RADIO
This is it, championship week for most fantasy football leagues. Forget the old idea that you stick with the same starters and don't risk streaming in Week 16. You play the matchups and go with projections, not past performances.
The waiver wire will look a little different this late in the season since most teams have been eliminated from contention and won't be active anymore. For that reason, I'm expanding the list slightly to include players that may not have been added last week or may even have been dropped out of necessity.
For a deeper look at each position, check out our separate weekly waiver wire columns at QB, RB, WR, and TE.
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Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options
Le'Veon Bell, Kansas City Chiefs - 52% rostered
In the off chance Bell is available in a competitive league, he's a must-add. Clyde Edwards-Helaire left with a leg injury in the recent win over New Orleans, leaving Bell to carry the load. He responded with his best game of the season, which was just 62 yards and a TD. Then again, his 15 carries were a season-high so it's also the first time he's been used as a true RB1. If Edwards-Helaire is ruled out, Bell becomes fantasy-relevant just in time to finally help the teams that stashed him or saved FAB to grab him now. The Chiefs face Atlanta, which is not a plus matchup for running backs, but his pass-catching ability and scoring upside in this offense outweigh that concern.
Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys - 44% rostered
With Ezekiel Elliott being an unexpected last-minute scratch, Pollard got the second start of his NFL career. Despite the negative matchup with the 49ers Defense, he provided a huge boost to those who employed their insurance policy. Pollard was a dual-threat with 69 yards on the ground and 63 through the air but his two touchdowns really made his fantasy day. It stands to reason that the Cowboys may be inclined to keep Elliott on the bench another week considering Pollard's performance but monitoring Dallas' practice reports will be critical when making a start/sit decision. It will be a must-win divisional matchup between Dallas and Philadelphia in Week 16.
Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins - 33% rostered
This would be a no-brainer if not for the expectation that Myles Gaskin will return from the COVID Reserve list this week. Ahmed wasn't guaranteed to play in Week 15 after being limited in practice each day but he looked sharp after a three-week absence. He saw a full workload with 23 carries and produced a career-high 122 yards and a touchdown. Ahmed is a strong waiver wire add based on his recent performance but it might be best to temper expectations if Gaskin is activated.
Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers - 56% rostered
As expected, Raheem Mostert wasn't healthy enough to finish the game despite being effective for the first half against Dallas. Wilson came in and scored a touchdown, finishing with 60 rushing yards on 16 carries. If Mostert can't suit up, Wilson has low-end RB2 value against Arizona. If Mostert plays, expect a similar scenario where Wilson can parlay his red-zone usage into a score but is best left for non-PPR leagues.
Lynn Bowden Jr., Miami Dolphins - 27% rostered
Bowden's value stems from the fact he is a slot receiver who qualifies at RB. He was in a great spot to see a high target volume with DeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant, and Mike Gesicki all out for Week 15 but the toughness of the Patriots Defense negated much of that. Bowden wound up catching six of seven targets on the day but for only 37 yards. He was the intended recipient of an end-zone interception by Tua Tagovailoa early in the game and was the leading target for Miami, so there are encouraging signs based on usage. While Parker, Grant, and/or Gesicki may be back, the matchup is much better and happens to come against the team that traded Bowden in the preseason - the Las Vegas Raiders. Can you say revenge game?
Sony Michel, New England Patriots - 19% rostered
The return of Sony Michel off IR in Week 12 wasn't met with much enthusiasm by the fantasy crowd and for good reason. In the last two games where he saw the field, he only managed 57 yards on 17 carries and has remained behind Damien Harris on the depth chart. Harris was then ruled out for Week 15, which led to 74 on just 10 rush attempts for Michel. If Harris is scratched again, a case can be made for Michel as a standard-league streamer. It's a tough matchup on Monday Night Football with the Bills coming to town, so negative game script could come into play, as well as the ever-present threat of Cam Newton culturing rushing scores. The floor is low but New England wants to run the ball, so it will come down to how effectively they can do so in the first half while limiting Josh Allen.
Devine Ozigbo, Jacksonville Jaguars - 1% rostered
James Robinson has been a bell cow for the Jags all year long but he left Week 15 early with an ankle injury. If the team holds him out of the next game, Ozigbo is likely next in line for carries. There isn't much upside here, especially since Dare Ogunbowale will have a role and get most of the receiving work, but a starting running back is a starting running back.
Others to consider: Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (44% rostered); Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks (27% rostered); Frank Gore, New York Jets (24% rostered)
Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options
Emmanuel Sanders, New Orleans Saints - 56% rostered
Sanders was mostly an afterthought in the Taysom Hill-led offense and not truly startable in fantasy leagues since before the team's Week 6 bye. His stock rose once news hit that Michael Thomas would be placed on IR and Drew Brees was returning. Brees was off the whole afternoon, completing fewer than half his passes in a very un-Brees-like performance. Still, Sanders led the team with 76 receiving yards and was the second-leading target for what now looks like a motley crew of receivers with Thomas out and Tre'Quan Smith also getting hurt. A good matchup with Minnesota looms on Christmas Day so Sanders should be a strong WR3.
