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.
- More Waiver Wire Picks
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
Darren Waller (TE – MIA): 35% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, TB, @NE
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: In Weeks 13-14, Darren Waller had a 60.8% route share, a 13.6% target share, 30 receiving yards per game, 1.94 yards per route run and an 18.8% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. Waller has a wonderful schedule remaining that could allow him to post strong TE1 numbers weekly. Each of his final opponents ranks inside the top 12 for most fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends.
Colby Parkinson (TE – LAR): 4% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @SEA, @ATL, ARI
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Colby Parkinson is a fantastic streaming candidate for the rest of the season, whom you could sneak through waivers for cheaper than you should be able to. In Week 15, Parkinson parlayed an 18.4% target share into 75 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Over the next three weeks, Parkinson has dates against Seattle and Arizona, who, respectively, have allowed the sixth-most and eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Bryce Young (QB – CAR): 18% Rostered
- Next Opponents: TB, SEA, @TB
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Bryce Young was hot early on in the Panthers’ Week 15 game against the Saints, dropping a beautiful throw to Jalen Coker for his lone passing touchdown. But Young finished with only 163 passing yards in Carolina’s disappointing 20-17 loss to New Orleans, adding seven carries for 49 yards. The Panthers host the Buccaneers this week. Over the last five weeks, they have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. With the Panthers’ last three regular-season games being must-win affairs, Young will need to do everything he can to make his first NFL postseason. With the Buccaneers’ defense being very beatable, Young looks like the top streaming option for Week 16.
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.
