Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 16 (Fantasy Football)

If you are reading this, congratulations on reaching the second round of the fantasy playoffs! Whether you did indeed earn your spot in the next round or are simply an extremely devoted reader of our waiver wire articles, the focus now is clear: it is time to gear up for the next two weeks. You likely just watched a lower seed upset a top contender in your league, which is a reminder of how unpredictable the playoffs can be. Your mission is to prepare for anything, giving yourself the best shot to emerge as champion.

Every new matchup begins with unlocking the full potential of the waiver wire. The right pickups this week could provide the critical edge you need to defeat your next opponent. With that in mind, here are the top Week 16 waiver wire targets to keep your championship hopes alive.

Our 2024 Playoff Primer is your guide to the best and worst schedules for each position during the playoffs, including defenses with optimal matchups that you might want to grab early to gain an edge. 

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings
• Weekly Waivers Episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast

Running Backs

Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns – It is extremely rare for a running back with true league-winning potential to emerge on waivers this late in the fantasy season, but Jerome Ford certainly fits the bill. Ford has quietly been productive while sharing the Browns’ backfield with Nick Chubb, though his workload and production understandably dipped after Chubb’s initial return. That changed in Week 15 when Chubb suffered a season-ending foot injury against the Chiefs, creating a massive opportunity for Ford to step into a featured role.

Ford delivered his best performance of the season on Sunday, turning seven carries into 84 yards and a touchdown while adding two catches for 20 yards. Impressively, he did this against Kansas City’s stout defense, making his potential even more intriguing. Looking ahead, Ford draws the Bengals in Week 16, one of the league’s worst defenses, followed by a Week 17 matchup against a Dolphins defense that has struggled to stop the run. These matchups set the stage for Ford to deliver when fantasy managers need him most. Even if you do not think that you will need to start him, you do not want to risk facing him. Due to this, Ford is a must-add for the final stretch run.

Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints – As the fantasy season winds down, understanding your players’ team motivations is critical. This factor could spell trouble for managers who have leaned heavily on Alvin Kamara all year. While Kamara has been phenomenal, the Saints are among the league’s worst teams, and it would not be surprising if they chose to rest their aging star running back to avoid risking a long-term injury. This concern intensified after Kamara exited Week 15’s loss to the Commanders with a groin injury. Although he could still suit up for Monday night’s game against the Packers, it is possible we see second-year back Kendre Miller take on a more prominent role over the next two weeks.

Miller has struggled with injuries throughout his first two NFL seasons but continues to flash when healthy. In Week 15, he ran nine times for 46 yards, averaging over five yards per carry, building on his Week 14 performance where he scored his first touchdown of the year. While the Saints’ offensive struggles limit scoring opportunities, Miller has shown enough burst and efficiency to merit consideration if he becomes the lead back. For now, Miller is more of a speculative pickup while we wait for updates on Kamara’s Week 16 status. Even in his current role, he could warrant flex consideration in deeper leagues in a matchup against the Packers in Week 16, followed by the Raiders in Week 17.

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Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans – For weeks, it has been routine for Tony Pollard to miss practice entirely, only to step back into his bell-cow role for the Titans on game day. However, Week 15’s loss to the Bengals marked a slight shift, as the team leaned more heavily on Tyjae Spears in the second half. While Spears managed just five yards on four carries, he scored a rushing touchdown and shined as a receiver, catching six of seven targets for 87 yards and another touchdown.

Spears has been inconsistent as a runner this season, but his receiving ability stands out for fantasy purposes. With Tennessee often playing from behind due to its struggles on offense, Spears could see increased playing time in passing situations. Additionally, with the Titans sitting among the league’s worst teams, there is a hypothetical scenario that Pollard is shut down for the season due to his lingering ankle injury. If that happens, Spears becomes a must-add, especially given Tennessee’s favorable matchups over the next two weeks. Regardless of what unfolds, Spears is positioned to build on his breakout performance in a Week 16 matchup against the Colts, followed by an even better opportunity against the Jaguars to close out the fantasy season.

Alexander Mattison & Ameer Abdullah, RBs, Las Vegas Raiders – Sincere McCormick’s highly anticipated opportunity as the lead back on Monday night was cut short by an ankle injury, forcing him to exit the game early. For managers who started him in the opening round of the playoffs, it was a brutal blow—one they likely did not survive. Now the focus shifts to his potential replacement(s) if McCormick misses time.

Alexander Mattison may have had the less productive outing, but he remains a strong candidate to step in, having delivered several solid fantasy performances earlier this season. His underwhelming Week 15 showing against the Falcons was more a product of the offense’s struggles than his own, despite an early fumble. Meanwhile, Ameer Abdullah deserves consideration after scoring the team’s only touchdown on Monday night and catching all seven of his targets for 62 yards. Abdullah’s reliable receiving skills give him a legitimate chance to emerge as the more valuable option in this volatile backfield.

