The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy football managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the fantasy football waiver wire this week. And also be sure to check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire pickups for the week.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
Jawhar Jordan (RB – HOU): 3% Rostered
- Next Opponents: LV, @LAC, IND
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: If Jawhar Jordan isn’t a name you recognize, don’t worry. The 2024 sixth-round pick touched the ball for the first time this season in Week 15. Not only did he get his first carry, but Jordan had 15 carries for 101 yards and caught both of his targets for another 17 yards. The Texans are rolling right now, leaning on their defense, Nico Collins and a surprisingly decent ground game. With Nick Chubb missing Week 15 with a rib injury, Jordan became the No. 2 back behind Woody Marks. It would be a bold move to start Jordan in Week 16 against the Raiders, but if he can string together another solid game, you may have found yourself a Flex option heading into championship week.
Marcus Mariota (QB – WSH): 10% Rostered
- Next Opponents: PHI, DAL, @PHI
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Touted as the best streaming option for Week 15, Marcus Mariota let managers down with only 13.7 fantasy points against a weak Giants defense. Why give him another chance? Well, for the second time in three weeks, Mariota had 10 rush attempts for 43 yards. He also had 49 rushing yards against the Dolphins in Week 11 and 55 rushing yards against the Broncos in Week 13. That type of production on the ground is desirable from a streaming quarterback option. Mariota also played a clean game against the Giants on Sunday, completing 10-of-19 passes for 211 yards and a score. This week, he takes on a more formidable opponent in the Eagles. Although the Eagles’ defense boasts a lot of big names, we saw Mariota post a QB3 finish against the vaunted Broncos defense in Week 13. If you just lost Patrick Mahomes, Mariota is a solid option to close out the season.
C.J. Stroud (QB – HOU): 48% Rostered
- Next Opponents: LV, @LAC, IND
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The turnaround for the Texans since their Week 6 bye is one of the most impressive storylines of the season. Powered by their incredible defense, they’re now in the thick of the playoff chase. Although Houston’s defense deserves a lot of praise, C.J. Stroud has admirably controlled games and limited turnovers. On Sunday, he had 260 yards and three scores without an interception in a 40-20 win over the Cardinals. In Week 16, Stroud faces the Raiders, who had the NFL’s eighth-worst opponent passer rating going into Week 15. With the Texans’ defense likely controlling this game from the opening kickoff, Stroud probably won’t be asked to do a lot. However, if the Raiders can make this a game, only Maxx Crosby stands in the way of another solid fantasy finish for Stroud.hing yards a game to opposing running backs over the last five weeks. Croskey-Merritt offers little as a pass-catcher, but his rushing volume should be ample if Rodriguez remains out.
Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management
Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:
Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.
Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.
Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.
Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.
Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.
Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.
Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.
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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.
