Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: J.J. McCarthy, Marcus Mariota, Justin Fields

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 here are all of our fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 15.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

Justin Fields (QB – NYJ): 28% Rostered

• Next Opponents: @JAX, @NO, NE
• True Value: $5
• Desperate Need: $8
• Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: Just when it seemed as if the Jets had something going with quarterback Tyrod Taylor, a groin injury forced him from Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. Taylor gave life to the Jets’ offense, giving young wideouts John Metchie and Adonai Mitchell a chance to make plays. If Taylor isn’t able to play in Week 15, Justin Fields would most likely start for the Jets, even though it was Brady Cook who relieved Taylor on Sunday. Fields was a Week 14 scratch due to knee soreness, so you’ll have to monitor his status this week if you’re interested in streaming him. The last time we saw Fields, he finished as the QB5 in Week 11. The equation is simple: In positive matchups, Fields has the athletic ability to come through for fantasy. Thankfully, this week delivers a great matchup against the Jaguars, who have a pass-funnel defense. While the Jags are stingy to opposing running backs, they have been tormented through the air. Although he has struggled as a passer this season, even Fields might be able to give Mitchell and Metchie some opportunities. Fields has QB1 upside for Week 15.

Marcus Mariota (QB – WSH): 8% Rostered

• Next Opponents: @NYG, PHI, DAL
• True Value: $5
• Desperate Need: $8
• Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: The Commanders welcomed back their star sophomore signal-caller from an elbow injury in Week 14, but Jayden Daniels didn’t make it through the game. After throwing an interception in the third quarter of the Commanders’ 31-0 loss to the Vikings, Daniels injured his left elbow while trying to make a tackle. Backup Marcus Mariota stepped in with the game already out of hand and finished with two completions for 30 yards and an interception. But in each of Mariota’s three previous starts, he finished as a top-13 fantasy quarterback. If Daniels misses Week 15 — and it seems reasonable to think the Commanders will be more conservative with his return this time around — Mariota will be a very solid streaming option against the Giants. The Giants are allowing the second-most fantasy points and the most rushing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks.

J.J. McCarthy (QB – MIN): 30% Rostered

• Next Opponents: @DAL, @NYG, DET
• True Value: $2
• Desperate Need: $4
• Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: Sometimes it’s obvious when the real NFL doesn’t align with fantasy. A great example of that is when J.J. McCarthy and Justin Fields are decent waiver wire pickups. In a dominant 31-0 win against the Commanders in Week 14, McCarthy came through with three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. After the disastrous Max Brosmer experiment in Week 13 while McCarthy recovered from a concussion, it was surprisingly refreshing to see McCarthy back under center for the Vikings. In Week 15, he has another plus-matchup against an exploitable Dallas defense. The Cowboys also have a high-flying offense, so McCarthy will need to try to keep up, which is great for fantasy (but also a little terrifying). It’s hard to trust McCarthy, but his six rush attempts in Week 14 and the projected shootout game script should make him a decent streaming option in Week 15.

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.