The Fantasy Football playoffs are in full swing. These are the Waiver Wire pick ups that could lead to your Championship!
The Fantasy Football Waiver Wire in Week 15 and 16 has to be approached with a different mission in mind. At this point, you are looking for guys that you would consider starting in either or both of the next two weeks. So keeping that as your focus, you’re gonna see some names that may not be available on your list of free agents. That’s alright…go through my Waiver Wins until you find the guy who slipped through the cracks in your league, just sitting and waiting to help you win a ring this year. Scoop him up and plug him in!
QUARTERBACK FANTASY FOOTBALL
Jalen Hurts – PHI (Rookie)
The rookie looks to be the next in the dual threat trend, amassing 106 yards on the ground to go with his 167 through the air. He should put up plenty of numbers against the Cards and the Cowgirls…I love him to win a ton of fantasy championships this year for teams who barely snuck into the playoffs . If you have any concerns at Quarterback, Hurts is your answer. And lucky for you, he makes this list two weeks in a row since he is still available in 85% of leagues…Merry Christmas!
Baker Mayfield – CLE
At just around 40% owned, it’s about time Mayfield got picked up in leagues everywhere. Baker has put up over 20 pts in each of his last three games, with 33pts and 35pts in his last two. He ends the fantasy season with the Giants and the Jets. Both of these matchups have some issues, but I like him enough to start him in both if your QB’s are in the Cousins/Rivers/Stafford/etc range.
Last Week’s Picks Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Picks… Jalen Hurts… 22pts A- Matt Stafford… 16.8pts B-
RUNNING BACK
Cam Akers – LAR (Rookie)
Running Backs Win Championships. Period. So I’m giving you 7 backs that might be available in your league, even if I mentioned them last week. The first of the 7 was my top guy last week as well…I hope you grabbed Akers and had the balls to start him. He went off for 171 yards on the ground with 23 more on 2 receptions. He’s still out there in a third of leagues…so I’m hopefully your league is in that third! Go acquire Cam. Start Cam. Win Championship with Cam. You’re welcome.
DeAndre Swift – DET (Rookie)
Some knucklehead may have waived Swift in your league. Maybe. On the small chance that happened, you should stop reading and go check right now if he did…I’ll wait. Swift has rookie season comparables that measure up with some of the all time greats and his usage in his return last week is encouraging to say the least. I love him in week 15, but little less so in week 16. However, if Matt Stafford sits, all bets are off, so keep that in mind when adding Swift.
JK Dobbins / Gus Edwards – BAL
The Ravens coaching staff showed no interest in throwing the ball on Monday night. Lamar Jackson and Co. skipped and hopped through the Cleveland defense possession after possession. I see more of the same against Jacksonville and the Giants the next two weeks. I believe that the team prefers Dobbins but trusts Edwards more, so consider both when choosing who you want to add. Mark Ingram has been completely fazed out of the offense, making both of these guys startable at the end of your roster. Don’t expect volume from either guy, but you can count on high impact touches from both backs.
Lynn Bowden Jr – MIA (Rookie)
Bowden is here for a few reasons. First, he’s probably available in your league if most of these other guys aren’t at this point. Second, his designation in most leagues is RB/WR which allows you to slide a guy into your ‘hole at RB’ that drew 9 targets as the Dolphins WR1 last week. Third, if for some crazy reason, this guy starts getting carries in week 15 to go with his targets, he is gonna be a nightmare for your opponent in week 16. Keep your fingers crossed and expectations tempered.
Jeff Wilson / Jerrick McKinnon – SF
I don’t love either of these guys. But Mostert is down again and scheduled to miss week 15…maybe more. I’ve seen plenty of fantasy starting playoff rosters over the last week that are gorgeous across the board with the exception of one major hole at RB2. If that’s you and you miss out on the backs mentioned above, I’d look to Wilson first, then McKinnon, with Tevin Coleman an option in deep leagues only.
Last Week’s Picks Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Picks…
Cam Akers… 24.4pts A Ty Johnson… 1.8pts F
WIDE RECEIVERS
Russell Gage – ATL
I like all of the Receivers I’m about to mention. However, I wouldn’t feel great if I had to start any of them in the playoffs. Still, each of them is capable of delivering a big game or at least 10+ point production if you’re desperate. Russell Gage, the forgotten 3rd Fantasy Football receiver in Atlanta, is probably the safest week 15 start out of these guys, especially if Julio Jones sits. Pick him up and then keep an eye on inactive’s before the game to see if Jones is playing or not. But even with Julio healthy, Gage has been getting work.
Chad Hansen – HOU
Hansen is in a similar situation to Gage in that if you pick him up, you need to watch and see if Brandin Cooks is playing or not. Hansen is a far more attractive start with Cooks not playing. I prefer this play in dynasty leagues because I’m a ‘closet’ Chad fan, but he has shown in the past two games that he can put up WR2 numbers. Every season we get one nearly unknown guy like Hansen that ends up winning leagues for owners, so I don’t mind taking a chance on this guy if he’s available on the wire still.
T.Y. Hilton – IND
Hilton has settled in as Phil Rivers’ WR1 for the past few weeks and has actually gotten into the endzone. And he did it a few times too! I’m not sure I believe it’s gonna last. T.Y.’s track record, the Colts playoff situation as well as their offensive line and running game, do provide the perfect setting for the 31 year old receiver to have a big rebound to finish the season. He has a high ceiling with a low floor, so be careful with him.
Rashard Higgens – CLE
The resurgence of Baker Mayfield came at the expense of Odell Beckham and his ACL. That has opened the door for Higgens and he has embraced the opportunity over the last 2 weeks. Jarvis Landry is drawing all the attention of the defense at this point, which means Landry is gonna get work, but is gonna get the full attention of the defense. This will benefit Higgens as we saw on Monday night, leaving him open to get targeted 10 times to the tune of 6/68/1.
Last Week’s Picks Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Picks…
Keke Coutee… 8pts C-
Corey Davis… 2.9pts D-
TIGHT END
Logan Thomas – WAS
One more repeat offender for you here with Thomas of the Washington Football Team making an appearance for a second week in a row. He had a very serviceable game last week and remains around 40% available in most leagues. There just aren’t enough good TE’s in the league right now to leave this guy on the wire. Pick him up for yourself to start, or just to make sure someone isn’t starting him against you. Coincidentally, he draws great matchups against SEA and CAR.
Cole Kmet – CHI (Rookie)
The Bears are looking more and more consistent on offense lately with Mitch Trubisky under center. I can’t believe I just typed that. Regardless, Cole Kmet has been on the receiving side of that positive trend for the Bears, getting 7 targets each of the last two weeks. I like his schedule as well, going on the road to Minnesota and Jacksonville, both of which feel like games that will have Kmet involved through 4 quarters. Expect around 10pts and hope for a TD.
Last Week’s Picks Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Picks…
Logan Thomas... 10.3pts B- Mike Gesicki… 23.5pts A
