Best NFL DFS sleepers and expert value picks for Week 16 of the 2024 season for DraftKings, FanDuel, SuperDraft

The NFL season blazes on to Week 16, with the playoff races tightening up and many fantasy football managers left on the outside looking in. There's always DFS, though, with an opportunity to start fresh each week and capitalize on smart plays to win some tournaments. 

The Sporting News has a fresh batch of DFS sleepers and value plays lined up to help you assemble some dominant lineups on DraftKings, FanDuel and SuperDraft and make some holiday cash.

The No. 1 key to success in daily fantasy: identifying value. You won't win any DFS jackpots if you don't get the most bang for your buck during lineup construction. Finding a balance between proven weekly studs and high-value sleepers is crucial, just like mixing in some Stove Top Stuffing with your honey glazed ham. 

For years, this column has shined a light on the undervalued gems each week on DraftKings, FanDuel and now SuperDraft. Anyone can spot the elite DFS stars — it's the sleepers and value plays that separate lineups from the crowd and start making you some real money.

MORE NFL WEEK 16: Best bets and top props | Odds, lines, totals

Throughout the season, we highlight our biggest hits from the previous week to prove the effectiveness of our strategies. Let's take a look at our list of successes from last week, with each player's Week 15 salaries as well as their final DraftKings points production.

It's not our gaudiest list of hits all season, but it's still 10 plays that exceeded expectations based on price points. We were left a bit underwhelmed by the QB production, but we made up for that with a couple big wide receiver hits and the Denver D/ST. 

Let's get back in the money and unveil our Week 16 DFS sleepers and value picks on DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft. We'll highlight the most affordable high-value options at each position, as well as their listed cost or scoring boost on each DFS site.

WEEK 16 FANTASY FOOTBALL ROSTER MANAGEMENT
Lessons Learned | Sleepers | Busts

Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 16: Quarterback

Please note that we're selecting from the Thursday-Monday player pools on DK and FD. Players from the Saturday and primetime games will be listed as N/A for SuperDraft). 

Jordan Love, Packers vs. Saints (DK: $6,200 | FD: $7,700 | SD: N/A)

The Packers have once again started cooking with gas at the right time, and this week they get their first home game since Thanksgiving. Love has averaged 20.7 DK points per game at Lambeau this season, over five PPG better than his 15.7 PPG on the road. 

The Saints come in battered, bruised and facing a 5-9 record. Derek Carr, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Taysom Hill are all injured, and now do-it-all running back Alvin Kamara has an injured groin. New Orleans likely doesn't have much fight left, nor will its underwhelming defense have much of an answer for Love and his litany of weapons.

Russell Wilson, Steelers at Ravens (DK: $5,700 | FD: $7,400  | SD: N/A)

Wilson has enjoyed a bounce-back season for the Steelers, averaging 17.1 DK PPG. He did have a down week against the Eagles last week, but every QB has a down week against Philly lately. The Ravens are a much more flawed defense – they're a pass-funnel that has surrendered the 4th-most DK points to signal-callers this season. 

This is a huge game, so Russ will be chucking it in order to keep up with reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and company. And don't expect Mike Tomlin to look for Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren for relief — both backs looked awful last week, and Baltimore has given up the 7th-fewest DK points to RBs this year.  

Other QBs whose Week 16 values exceed their price tags: 

• Matthew Stafford, Rams at Jets (DK: $5,900 | FD: 7,100 | SD: 1.4x)
• Aaron Rodgers, Jets vs. Rams (DK: $5,600 | FD: $7,300 | SD: 1.5x)
• Kirk Cousins, Falcons vs. Giants (DK: $5,500 | FD: $7,100 | SD: 1.5x)
• Mac Jones, Jaguars at Raiders (DK: $5,200 | FD: $6,800 | SD: 1.5x)

WEEK 16 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers

Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 16: Running back

Rico Dowdle, Cowboys vs. Buccaneers (DK: $6,300 | FD: $7,300 | SD: N/A)

Suave Rico may no longer be considered a sleeper, but he's definitely still a value at these prices. The Cowboys breakout back is on an epic heater over the past month, finishing with a higher total amount of rushing yards in each of his past four games (86, 112, 131, and 149). 

We're not suggesting he's suddenly going to launch into a 175-yard performance, but we also wouldn't be surprised in the least if he holds onto this impressive run of momentum. The Bucs D has been poor all season, and Todd Bowles' squad has surrendered 10 total touchdowns to RBs this season. It has also given up the third-most catches and receiving yards to backs. Keep rolling with Rico. 

Rachaad White, Buccaneers at Cowboys (DK: $5,900 | FD: $7,000 | SD: N/A)

Rookie Bucky Irving has been the much more impressive pure runner in the Bucs' backfield, but he's banged up and unable to command bell-cow usage. White, meanwhile, remains more than serviceable as a passing and third-down back. He also has a nose for the end zone, having racked up three scores on the ground and six through the air. 

