Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 15

If you are reading this, you are either gearing up for a playoff run or desperate to avoid your league’s dreaded last-place punishment. Either way, it is crunch time, and the waiver wire remains a vital tool for maximizing your chances of success. With Week 15 marking the start of the fantasy playoffs, now is the time to ensure every bench spot is optimized for both the week ahead and the matchups to come.

This might mean cutting loose benchwarmers that you would never start in favor of high-upside handcuffs who could become game-changers. Another savvy move is stockpiling defenses with favorable matchups to give yourself a potential edge. The key is to leave no stone unturned and take every step possible to set your team up for victory. With that in mind, here are the top waiver pickups for Week 15, players who can make a difference this week and keep your championship hopes alive.

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Running Backs

Sincere McCormick, RB, Las Vegas Raiders – It is always fascinating to see an under-the-radar player emerge as a fantasy contributor late in the season. Every year, an unexpected name steps into the spotlight when it counts the most. While Sincere McCormick might not qualify as a “league winner,” he is quietly carving out a meaningful role with the Las Vegas Raiders and could be a valuable asset as the fantasy playoffs heat up.

McCormick first caught our attention with a strong showing in Week 13, though his role moving forward was uncertain. With Alexander Mattison and Zamir White sidelined again in Week 14, McCormick took over as the Raiders’ lead back, racking up 15 carries for 78 yards and adding two receptions for 11 yards on three targets. This marked his third straight game averaging over five yards per carry, showcasing his efficiency and effectiveness on the ground.

Despite the promise he has shown, there are some concerns about relying on McCormick as a fantasy starter. His limited involvement in the passing game and low touchdown upside, due to the Raiders’ struggling offense, are significant drawbacks. To make matters worse, Desmond Ridder will now potentially take over at quarterback following Aidan O’Connell’s knee injury, further reducing the likelihood of scoring opportunities. On the plus side, the team should continue leaning heavily on the run game. The situation becomes even murkier with Mattison and White expected to return soon, creating uncertainty about McCormick’s workload moving forward. Still, he is worth a speculative waiver pickup for managers in need of running back depth, especially if the backfield remains in flux down the stretch.

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Patrick Taylor, RB, San Francisco 49ers – The “next man up” mantra has never been more fitting than in the San Francisco 49ers’ backfield, where injuries have turned their running back situation into a revolving door. After Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason were ruled out for the remainder of the season, rookie Isaac Guerendo stepped in as the new starter, quickly making a statement with over 125 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. However, his impressive performance was marred by a potential foot sprain in the fourth quarter. With a short turnaround for Week 15’s Thursday night matchup against the Rams, Guerendo’s status is currently in question.

Who would be the next man up? Enter Patrick Taylor, who should step into a featured role if Guerendo is sidelined. Although his involvement has been limited this season, Taylor made the most of his expanded role in Week 14, rushing seven times for 25 yards and a touchdown. While the 49ers’ usually stout offensive line has been hindered with injuries, their running game has remained highly effective, as evidenced in Sunday’s blowout win over Chicago. With the team’s high-powered offense likely to produce plenty of scoring opportunities, Taylor offers intriguing upside as a potential starting option in Week 15.

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However, Taylor’s fantasy value could be impacted by competition for touches, including a potential expanded role for recently signed Israel Abanikanda and possible backfield contributions from Deebo Samuel. While these factors introduce some uncertainty, Taylor remains a priority pickup with the potential for significant upside if Guerendo does in fact miss time.

Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – In one of the season’s more forgettable and unwatchable games, Tank Bigsby provided a rare bright spot with a strong performance. In Sunday’s narrow win over the Titans, Bigsby carried the ball 18 times for 55 yards and a touchdown while adding one reception for seven yards on two targets. This marked his best outing since Week 8, breaking a three-game stretch of minimal production on limited touches.

Bigsby’s season has had its ups and downs, but he continues to showcase his power and efficiency as a runner compared to backfield mate Travis Etienne. While Etienne remains a key piece in the passing game, hauling in four catches for 50 yards in this contest, his mere four rushing attempts compared to Bigsby’s 18 suggest the team may be leaning toward Bigsby as their primary option on the ground. Though his fantasy ceiling is often capped by the Jaguars’ inconsistent scoring opportunities, Bigsby stands out as a priority waiver pickup for managers in need of running back help. He offers flex appeal in Week 15 against the New York Jets and could have an even better matchup in Week 16 against the Raiders.

