Waiver Wire: Week 16
The first round of the fantasy playoffs is in the books and it was a wild one! Being in must-win territory brings a different feel to the Waiver Wire: Week 16. Budget and future don’t matter. It’s all about this week and this week only.
Congrats on making it this far. This is the penultimate week in most leagues, so let’s approach FAB budgets with a now-or-never attitude.
Along with knowing who to pick up, FullTime Fantasy‘s Matchup Analyzer Tool will help you get the most out of your lineup.
NOTE: There are TWO Saturday games this week, Houston at Kansas City and Pittsburgh at Baltimore.
Jerome Ford (RB) Cleveland Browns – Nick Chubb will miss the remainder of the 2024 season with a broken foot. Ford was already seeing significant snaps behind Chubb. However, now he will revert to the starting gig that resulted in Ford posting overall RB16 numbers just last season. Ladies and gentlemen- we have a league-winner.
Jerome Ford reached a top speed of 21.70 mph on his 62-yard TD run, the fastest play by a Browns ball carrier since Week 4, 2019 (Nick Chubb, 21.95 mph).
Ford is responsible for the three fastest speeds by a Browns ball carrier over the last five seasons.#KCvsCLE | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/MFdn5D2SNV
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 15, 2024
Kendre Miller (RB) New Orleans Saints – Alvin Kamara exited Week 15 with a groin injury. Those ailments can be ominous, so Kamara may be on the wrong side of questionable this week. Miller will take over as the Saints’ starter after out-snapping Jamaal Williams 26-6 on Sunday. He has flashed solid three-down skills playing behind Kamara and now will get the opportunity to shine if Kamara is out, as expected. Therefore, Miller should be viewed as a must-add option with immediate RB2/flex value in Green Bay.
Rashod Bateman (WR) Baltimore Ravens – Bateman is WR36 for the season. He was likely added weeks ago. However, if he is somehow still un-rostered, view Bateman as the top wideout to add ahead of this week’s AFC North showdown.
Romeo Doubs (WR) Green Bay Packers – Hopefully, you had already rostered Doubs before last week’s two-score performance. Doubs has been featured in this feature multiple times. If he’s still somehow available, consider him the top wideout to add ahead of next Monday’s home tilt with the Saints.
Brenton Strange (TE) Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Engram is out for the year. In his place, Strange posted top-5 fantasy numbers in Week 15. Additionally, with Mac Jones under center, the Jaguars are incorporating their tight ends early and often. Strange offers weekly TE1 potential and has an excellent Week 16 matchups against the Raiders.
Tyjae Spears (RB) Tennessee Titans – It sounds like Tony Pollard will be ok. Spears has some standalone value as it is. However, if Pollard were to miss this week, Spears would warrant top-15 value. That makes him a priority add for Pollard managers, especially.
Jalen McMillian (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – McMillian has ranked first or second in snaps among Tampa’s receiving corps in three consecutive games. Also, he has snagged four-plus balls and scored three touchdowns during that stretch. Tampa is in the midst of the NFC South title race and will need to rely on their offense. McMillian’s recent usage indicates he’s a big part of the attack, which gives him WR4/flex value.
Tim Patrick (WR) Detroit Lions – Another week, another score for Patrick. He’s entrenched as Detroit’s WR3–an offense that just keeps humming along. Additionally, Detroit’s defensive losses and new backfield concerns make Patrick’s role seem like one that could continue to produce fantasy goodness.
Jalen Coker (WR) Carolina Panthers – After missing three weeks, Coker returned to Carolina with a vengeance. The undrafted rookie reeled in four grabs for a career-high 110 yards and a score. Finally healthy, Coker is locked into a solid role in an offense that has looked vastly improved- especially with Xavier Legette (groin) expected to miss time.
Ty Johnson (RB) Buffalo Bills – There was a mismatch versus Detroit’s coverage that the Bills could exploit. However, that won’t always be the case. Still, Johnson sees enough touches and is Buffalo’s main pass-catching back. The Bills will be big favorites in New England, which allows Johnson to garner enough touches to be useful. Teammate Ray Davis is also worth a look on the wire.
Craig Reynolds & Sione Vaki (RB) Detroit Lions – David Montgomery will miss the rest of the season with an MCL injury. The direct benefactor of Montgomery’s absence will be Jahmyr Gibbs. However, the Lions will use multiple backs. They are rumored to be shopping for veterans. Until that happens, Reynolds and Vaki will split time. Reynolds (5-11, 216) profiles more as a potential short-yardage option with some pass-catching ability. Vaki has had two touches since Week 5 but has been a special teams staple.
Kenneth Gainwell (RB) Philadelphia Eagles – Saquon Barkley managers who advanced should aggressively target Gainwell as insurance. Hopefully, Barkley isn’t seriously injured. However, handcuffing elite running backs for the playoff drive is advisable.
Stone Smartt (TE) Los Angeles Chargers – Starting for the injured Will Dissly, Smartt ran 24 routes and commanded a healthy 19% target share and 10 fantasy points. If Dissly misses another week, Smartt would be a smart add as a TE2/flex option against the Broncos.
Chig Okonkwo (TE) Tennessee Titans – Okonkwo’s 27% target share led the Titans Sunday and was a new season-high for the tight end. This week, the Titans travel to Indianapolis to face a Colts’ defense that has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to the position.
Malik Washington (WR) Miami Dolphins – Somehow, Washington led Miami in receiving in Week 15’s dismal showing. However, with Jaylen Waddle dealing with a knee injury, this may not be the only time Washington posts usable fantasy stats.
Adonai Mitchell (WR) Indianapolis Colts – If Alex Pierce misses Week 16, Mitchell would see a substantial increase in snaps. However, with QB Anthony Richardson playing so poorly, Mitchell’s upside is capped.
Carson Wentz (QB) Kansas City Chiefs – There are reports that Patrick Mahomes won’t play against the Texans this week. Desperate Superflex managers can bid on Wentz as a risk/reward replacement.
Streaming Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Russell Wilson at Baltimore
Bryce Young vs. Arizona
Emergency Superflex QB Starters
Mason Rudolph (Tennessee Titans)
Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Cleveland Browns)
Tim Boyle (New York Giants)