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons - 24% rostered
Matt Ryan has found a way to thrive without Julio Jones! Throwing the ball to Calvin Ridley is always option A but Gage has been a solid option B. He came away with five catches for 68 yards and a score in a shootout with Tampa Bay, making consecutive games with five receptions and 17 targets over the past two games. A return by Jones might spoil the party but the Falcons are actually a better offense overall when he's in the lineup and Gage's numbers don't suffer. There could be plenty of pass attempts in Week 16 as they try to keep pace with the Chiefs.
Keke Coutee, Houston Texans - 41% rostered
Why is Coutee not even half-owned in fantasy leagues by this point? This recommendation needs no analysis - read the previous three weeks of this column if you aren't sure why to add Coutee. Aside from his 5-53-1 line, he nearly had a second touchdown before having the ball stripped from him on the two-yard line. As costly as his fumble was to Houston's chances to win, it's unlikely that his target share suffers because of it.
Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns - 25% rostered
Maybe having the Jets on the schedule isn't a smash spot for opposing offenses anymore! No, they still are. Despite the Rams playing down to their opponent again, in this case far below their inferior opponent, we have to trust that the Browns will move the ball with relative ease. Higgins caught four passes for 76 yards on Sunday night and has reached at least 65 yards in four of the last five games. I won't go so far as to say he's a must-stream WR3 but he comes with little risk.
Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers - 32% rostered
I'll admit, the late-season explosion I was hoping to see from Lazard has been more of a slow drip. He posted his best game since Week 3 with five receptions for 56 yards in Saturday's win over Carolina. Those aren't totals that will get it done in the fantasy playoffs but Week 16 will offer up a matchup with the Titans Defense that allows the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. This game will feature two of the top running backs squaring off against each other but the passing game might decide this contest. Lazard is a risky streamer but one with tremendous upside, especially in the red zone.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears - 10% rostered
The Jacksonville Jaguars are done pretending they are interested in winning a game. They've been outscored 71-24 the last two weeks and Gardner Minshew is clearly not the answer. The Bears are rolling again with consecutive wins and Mitch Trubisky... may be the answer? Either way, Mooney has a TD in those last two games and now gets to face Jacksonville so standard-league GMs can feel good about his chances.
Chad Hansen, Houston Texans - 2% rostered
Are we undervaluing Hansen? He's actually outproduced Coutee the last two games with 111 receiving yards compared to 77 for Coutee. Each could be a viable flex play with Cincinnati on deck.
Tyron Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers - 7% rostered
Is Keenan Allen going to pull the rug from under fantasy teams again or will he play in earnest Week 16? Hopefully, we have more information before waivers run but Johnson might not be a bad Flex choice anyway based on the upcoming matchup. The Bolts will have a home contest with the Broncos, who are still missing CBs A.J. Bouye, Bryce Callahan, and Essang Bassey. Johnson is worth holding or adding in deeper leagues where help is needed.
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals - 36% rostered
Why not? That analysis alone might not be a compelling reason to add or start Green. How about the fact he'll face a Texans Defense that has allowed an average of 26 fantasy points per game to WRs over the last three weeks since Bradley Roby was suspended? If Brandon Allen comes back, it gives the Bengal receivers some hope but if Finley is still the starter, not so much.
Greg Ward, Philadelphia Eagles - 1% rostered
If Ward is going to be the favorite red-zone target for new starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, we need to pay attention. Whereas Carson Wentz relied on his tight ends, Hurts has found Ward for three touchdowns in the last two and a half games since taking over. There isn't a huge ceiling but he can be streamed in standard leagues.
Josh Gordon, Seattle Seahawks - 3% rostered
You didn't think Gordon would be left off this list, did you? Gordon is scheduled to join the Seahawks on Monday and is eligible to play in Week 16 after serving out his suspension. Will Gordon be targeted or even take the field? It doesn't matter because if you're still competitive in Week 16, you have no business putting him in a fantasy lineup. Now, DFS tourneys are another matter....
Others to consider: Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos (31% rostered); Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots (31% rostered); Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (16% rostered); Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers (7% rostered); Jalen Guyton, Los Angeles Chargers (1% rostered)
Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options
Jordan Akins, Houston Texans - 4% rostered
Despite getting Brandin Cooks back, Akins came through with five catches for 50 yards - his third-best output of the year. The Bengals Defense was allowing the third-most fantasy points to the TE position, which puts Akins atop the other options on this list. Of course, he's disappointed in smash spots before, notably Week 9 in Jacksonville and Week 14 in Chicago. Risk abounds with all tight end streamers at this point, so you must chase upside and Akins seemingly has the most.
Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings - 22% rostered
Of course, Tyler Conklin stole his thunder in a plus matchup by catching a 20-yard touchdown that should have gone to Smith! Smith caught three balls for 37 yards, which made for a disappointing day. He still has potential but it's a less favorable matchup in Week 15 against the Saints.
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears - 13% rostered
The rookie has been coming on in recent weeks but a 12-yard game against Minnesota leaves a bad taste. It was a run-heavy script with David Montgomery running wild (again) and Mitch Trubisky attempting only 21 passes. Kmet is in a great spot with Jacksonville up next but Jimmy Graham is still playing and limits Kmet at least enough to make him a risky TE2.
Tyler Eifert, Jacksonville Jaguars - 6% rostered
It's unclear whether Gardner Minshew will get another shot to start at QB but Eifert has been solid for several weeks regardless of signal-caller. Eifert's 51 yards in Week 15 were a season-high, but that might not be the best bragging point. He's only scored twice all year and the Jags' offense isn't exactly clicking, so he can't be recommended outside of the deepest leagues.
Others to consider: Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts (30% rostered); Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys (19% rostered)
Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles - 38% rostered
Imagine if the Eagles had switched to Hurts sooner. He may have single-handedly won some fantasy matchups in Week 15 for those who took a chance on him after racking up 338 passing yards and three touchdowns AND 63 rushing yards and a score. As if it couldn't get better, he gets to face the Cowboys Defense that may be without Leighton Vander Esch in Week 16. He can be started over pretty much any quarterback not named Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers.
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns - 47% rostered
The second leg of a Big Apple tour for the Browns culminates with a championship week (for most fantasy leagues) contest versus the Jets Defense. Mayfield has been playing the best ball of his NFL career in the second half of the 2020 season, coming three yards shy of reaching the 300 mark again in Week 15. Over the last four games, he has a 10-1 TD-INT rate and has consistently made good decisions with the football. While the Jets deserve credit for taking down the Rams, this is a team that averages roughly 1.5 sacks per game and won't pressure Mayfield much.
Mitch Trubisky, Chicago Bears - 13% rostered
Trubisky started the game on fire, tossing an early touchdown and completing his first eight pass attempts. It was all about the run game from then on, however, as Trubisky only attempted 21 throws on the day and wound up with 202 yards and that one score. He may not be needed much in Week 16 when the Bears travel to Jacksonville but the matchup is also hard to ignore. He doesn't quite reach starting consideration in single-QB leagues but is a solid Superflex option.
Drew Lock, Denver Broncos - 12% rostered
The Broncos were overwhelmed by Buffalo on Saturday and Lock couldn't even put up much in terms of garbage time production. It would be easy to dismiss him outright but he now faces a Chargers Defense that he faced in Week 8 and went for three TD. Lock is too unpredictable to count on outside of two-QB leagues.
Marcus Mariota, Las Vegas Raiders - 1% rostered
There are so many fans and pundits that want Mariota to become the franchise QB they envisioned before the 2015 NFL Draft but it's a bit late, don't you think? Mariota looked great in relief of Derek Carr on Thursday night, throwing for 226 yards and a touchdown while running for 88 yards and a TD. He'll face tougher resistance from the Dolphins Defense in Week 16, though. In Superflex leagues, you can take the risk based on the rushing ability but keep in mind he's also not been a high-volume runner in his career, averaging 22.2 rushing yards per game.
Others to consider: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (21% rostered); Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers (31% rostered)
Team Defense - Waiver Wire Options
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense - 50% rostered
This defense is starting to look like a shell of its former self. The Bucs allowed 27 points for the third time in four games in a narrow win over Atlanta. They did still accomplish what they do best - get to the quarterback. Tampa entered the weekend fourth in the league in sacks and took down Matt Ryan three times in Week 15. They face Matthew Stafford next, who is the fourth-most sacked QB in the league. Bottom line: if your league's DST scoring favors sacks, go with Tampa first.
Philadelphia Eagles Defense - 27% rostered
Still looking for sacks but the Bucs aren't available? Philly has a burnable secondary, mainly due to numerous injuries, but they know how to pressure the QB and have the second-highest sack total. A matchup with statuesque Andy Dalton should bode well for their numbers.
Carolina Panthers Defense - 19% rostered
It's unclear whether Dwayne Haskins will be the starter in Week 15 for Washington but if so, Carolina could be feasting on turnovers. Haskins has arm talent but his decision-making continues to be questionable, as his two interceptions to Seattle illustrate. If Alex Smith returns, it still doesn't make this offense much more formidable, especially if Antonio Gibson is held out.
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