Welcome in, folks! We’ve made it through the bulk of Week 15 action, and it’s that most wonderful time of the evening once again. Sunday night gives fantasy owners time to reflect on the week’s triumphs or losses and take stock of their roster heading into the new week. It’s a time for reflection and a time to assess potential waiver wire options. Each week, I’ll be highlighting a handful of low-rostered options you should consider when making waiver wire claims. Each player’s upcoming three-game schedule will be noted, including strength of matchup. This is particularly helpful if you need a streaming option or a temporary replacement to get you through the tough times.
It’s our final Waiver Wire article of the season, and if you’ve made it this far, THANK YOU for joining me every Sunday night! It’s been a wild season, but we made it! Also, congratulations if you’re tuning in for advice ahead of your championship. If you’re competing for a title in 2020, you should be particularly proud of yourself. Well done!
Best of luck in all of your leagues for Week 16! If you’ve got any questions about the week’s waiver wire options or anything fantasy football, hit me up on Twitter @ZaktheMonster.
Note: Most players are rostered in 30% or less of Yahoo leagues
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Running Back
Salvon Ahmed (MIA): 33% rostered
WEEK 16 | WEEK 17 |
@LV | @BUF |
__________
Ahmed erupted in Week 15 with a monster 23/122/1 rushing line, becoming the Dolphins’ first 100-yard rusher in two seasons. Myles Gaskin‘s status is still up in the air for Week 16, but if Gaskin remains out, Ahmed would be an immediate plug-and-play RB2 against Las Vegas’ weak run defense.
Quarterback
Marcus Mariota (LV): 1% rostered
WEEK 16 | WEEK 17 |
MIA | @DEN |
__________
After Derek Carr pulled his groin early in the Raiders’ Week 14 loss, Mariota stepped into the starting lineup and delivered a huge performance. Mariota delivered passing and rushing touchdowns, threw for 226 yards, and added 88 rushing yards for the cherry on top of a highly-serviceable day. He’ll have his work cut out for him in Week 16 against a tough Dolphins defense, but if he’s the starter, Mariota carries plenty of upside due to his rushing abilities.
Mitchell Trubisky (CHI): 13% rostered
WEEK 16 | WEEK 17 |
@JAC | GB |
__________
Trubisky took a backseat to David Montgomery in the Bears’ Week 15 win, and the quarterback came up small. Don’t let this week’s showing scare you off of Trubisky for Week 16, as he’s got a smash matchup against the Jaguars. Fantasy managers in need of a quarterback for Week 16 can safely turn back to Trubisky. He’s likely available on your waiver wire.
Wide Receiver
Chad Hansen (HOU): 2% rostered
WEEK 16 | WEEK 17 |
CIN | TEN |
__________
Across his last three games, Hansen has gone 5/101, 7/56, and 2/55/1 as a key member of Houston’s passing game. Hansen has emerged as the preferred No. 2 behind Brandin Cooks, and he’s got some flex appeal for a favorable matchup with Cincinnati in Week 16. Hansen is only 2% rostered in Yahoo leagues, and if you’re looking for help at the position, Hansen should be available for you to add ahead of fantasy championship week.
Russell Gage (ATL): 24% rostered
WEEK 16 | WEEK 17 |
@KC | @TB |
__________
With a 5/68/1 showing in Week 15, Gage extended his scoring streak to three games. Julio Jones has now missed two in a row, and despite his assertion that he wants to play again this season, the Falcons have no reason to get him back on the field. Atlanta is out of playoff contention, and the team would be wise to shut him down for the remainder of 2020 so he’s fully healthy for next season. If Jones does indeed remain out, Gage is on the WR3 map for the Falcons’ final games.
Tyron Johnson (LAC): 7% rostered
WEEK 16 | WEEK 17 |
DEN | @KC |
__________
Johnson is more of a speculative add than Hansen or Gage, but he’s now gone 9/116/2 across his last two games. If Keenan Allen and/or Mike Williams are limited or out, Johnson would be worth a look as a flex play against Denver for fantasy championship week. The Broncos were just shredded by Josh Allen and Co. in Week 15. Depending on the health of Allen and Williams, Jalen Guyton (4/91 in Week 15, 1% rostered) could be a deep-league add.
D/ST
Houston Texans: 16% rostered
WEEK 16 | WEEK 17 |
CIN | TEN |
__________
Houston’s defense hasn’t been a great play for most of the season, but a Week 16 matchup with Cincinnati is too juicy to pass up. The Bengals’ shaky offensive line should be no match for J.J. Watt and Co., and with either Brandon Allen or Ryan Finley at quarterback, the Texans’ defense is in a great spot to rack up some turnovers.
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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.