It can be helpful to look beyond just Week 15 to get a leg up on your league mates with waiver-wire targets. Here are some options to stash this weekend that shouldn’t break your FAAB budget.
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Quarterback
Russell Wilson (DEN) – 49% Rostered
The Broncos have been a mess on offense this season, but there have been glimmers of hope in recent weeks. Wilson’s completions over expected has improved up to 25.2 over the last four weeks compared to -29.2 for the first 10 weeks. Over the next three weeks, the Broncos play the Cardinals, Rams and Chiefs who have all allowed plenty of points to opposing quarterbacks.
Matt Ryan (IND) – 14% Rostered
Things haven’t been pretty for the Colts since Jeff Saturday’s unlikely debut win over the Raiders. Ryan hasn’t finished higher than QB22 in the last three weeks. However, it’s the time of year when teams shut players down and if you’re relying on a quarterback who all of a sudden is out of the mix, Ryan is an improvement on a lot of backup-level options.
Running Back
Khalil Herbert (CHI) – 38% Rostered
Herbert isn’t quite ready for a return just yet, but he’s nearing it and David Montgomery has done little to make the job his in Herbert’s absence. Despite having 52 fewer rush attempts than Montgomery, Herbert has three more rushing yards. Herbert also has as many rushing touchdowns as Montgomery and more long runs. Montgomery is a free agent this offseason. Tt stands to reason the team might want to give Herbert a good run if he’s completely healthy.
Alexander Mattison (MIN) – 33% Rostered
We’re at the time of year when it’s worth considering handcuff strategy, and Mattison is one of the best handcuffs in the league. The Vikings have almost sewn up their division, but they can’t really affect too much else in the playoff race and it’s possible they ease off on certain players like Dalvin Cook or that the injury curse strikes. Either way, Mattison is first in line behind Cook. Mattison has averaged 20.3 PPR points when Cook hasn’t played.
Kenneth Gainwell (PHI) – 15% Rostered
The Eagles have slightly more on the line than the Vikings. The former can sew up the number one seed in the NFC if they keep on winning. QB Jalen Hurts is firmly in the MVP mix. With that said, Miles Sanders has had 204 touches, which is 25 more than any full season of his career. It’s possible the Eagles look to get Gainwell more involved in games down the stretch.
Wide Receiver
Treylon Burks (TEN) – 50% Rostered
In Week 13, Burks caught his first touchdown reception of his career before sustaining a concussion and leaving the game. Burks will miss his second-straight game this week, but, if he returns for Week 16, he’ll face the Texans followed by the Cowboys in Week 17. We should not be afraid of either matchup. Burks has shown he has earned his role in the offense.
Elijah Moore (NYJ) – 36% Rostered
Things might feel a little bleaker with Zach Wilson back at quarterback this week, but Moore can still feast against this Lions team who can’t defend slot receivers. Moore has played 66% of his snaps from the slot in recent weeks and while he and Wilson displayed no chemistry earlier in this season, it’s possible that changes or Mike White could return to the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Jaguars.
Romeo Doubs (GB) – 15% Rostered
After suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 9, Doubs has missed the last five games but should return this week for a plum matchup with the Rams. The Packers then face the Dolphins, Vikings and Lions who all offer good matchups. Doubs hasn’t played since Christian Watson‘s breakout but he’s worth rostering in case he returns to a high-volume role as the Packers try to spoil other teams playoff chances.
Tight End
Chigoziem Okonkwo (TEN) – 26% Rostered
The Titans have been depleted on offense. That’s benefitted Okonkwo, who has back-to-back games with five or more targets and over 40 receiving yards. The rookie has been a top-eight tight end for two weeks running. He has established his role with targets in the end zone, including a touchdown and a two-point conversion.
Daniel Bellinger (NYG) – 3% Rostered
At the super thin end of a super thin week on waivers, Bellinger has seen eight targets in two games since his return from a fractured eye socket that caused him to miss four games. Bellinger isn’t a yardage monster, but he does accumulate receptions in a Giants offense with very few pass-catchers. In Week 16, Bellinger faces a Vikings defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to the position.
Defense
Pittsburgh Steelers – 48% Rostered
The Steelers defense has allowed opponents to score over 18 points in two of the last eight games. With T.J. Watt returning to the lineup they look a lot more menacing than they did a few weeks ago. In Week 16, they face a Raiders’ offense that is always on the edge of a meltdown.
Arizona Cardinals – 24% Rostered
In Week 17 when fantasy finals are on the line, the Cardinals travel to Atlanta to face QB Desmond Ridder in what will be his third start in the NFL. Ridder is an unknown quantity at the minute and if he’s prone to meltdowns against an underrated Cardinals defense then this could be a points-fest for the Cardinals.
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