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Some of you fought your way into Week 16 with hard-earned wild-card wins. Some of you got to sit back and eat popcorn in Week 15, enjoying a well-deserved bye while other competitors in your league battled for survival.
No matter how you got here, what matters is that you’re on the doorstep. One more win and you’ll be playing for a championship in Week 17.
But do you have all the ammunition you’ll require? If you need to replace an injured contributor — Jonathan Taylor or Tyler Lockett, for instance — we’ve got you covered. We’ll be here all the way through the end of the regular season, laying out the pros and cons of players available in no more than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
That means we won’t have write-ups on Zay Jones or James Cook, but both are potentially helpful players who don’t quite meet our threshold for inclusion. Jones has racked up 35-415-4 on 51 targets over his last five games. Cook has added some extra electricity to the Buffalo offense and has a juicy Week 16 matchup against the Bears.
Check out our Free Agent Finder to quickly find the top free agents in your league 
All right, let’s get to it …
Week 16 Waiver Wire Grade: C
(Players chosen based on having early-week consensus rostership below 50%. Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings
Running Backs
Written by Bo McBrayer
Deon Jackson (IND): 7% rostered
- Next opponents: LAC, @NYG, HOU
- True value: $14
- Desperate need: $21
- Budget-minded: $7
Analysis: Although there weren’t many playoff teams hanging in the balance with the disappointing Jonathan Taylor on their rosters, there certainly weren’t zero. One would hope that the clear division of labor exhibited by Indianapolis the first time Taylor went down would compel his managers to cuff him with Deon Jackson. With Taylor expected to miss the rest of the regular season, some FAAB inflation might take hold on Jackson and the emergent Zack Moss. Proceed with caution here, as Moss out-touched Jackson by a 2-to-1 ratio on Sunday.
Tyler Allgeier (ATL): 37% rostered
- Next opponents: @BAL, ARI, TB
- True value: $12
- Desperate need: $18
- Budget-minded: $6
Analysis: It was a banner day for the rookie from BYU on Sunday. Tyler Allgeier toted three more carries than assumed starter Cordarrelle Patterson and surpassed 100 rushing yards for the first time in his career. Allgeier turned what appeared to be a tough matchup with the Saints into 139 yards and a touchdown on the ground for a 20-point performance. The upcoming schedule isn’t overly exciting for a committee back, but Atlanta’s steadfast obsession with the ground game gives little reason for this bruising rookie to sit on the wire.
Khalil Herbert (CHI): 39% rostered
- Next opponents: BUF, @DET, MIN
- True value: $11
- Desperate need: $16
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: The second-year pro from Virginia Tech has been sidelined with a hip injury for the last four weeks, but fantasy managers are anxiously awaiting his activation from the IR for Week 16. When sharing the Chicago backfield, Khalil Herbert has shown more explosiveness and per-touch efficiency than starter David Montgomery. Word of his status this week might not break until after waivers run on Tuesday night, which could lend us an acquisition discount. This is a good thing, since he could be limited in his first game back versus Buffalo. My eyes are set to start Herbert as a flex in the championship round versus Detroit.
Gus Edwards (BAL): 44% rostered
- Next opponents: ATL, PIT, @CIN
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $13
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: The Ravens are in heaps of trouble offensively without Lamar Jackson. They could not sustain drives well enough against the Browns’ defense to give their top two RBs more than 20 combined carries in Saturday’s 13-3 loss. Furthermore, John Harbaugh definitely did not envision Tyler Huntley needing to attempt 30 passes. Enter the Falcons in the slump-busting role, possibly with the return of Jackson. Either way, Atlanta allowed 134 rushing yards to the Saints in Week 15. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are in line for a more similar split as in their win over the Steelers, where they combined for 28 carries and 186 yards on the ground. Edwards and the Ravens get the Steelers again in Week 16 for the fantasy championship round.
Zack Moss (IND): 2% rostered
- Next opponents: LAC, @NYG, HOU
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: This backfield is an utter mess without Jonathan Taylor. Deon Jackson won us some matchups earlier in the season when JT missed time. Now that the Colts have acquired Zack Moss, they seem to favor the burlier option from Utah by way of Northern California. Could that just have been an injury-compelled role filler for just the rest of Sunday’s game? I wouldn’t bet on that. Moss carried the ball 24 times in Week 15 for a blunt force trauma-inducing 81 yards. Jeff Saturday has more than branded the Colts as a trench warfare type of team whose decisions are rooted in ra-ra and the power of his gut. Gulp.
