Waiver Wire Rankings: Expert Pickups for Week 15

Jonathan Stewart is finally starting to be fantasy relevant after many seasons of disappointment.

The fantasy playoffs are underway and there are players that have already stepped up in a big way for owners. Not all is good in fantasy land, though, as two starters had their season ended this week (Andre Ellington, Brandon Marshall). Fortunately for Ellington owners, there seems to be a clear cut backup in place. As for Brandon Marshall owners, it’s been tough all season, but now there is no more question as to what Marshall will do for you. Heading into Week 15, there will be some decisions that need to be made and those include potential waiver pickups.

Whether you were one of the unfortunate owners who had Marshall and/or Ellington, or are an owner looking to sabotage any chance your opponent may have, we’re here with the waiver wire advice from our featured experts. As with each week, we’ve asked the experts to rank the top waiver wire pickups (rest of season value) that are readily available. Read on to view the pundits’ consensus advice as well as their top D/ST rentals for Week 15.

Featured Pros

R.J. White (CBS Sports)
Tony Mauriello (ProjectRoto)
James Hatfield (Hatty Waiver Wire Guru)
Jeff Paur (RTSports)
Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
Joe Bond (Fantasy Six Pack)

Waiver Wire Rankings (STD Scoring)

Week 15 Waiver Wire Advice

Each expert was asked to share advice about a target or two they like this week along with any other waiver wire suggestions they have. Here’s what the experts had to say.

Q1: Give us your thoughts on a waiver wire target (or two) you especially like as a pickup.

R.J. White – CBS Sports
Vikings wide receiver Charles Johnson has emerged as a key option for Teddy Bridgewater, playing almost every offensive snap in recent games. He’s racked up 283 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s last four games, making him a quality weekly option. Johnson’s main drawback is his remaining schedule, as the Lions and Dolphins don’t represent quality matchups, but his 30 targets over the last four weeks earn him consideration no matter the matchup.

Jeff Paur – RTSports
Kerwynn Williams didn’t start last week, but emerged as the top back for the Cardinals. He had a great game, rushing 19 times for 100 yards. He gave the running game a much needed spark and should start for the team going forward. Williams is a shifty back that also can run with some power. He has the most big-play ability of any of the Cardinals remaining running backs. Williams has some value as a low-end No. 2 back or flex option for fantasy teams.

Mychal Rivera had the first 100-yard game of his career on Sunday. He has at least three receptions in six of seven games, emerging as the top tight end for the Raiders. Rivera is the most likely candidate to lead the team in targets going forward. He has some big-play potential and is a solid red zone target. If you need a spark at tight end, give Rivera some consideration. He could help in the fantasy playoffs.

James Hatfield – Hatty Waiver Wire Guru
Let me point you to one target for the remainder of the season and one target for dynasty league owners. Kerwynn Williams is available in everyone’s league as he came out of nowhere to get the start this week; you have to love his upside for the remainder of the season with Ellington out (100 yards in your first start is a great sign). Dynasty league owners must grab Donte Moncrief as this is most likely Reggie Wayne’s last season. Moncrief is a huge talent in a powerful offense. What else could you want (yeah, maybe Odell Beckham).

Zach Greubel – Gridiron Experts
As has been the case throughout the year, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be forced to pass in every game down the stretch. This bodes well for rookie wide receiver Marqise Lee, who has seen eight targets in each of his last two games for a total of 11 catches, 142 yards and a touchdown. He’s my second wide receiver to pick up, right behind Charles Johnson.

In Brandon Marshall’s absence, Marquess Wilson saw five targets in less than three quarters of playing time. Alshon Jeffery, Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett will still be Jay Cutler’s top-three targets, but Wilson is the team’s No. 2 receiver going forward and worth a shot off the waiver wire, if not just for a spot flex start against the New Orleans Saints next week. They’ve been terrible against wide receivers this year.

Tony Mauriello – ProjectRoto
If you are still alive in your fantasy football playoffs, unless you have a league that plays in week 17 (then quit), you are either playing in the semi-finals or playing in a consolation bracket. Congratulations! You must stay focused on the prize and eye the waiver wire with even more of a sense of urgency than you do during the season. With Jonathan Stewart’s outstanding performance on Sunday against a porous Saints’ “defense”, he is a must add if you are in need of an RB or a flex play. Alternatively, you may want to block your opponent from grabbing him. The Panthers now get to head home to Charlotte and Vegas already has the Panthers as -6 favorites against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have given up the 8th most fantasy points per game to running backs this season (and the 10th most points over the past five weeks). The Bucs also surrendered 113 yards and one TD on the ground against the Lions with Joique Bell also pulling in 5 receptions for 50 yards and another TD in the air. The -6 line dictates that the game script should allow the Panthers to keep the ball on the ground and pound out a win against the Bucs with Stewart serving as the lone man in the backfield (aside from Cam Newton).

Q2: For owners looking to rent a D/ST in Week 15, what readily available option should they target first?

R.J. White – CBS Sports
The Panthers turned in one of the most impressive performances of Week 14, going into New Orleans and racking up 41 points. However, don’t overlook the fact that the defense held a normally strong home offense to just 10 points, with the touchdown coming in garbage time. They move on to face a great matchup in Week 15, with the Buccaneers serving as a top-five matchup for opposing defenses. They’ve scored 17 points or less in seven of their last eight games and should struggle to exceed that point total in Carolina Sunday.

Jeff Paur – RTSports
The Carolina Panthers defense finally showed some signs of life last week, shutting down the high-flying Saints. It was an impressive performance after struggling much of the season, leading to many fantasy teams dropping this unit. Carolina should be able to play another good game this week against the Bucs, a team they allowed just 14 points and 264 total yards against earlier in the season. The Panthers are a good streaming option for Week 15.

James Hatfield – Hatty Waiver Wire Guru
Carolina just came off of a big win in New Orleans and I believe in riding the hot hand, so roll with Carolina for a team readily available with solid upside against Tampa Bay.

Zach Greubel – Gridiron Experts
The New York Giants have a promising matchup versus the Washington Redskins next week. They just held the Tennessee Titans to seven points on the road, mixing in eight sacks and two interceptions. The Redskins were just held scoreless via the St. Louis Rams and really sputtered offensively. The Giants are a great choice for those in need of a streaming D/ST in Week 15, possibly even a top-10 option.

Tony Mauriello – ProjectRoto
The New York Giants find themselves back at MetLife Stadium on Sunday in what should be a lop-sided NFC East battle against the hapless Washington Redskins, who have not found an identity yet this season. Vegas set the initial spread at -7 in favor of the Giants with an over/under of 47, which feels appropriate as the Giants are coming off a 36-7 throttling of the Tennessee Titans. Yes, Zach Mettenberger was playing hurt, but the Giants did manage one fumble recovery, two interceptions and eight sacks. The team now gets to face the Redskins who have surrendered the second most fantasy points per game to opposing DSTs over the season. After getting shut out at home courtesy of the St. Louis Rams, who pitched their second shutout in a row, the Redskins’ week 15 does not get easier with a Giants D that is starting to get a bit healthier.

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Congrats to everyone still in the hunt for a fantasy championship and thank you to the experts for providing consensus waiver pickups all season long. Good luck in Week 15!