These aren't your daddy's Cowboys. Mike McCarthy's squad has given up 24.7 DK PPG to running backs and a whopping 14 touchdowns on the ground this season. Expect White to be involved, while Baker Mayfield and the Bucs control the time-of-possession battle. 

Other strong Week 16 RB values (bold prices indicate volatilty):

• Bucky Irving, Bucs at Cowboys (play 'em both! DK: $6,400 | FD: $7,800 | SD: N/A)
• Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots at Bills (DK: $5,900 | FD: $6,500 | SD: 1.35x)
• Aaron Jones Sr. (still a value!), Vikings at Seahawks (DK: $6,400 | FD: $7,500 | SD: 1.25x)
• Kendre Miller, Saints at Packers (DK: $5,300 | FD: $6,100 | SD: N/A)
• Tyjae Spears, Titans at Colts (DK: $4,900 | FD: $5,900 | SD: 1.6x)

WEEK 16 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full waiver wire list & FAAB recommendations

Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 16: Wide receiver

Malik Nabers, Giants at Falcons (DK: $6,100 | FD: $8,200 | SD: 1.25x)

Nabers finally enjoyed a big game last week without Daniel Jones. The rookie put up over 24 DK points thanks to 10 catches on 14 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. Whether it's Tim Boyle, Tommy DeVito or Drew Lock under center, this kid will see heavy target volume. 

The Falcons are also firmly nestled in a playoff race with the Bucs for the NFC South, and Atlanta's D has surrendered the 4th-most DK points to wideouts this season. This could be another night in the range of 20-30 points for Nabers. 

Jakobi Meyers, Raiders vs. Jaguars (DK: $5,800 | FD: $6,700 | SD: 1.3x)

Meyers has very quietly been very good for the Raiders this season, averaging 14.5 DK PPG. The Raiders are absolutely atrocious, and their QB room is the stuff of nightmares, but Meyers is good. And the Jaguars secondary, well, it's not good. Only two teams have allowed more fantasy points to opposing wideouts this season. Fire away with Jakobi. 

Other strong Week 16 DFS values at WR:

• Khalil Shakir, Bills vs. Patriots (DK: $5,900 | FD: $6,600 | SD: 1.25x)
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks vs. Vikings (DK: $6,000 | FD: $7,900 | SD: 1.25x)
• Jordan Addison, Vikings at Seahawks (DK: $6,200 | FD: $6,900 | SD: 1.25x)
• DJ Moore, Bears vs. Lions (DK: $5,700 | FD: $6,300 | SD: 1.3x)
• Romeo Doubs, Packers vs. Saints (DK: $5,100 | FD: $5,600 | SD: N/A)
• Xavier Worthy, Chiefs vs. Texans (DK: $5,000 | FD: $6,400 | SD: N/A)

MORE: Learn about the SuperDraft Jackpot | How to play DFS

Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 16: Tight end

Sam LaPorta, Lions at Bears (DK: $4,700 | FD: $6,000 | SD: 1.3x)

LaPorta has come on strong in recent weeks; clearly because he got the memo that I traded him and Terry McLaurin in my dynasty league for Travis Kelce, Stefon Diggs and Chris Godwin (D'oh!). 

The burly Lions tight end caught 7-of-10 targets for 111 yards against Buffalo, and now he draws a Bears D that has surrendered the 7th-most DK points to TEs. Trust in Sam the Man.  

More Week 16 TEs worth a look (but really, all these options stink):

• T.J. Hockenson, Vikings at Seahawks (DK: $4,800 | FD: $5,800 | SD: 1.3x)
• Dalton Kincaid, Bills vs. Patriots (DK: $4,600 | FD: $5,600 | SD: 1.35x)
• Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Steelers (DK: $4,300 | FD: $6,000 | SD: N/A)

Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 16: D/ST

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Browns (DK: $3,300 | FD: $4,400)

The Bengals D looked miserable earlier in the season, but it has come alive for the final playoff push. Cincy has put up 35 DK points over the pas tthree weeks, 19 of which it logged last weekend in Nashville. 

The Browns had some newfound hope when they first turned to Jameis Winston in relief of the injured Deshaun Watson. However, that faded fast, and the time-bomb's final tick was Winston's three picks against the Chiefs (he completed just 16 passes).

MORE NFL WEEK 16: 

• Week 16 NFL Power Rankings
• Week 16 NFL picks straight-up
• Week 16 NFL picks against the spread
• Week 16 NFL playoff picture

Now, the Notorious D.T.R (Doriant Thompson-Robinson gets mop-up duty in what should be another mess Cleveland game on the road. Grab the Bengals from the bargain bin and enjoy the turnovers and low points-allowed total. 

Other decent D/ST plays for Week 16:

• Green Bay Packers vs. Saints (DK: $3,200 | FD: $4,600)
• Denver Broncos at Chargers (DK: $2,900 | FD: $4,700)