Isaiah Davis, RB, New York Jets – Fantasy managers who stashed rookie running back Braelon Allen all season in hopes of a late-season breakout thought their patience had paid off when Breece Hall was ruled out for Week 14 with a lingering knee issue. While Allen delivered a respectable performance, it was fellow rookie Isaiah Davis who stole the spotlight in Sunday’s overtime loss to the Dolphins. Davis logged 10 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions on six targets for 27 yards.

The Jets employed a near-even split between the two rookie backs in Hall’s absence, but Davis was the more impressive of the duo in their shared opportunity. While this performance is noteworthy, it comes with a caveat: the Jets have already announced they have no plans to shut Hall down for the season, and his return could come as soon as Week 15.

Still, Davis’s breakout should not be overlooked, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Hall’s availability and the Jets’ favorable schedule for running backs down the stretch. If Hall remains sidelined, Davis should see enough volume to provide flex appeal in a highly favorable Week 15 matchup against the Jaguars.

Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints – After spending several weeks in Dennis Allen’s doghouse, Kendre Miller seems to have earned his place in the good graces of the Saints’ new coaching staff. Despite battling nonstop injuries since entering the league, Miller has consistently flashed his potential when on the field. In Sunday’s win over the Giants, he capitalized on an increased role, rushing 10 times for 32 yards and a touchdown. This marked his first active game since Week 8, and he looked fully healthy, displaying some impressive burst.

With Derek Carr suffering a significant injury to his non-throwing hand in this game, there is a chance he could miss time or even the remainder of the season. While this adds to the injury woes of one of the league’s most banged-up teams, it could also open the door for Miller to see more opportunities. The Saints have relied heavily on veteran Alvin Kamara, but with Carr potentially sidelined, the team might look to preserve Kamara’s workload, which would likely lead to a larger role for Miller. There is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the backfield, but Miller’s potential makes him a worthy speculative pickup for managers looking to see how his role evolves down the stretch.

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Wide Receivers

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers – Quentin Johnston has been no stranger to our waiver wire discussions this season, largely due to his rollercoaster performances. He is capable of putting up strong numbers one week, only to follow it with games that leave you questioning if he can catch a football. Despite his inconsistency, Johnston remains a talented wide receiver with weekly touchdown upside, making him worth a roster spot in most leagues.

Heading into Week 14, Johnston was ice-cold, tallying just 12 yards on two catches across his previous two games. Sunday night, however, offered a much-needed bounce-back as he hauled in five of seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown. With seven touchdowns on the season, Johnston’s growing nose for the end zone has made him a more appealing fantasy asset. While Ladd McConkey is expected to reclaim his role as the team’s top target when he returns from injury, Johnston has carved out a defined role in the offense and could explode in the right matchup. He will look to keep the momentum rolling in a favorable Week 15 matchup against the Buccaneers.

Elijah Moore, WR, Cleveland Browns – Jameis Winston’s aggressive, gunslinging mindset has always been a double-edged sword, but his time with the Cleveland Browns has been a goldmine for fantasy football. His willingness to air it out at an elite rate (and his uncanny knack for throwing pick-sixes) has kept the Browns’ offense on the field and constantly chasing points. This has elevated the fantasy value of several pass catchers, with Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku leading the charge. However, Elijah Moore has also stepped up, especially in Cedric Tillman’s absence due to concussion protocols.

While Moore’s three catches for 34 yards in Week 14 were modest, he showed his potential the week prior, exploding for a season-high 111 yards on eight catches. His 14 targets in that game marked his most of the season, showcasing his growing role in the offense. Moore’s production has been somewhat matchup-dependent, but with a high-scoring battle against the Kansas City Chiefs on deck in Week 15, he should be positioned for another standout performance as the Browns try to keep pace.

Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – It may have taken longer than we hoped, but Jalen McMillan finally delivered his breakout performance in Week 14’s win over the Raiders. After a quiet rookie season, McMillan came alive with four catches on seven targets for 59 yards and two touchdowns. While some may credit this surge to the wizardry of Andy Holloway, who seemingly spoke it into existence on the show earlier in the week, there is no denying the potential McMillan flashed in this game.

