Waiver Wire Wonders: Week 16
Week 15 of the NFL season was an absolutely brutal one. Hopefully you were able to survive some of the injuries to studs like Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen, Odell Beckham, Jr., James Conner and Aaron Jones. Week one of the fantasy playoffs treated you well. With championship games week on tap, it’s vital to have some meaningful bench stashes. It’s important to have players on your bench such as a solid backup QB, handcuffs for your stud RBs, some depth receivers, a backup tight end and maybe even a stashed defense.
Some important players that should be owned already are: QB Baker Mayfield, QB Josh Allen, RB Damien Williams, RB Justin Jackson and WR Dante Pettis.
Additionally, I’ve always like to stream defenses unless I find a dominant one such as the Chicago Bears. So if you’re looking to stream one this week, here’s a few good options:
- Titans D/ST vs Washington
- Dolphins D/ST vs Jacksonville
- Cowboys D/ST vs Tampa Bay
- Browns D/ST vs Cincinnati
- Patriots D/ST vs Buffalo
Finally, as I said, this is the playoffs. Your bench spots will be much more important for handcuffs of your star players. These handcuffs need to be owned as they either have a decent amount of overall talent or they’ll be thrown into a great opportunity immediately due to resting players or potential injury to the starter ahead of them. At this point, handcuffs that NEED to be picked up and owned over the next few weeks include (in order of inportance): Spencer Ware/Damien Williams, Austin Ekeler/Justin Jackson, Jaylen Samuels, John Kelly (Malcolm Brown ruled out for season), Rod Smith, Gio Bernard, Chase Edmonds and Latavius Murray.
Anyways, as always, I will be listing my favorite waiver acquisitions of the week, although it will be a little shorter this week. If you haven’t been here before, there will be multiple sections to my article with the main parts including: Standard League Adds (my favorite adds of the week and players owned in approximately 50 percent or less) and Deep League Adds (players owned in less than 25 percent of leagues). Furthermore, there will be mini-sections that include guys you can cut ties with (The Droppables) and players that you shouldn’t drop just yet (Don’t Stop Believin’). So, without further ado, let’s get to it.
Standard League Adds
RB Jamaal Williams — GB (12.1 percent owned)
With Aaron Jones going down with a knee injury, Williams is my top add of the week. Even if Jones’ injury isn’t serious, I fully expect him to be shut down for the season with the Packers having nothing to play for. Williams hasn’t been nearly as good as Jones this season, but he was impressive this past week against a tough Bears defense. He ran for 55 yards and touchdown, while adding four receptions for 42 yards. With the Jets on deck, Williams is a low-end RB2 for me this week.
RB Elijah McGuire — NYJ (33.5 percent owned)
Starting running back Isaiah Crowell is officially headed to season-ending IR. With that news, I’d definitely jump on McGuire now as he’ll likely be the starter the rest of the way. Last week, McGuire rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown while adding on three catches for 29 yards. I think McGuire has some very solid flex value in PPR leagues this week and should be rostered to at least keep him away from your opponent.
WR Mike Williams — LAC (29.0 percent owned)
Williams has been super inconsistent this year, but heading into Week 16, he has nine receiving touchdowns. While Keenan Allen went down with a hip injury and missed most of the Chiefs’ game, Williams thrived in his absence. He caught seven passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 19-yard touchdown run and a two point conversion. It was a career day for Williams as the Chiefs let him get loose for many big plays, including the game-winning two point conversion. The Baltimore Ravens will be a much bigger test for Williams, but I think he can still be considered a flex option this week due to potential volume.
Deep League Adds
RB John Kelly — LAR (3.0 percent owned)
This is a purely speculative add for me, but Todd Gurley sure looked banged up Sunday night. Gurley injured his knee in the game and was clearly in some pain throughout the game. I expect Gurley to play this week, but it wouldn’t shock me if the Rams opt to rest him a good bit as they are seemingly locked into the No. 2 seed. If Gurley sits, Kelly is certainly worth an add and maybe a start in your flex spot. Kelly isn’t nearly as talented as original backup Malcolm Brown, who went on season-ending IR, but he should be a formidable replacement if Gurley were to sit.
WR DaeSean Hamilton — DEN (24.1 percent owned)
Ever since the trade of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders injury, we’ve seen former Nittany Lion Hamilton see more and more playing time. Hamilton’s last two game lines are: 7–47–1 and 7–46. With Case Keenum quickly growing comfortable with Hamilton, we may start seeing better yardage totals from Hamilton. At this point, you’re probably only starting Hamilton is deep leagues or if you’re super desperate in PPR leagues.
WR Robert Foster — BUF (3.3 percent owned)
The Bills have been kind of a fantasy wasteland for the majority of the season, but the connection between Josh Allen and Foster is flourishing. I bet you didn’t know that Foster has at least 94 yards in four of his past five games. His first two performances seemed flukier, but now he’s getting targets and has recorded 11 receptions for 212 yards and a touchdown over the past two games. At this point, Foster warrants attention in deeper league and may even sneak into your starting lineup.
The Droppables
QB Jameis Winston: I’m not a big fan of Winston’s remaining schedule, especially with Dallas this week. There’s better options available.
RB Aaron Jones: He went down with a knee injury this past week and I expect him to be shut down for the year.
RB Kerryon Johnson: I don’t blame you if you want to hang onto him, but I’m starting to think that he’s going to be shut down for the season with the Lions having nothing to play for.
WR Corey Davis: Its not so much a knock on Davis’ talent but more on Marcus Mariota and the style of their offense. I’m sorry, but 14 receptions in the past five games doesn’t appeal to me.
TE Jimmy Graham: I know tight end is thin, but he’s been doo doo for weeks now. I’d rather throw a dart on someone in free agency.
Don’t Stop Believin’
QB Drew Brees: He’s been brutal the past few weeks, but I have hopes that he’ll turn it around at home against the Steelers.
RB Kenyan Drake: Frank Gore’s season is likely over, which means this backfield should pretty much be Drake’s with Kalen Ballage getting some run, too.
WR Josh Gordon: He put up a huge dud against the Steelers, but can you blame him? He’s still feared by opposing defenses at times, evidenced by three Steelers defenders covering him at once on the Hogan play.
WR Adam Thielen: Look, Thielen likely got you this far and was dominant during the fantasy regular season. I like his chances of a big game against the Lions.
TE Austin Hooper: The zero he put up was brutal, but with the position being so thin, Hooper is still a Top 10 option in an offense that typically loves throwing.
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