Marlon Mack (DEN): 5% rostered
- Next opponents: @LAR, @KC, LAC
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Marlon Mack is a fan favorite. The former Colt has bounced all over the league this season on various practice squads, finally landing a gig for the injury-riddled Broncos behind fellow journeyman Latavius Murray. Mack has been a pleasant surprise, with touchdowns in each of the last two games. He has filled the pass-catching role in the Denver backfield adequately for flex consideration in PPR leagues. He scored on that amazing screen versus the Chiefs in Week 14 and brought in four receptions against the Cardinals on Sunday. As far as waiver options at RB go, he is an affordable asset who will be easily overlooked by league mates in the heat of the fantasy playoffs.
Wide Receivers
Written by Derek Brown
Treylon Burks (TEN): 49% rostered
- Next opponents: HOU, DAL, @JAC
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $9
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Treylon Burks might already be rostered in your league, but it’s possible someone dropped him due to a roster crunch. Burks has been sidelined with a concussion. He didn’t practice any last week, but we’ll see what this upcoming week holds. If he’s available, he’s a priority pickup. The talent is real. Burks is 29th in PFF receiving grade and 14th in yards per route run. His upcoming matchups are not scary. Houston’s secondary is 25th in yards per attempt. Its wretchedness doesn’t get talked about more because the Houston run defense is even worse. Injuries have decimated the Dallas cornerback room. Since Week 8, Jacksonville is 26th in fantasy points per game allowed to wide receivers. Burks is a plug-and-play WR3.
Elijah Moore (NYJ): 36% rostered
- Next opponents: JAC, @SEA, @MIA
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Moore has seen a 20.7% target share over the last two games as a full-time wide receiver in the Jets’ offense. In Week 15, Moore was second in snaps and routes among wide receivers behind only Garrett Wilson. I’m crossing my fingers, toes and anything else I can think of in the hope that Mike White can return in Week 16. If he does, it’s wheels up, because the offense is nerfed with Zach Wilson at the helm. Since Week 8, Jacksonville has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points per game to slot receivers.
Rashid Shaheed (NO): 1% rostered
- Next opponents: @CLE, @PHI, CAR
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Shaheed has flashed big-time playmaking ability any time he’s been given opportunities. In Week 15, he saw a 21% target share (four targets), turning it into 95 receiving yards and a score. Entering this week, Shaheed was 15th in yards per route run among wide receivers with at least 15 targets this season. Yes, I know it’s a small sample size (15 targets), but that sample will grow, as he’s a full-time starter now. In Week 15, Shaheed led the team in snaps and routes, and he tied for second in targets with Chris Olave. Entering Week 15, Cleveland had allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers over their last six games.
Chris Moore (HOU): 19% rostered
- Next opponents: @TEN, JAC, @IND
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Moore’s dud in Week 15 doesn’t detract from his 35.7% target share over the last two weeks. As soon as Nico Collins and/or Brandin Cooks come back, this incredible usage could shrivel up, but let’s live in the now. Moore is the healthy member of that trio, and both Cooks and Collins may miss Week 16. If that’s the case, Moore is a wide receiver who will see a 30% (or higher) target share against a secondary that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season.
Mack Hollins (LV): 29% rostered
- Next opponents: @PIT, SF, KC
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Hollins delivered again in Week 15 with a 21.0% target share, 40 receiving yards and a score. Hollins has been a valuable flex receiver with five games of at least WR3 production. He entered last week ranked 21st in deep targets, so the threat to house a long target is real in any game. That could pay huge dividends in Week 16 against a Pittsburgh secondary that’s 12th in deep passing yards allowed and second in deep passing touchdowns allowed.
Russell Gage (TB): 13% rostered
- Next opponents: @ARI, CAR, @ATL
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Gage played 62% of the snaps last week, seeing a 27.2% target share. He finished with eight grabs, 59 receiving yards and two scores with Julio Jones out of the lineup. Jones shouldn’t be considered a certainty to suit up again in the fantasy playoffs. Gage gets a Week 16 date with an Arizona secondary that has allowed the eighth-most passing yards and third-most passing touchdowns this season.
