Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
QUARTERBACK
If available: Matthew Stafford (57% provided three straight top 10 QB performances)
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
Roster Percentage: 28%
Browning continues to show promise and completed 18 of his 24 passes for 275 yards with two touchdowns in a fairly easy win over the Colts. That’s the second game in a row exceeding expectations and he could do it again when the Vikings come to town. If you are looking for a streaming option he could be your guy.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 39%
Quarterbacks have been on the forefront of numerous injuries this season and Derek Carr seems to suffer them weekly, but like Kenny from South Park somehow he keeps coming back to life. Coming off a concussion, rib, and shoulder injuries Carr managed to muster up a low-end line completing 18-of-26 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. In a home game against the Giants, Carr is a low-end streaming option with a risk of re-aggravating one of his numerous aliments including his recently reported rib fractures. OUCH!
Others to Consider:
Will Levis (19% vs HOU), Joe Flacco (7% vs CHI), Tommy DeVito (5% @ NO), Mitch Trubisky (4% @ IND), Drew Lock (1% vs PHI), Nick Mullens (0% @ CIN)
RUNNING BACK
If available: Chuba Hubbard (76%), Ezekiel Elliott (68%)
D’Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears
Roster Percentage: 39%
Many thought rookie Roschon Johnson had taken over the lead back role for the Bears but D’Onta forget about Foreman who returned from injury and rushed the ball 11 times for 50 yards and hauled in two balls for 22 yards. This is still a bit of a muddy situation with Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson still in the mix but the Bears trust Foreman in pass protection situations and he has played well when given the opportunity. It’s time to pick the veteran back up if he was dropped in your league. Consider him a low-end Flex in tough match-up against the Browns this week.
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings
Roster Percentage: 23%
There is a good possibility Alexander Mattison misses this week after suffering an ankle injury in Week 14. We’ve had Ty Chandler on this list numerous times the last few weeks and this could be his week to shine. Chandler didn’t do anything eye-popping last week rushing the ball 12 times for 35 yards but if Mattison misses he could be looking at a three-down role.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 45%
The Titans added a little spice to Monday Night Football and rookie Tyjae Spears got in on the fun rushing seven times for 29 yards but made a splash through the air reeling in six balls for 89 yards. Veteran Derrick Henry is still THE GUY but the Titans have continually sprinkled in Spears throughout the season. He remains more of a stash but could be in contention as a Flex play in deeper leagues.
Ameer Abdullah/Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders
Roster Percentage: 0%/2%
Josh Jacobs suffered a quad injury in Week 14 and is questionable to play Thursday. If Jacobs is out we could see a split backfield between Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah. White is likely to do more of the heavy lifting but don’t count out Abdullah who gives the Raiders some versatility. Both are worth rolling the dice on if you need depth but not sure I want to plug either option into fantasy lineups with the playoffs on the line.
Others to Consider:
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (47%), Jerick McKinnon (41%), Jamaal Williams (16%), Rico Dowdle (10%), Chase Brown (7%)
WIDE RECEIVER
If available: Jayden Reed (62%)
Odell Beckham Jr., Baltimore Ravens
Roster Percentage: 43%
Beckham has had his ups-and-downs this season but now appears to be fully healthy. Last week he lead the Ravens in targets with 10, catching four of them for 97 yards and a touchdown. Baltimore is rollin’ right now and they have plus match-up against the Jaguars this week. Go ahead and pick him up and consider him a WR3 moving forward.
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Roster Percentage: 29%
Christian Kirk was placed on IR and Zay saw a huge boost leading the team in targets (14). While he only caught five of those for 29 yards that volume should not be ignored. The Jagz have a tough match-up against the Ravens but I expect the team to be playing from behind and Jones should have a lot more balls coming his way.
Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers
Roster Percentage: 17%
The rookie is still a work in progress but the Panthers are looking to him more and more as the season progresses. While Mingo only caught two of his nine targets for 22 yards I think better days are ahead. The match-up against the dirty birds isn’t an easy task but I do think he is worthy of stash for teams with a deeper bench.
Others to Consider:
Noah Brown (48%), Curtis Samuel (35%), Joshua Palmer (30%), Demario Douglas (20% concussion, if out DeVante Parker is in play 3%)
TIGHT END
If available: Isaiah Likely (55%)
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Roster Percentage: 10%
Kraft was one of my favorite Tight ends in this years draft and he has been shinning in his expanded role over the past few weeks. He caught all of his four targets for 64 yards and showed his after-the-catch ability. With a plus match-up against the Bucs I think Kraft keeps his momentum rolling.
Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders
Roster Percentage: 43%
It’s been a minute since we’ve had a solid performance out of Logan Thomas but I think this is a spike week for the veteran. For those who have struggled filling a void at the TE position (and lets face it, who hasn’t) I’d go after this plus match-up against a Rams defense that has given up the 3rd most points to tight ends this season.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 34%
I’m not sure if Chig has made my list yet this season but this week he does with a tastee match-up against Houston. Last week we saw Okonkwo catch 5-of-6 targets for 46 yards in a surprise upset over the Dolphins. I think he should see a similar workload this week; but ill go a step further and predict this is the week he scores his first touchdown of the season.
Others to Consider:
Cade Otton (38%), Hunter Henry (24%), Tyler Conklin (19%), Zach Ertz (7% FA)
DEFENSE
Indianapolis vs PIT
Atlanta @ CAR
Las Vegas vs LAC
Chicago @ CLE
*Roster percentages based on Yahoo
