Congrats on getting this far! If you’re reading this, you’ve likely locked up your spot locked up in the championship, which means you’re still one step away from the main goal. Your squad is almost surely comprised of some heavy-hitters who can rack up serious points on any given Sunday, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any potential difference-makers out on the wire during championship week.

Injuries to Lamar Miller, Aaron Jones, and Frank Gore have left the door open for largely unowned backs Alfred Blue, Jamaal Williams, and Kalen Ballage, respectively, to shine in the spotlight. Damien Williams was one such back who took the bull by the horns in Week 15 when he was given his big opportunity thanks to Spencer Ware’s injury. Even with Williams being ineligible for our waiver wire rankings due to his relatively low availability, there are still some valuable players out there who could help win you a title. Which of these players should fantasy owners prioritize and what other viable spot-start options are there? Our featured pundits have arrived to assist you with this question and highlighted their favorite widely available pickups heading into the fantasy football finals.

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Featured Experts:
Mike Tagliere – FantasyPros
Jon Collins – Fantasy Sports LR
Walter Cherepinsky – WalterFootball
Mauricio Gutierrez – Estadio Fantasy
Bobby Sylvester – FantasyPros
R.J. White – CBS Sports

*Ownership % derived from a consensus of Yahoo & ESPN leagues

Q1. What are your thoughts on a waiver wire target (or two) you especially like as a pickup?

Jamaal Williams (RB – GB) | Elijah McGuire (RB – NYJ) 
“It’s for one week, so you’re essentially ranking the waiver wire options. Because of that, Williams has to be atop the list, as he’s the lead back for the Packers against the Jets defense, which has allowed two teams to rush for more than 200 yards in their last five games. You could also take a look at the running back on the other side of the field, as McGuire should be locked in for 15-plus touches in that game.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

“At this point in the season you’re looking for a league winner, and there might be a couple of options at RB for owners who were bitten by the injury bug heading into the championship weekend. Elijah McGuire looked healthy and efficient for New York and is worth an add, but I’d rather spend my time touting Jamaal Williams. Look, he and Mike McCarthy took a lot of heat early this season from Aaron Jones owners (myself among them) for keeping the superior RB on the bench far too often early this season. Don’t let that negative chatter blind you to the opportunity, however. He’ll be the workhorse back against the Jets this weekend meaning that there is meaningful workload on both sides of this game for desperate owners.”
– Jon Collins (Fantasy Sports LR)

Kalen Ballage (RB – MIA) | D’Onta Foreman (RB – HOU) | Robby Anderson (WR – NYJ)
“Ballage has to be the top pickup this week with Frank Gore suffering an injury. Ballage looked great in the preseason and broke free for a long touchdown against the Vikings. Foreman is an obvious choice as well with Lamar Miller going down, while Anderson is the best non-running back available with Sam Darnold making great strides.”
– Walter Cherepinsky (WalterFootball)

“Since Williams is going to be the favorite and obvious choice, I am going to give another option because who doesn’t want multiple options for championship week? The Dolphins rushing offense has not been a highlight this season, but the rookie, Kalen Ballage, took full advantage of his opportunity and shined in Week 15 with 12 carries, 123 yards (10.25 YPC), and a TD. Frank Gore is done for the year and Adam Gase has been reluctant to use Kenyan Drake as a featured back. Ballage is going to be a strong flex option for Week 16.”
– Mauricio Gutierrez (Estadio Fantasy)

DaeSean Hamilton (WR – DEN) 
“Hamilton has quickly become a target monster with Emmanuel Sanders out, and I think he’s a reliable fantasy option at the perfect time. Case Keenum has thrown his way 21 times over the last two weeks, and he’s set up to have a great Week 16 against an awful Raiders defense. He’s the first guy I’m looking for on teams that might be dealing with an injury to a starter in Week 16.”
– R.J. White (CBS Sports)

John Kelly (RB – LAR) 
“Todd Gurley returned to Sunday night’s game, but it was clear that the Rams knew he wasn’t right. Despite the recent news that Gurley is expected to play, I do feel that Kelly will get the start next week in a near-identical matchup versus the Cardinals’ awful run defense. Even if there were just a 30% chance Gurley would miss the game (which may very well be the case), Kelly would still be my top pickup based on his upside alone because he would likely be a top-five fantasy RB for championship games.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Q2. For owners renting a D/ST in Week 16, what readily available option (under 40%) should they target and why?

“The Cowboys rank top 12 in sacks while averaging nearly three per game, while the Bucs offensive line has allowed their quarterback to be sacked three or more times on seven different occasions. Not just that, but the Bucs have thrown a league-high 25 interceptions. It’s unlikely they’re able to completely shut down the Bucs offense, but we should see enough sack and turnover potential to consider them one of the top streamers.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

“Much like my comment with Williams, you might have to wash the bitter taste out of your mouth before diving in on the Dallas Cowboys D/ST after their awful display on the road this week, but they draw a very generous Bucs team and should get back to their winning ways. The path to multiple sacks and turnovers is fairly clear.”
– Jon Collins (Fantasy Sports LR)

“While Dallas is a solid pickup at home against the Bucs, you have to be all over the Dolphins this week as your streaming option. The Jaguars offense is pathetic, scoring one touchdown in three games since Cody Kessler took over, and that came with the team down 30-2. The patchwork offense line has been horrendous after being gutted by injuries, so even though the Dolphins aren’t the most prolific of pass-rushing teams, I expect them to have a big day on the scoreboard.”
– R.J. White (CBS Sports)

“The Jaguars have just four games season with multiple touchdowns so you can bet on Miami’s D/ST in your fantasy championship to not post negative points. More importantly, of course, is the fact that Jacksonville’s offensive line is a trainwreck, so multiple sacks and Kessler turnovers are also on the table.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

“The Falcons look appealing to me. Cam Newton suffered a shoulder injury at the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter in the Tampa Bay game and had played very poorly since. The Falcons’ pass rush came alive last week, while Deion Jones’ return to the field has improved the team’s run defense. Unless Newton has an unexpected recovery, the Falcons should be able to limit the Panthers and even force a turnover or two.”
– Walter Cherepinsky (WalterFootball)

“The Colts defense is going to be one of the best options available for championship week. They surprised everyone shutting down a Cowboys offense that’s been running rampant lately. Their playoffs hope are still alive and are facing a Giants team that was embarrassed by another AFC South team, the Titans. I don’t think the Giants are going to risk Odell Beckham in the last weeks, so expect them to be without him again.”
– Mauricio Gutierrez (Estadio Fantasy)

Thank you to the experts for naming their top waiver targets. Be sure to give them a follow on Twitter if you’re not already doing so and check out our latest podcast below for more great advice.

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