Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 16
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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.
Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.
Quarterbacks
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyGardner Minshew, Eagles| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| at DAL | 0% | $9 |
Shortly after publishing the Week 16 waiver-wire episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, we got word that Jalen Hurts is dealing with a sprained shoulder. That puts his availability in doubt for Saturday's game against the Cowboys.
Minshew is an above-average backup who performed admirably in his two starts last season:
- 242 passing yards, 2 TDs, 11 rushing yards (at Jets)
- 186 passing yards, 2 TDs, INT, 10 rushing yards (vs. Cowboys)
Minshew has only grown more comfortable in Philadelphia's system since then, and the talent around him on the offensive line and in the receiving corps has improved.
All of that makes Minshew a solid QB2 streaming option, even in a subpar matchup; an uptick in pass attempts should partially offset the loss of Hurts' chain-moving rushing ability.
There are no guaranteed QB1 fantasy options on the waiver wire right now, but Minshew is in a better spot to succeed than most.
If you need a locked-in starter for the next two weeks, however, Brock Purdy is the safer choice.
Streaming options: Brock Purdy vs. WAS (20% rostered), Zach Wilson vs. JAX (7% rostered)
Streaming options (if healthy): Ryan Tannehill vs. HOU (41% rostered)
Risky streaming options: Matt Ryan vs. LAC (14% rostered)
Risky streaming options (if healthy): Kenny Pickett vs. LV (11% rostered), Russell Wilson at LAR (46% rostered)
Risky streaming options (if starter is out): Mitch Trubisky vs. LV (1% rostered), Tyler Huntley vs. ATL (18% rostered)
Dart-throw streaming options: Sam Darnold vs. DET (6% rostered), Mac Jones vs. CIN (18% rostered), Andy Dalton at CLE (12% rostered), Davis Mills at TEN (5% rostered)
Dart-throw streaming options (if starter is out): Malik Willis vs. HOU (1% rostered)
Running backs
Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / GettyDeon Jackson/Zack Moss, Colts| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| vs. LAC | 7%/2% | $59/$59 |
Jonathan Taylor's high ankle sprain is expected to sideline him for the rest of the fantasy season, leaving the Colts' backfield up for grabs.
Moss took advantage of a surprisingly positive game script versus the Vikings, racking up 81 yards on 24 carries while playing 67% of the offensive snaps.
Jackson only played 32% of the time but delivered 55 yards on 13 carries, as well as a 1-yard touchdown reception and a fumble; despite getting half as many reps, Jackson was the more efficient back and better fantasy producer.
This will likely be a two-man committee moving forward, with Moss taking a larger portion of the early-down work and Jackson handling most of the passing-down action.
Still, it's important to remember the unusual manner in which the Colts' latest game unfolded. Indianapolis isn't going to lead 33-0 most weeks, so don't expect this volume of carries. Instead, we can project more targets to the backs - favoring Jackson.
Both players are worth adding as RB3/flex options ahead of some excellent matchups. The Chargers (Week 16) and Giants (Week 17) are both top 10 in fantasy points allowed to running backs.
High-upside backups like Alexander Mattison (33% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.
Flex options: Tyler Allgeier at BAL (37% rostered), Chuba Hubbard vs. DET (39% rostered), Gus Edwards vs. ATL (44% rostered)
Risky flex options: Royce Freeman at TEN (0% rostered), Jaylen Warren vs. LV (13% rostered), Joshua Kelley at IND (4% rostered), Khalil Herbert vs. BUF (39% rostered), JaMycal Hasty at NYJ (6% rostered), Jordan Mason vs. WAS (12% rostered), Kyren Williams vs. DEN (28% rostered), Marlon Mack at LAR (5% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options: Travis Homer at KC (20% rostered), Kenneth Gainwell at DAL (15% rostered), Boston Scott at DAL (1% rostered), Rex Burkhead at TEN (16% rostered), Hassan Haskins vs HOU (0% rostered)
Other backups to consider: Pierre Strong Jr. vs. CIN (17% rostered), Justin Jackson at CAR (1% rostered), Keaontay Ingram vs. TB (1% rostered), Zamir White at PIT (3% rostered)
Wide receivers
Al Bello / Getty Images Sport / GettyJahan Dotson, Commanders| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| at SF | 17% | $49 |
Dotson's affinity for the end zone was evident when he scored four times in the opening month of the campaign.
