Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 15

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

QuarterbacksWesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyRyan Tannehill, Titans

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
vs. HOU	48%	$29

The bid amounts have continued to increase in recent weeks as we near the end of the fantasy season because there's nothing to save your money for at this point. So if you need help at quarterback, spend big to get Tannehill, who's coming off his best game of the season with 391 passing yards, three touchdowns, and another 19 yards on the ground. The former first-round pick is averaging the third-most fantasy points at his position since taking over as the Titans' starter in Week 7. His next obstacle is a generous Texans defense that's allowed three or more passing scores in seven of its last nine outings. It seems crazy to say, but Tannehill could very well carry you to the fantasy championship.

Mitch Trubisky, Bears

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at GB	19%	$9

Unlike Tannehill, Trubisky doesn't have an easy matchup in the fantasy semifinals, but if he continues to play as he has in recent weeks - it won't matter. We're finally seeing the version of Trubisky that showed flashes of being a solid fantasy option in 2018. Over the last two weeks, the fourth-year QB has six touchdown passes and perhaps most importantly, he's been far more willing to use his legs. The 25-year-old racked up 63 yards and a score as a runner last week alone. Though a date at Lambeau Field will be challenging, this version of the pivot has a very high-ceiling to go with his low-floor. If he's finally overcome his fear of re-injuring his shoulder, he could be a week-winner down the stretch.

Other options: Gardner Minshew II at OAK (15% owned), Jacoby Brissett at NO (37% owned), Derek Carr vs. JAX (45% owned), Kyle Allen vs. SEA (19% owned), David Blough vs. TB (1% owned), Ryan Fitzpatrick at NYG (23% owned), Drew Lock at KC (2% owned)

Running backsAndy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / GettyRaheem Mostert, 49ers

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
vs. ATL	51%	$100

Mostert was mentioned in this space last week, though we were approaching him as a likely committee back given the looming return of Matt Breida. As it turns out, Kyle Shanahan rode the hot hand and kept Mostert as the lead ball carrier. The 27-year-old played on 60% of the 49ers' snaps and accumulated 109 yards from scrimmage and two scores against a stout Saints run defense. That brings his totals over the last three games to 260 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards, and four touchdowns - making him a top-four fantasy running back during that span. Until Mostert gives Shanahan a reason to shy away from him, we can expect Brieda and Tevin Coleman to continue their supporting roles. Don't hesitate to deploy Mostert as an RB2 with RB1 upside at home versus the Falcons.

DeAndre Washington, Raiders

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
vs. JAX	6%	$100

With Josh Jacobs sidelined, Washington out-snapped teammate Jalen Richard 40-24, out-touched him 20-9, and out-gained him 96-46. Jacobs is undergoing an MRI on his fractured shoulder early in the week, which should determine whether he'll miss more time or even be shut down for the rest of the season. Either way, the odds favor Washington getting the start against the Jaguars, who've already thrown in the towel on the 2019 campaign. In their last five games, the Jags have conceded four 100-yard games and nine touchdowns to running backs. As long as Jacobs remains on the shelf, Washington will be a top-20 fantasy back in Week 15.

Other options: Adrian Peterson vs. PHI (39% owned), Benny Snell Jr. vs. BUF (55% owned), Darwin Thompson vs. DEN (19% owned), Duke Johnson at TEN (55% owned), Patrick Laird at NYG (20% owned), Bo Scarbrough vs. TB (40% owned), Alexander Mattison at LAC (53% owned), Gus Edwards vs. NYJ (12% owned), Malcolm Brown at DAL (5% owned), C.J. Prosise at CAR (0% owned), Chris Thompson vs. PHI (11% owned), Dion Lewis vs. HOU (9% owned), Ryquell Armstead at OAK (1% owned), Tony Pollard vs. LAR (12% owned), Rex Burkhead at CIN (5% owned), Brian Hill at SF (17% owned), Giovani Bernard vs. NE (3% owned), Kerryon Johnson eligible to return Week 16 (34% owned)

Wide receiversThearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / GettyA.J. Brown, Titans

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
vs. HOU	26%	$100

Two weeks after setting his career-high with a 135-yard performance, Brown took advantage of a barely-there Raiders pass defense en route to a five-catch, 153-yard, two-touchdown afternoon. We're seeing a star emerge in Tennessee and his team's next opponent - the Texans - represents another favorable draw since Houston resides in the bottom-10 of Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA. Even in the Titans' run-first offense, it'll be tough to keep Brown out of your lineup the rest of the way.

Anthony Miller, Bears

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at GB	20%	$49

Miller has been a top-24 fantasy wideout over the last month thanks to 37 targets over that time span. Though his target total dropped back down in Week 14, the sophomore still delivered with 42 yards and his first touchdown of the season. The trip to the end zone was a long time coming for a player who scored seven times as a rookie. If Trubisky can maintain his improved play, Miller will be a fringe WR3 over the final weeks of the fantasy schedule.

Don't worry if you miss out on Brown or Miller. The wave of injuries that's hit the receiver position has helped create a very robust list of dart-throw plays below.

Other options: Zach Pascal at NO (35% owned), Darius Slayton vs. MIA (25% owned), Russell Gage at SF (9% owned), Marcus Johnson at NO (0% owned), Chris Conley at OAK (20% owned), Allen Hurns at NYG (1% owned), Kenny Stills at TEN (16% owned), Cole Beasley at PIT (38% owned), Randall Cobb vs. LAR (32% owned), James Washington vs. BUF (39% owned), Diontae Johnson vs. BUF (12% owned), Breshad Perriman at DET (0% owned), Justin Watson at DET (0% owned), Keke Coutee at TEN (8% owned), John Ross III vs. NE (14% owned), Kendrick Bourne vs. ATL (1% owned), Isaiah Ford at NYG (0% owned), Olamide Zaccheaus at SF (0% owned), Ted Ginn Jr. vs. IND (6% owned), Tre'Quan Smith vs. IND (4% owned), Mecole Hardman vs. DEN (25% owned)

Tight endsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyTyler Higbee, Rams

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at DAL	21%	$29

With Gerald Everett out the last two weeks with a knee injury, Higbee has suddenly emerged as one of the best fantasy options at his position. Matchups with the tight end-friendly defenses of the Cardinals and Seahawks have helped, but back-to-back stat lines of 7-107-1 and 7-116-0 can't be discounted. Playing on over 90% of the Rams' snaps in the last two games, Higbee is second on the team in targets behind only Robert Woods. Keep firing him up as a low-end TE1 while Everett is listed as week-to-week.

Ian Thomas, Panthers

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
vs. SEA	1%	$9

Greg Olsen's concussion put Thomas in position to recapture fantasy relevance for the first time since late in the 2018 campaign when he emerged as the TE6 over the final five contests. Excitement was tempered when interim head coach Perry Fewell said the team would use a committee approach, but Thomas saw the field on 86% of the snaps versus the Falcons, making five grabs for 57 yards and a score. As long as Olsen sits out again, Thomas will be worth streamer consideration against the same Seahawks team that just gave up a 100-yard day to Higbee in Week 14.

Other options: OJ Howard at DET (30% owned), Mike Gesicki at NYG (30% owned), Darren Fells at TEN (36% owned), David Njoku at ARI (37% owned), Josh Hill vs. IND (0% owned)

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