Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 16

Gazing across the smoky battlefield, our eyes betray utter disbelief. Against all odds, we emerged victorious in the opening battle of the playoffs. Unfortunately, only half of the valiant souls who ventured into last week’s fray emerged unscathed. Congratulations to those progressing through Week 14 and to the semifinals. This is an undoubtedly impressive feat, yet a modest stride toward our ultimate goal. The ensuing fortnight vows to be an unwavering test of intense and strategic battles. Should injuries have plagued your rostered warriors, it is imperative to fortify your depth through the waiver wire. Luckily, we’ve got you more than covered. Without further ado, allow me to unveil the most pivotal pickups of Week 16, destined to propel you closer to seizing the championship.

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Running Backs

Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings – Several fantasy football teams now owe a debt of gratitude to Ty Chandler for his standout performance in Week 15. As highlighted in last week’s article, we outlined several compelling reasons to prioritize Chandler as your top waiver priority. In a Week 15 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Chandler delivered a masterful performance. The speedy running back carried the ball 23 times, amassing an impressive 132 rushing yards and scoring a touchdown. Additionally, he showcased versatility by securing three catches on four targets for 25 yards. With Alexander Mattison sidelined, Chandler assumed the role of the undisputed bell-cow back, handling nearly all carries for the position except for one. Given Mattison’s anticipated continued absence in the upcoming week, Ty Chandler is a must-start in all leagues for the Week 16 clash with the Detroit Lions. If, by chance, he remains available in your league, you know what to do.

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals – A prevailing theme in this week’s waiver wire considerations revolves around uncertainty regarding the return of star players in the upcoming week. This uncertainty extends to the Kansas City and Las Vegas backfields. However, instead of delving into those situations, let’s redirect our attention to the Cincinnati Bengals‘ Chase Brown. Over the last three games, Brown has experienced a notable uptick in opportunities. In a Week 14 victory against the Indianapolis Colts, he showcased the best performance of his early career, rushing eight times for 25 yards and catching all three of his targets for 80 yards, including a touchdown. Notably, he exhibited remarkable speed with a 54-yard run on a dump-off, reaching 22.05 miles per hour on the GPS, second only to DK Metcalf this season. This eye-catching display earned our recognition. In Week 15, he carried the ball seven times for 23 yards and caught all three of his targets for 28 yards. Regarded as one of the league’s most valuable handcuff running backs, Brown could prove to be a league-winner if granted more opportunities. His chance to sustain this hot streak comes in a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens – Regrettably, another emerging talent has succumbed to injury this past week. Keaton Mitchell, who displayed continuous improvement, is now sidelined with a season-ending torn ACL. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Keaton, and we anticipate his triumphant return next season. While Gus Edwards remains the top priority in the Baltimore backfield, he is likely already rostered in most leagues. Therefore, our focus shifts to Justice Hill. Despite limited opportunities, Hill exhibited promise in a Sunday night victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording 23 yards on five carries, while missing on his lone target. Although Edwards will maintain dominance in early down snaps and goal-line opportunities, Hill’s role could expand following Mitchell’s unfortunate exit. Unfortunately, immediate expectations should be tempered, facing the formidable San Francisco 49ers‘ defense in Week 16. Nevertheless, any running back in a potent offense poised for increased opportunities deserves fantasy consideration.

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Wide Receivers

Noah Brown, WR, Houston Texans – Once again, Noah Brown takes the spotlight as our featured wide receiver pickup. Frankly, I am growing a bit tired of reiterating his value, and sincerely hope that you have already added him to your roster. Nevertheless, he remains surprisingly available in too many leagues. Heading into Week 15, Brown’s fantasy prospects appeared dim with Case Keenum stepping in as the starting quarterback due to CJ Stroud‘s absence. Against expectations, Brown not only navigated these circumstances but excelled in Week 15. In an overtime victory against the Tennessee Titans, he secured eight receptions on 11 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. He emerged as Keenum’s primary target, showcasing remarkable efficiency. Assuming Stroud returns in the upcoming week, even brighter days could be on the horizon for Brown. If Nico Collins is also back, he may claim the WR1 position, but ample receiving opportunities should persist, making Brown an enticing starting option regardless. Despite facing a challenging matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, Brown is likely to command enough volume to merit serious consideration in your starting lineups.

Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders – Amid the preseason focus on Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, both of whom have proven to be disappointments this season, we overlooked the impressive and surprising production of another wide receiver on the team. While Curtis Samuel’s output has been somewhat unpredictable, he has demonstrated he belongs on fantasy teams across all leagues as the season concludes. In a Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, the veteran wide receiver secured five receptions on nine targets for 41 yards and two touchdowns. This marks the third consecutive game where he has seen at least five targets and amassed 40 receiving yards, including a standout Week 12 performance with nine catches on 12 targets for 100 yards. Samuel remains a crucial component of the team’s offensive strategy, benefiting from a pass-heavy approach. This trend is expected to persist for the remainder of the season, solidifying Samuel’s reliable flex-worthy value. Despite a challenging matchup against the formidable New York Jets‘ secondary in his next outing, Samuel’s substantial volume suggests he can have ample opportunities to deliver a respectable performance.

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Demarcus Robinson, WR, Los Angeles Rams – Raise your hand if you have had a touchdown in three straight games? Somewhere in Los Angeles, Demarcus Robinson is grinning, hand held high. Stepping up for the injured Tutu Atwell, Robinson has shone brightly in recent outings. In a Week 15 victory against the Washington Commanders, he secured two receptions on three targets for 44 yards and a touchdown, complemented by a 22-yard carry. With the impending return of Atwell in Week 16, Robinson’s playing time remains uncertain for the season’s final games. However, if you find yourself in need of a starting option, Robinson is currently on fire, abiding by NBA Jam rules and emerging as a preferred target for Matthew Stafford in the end zone. The Week 16 clash with the New Orleans Saints will likely reveal more about his role moving forward.

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Tight Ends

Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots – Instead of delving into the more heavily rostered options like Isaiah Likely or Darren Waller, let’s turn our attention to the more accessible Hunter Henry. Henry earned a feature in our waiver wire pickups article last week following an impressive two-touchdown performance in Week 14. Despite initial skepticism about replicating such success, the burly tight end proved doubters wrong in Week 15’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He hauled in seven of nine targets for 66 yards and a touchdown, setting season-highs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Henry’s performance has firmly placed him on our fantasy radar. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury toward the end of the game, and its severity remains unknown. If he suits up for Week 16, he will have the luxury of facing one of the most favorable matchups for tight ends against the Denver Broncos. This is the same team that most recently yielded three touchdowns to Sam LaPorta. As the primary target for Bailey Zappe, Hunter Henry could be poised for a substantial fantasy day in the fantasy football semifinals if active.

Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers – While anticipation surrounded the rise of rookie tight end Luke Musgrave, it has been his fellow rookie teammate who has recently seized the spotlight. During Musgrave’s absence due to injury, Tucker Kraft has quietly carved out a notable role with the Green Bay Packers. In Week 14, Kraft captured our attention by securing all four of his targets, accumulating a season-high 64 yards. Building on this momentum, he delivered his best fantasy performance in Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hauling in four of six targets for 57 yards and a touchdown. With increased involvement in the past few games and a consistent on-field presence, Kraft has evolved into a reliable target for Jordan Love, earning the trust of fantasy managers. If you are struggling to find a dependable streaming option at the tight end position, Kraft appears poised for another impactful outing in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers.

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Quarterbacks

Team DEF/ST

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Final Thoughts

Andy shared a valuable insight on the podcast last week that resonated deeply with me. He discussed a strategy for lineup decisions, advising to choose the player you would fear facing the most in your matchup when torn between two options. This approach guided me to making successful decisions last week and is a tactic I plan to consistently employ going forward. Carry this advice into the final rounds of the fantasy football season when tilting with lineup decisions. Best of luck in the semifinals, and I look forward to witnessing your triumph, and securing a spot in the championship round. Keep instilling fear in your opponents, and together, we will come out of the battle on top.