After an injury sidelined him for five games, Dotson finally showed signs of that early-season form with a 5-54-1 stat line before the Commanders' Week 14 bye, and he posted a season-high 105 yards and another touchdown coming off that break.
Now that he's healthy, he's back on the WR3/flex radar.
Marquise Goodwin, Seahawks| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| at KC | 3% | $49 |
Tyler Lockett underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his index finger and is likely to miss at least one game - and maybe more.
In the meantime, Goodwin will assume a nearly full-time role in the Seahawks' offense. The veteran speedster has played over 70% of the snaps in two contests this season, amassing 38 yards and a touchdown in Week 10 and 95 yards and a score in Week 14.
Though the fantasy community is likely to underrate Goodwin, he offers WR3/flex potential as long as Lockett is sidelined.
Zay Jones, Treylon Burks, and DJ Chark are at or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.
Flex options: Chris Moore at TEN (19% rostered), K.J. Osborn vs. NYG (5% rostered), Richie James at MIN (14% rostered),
Flex options (if healthy): Corey Davis vs. JAX (16% rostered), Nico Collins at TEN (22% rostered),
Risky flex options: Mack Hollins at PIT (29% rostered), Rashid Shaheed at CLE (1% rostered), Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. SEA (42% rostered), Russell Gage at ARI (13% rostered), Demarcus Robinson vs. ATL (14% rostered), Romeo Doubs at MIA (16% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options: Elijah Moore vs. JAX (36% rostered), Terrace Marshall vs. DET (5% rostered), Parris Campbell vs. LAC (35% rostered), Van Jefferson vs. DEN (24% rostered), Tutu Atwell vs. DEN (1% rostered), Isaiah Hodgins at MIN (2% rostered), Noah Brown vs. PHI (2% rostered), Isaiah McKenzie at CHI (40% rostered), Kadarius Toney vs. SEA (32% rostered), Kalif Raymond at CAR (3% rostered), Hunter Renfrow at PIT (22% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options (if healthy): Chase Claypool vs. BUF (44% rostered), Mecole Hardman vs. SEA (29% rostered)
Tight ends
Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / GettyChig Okonkwo, Titans| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| vs. HOU | 29% | $29 |
The Titans have made an effort to get the ball to Okonkwo in the second half of the season, and the rookie has responded with seven straight games over 30 yards.
Since wideout Treylon Burks went down, Okonkwo has new heights with stat lines of 4-68-0, 6-45-1, and 4-54-0 for fantasy finishes of TE8, TE3, and TE14.
Another positive matchup awaits with the Texans this week, so Okonkwo's fantasy outlook will depend on Burks' status. If Burks is active, Okonkwo will be a high-end TE2 fantasy streamer; if the first-year receiver continues to sit out, Okonkwo will be a strong top-10 play.
Streamer options: Juwan Johnson at CLE (20% rostered), Noah Fant at KC (22% rostered)
Risky streamer options: Taysom Hill at CLE (47% rostered), Cade Otton at ARI (9% rostered)
Risky streamer options (if healthy): Hayden Hurst at NE (35% rostered)
Dart-throw streamer options: Tyler Conklin vs. JAX (30% rostered), Hunter Henry vs. CIN (47% rostered), Trey McBride vs. TB (4% rostered), Daniel Bellinger at MIN (3% rostered), Jordan Akins at TEN (1% rostered), Austin Hooper vs. HOU (16% rostered), Robert Tonyan at MIA (27% rostered), Brock Wright at CAR (0% rostered)
Dart-throw streamer options (if TE eligible): Jeff Driskel at TEN (22% rostered)
Dart-throw streamer options (if starter is out): Mitchell Wilcox at NE (0% rostered)
Defenses
Harry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyWeek 16 streamers| Team | Next Up | Rostered |
|---|---|---|
| Chargers | at IND | 24% |
| Titans | vs. HOU | 47% |
| Browns | vs. NO | 25% |
| Lions | at CAR | 4% |
| Rams | vs. DEN | 31% |
Favorable upcoming Week 17 schedule: Chargers vs. LAR (24% rostered), Jaguars at HOU (7% rostered), Lions vs. CHI (4% rostered)
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