Fantasy Football: Week 15 Waiver Wire
Congratulations if you’re still playing fantasy football in Week 15, going for a #FootclanTitle! Here I’ll detail a number of the top pickups. Check out today’s Week 15 Waivers & QB Streamers podcast for the full breakdown.
Wide Receivers
Widely Owned (but worth checking)
Chris Hogan (77% owned)
Sterling Shepard (77% owned)
Cooper Kupp (76% owned)
Robert Woods (68% owned)
Rishard Matthews (75% owned)
Mohamed Sanu (73% owned)
Marqise Lee (70% owned)
Marquise Goodwin (55% owned)
Week 14: 6/106/0 on 12 targets
Remaining Schedule: Ten, Jax, @LAR
Marquise Goodwin is Jimmy Garoppolo‘s favorite target and Jimmy Garoppolo looks GOOD. Goodwin has 14 receptions for 205 receiving yards on 20 targets in the past two games. The truth is, he has been very consistent this season. He has at least 60 yards receiving in 8 of the last 11 weeks. Marquise Goodwin is as safe an option at WR as you can ask for off waivers and he’s only about half owned. It’s time to pick him up and utilize him as a safe floor option.
Paul Richardson (54% owned)
Week 14:3/72/1 on 7 targets
Remaining Schedule: LAR, @Dal, Ari
Richardson is a more volatile option than someone like Marquise Goodwin but does provide a decent floor as he has games with at least 40 yards receiving in 9 of 13 games. The problem with Richardson is that he relies heavily on that 1 BIG play in order to provide you with a nice fantasy week. He is worth an own and possible start against an awful Cowboys secondary in 2 weeks.
Mike Wallace (40% owned)
Week 14:3/73/0 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Cle, Ind, Cin
Mike Wallace has strung together 4 consecutive weeks of decent fantasy production. Any time a player can do that, they are worth a pickup and play on your roster depending on your situation. This Ravens’ offense is looking balanced thanks to the run game from Alex Collins and Wallace has benefitted nicely. 17 receptions on 28 targets in the past 4 weeks and under 50% owned makes Wallace a nice add and possible start on championship week vs the Indianapolis Colts defense.
Dede Westbrook (30% owned)
Week 14: 5/81/0 on 8 targets
Remaining Schedule: Hou, @SF, @Ten
Westbrook is a must own in the fantasy playoffs. He has been very productive in the past 3 weeks as he has hauled in 17 of his 26 targets for 200 yards and a touchdown. The rookie has been heavily involved since earning the start a few weeks ago. He has a nice schedule the rest of the way to top it off.
Running Backs
Widely Owned (but worth checking)
Rex Burkhead (78% owned)
Alfred Morris (77% owned)
Kenyan Drake (76% owned)
Jamaal Williams (74% owned)
LeGarrette Blount (67% owned)
Week 14: 7/12/0 — 2/11/0 on 2 targets
Remaining Schedule: @NYG, Oak, Dal
The entire Eagles offense is suspect going forward with Nick Foles at QB. Even if Foles is somewhat productive in Wentz’ absence, opposing defenses will plan to stop the triple attack of the Eagles backfield while forcing Foles to win games going forward. The only positive for the Eagles is their schedule for the next 2 weeks as they will see the Giants depleted team and lifeless Raiders. Given Blount’s age and running style, It would not surprise me if we saw Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement get the bulk of the work as the Eagles prepare for the playoffs.
Corey Clement (11% owned)
Week 14:6/24/0 — 1/28/0 on 3 targets
Remaining Schedule: @NYG, Oak, Dal
See LeGarrette Blount above.
Peyton Barber (35% owned)
Week 14:12/58/0 — 1/5/0 on 1 target
Remaining Schedule: Atl, @Car, NO
It’s clear, Peyton Barber has been the more productive back between him and Doug Martin. Once Barber began seeing snaps after the first quarter, he was much better than Martin who fumbled in the game. It would be foolish if the coaches didn’t want to see more out of Barber going forward in this lost season for the Buccaneers. I’d pick up Barber to keep him away from anyone else that could pick him up and get production out of him at the very least.
Giovani Bernard (57% owned)
Week 14:11/62/0 — 6/68/0 on 8 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Min, Det, @Bal
Giovani Bernard has been very effective in Joe Mixon‘s absence and may have earned additional playing time even when Mixon returns. He is a must add if you are lucky enough to have him available on your waiver wire, especially in PPR formats. If Joe Mixon is held out again in Week 15, Gio Bernard is someone you should feel confident inserting into your lineups against a defense that just gave up over 100 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns from Jonathan Stewart of all running backs.
Theo Riddick (41% owned)
Week 14: 10/29/2 — 6/64/0 on 10 targets
Remaining Schedule: Chi, @Cin, GB
It would appear the Lions are comfortable with giving the bulk of work to Theo Riddick moving forward as he has been very productive in the past 2 games. He has 30 total touches for 155 total yards and 3 touchdowns in the last 2 weeks. If available to you, he is worth an add as depth to your roster and a possible start in PPR formats.
Jonathan Stewart (38% owned)
Week 14:16/103/3 — 0 catches on 1 target
Remaining Schedule: GB, TB, @Atl
Stewart is pretty low owned for this time of year and I can’t blame people for not trusting him. The truth is, he has been fantasy relevant for each of the last 4 weeks. Maybe when people dropped him from their fantasy teams, no one wanted him at the time but you have to get him NOW. He is consistently getting the volume and has two very good matchups to close out the fantasy season.
Mike Davis (38% owned)
Week 14: 5/66/0 — 1/-1/0 on 2 targets
Remaining Schedule: LAR, @Dal, Ari
Mike Davis is the real deal. As I have been saying since he has earned the volume 2 weeks ago. Tough defensive matchups and has still been productive. A decent add if you need help at the position in the fantasy playoffs.
Kerwynn Williams (11% owned)
Week 14:20/73/0 — 1/15/0 on 1 target
Remaining Schedule: @Was, NYG, @Sea
Williams has done well in Peterson’s absence. If Adrian Peterson remains sidelined, Williams will benefit from some nice matchups for the fantasy playoffs. Only 11% owned, you should be able to easily add this running back to your roster. Williams provides you a safe flex play while Peterson misses time with a neck injury.
Tarik Cohen (44% owned)
Week 14: 12/80/0 — 2/5/0 on 2 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Det, Cle, @Min
Tarik Cohen received 12 carries last week. His most since Week 6. This was clearly game script as the Bears had this game well in hand against the Bengals. I wouldn’t expect this to be a trend for Cohen moving forward unless the Bears are going to see a ton of positive game script going forward which I wouldn’t hold my breath for.
Rod Smith (13% owned)
Week 14: 6/47/1 — 5/113/1 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Oak, Sea, @Phi
Rod Smith is someone I’ve promoted as the better backup RB between him and Alfred Morris. Morris has done well in Zeke’s absence which has led to fewer opportunities for Smith. Rod Smith showed his upside this past week and could have an opportunity to show it again this week in Oakland against a very beatable Raiders defense. Zeke is back in Week 16 so Smith works a one-week rental in your flex position.
Tight Ends
Trey Burton (8% owned)
Week 14: 5/71/2 on 6 targets
Remaining Schedule: @NYG, Oak, Dal
Should Zach Ertz miss more time, Trey Burton would be a valuable asset to your tight end position as he has dream matchups to end the fantasy playoffs. Even with Foles at QB, Burton should provide a safety blanket type target for a backup quarterback coming in this late in the season.
Editor’s Note: Be on the lookout for The Fantasy Footballers’ Week 15 QB Streamers.