Isaiah Hodgins (NYG): 2% rostered
- Next opponents: @MIN, IND, @PHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Hodgins has finished with at least 38 receiving yards and a score in two of his last three games. Yes, I know we’re going deep with this addition, but his matchup in Week 16 is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The Vikings have allowed the most fantasy points per game, the second-highest catch rate and the most receiving yards per game to wide receivers this season.
Quarterbacks
Written by Bo McBrayer
Mike White (NYJ): 21% rostered
- Next opponents: JAX, @SEA, @MIA
- True value: $8
- Desperate need: $17
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: There is always a caveat in fantasy. White and the Jets have the most favorable schedule of any team in the fantasy football playoffs … if doctors clear him for contact with his “multiple rib fractures.” As someone who struggles to breathe after climbing a flight of stairs, I can’t imagine how dignified (and insane) one would have to be to play tackle football with broken ribs. I still hope he does and can stay upright against the Jaguars and Seahawks. White is a league-winning fantasy QB who elevates his skill players to the same heights when he is on the field instead of Zach Wilson.
Brock Purdy (SF): 20% rostered
- Next opponents: WAS, @LV, ARI
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $15
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, might be living in a snow globe. The San Francisco offense perfectly insulates the QB position, and the Iowa State rookie has shown the moxie and swag to step right in and sling it … a few yards down the field. Fantasy football is all about the box score, which shines brightly on the 49ers’ newest adorable fling. Purdy has accounted for six passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in his three games filling in for Jimmy Garoppolo, with only one interception. When you combine his solid production with a gift-wrapped fantasy playoff schedule, Purdy is the bee’s knees.
Sam Darnold (CAR): 6% rostered
- Next opponents: DET, @TB, @NO
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: I consider acquiring Sam Darnold an overt act of desperation to win a semifinal matchup. He is a one-game rental, a true mercenary. Carolina will probably get blown off the field by the resurgent Lions, but that Detroit defense is still appalling versus opposing QBs. At this stage of the season, fantasy managers must win at any cost. Luckily, your ticket to the final showdown won’t dent your wallet much at all. I once won a fantasy championship with unproven (and awful at the time) rookie Josh Allen. I imagine winning a trophy with Sam Darnold would be carved into my headstone.
Davis Mills (HOU): 5% rostered
- Next opponents: @TEN, JAX, @IND
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Hold your nose and spend a lot less FAAB on one of the Houston signal callers. At least he is the one best-equipped to attack two of the weakest defenses through the air. Davis Mills was back in his 2021 form in Week 15 against the Chiefs, scoring twice through the air and another time on the ground. For those of you who have spent your waiver budget, Mills provides a good bit of upside against the Titans and Jaguars. The loss of Dameon Pierce for the season means what little rushing upside the Texans had is gone. Air it out and pray.
Tight Ends
Written by Derek Brown
Robert Tonyan (GB): 27% rostered
- Next opponents: @MIA, MIN, DET
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Any tight end on the wire has warts at this point in the season. Glaring and horrible warts. With that taken into consideration, we will focus on the matchups for everyone in this section because usage, a basement-level floor and volatility concerns will be present for every player discussed here. Tonyan can log a solid day in Week 16 against a defense that can’t stop tight ends. Miami is 31st in catch rate, 26th in receiving yards per game and 30th in fantasy points per game allowed to the tight end position.
Tyler Conklin (NYJ): 30% rostered
- Next opponents: JAC, @SEA, @MIA
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Please, fantasy gawds, heal Mike White‘s ribs. Quickly. Please. Conklin has a Week 16 date with a Jaguars’ defense that has bled out production to tight ends. The Jags rank 32nd in DVOA (per Football Outsiders), 30th in yards per reception and 24th in fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends. C.J. Uzomah might have finished Week 15 with the better stat line, but Conklin still bested him in snaps (47 vs. 32) and routes (22 vs. 11) and tied him in targets (two).
