Welcome to the Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 16, which for most leagues is Week 2 of the fantasy playoffs. We can see the finish line, folks!
Did you make it out of Week 15? If so, you probably don’t have a lot of roster needs, and you probably don’t have Justin Jefferson on your team. But it’s still worth looking at what might be available – either for you to add or to block others – and especially after a Sunday that unfortunately featured multiple injuries. But sure, NFL, let’s add an 18th game.
The Process: Each week, I try to identify the top Waiver Wire targets and evaluate the short- and long-term prospects of those players. I also do my best to reveal which players who are coming off a big week are fool’s gold. Finally, I look at streamers who might help you in a pinch.
For this week and next, I’m no longer focusing on the long-term. We’re past the point of worrying about what we might need in a month, and of trying to stash players who might pop later. “Win Now” is the word of the day. That’s two words, actually.
Note that I’m writing this column BEFORE the Week 15 Monday night game (MIA @ PIT).
Some players discussed won’t be available in your league. I try to list players who are available in more than 50% of leagues. But what does that even mean? A 10-team league with six bench spots will have a much larger Free Agent pool than a 14-team league with eight. Most leagues fall somewhere in between. This isn’t “one size fits all.” By way of example, I won’t list Trevor Lawrence, Jacoby Brissett, C.J. Stroud, Blake Corum, Mike Evans, Jayden Reed, or Harold Fannin, Jr., among others who probably aren’t available in any of your leagues.
WEEK 16 BYES: NONE
Week 16 Waiver Wire
Quarterback:
Quarterback availability varies widely between 1-QB and Superflex/2-QB leagues.
There are multiple QBs who might be able to help you over the next two weeks, if you need a streamer or second quarterback in a Superflex. Maybe you lost Patrick Mahomes this week, but somehow still won. Anything is possible.
I’ll start with three quarterbacks that have excellent matchups for the remainder of the fantasy playoffs.
J.J. McCarthy has put up two excellent fantasy outings in a row, against two truly terrible pass defenses (WAS and DAL). Well, guess what? He’s about to get two more. The Vikings face the Giants and Lions the next two weeks, and those teams have allowed the third and fifth most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to opposing QBs. How did “Nine” get this creampuff playoff schedule? I don’t know, but it’s ripe for exploitation.
In back-to-back weeks, Tyler Shough and the Saints have knocked off the two teams fighting for the NFC South title. Not only are they playing spoiler, but Shough is playing well, and emerging as a viable dual-threat QB2 for fantasy. He’s scored at least 18 fantasy points in four of his last five outings. Even better, he’s got two very favorable matchups on tap: The Jets at home this week (who gave up six total TDs to Trevor Lawrence on Sunday, and are the only team in the NFL without an interception this entire season), and then @TEN, who gave up three passing TDs to Brock Purdy this week, and have allowed the eighth most FPPG to opposing QBs.
Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t been producing at anywhere close to the level of the two quarterbacks mentioned above, as Miami has been a run-first/play defense kind of team during their current four-game winning streak. But he’s capable of putting up numbers, and the rest of his playoff schedule is home games against two very generous pass defenses: The Bengals and Bucs. Both are Bottom-6 in terms of FPPG allowed to opposing QBs, and both of those teams have offenses that are capable of getting their teams into shootouts.
Others to consider, with less favorable schedules: Bryce Young (@TB, SEA) and Aaron Rodgers (@DET, @CLE). As a reminder, Young has been maddeningly inconsistent. In the last five weeks he has a 30+ point game, a 20+ point game, and two games with less than three fantasy points. So be careful out there.
Week 17 look-ahead: Marcus Mariota and the Commanders will be hosting the Cowboys in Week 17, after a trip to Philadelphia this week. Dallas is the most favorable QB matchup of them all. There’s no guarantee that Mariota will still be under center in two weeks.
Here’s a new feature: “I can’t stop you from doing this, but I wouldn’t go there.” Philip Rivers and the Colts face the 49ers and Jaguars (10th and 11th most FPPG allowed to opposing QBs, and both of those teams can score plenty) the next two weeks, both at home. Gardner Minshew and the Chiefs are at the Titans this week (but then home for the Broncos on Christmas Day in Week 17).