While any player tied to a Desmond Ridder-led offense carries risk, both players’ outlook improves if Aidan O’Connell returns for Week 16. The upcoming matchups are promising, with a highly favorable spot against the Jaguars followed by another soft test against the Saints. Regardless of the quarterback situation, the schedule makes both backs worthy of consideration in most leagues.

Ty Johnson, RB, Buffalo Bills – Though technically a running back, it is difficult not to view Ty Johnson as more of a wide receiver after his dominant Week 15 performance. To the surprise of many, Johnson was Buffalo’s top receiving weapon in Sunday’s win over Detroit, catching all five of his targets for 114 yards. While James Cook also impressed, particularly on the ground, it is clear that Johnson has carved out a defined role in the offense and should continue to see significant snaps.

His back-to-back double-digit fantasy performances are certainly exciting, but it is tough to envision this hot streak being sustainable long-term. Johnson profiles as a player with a solid floor, but his ceiling may be limited if he does not find the end zone. In PPR leagues, his increased role in the passing game boosts his value, but his fantasy appeal could be tempered by the Bills’ potential for a big lead against New England in Week 16. If Buffalo takes control early, the need to pass could diminish, lowering Johnson’s opportunities and limiting his upside.

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Wide Receivers

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Team	Player	Roster %	Matchups
LAC	Quentin Johnston	57%	DEN / @NE / @LV
GB	Romeo Doubs	53%	NO / @MIN / CHI
BUF	Keon Coleman	61%	NE / NYJ / @NE
GB	Christian Watson	57%	NO / @MIN / CHI
BAL	Rashod Bateman	29%	PIT / @HOU / CLE
TB	Jalen McMillan	15%	@DAL / CAR / NO
MIA	Malik Washington	3%	SF / @CLE / @NYJ
CLE	Cedric Tillman	47%	@CIN / MIA / @BAL
CAR	Jalen Coker	4%	ARI / @TB / @ATL
CLE	Elijah Moore	38%	@CIN / MIA / @BAL
KC	Marquise Brown	27%	HOU / @PIT / @DEN
DEN	Devaughn Vele	29%	@LAC / @CIN / KC
ATL	Ray-Ray McCloud III	30%	NYG /@WAS / CAR

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers – Few connections in football feel as poetic as the one between Romeo Doubs and Jordan Love. Despite some early-season drama about his role, Doubs made a strong statement in the first week of the fantasy playoffs. In Sunday night’s win over Seattle, he delivered his second-best fantasy performance of the year, catching three of five targets for 40 yards and two touchdowns. While much of his production came from those scoring plays, it is clear Love consistently looks Doubs’ way in the red zone.

Green Bay’s receiving corps is one of the deepest in the league, featuring Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and Tucker Kraft. Coupled with the team’s recent shift to a run-heavy approach centered on Josh Jacobs, it is often difficult to trust any individual Packers pass-catcher week to week. One player may shine one week, only for another to take the spotlight the next.

Despite these concerns, Doubs’ Week 15 performance and favorable closing schedule are hard to ignore. He emerges as a priority pickup as he prepares to face the vulnerable secondaries of the Saints and Vikings in the final two weeks of the fantasy season. If available, Christian Watson also stands out as an intriguing pickup with boom/bust potential. Both Green Bay receivers have the potential to end the year on a high note and help fantasy managers do the same.

Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – It may have taken longer than expected, but Jalen McMillan finally had his breakout performance in Week 14’s win over the Raiders. After a quiet start to his rookie season, McMillan exploded with four catches on seven targets for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Fantasy managers have been waiting for him to step up following Chris Godwin’s season-ending knee injury, and this showing indicated that he might finally be ready to seize the opportunity.

McMillan carried that momentum into Week 15, catching five of six targets for 75 yards and another touchdown in the win over the Chargers. While the offense still runs primarily through Mike Evans and the ground game, McMillan has recently emerged as the clear second option in the passing attack, surpassing Cade Otton. With a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Cowboys, McMillan is a priority pickup for those in need of a high-upside flex play.

Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens – While many fantasy managers were disappointed by Derrick Henry’s quiet outing against the Giants in Week 15, another storyline emerged in Sunday’s blowout win. Rashod Bateman had yet another strong performance in this game, continuing his impressive resurgence. Bateman’s career with Baltimore has been marred by injuries and inconsistency, but the former first-round pick is quietly piecing together a breakout season in his fourth year. In Week 15, he delivered his best performance of the year, catching three of five targets for 80 yards and two touchdowns. This brings his touchdown total on the season to seven, leading all Baltimore wide receivers.