Taysom Hill (NO): 47% rostered
- Next opponents: @CLE, @PHI, CAR
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Taysom Hill was doing Taysom Hill things in Week 15. Hill completed both of his passes for 80 yards and a score while adding seven carries for 30 yards on the ground. While Hill can dud out in any week, this type of production ceiling makes him an intriguing option. With rushing and red zone equity weekly, anything Hill does as a passer is just icing on the cake. Hill carries top-five tight end upside every week.
Cade Otton (TB): 9% rostered
- Next opponents: @ARI, CAR, @ATL
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Otton is the riskiest name on this docket. He played 64.8% of snaps in Week 15, running a route on 47.4% of Tom Brady‘s passing attempts. He only managed one target. These are all reasons to gloss over Otton in Week 16. I’m not saying he isn’t without worry, but the matchup is glorious. Arizona has allowed the most fantasy points per game, the highest catch rate and the most receiving yards per game to tight ends.
Defenses
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Tennessee Titans: 47% rostered
- Next opponents: HOU, DAL, @JAC
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The Titans have dropped four straight, but their defense wasn’t to blame for a 17-14 loss to the Chargers on Sunday. Tennessee sacked Justin Herbert three times and intercepted him twice. The Titans get a Week 16 home game against the Texans, who entered Week 15 having given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing defenses. The Texans have committed 23 turnovers this season, more than any other team except the Colts.
Los Angeles Chargers: 24% rostered
- Next opponents: @IND, LAR, @DEN
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Chargers’ defense ranks 18th in DVOA and has been a bottom-dwelling fantasy unit, but LAC gets a tasty Week 16 matchup against the Colts, who have given up more fantasy points to opposing defenses than any other team in the league. The Colts have been sacked 49 times and have been intercepted 14 times. Indianapolis RB Jonathan Taylor sustained an ankle injury in Week 15, leaving his status against the Chargers in question. This is a matchup worth targeting.
Cleveland Browns: 25% rostered
- Next opponents: NO, @WAS, @PIT
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Over the last five weeks, the Browns’ defense has averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game – more than any other team except the 49ers. Cleveland just stymied the Baltimore offense in a 13-3 win, recording three sacks and forcing a pair of turnovers. The Browns get an appealing Week 16 matchup against the Saints, who have scored only 37 points over the last three weeks and have committed 22 turnovers on the year.
Los Angeles Rams: 31% rostered
- Next opponents: DEN, @LAC, @SEA
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: 1
Analysis: The Rams’ defense was averaging just 5.3 fantasy points per game entering Monday night’s game against the Packers, and star DT Aaron Donald has been out with an ankle injury. But this is all about matchup. The Rams host the Broncos in Week 16. Denver is averaging just 15.6 points per game and has absorbed a league-high 51 sacks. It’s not clear who’ll be quarterbacking the Broncos this coming weekend. Russell Wilson missed Week 15 with a concussion. In his absence, backup Brett Rypien was sacked seven times and threw an interception. With Wilson at quarterback for Denver, the Rams are a viable fantasy option. With Rypien at quarterback for the Broncos, the Rams are a downright attractive fantasy option.
New York Jets: 41% rostered
- Next opponents: JAC, @SEA, @MIA
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Jets’ defense has been terrific this season, but after dealing with a hot Detroit offense last week, they have to deal with a torrid Jacksonville offense in Week 16. The Jets weren’t able to record either a sack or an interception against Lions QB Jared Goff on Sunday. Now, they have to deal with Trevor Lawrence, who on Sunday threw his first interception since Oct. 30. Lawrence has been sacked only 14 times in his last eight games. On the other hand, the Jets are seventh in defensive scoring and have racked up 39 sacks.
Detroit Lions: 4% rostered
- Next opponents: @CAR, CHI, @GB
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Earlier in the season, it would have been inconceivable to consider using the Lions’ defense in the fantasy playoffs. But the Lions’ defense has made strides in both real life and fantasy. From Week 9 to Week 14, the Detroit defense was tied for fourth in fantasy scoring, averaging 8.2 points per game. A matchup against lower-rung QB Sam Darnold and the Panthers makes the Lions a viable Week 16 fantasy option.
