Week 16 Waiver Wire (Fantasy Football)
All right, FootClan, it all boils down to this weekend and the Week 16 Championship Title Game. Every trade, every agonizing start/sit decision, and waiver claim has led to this weekend and the chance to win that #FootClanTitle. While every matchup is important throughout the fantasy year, Week 16 is always the do or die game you will think about before, during, and after the season is over.
If you missed any of the games over the weekend, check out more articles from our writers like the Week 15 Injury Recap to get caught up on any injury news that could potentially impact your team or your opponent’s team. For help deciding on waiver targets or who to start, make sure to read the Week 15 Target Report to see where the volume is trending. Our writers work their tails off to bring you the very best research and data to help you win your leagues.
Let’s get it done this weekend, FootClan! Remember to listen to the Week 16 Waiver Wire episode to hear The Fantasy Footballers breakdown of each of these players and who they think you should target.
All percentages owned are based on Yahoo!
WR
With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin sidelined, it’s no surprise that Breshad Perriman (5/113/3 last week) will likely be the number one WR waiver claim. Since you have undoubtedly been following along with The Fantasy Footballers Podcast, you’ll know that Jason has a particular affinity for Justin Watson. He did have five receptions on eight targets for 59 yards and a touchdown in Week 14, but he was virtually phased out last week against the terrible Detroit Lions, catching two receptions on two targets for 17 yards. Perriman should be the WR target of choice in this offense. Over the last three games, Perriman has amassed 17 targets for 13 receptions for 270 yards and four touchdowns. Jameis Winston trusts him and should be actively searching for him in Week 16’s matchup against Houston.
Other names to consider at WR are the Bears Anthony Miller, Steelers James Washington, and the Eagles Greg Ward. Miller is finally gaining traction with Mitch Trubisky scoring a TD in his last two weeks. Miller saw a season-high 15 targets and nine receptions against the Packers in Week 15 for 118 yards and a touchdown.
James Washington also saw a season-high in targets with 11 but could only haul in five for 83 yards. It’s clear that “Duck” Hodges likes to target the big receiver but Buffalo’s defense proved to be a headache for the Steelers in all aspects of the game. This week, they will face the Jets who have allowed over 2300 yards and 19 touchdowns to WRs.
The injury bug swept through the Eagles and left few unscathed. Carson Wentz has had to watch his offensive weapons drop like flies all year with DeSean Jackson, Jordan Howard, Alshon Jeffrey, and then Nelson Agholor all succumbing to injury. You know the saying. When football hands you lemons, you make delicious connections to the next man up. Greg Ward stepped up to the plate in Week 14 with nine targets and four receptions. He then saw another nine targets for seven receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown last week. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside saw only 2 targets for no receptions. It’s clear Wentz trusts Ward and should have a significant role in the offense, even if Agholor returns for Week 16.
Probably Owned (but worth checking)
NYG Sterling Shepard (62% owned) / Darius Slayton (65% owned)
@WAS / PHI
Main Waiver Wire Pickups
TB Breshad Perriman (11% owned) / TB Justin Watson (6% owned)
HOU / ATL
JAX Chris Conley (22% owned)
@ATL / IND
CHI Anthony Miller (26% owned)
KC / @MIN
CIN A.J. Green (39% owned)
@MIA / CLE
DET Danny Amendola (25% owned)
@DEN / GB
PIT James Washington (32% owned)
@NYJ / @BAL
PHI Greg Ward (2% owned)
DAL / @NYG
RB
Unlike an assortment of WR options on the waiver wire, the RB landscape looks considerably bleak. The Fantasy Footballers have been beseeching the FootClan to roster Alexander Mattison in case of emergency. Guess what? We had an emergency with Mattison and we had another emergency from Dalvin Cook last weekend. It will be imperative to keep an eye on Cook and Mattison’s status heading into the Championship weekend to see if starting Mike Boone may be a value. A big thing to note is that the Vikings don’t play until Monday night in Week 16.
Speaking of injury, if you are thinking about targeting Boston Scott, just be warned that if Jordan Howard returns, he may fall back to RB3 status. Kerryon Johnson is also set to return for Week 16, but the Lions will likely use a committee to keep Johnson healthy for next season. There is no real reason for Matt Patricia to run him as a bell cow in a losing season. Bo Scarbrough was inactive in Week 16 and Wes Hills stepped in with a rushing line of 10/21/2.
MIN Alexander Mattison (39% owned) / Mike Boone (3% owned)
GB / CHI
TEN Dion Lewis (12% owned)
NO / @HOU
WAS Adrian Peterson (53% owned)
NYG / @DAL
MIA Patrick Laird (45% owned)
CIN / @NE
DET Kerryon Johnson (39% owned) / Wes Hills (0% owned)
@DEN / GB
PHI Boston Scott (8% owned)
DAL / @NYG
BAL Gus Edwards (11% owned) / Justice Hill (4% owned)
@CLE, / PIT
TE
Of course, leave it to O.J. Howard to come alive at the very end of the fantasy season. At 41% ownership, he may not be available in your league, but it is certainly worth a peek to check. Perriman is soaking up a significant chunk of Winston’s targets, but with injuries to Evans and Godwin, the QB will need all of his pass catchers to step it up. Houston is struggling against QBs and TEs allowing rookie QB Drew Lock to torch their defense, while TE Noah Fant saw four receptions on four targets for 113 yards and a touchdown only two weeks ago against this defense. With Winston continuing to throw despite an injured hand, Howard should see even more opportunity in Week 16.
Speaking of Fant, he is available in 31% of leagues and faces 18th worst Detroit Lions in Week 16, then 27th worst Oakland Raiders if you play to Week 17. The TE landscape continues to burn in its stinky dumpster and you can certainly do worse at the position.
LAR Tyler Higbee (67% owned)
@SF / ARI
TB O.J. Howard (41% owned)
HOU / ATL
PHI Dallas Goedert (61% owned)
DAL / @NYG
SEA Jacob Hollister (61% owned)
ARI / SF
DEN Noah Fant (31% owned)
DET / OAK
MIA Mike Gesicki (28% owned)
CIN / @NE
TEN Jonnu Smith (13% owned)
NO / @HOU
I wish you the best of luck in your Week 16 matchups. I know there is so much on the line. Take a moment and review our writers’ articles and listen to The Fantasy Footballers to get as much knowledge as possible and make the best decisions you can for Championship week. For detailed breakdowns of each of these players, make sure you listen to the Week 16 Waiver Wire episode.