However, a glance at Bateman’s game log reveals a concerning trend: big performances are often followed by modest production. This boom-or-bust nature makes him a risky option for the fantasy playoffs, especially with a tough Week 16 matchup against the Steelers looming. Still, Bateman’s upside makes him an intriguing option for managers in need of a high-ceiling play, particularly if they are projected to lose their matchup. What sets Bateman apart from other volatile vertical threats on waivers is the presence of Lamar Jackson. Playing alongside one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks gives Bateman more opportunities to deliver, making him a viable option for those willing to gamble on his weekly upside.

Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills – Josh Allen is playing at an elite level over his last two games, throwing for over 700 yards with five passing touchdowns and adding five more scores on the ground. With Allen scorching hot, any receiving option tied to him becomes a potential fantasy asset. Week 15 brought the return of two key pieces to Buffalo’s offense: Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid.

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Coleman, who had missed four games with a wrist injury, was showing signs of a rookie breakout before going down. In Sunday’s win over the Lions, he made his presence felt with just one catch—a 64-yard bomb that nearly turned into a touchdown. His elite athleticism makes him a natural deep threat and an ideal target when Allen looks to air it out.

While Coleman is still a risky play for fantasy lineups, his Week 16 matchup against the Patriots could present opportunities. With Christian Gonzalez likely to shadow Amari Cooper, Coleman might find favorable coverage and have the chance to deliver another big-play performance. If you are looking for a high-upside stash, Coleman is worth considering as Allen’s hot streak shows no signs of cooling down.

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Tight Ends

Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars – What a long, strange trip it’s been for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season. Despite their losing record and persistent injuries to key playmakers, Jacksonville continues to be a prime source for viable waiver wire pickups. With Evan Engram likely out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury, Brenton Strange steps into a prominent role as the Jaguars’ starting tight end. Though his opportunities have been limited recently, Strange displayed promise earlier in the season when Engram was sidelined.

In Week 15’s loss to the Jets, Strange had the best game of his career, setting personal highs across the board, with 11 catches on 12 targets for 73 yards. He seems to have developed a strong rapport with quarterback Mac Jones, who has been solid in place of the injured Trevor Lawrence. While Strange’s target share could dip slightly moving forward, he still stands out as a priority streaming option at tight end, especially with a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Raiders.

Stone Smartt, TE, Los Angeles Chargers – If you were hoping to pick up a wise rock on waivers this week, unfortunately, that is not currently on the table. However, you can target a similarly intriguing option in Stone Smartt, who has been emerging as a key weapon in the Chargers’ offense. While Will Dissly had been a focal point of our waiver articles in previous weeks due to his increased usage, he is now likely sidelined for several weeks with a shoulder injury. With Hayden Hurst also out due to a hip issue, Smartt has been forced to step into the spotlight.

In Week 14, he impressed by catching all three of his targets for 54 yards, and he followed it up with a solid performance in Week 15, hauling in five of six targets for 50 yards. The tight end position is a consistent target for Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense, meaning Smartt should continue to get opportunities. Like most streaming tight ends, his fantasy ceiling is tied to finding the end zone, but his recent back-to-back solid performances make him an intriguing option. For deeper leagues in need of a streaming tight end, Smartt could keep surprising, even in a challenging Thursday night matchup against the Broncos in Week 16.

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Quarterbacks

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Team	Player	Roster %	Matchups
LAR	Matthew Stafford	56%	@NYJ / ARI / SEA
CHI	Caleb Williams	65%	DET / SEA / @GB
NYJ	Aaron Rodgers	38%	LAR / @BUF / MIA
ATL	Kirk Cousins	45%	NYG /@WAS / CAR
CLE	Jameis Winston	41%	@CIN / MIA / @BAL
KC	Carson Wentz	0%	HOU / @PIT / @DEN
NYG	Tim Boyle	0%	@ATL / IND / @PHI
LV	Desmond Ridder	3%	JAX / @NO / LAC

Team DEF/ST

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings
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Final Thoughts

One down, two more to go. Whether you are coming off a hard-fought victory or shaking off the rust from your bye week hibernation, it is time to go all in. Stay focused, keep your foot on the gas, and set your team up for ultimate success in the weeks ahead. The playoffs are not about just making it—they’re about winning. Only one manager claims the title each season, and your path to the top starts now.

Bolster your roster with key waiver wire pickups and get ready for the challenges ahead. The chance to make it to the championship round is within reach, but first, there is one more battle standing in your way. I’ll see you on the other side, my friends, as we aim to emerge triumphant from the second battle of the fantasy playoffs.

Our 2024 Playoff Primer is your guide to the best and worst schedules for each position during the playoffs, including defenses with optimal matchups that you might want to grab early to gain an edge.