Kickers
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Michael Badgley (DET): 46% rostered
- Next opponents: @CAR, CHI, @GB
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Detroit’s potent offense has Badgley awash in scoring opportunities. Over Detroit’s last three games, Badgley has kicked eight field goals and 10 extra points. He’s averaging 9.3 fantasy points per game for the season and 11.5 over the last four weeks. Badgley figures to have decent weather this weekend kicking against the Panthers in Charlotte.
Greg Joseph (MIN): 20% rostered
- Next opponents: NYG, @GB, @CHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Joseph isn’t the most reliable kicker in the league. He’s missed five field goals and five extra points this season. But the Vikings have scored 33, 23, 23 and 39 points over their last four games, and Joseph has booted six field goals and 12 extra points over that span. He gets a home (and domed) Week 16 matchup against a Giants defense that entered Week 15 having allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to kickers.
Robbie Gould (SF): 46% rostered
- Next opponents: WAS, @LV, ARI
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The 49ers’ offense continues to roll even with seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy at quarterback. In fact, the 49ers have been so efficient that Gould is 0-of-1 on field goals over the last two weeks but 8-of-8 on extra points. Still since Week 10, Gould is tied for sixth in kicker scoring, averaging 8.7 fantasy points over that span. He’s a solid option this week vs. Washington.
Jason Sanders (MIA): 18% rostered
- Next opponents: GB, @NE, NYJ
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Since Week 12, Sanders has averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game, hitting 8-of-8 field goals and 9-of-9 extra points over that stretch. He gets a warm-weather Christmas Day matchup against the Packers.
Greg Zuerlein (NYJ): 19% rostered
- Next opponents: JAC, @SEA, @MIA
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Zuerlein is tied for sixth in fantasy scoring among kickers, averaging 8.7 fantasy points per game. He’s made 24-of-28 FG attempts and 26-of-27 extra points. He faces a Jaguars team that hasn’t been especially generous toward kickers this season, but by no means does Jacksonville have an airtight defense. There should be scoring opportunities for Greg the Leg this week.
Fool’s Gold
Royce Freeman led the Texans in rushing with 11-51-0 on the ground Sunday against the Chiefs, but the Texans’ running game isn’t reliable with rookie Dameon Pierce on IR, and Freeman has a poor Week 16 matchup against the Titans.
Jordan Mason had a season-high 64 rushing yards last Thursday against the Seahawks, but he did it on only four carries and seven snaps. Christian McCaffrey is operating as a full-on workhorse for the 49ers, leaving Mason as a mere handcuff.
K.J. Osborn balled out with 10-157-1 on 16 targets in the Vikings’ crazy comeback victory over the Colts on Saturday. But Osborn has only had one other game all season with more than 41 receiving yards, and until Week 15 he was averaging only 4.4 targets per game.
Drop recommendations
Droppable
Darren Waller‘s Week 15 return from injury makes Foster Moreau unplayable.
Droppable with a chance of regret
D’Onta Foreman might still punch in a short-yardage touchdown or two over the next couple of weeks, but there’s not much else here to keep our attention. Foreman played only 14 of the Panthers’ 46 offensive snaps on Sunday, according to PFF’s Nathan Jahnke, as Chuba Hubbard took on a larger role. Foreman carried 10 times for only 9 yards against the Steelers in Week 16. He’s averaged 3.3 yards per carry over his last four games and has a tricky Week 16 matchup against a suddenly spunky Detroit run defense. It’s safe to drop Foreman if you have to make some roster moves.
Tyler Lockett broke a finger against the 49ers in Week 15 and reportedly needs surgery. Ever-optimistic Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll expressed optimism that Lockett will be back soon. But Lockett will miss Week 16 for sure, and even in the unlikely event that he’s able to come back for fantasy championship games in Week 17, he’d have an unappealing matchup against the Jets.
Don’t drop yet
Antonio Gibson is falling well behind Brian Robinson in the Washington backfield. But if Robinson were to get dinged up in Week 16, Gibson could potentially be value in a promising Week 17 matchup vs. the Browns and their suspect run defense.
There’s still little information on the severity of the ankle injury that knocked Jonathan Taylor out of the Colts’ Week 15 game against the Vikings after his one and only touch. Unless we learn it’s a high-ankle sprain, you’ll want to keep him around.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
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