Running Back:
There are multiple waiver wire opportunities at this position this week, largely due to a slew of injuries.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt got the start at the Giant’s on Sunday with Chris Rodriguez (foot) inactive and he made the most of his opportunity against a bad run defense, with 18 carries for 96 yards and a TD. He won’t see the Giants every week, and Rodriguez could return next week, but he’s worth an add regardless.
Jawhar Jordan – a practice squad call-up – ended up getting a bunch of late work in the Texans’ lopsided win against the Cardinals. He turned that opportunity into 118 yards on 17 total touches and that includes a 50-yard run. Nick Chubb missed the game and Woody Marks left the contest with an ankle injury. If neither of the top two backs on the Texans are able to go next week (which is probably unlikely), then Jordan figures to get plenty of action in a plus-matchup with the Raiders. That makes him worth targeting as a speculative add.
Audric Estime is another back worth considering on waivers this week, due to injury to those ahead of him on the depth chart. Devin Neal left the Saints’ Week 15 game with a hamstring injury and didn’t return after halftime. Alvin Kamara is still recovering from a PCL injury. Just like with Jordan, this could be a “next man up” situation in Week 16, and Estime would figure to be the best option to lead the backfield if Kamara and Neal are out.
Finally, Michael Carter got a big opportunity with Bam Knight hurting his ankle at the Texans, and he cashed in with 18 touches for 94 yards against a stingy Houston defense. Arizona plays the Falcons this week and Carter could be in for a decent workload, even if Knight makes it back.
Others to consider if you need an emergency starter: Kenneth Gainwell, Malik Davis, Bhayshul Tuten, and Keaton Mitchell.
Wide Receiver
Rome Odunze was supposed to get back on the field this week, but couldn’t make it through warm-ups and was a scratch. D.J. Moore got the TDs, but for the second straight week Luther Burden III led the Bears in receiving. The schedule isn’t great (GB, @SF), and Chicago is running the ball a lot, but Burden is becoming a bigger part of the offense and can be considered as a Flex if you’re in need.
Jalen Coker and Adonai Mitchell both continue to perform as decent WR3/Flex options. They had similar stat lines this week with around 60 yards and a TD. Both are widely available and worth considering if you need wide receiver help.
Others to consider if you need a streamer: Jayden Higgins, Malik Washington, Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton, Rashid Shaheed, Devaughn Vele, and Chimere Dike.
Tight End:
Most fantasy teams that are still competing are almost surely set at this position, but if you’re stuck, there are some good options to target on waivers.
Colby Parkinson has six TDs in the last six games, including two last Sunday. With Davante Adams (hamstring) unlikely to play against Seattle on Thursday on a short week, Parkinson could get even more red zone looks. As good as the Seahawks’ defense has been, the one week spot has been defending tight ends, where they’re Bottom-5 in terms of FPPG allowed to the position.
Darren Waller and the Dolphins face the Bengals in Week 16. The Ravens tight ends were surprisingly quiet in Week 15, but that’s an anomaly this season. Cincinnati has allowed the most catches, yards, TDs (15) and FPPG to opposing TEs. They’ve been historically bad at covering the position, so consider Waller if you need a streamer.
Brenton Strange, Theo Johnson and Juwan Johnson are three players I’ve listed for multiple weeks running. All are serviceable if you need a tight end, with upside.
PK and D/ST Streamers, Week 15: (ranked outside the Top-14 for the week):
PK: W. Reichard (@NYG), C. Ryland (vs. ATL), R. Patterson (vs. CIN), J. Slye (vs. KC)
D/ST: MIN (@NYG), NO (vs. NYJ), DET (vs. PIT)
Good luck with your waiver claims!
***This column appears each Monday right here at Big Blue View. Each Thursday, my weekly fantasy preview with my rides, fades and sleepers (start/sit) appears here, and on Fridays you can find my weekly Giants Props of the week, also right here. ***
See More:
