final three weeks of the 2025 NFL season. By no means is Minshew a high-end quarterback, but he’s proven throughout his career that he can put together fantasy-friendly stretches.
Tennessee has generated the fifth-fewest interceptions this season (six) while allowing the sixth most passing touchdowns (25). It seems like Kansas City will be without Rashee Rice (concussion) against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16, but that may not matter much for Minshew. He can still pepper Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and Marquise Brown with underneath targets and let them generate yards after the catch.
Running Back Streaming Options Week 16
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals vs Atlanta Falcons (31% Rostered)
Few position groups across the NFL have been impacted by injuries as much as the Arizona Cardinals’ running back room. Arizona lost James Conner and Trey Benson to season-ending injuries early in the year. Then they lost Bam Knight, the player who had been functioning as their lead rusher, for the season in Week 15. That leaves Michael Carter and Emari Demercado as the team’s top ball carriers.
Michael Carter Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
In Week 15, Carter took over the backfield after Knight was ruled out, racking up 14 carries for 56 yards and adding four receptions for 38 yards while handling 80.3% of the team’s offensive snaps. Carter had been functioning as the team’s lead pass-catching back since Week 11 (24 targets, 19 receptions, and 155 receiving yards), so it was surprising to see him absorb carries as well.
Carter and Demercado will likely split the backfield against Atlanta, but Carter is expected to be the lead back. He’s worth a shot in fantasy against an Atlanta Falcons defense that allows 18.6 fantasy points per game to running backs this season.
Deep Sleeper: Audric Estime, New Orleans Saints vs New York Jets (5% Rostered)
Devin Neal has already been ruled out for the New Orleans Saints in Week 16. Alvin Kamara also has yet to resume practicing, making his return seem unlikely as well. That leaves Audric Estime and Evan Hull as the lone healthy running backs on the Saints’ roster.
Of the two backs, Estime was more impressive than Hull in Week 15, averaging more yards per attempt (3.7 vs. 3.0) while also reeling in three targets for 39 yards. Estime also had solid moments during his rookie season with the Denver Broncos in 2024, averaging 4.1 yards per carry on 76 carries to close the season.
Audric Estime Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
The New York Jets are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs in 2025 (23.9). They have allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns (15) and the most receiving touchdowns (eight) to running backs this season. With the good matchup, Estime has a chance at a solid day in Week 16.
Wide Receiver Streaming Options Week 16
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (47% Rostered)
Jayden Reed saw his role in Green Bay’s offense jump from Week 14 to Week 15. His share of snaps increased from 47.2% to 65.2%. He also set new season highs in targets (six), receptions (five), and receiving yards (55).
Jayden Reed Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
The Packers’ offense is banged up, but it looks like Christian Watson will be active for the game against the Chicago Bears, which unfortunately keeps Reed in his limited role as a slot receiver. That said, Reed is also the most versatile piece of Green Bay’s passing attack and can still have a big impact on a game as a receiver and rusher against Chicago. Chicago has also allowed the most touchdowns to slot receivers (14) in 2025.
Deep Sleeper: Pat Bryant, Denver Broncos vs Jacksonville Jaguars (3% Rostered)
Pat Bryant missed Week 15 with a hamstring injury, but he logged a full practice on Wednesday and is expected to return to the lineup in Week 16.
Pat Bryant Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
From Weeks 11 to 14 (the Broncos had a bye Week 12), Bryant was second on the team in route participation (68.2%) while pacing the team in slot snaps (64.4%). That helped him finish second on the team in each of targets (18), receptions (12), and receiving yards (156). He was also the first read on 16.7% of his targets, second only to Courtland Sutton (24.2%).
Jacksonville is allowing the fourth-highest targets per route run to slot receivers this season (0.24), which should help give Bryant a solid floor if he is healthy enough to play.
Tight End Streaming Options Week 16
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers (41% Rostered)
Colston Loveland‘s role in the Chicago Bears’ offense continues to grow. Since his Week 9 explosion against the Cincinnati Bengals (six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns), Loveland has continued to have a steady floor in both real life and fantasy.
Colston Loveland Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
In the last six games, Loveland is averaging 4.8 targets, 3.7 receptions, and 44.0 yards per game with two touchdowns scored. During that time, he’s been the TE14 in fantasy points per game (10.0), with two top-12 finishes.
The Bears have already ruled out Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III for Saturday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers. That leaves Loveland and D.J. Moore as the most impactful pieces of Chicago’s passing attack in a big divisional matchup. The rookie TE should take advantage with a solid day.
Deep Sleeper: Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins (4% Rostered)
It is hard to trust Mike Gesicki in fantasy (especially with Tee Higgins set to return), but the matchup against the Miami Dolphins is too good to ignore. The Dolphins have allowed the fourth most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season (10.8) by allowing the second most receptions (91) and receiving yards (969) to the position.
The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t afraid to throw it around with Joe Burrow under center. Since returning from the injured reserve in Week 12, Gesicki is second on the Bengals in targets (18), targets (14), and receiving yards (151) despite being fourth in route participation (56.0%). He’s an option if you have no one else at the TE position.
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