Fantasy managers have been waiting for McMillan to step up since Chris Godwin’s season-ending knee injury, and this performance suggests he might be ready to seize the opportunity. While the offense still runs primarily through Mike Evans and the ground game, McMillan has a chance to overtake Cade Otton as the second option in the passing attack. For now, he is an intriguing speculative pickup as we wait to see if he can build on this momentum in a favorable Week 15 matchup with the Chargers.

Ray-Ray McCloud, WR, Atlanta Falcons – When searching for an unheralded wide receiver to plug into the flex from the waiver wire, I usually prioritize three things: talent, opportunity, and, let’s be honest, a cool name. Luckily, Ray-Ray McCloud delivers on all three—especially the last one. The veteran has enjoyed a resurgent season with the Falcons, stringing together several productive games. While his role has been defined, consistency has often eluded him as a reliable fantasy option.

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With that said, things may finally be changing. Since the Falcons’ Week 12 bye, McCloud has stepped up in a big way. He caught four passes for 95 yards in Week 13, then followed it with a breakout performance against the Vikings, hauling in eight of 11 targets for 98 yards. In that game, he set season highs in targets, receptions, and yards. The main knock on McCloud remains his lack of size, which limits his touchdown potential—he has just one score all season. Still, his steady involvement in the passing game alongside Drake London and Darnell Mooney gives him room to thrive, benefiting from the defensive attention his teammates command. McCloud will look to keep his hot streak alive in a favorable Week 15 matchup against the Raiders.

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Tight Ends

If available, Hunter Henry and Zach Ertz headline this week’s tight end waiver wire targets, both returning to action in Week 15 after their bye weeks.

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers – Sound the alarm: the Muth is luth and making waves in fantasy leagues. Despite his obvious talent, Pat Freiermuth has been an inconsistent fantasy option this season, often buried in a crowded Steelers offense. However, since the team’s Week 9 bye, there has been a clear effort to re-integrate the burly tight end into the game plan, significantly boosting his fantasy appeal. Over his last five games, Freiermuth has found the end zone three times and posted three top-10 fantasy finishes at the position. His yardage has also seen a noticeable uptick, averaging just under 60 yards per game over his last three outings.

With standout wide receiver George Pickens a surprise absence due to a hamstring injury that could keep him out longer, Freiermuth is poised to take on an even more significant role. While receivers like Calvin Austin and Mike Williams might also see increased targets in Pickens’ absence, Freiermuth is well-positioned to emerge as a key weapon in the offense. Given his recent production and expanded opportunity, Freiermuth is an intriguing pickup for fantasy managers in need of help at tight end, even with a challenging Week 15 matchup against the Eagles on the horizon.

Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints – Last week, we highlighted Juwan Johnson as a potential sneaky pickup for fantasy teams, citing the Saints’ growing list of injured pass catchers. With Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and now Taysom Hill sidelined, the Saints are scrambling for playmakers, and Johnson has the talent to step up in their absence.

In Week 14’s win over the Giants, Johnson delivered, catching four of five targets for 50 yards and a touchdown. This performance is even more impressive considering the Giants, despite their struggles, have been surprisingly effective at defending tight ends this season. Unfortunately, a hand injury to Derek Carr casts a shadow over Johnson’s fantasy outlook. If Carr is forced to miss time, Johnson becomes a risky play in the fantasy playoffs, even with an increased target share. While his role in the offense is promising, much depends on who will be under center in Week 15. Despite the uncertainty, Johnson remains an intriguing pickup, especially with a favorable schedule to close out the season.

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Quarterbacks

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Team	Player	Roster %	Matchups
LAR	Matthew Stafford	55%	@SF / @NYJ / ARI / SEA
CLE	Jameis Winston	42%	KC / @CIN / MIA / @BAL
NYJ	Aaron Rodgers	37%	@JAX / LAR / @BUF / MIA
CAR	Bryce Young	14%	DAL / ARI / @TB / @ATL
LV	Desmond Ridder	0%	ATL / JAX / @NO / LAC

Team DEF/ST

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Final Thoughts

Making the playoffs is a significant milestone, but the real challenge begins now. This is the time to stay focused, keep your foot on the gas, and position your team for victory in the weeks ahead. No one remembers the teams that simply make the playoffs. They remember the champions. Every season, only one manager claims that title, and your journey to the top starts here. Strengthen your roster with key pickups from the waiver wire, and prepare for the battles ahead. Let’s win this first battle and keep the momentum going on the road to ultimate glory.