Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
QUARTERBACK
Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts
*Roster Percentage: 12%
Let’s hope if you made it to the playoffs you aren’t needing to stream a quarterback, but with the slew of injuries lately at the position we understand that could be the case for some. This one is a match-up based play as the Colts take on a Minnesota defense that has given up the 6th most fantasy points to Quarterbacks this season. The Colts are coming off a Bye but in Week 13 Ryan completed 21-of-37 pass attempts for 223 yards and two TDs. While his play this season has been highly suspect this is an attractive match-up that could payoff for those needing to gamble on a quarterback stream this week.
Mike White, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 20%
Mike White is another QB with a tastee match-up. The Jets take on a Detroit team that has given up the most fantasy points to Quarterbacks this season. Although there is a bit of uncertainty if White will be healthy enough to give it a go after he went to the hospital following his Week 14 game. He completed 27-of-44 for 268 yards vs a stout Bills defense. It seems as though he is on track to suit up making this match-up one to attack.
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 33%
One of the more middling or safer options likely available in most leagues Tannehill completed 25-of-38 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns while also tacking on two rushes for 16 yards. The Titans travel to LA in what should be a high scoring affair to take on a Chargers defense that has given up the 12th most fantasy points to QBs this season.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Roster Percentage: 10%
After a strong performance in Week 14 Purdy comes into Week 15 as questionable with oblique and rib issues. But if he suits up he is another option to consider if you are in a bind. The 9ers take on a Seattle squad that has given up the 16th most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Others to Consider:
Russell Wilson (47% vs ARI), Andy Dalton (7% vs ATL), Desmond Ridder (4% @ NO), Mitch Trubisky (1% @ CAR)
RUNNING BACK
If available: Jerick McKinnon (63%), Zonovan Knight (55%)
Damien Harris/Pierre Strong Jr., New England Patriots
Roster Percentage: 50/1%
Starter Rhamondre Stevenson left Week 14 with an ankle injury, Damien Harris was inactive (thigh) for that match-up but now marked as healthy to return in Week 15. If Stevenson is unable to suit up Harris would be the preferred add. If neither Stevenson or Harris are active Pierre Strong would be a must add. In Week 14 he totaled 70 yards and a touchdown on the ground adding 20 additional yards via the air. Whichever back gets the call has a plus match-up with the Raiders who have given up the 6th most fantasy points to running backs this season.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
Roster Percentage: 49%
J.K. Dobbins returned for a big day but it shouldn’t overshadow Edwards contribution who carried the rock 13 times for 66 yards. Edwards can be considered a FLEX play when the Ravens take on Cleveland who have given up the 3rd most fantasy points to running backs
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Roster Percentage: 33%
While D’Onta Foreman is still the lead back Chuba Hubbard has seen a major uptick in his workload. In Week 14 he rushed 14 times for 74 yards and a touchdown. Hubbard has become flex-worthy and can be considered for Week 15 when the Panthers take on a Steelers team that has given up the 17th most fantasy points to running backs.
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears
Roster Percentage: 37%
If you are planning ahead or your playoffs don’t start until Week 16, Khalil Herbert (hip) makes for a plus add. He is eligible to return and could play in Week 16.
Others to Consider: Rex Burkhead/Dare Ogunbowale (3/0%)
WIDE RECEIVER
Elijah Moore, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 27%
The Jets take on a Lions defense in Week 15 that has given up the 3rd most fantasy points to wide receivers. Queue Elijah Moore who ran a route on 83% of drop-backs, 69% of those coming from the slot which is exactly where teams are capitalizing against the Lions. In Week 14 Moore caught 6-of-10 targets for 60 yards. In that game Corey Davis suffered a head injury and if that causes him to miss time we should see Moore resume his role as the WR2 in this offense. Moore is a match-up based play that could pay off big if you need to swing for the fences with a sleeper this week.
D.J. Chark, Detroit Lions
Roster Percentage: 40%
Chark caught 6-of-7 targets for 94 yards and a touchdown in their Week14 win over a leaky Vikings defense. This week the sledding becomes a bit tougher against a Jets defense that has given up the 3rd fewest fantasy points to wide-outs this season. The recent production should certainly draw attention but with this match-up you might want to consider looking elsewhere if you have alternate options.
Chris Moore, Houston Texans
Roster Percentage: 2%
Moore exploded hauling in 10-of-11 targets for 124 yards against a very good Cowboys defense. That target share accounted for 45% of Houston’s total targets and 58% of their total receiving yards. While that is the kind of dominate usage we love to see for fantasy the Texans are a dumpster fire that I am not sure I would want to attach my wagon to during the fantasy playoffs even with a plus match-up vs Kansas City.
Others to Consider:
Jameson Williams (36%), Alec Pierce (13%), Terrace Marshall (6%)
TIGHT END
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 26%
PLUS MATCH-UP is the name of the game and the CONK has that on his side this week taking on a Lions defense that has given up the 4th most fantasy points to tight ends. Conklin caught 5-of-8 targets for 28 yards in Week 14 and should continue to see volume this week with WR Corey Davis likely to sit.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 44%
In Week 13 Hill caught 2-of-3 targets for 35 yards and one touchdown, ran three times for 10 yards and passed for 22 yards. If the usage spikes as it could if the team decides to do so, then you have a week winning tight end on your team. Triple threat.
Jeff Driskel, Houston Texans
Roster Percentage: 0%
For the same reasons as we mentioned with Hill, Driskel could be a sneaky pickup. He is TE eligible in Yahoo leagues (and some others). In Week 14 he completed four of six passes for 38 yards and a touchdown and rushed seven times for 36 rushing yards. Driskel has been on-and-off of the practice squad but if he is elevated this week with the potential to start at QB and you can plug him in your TE spot…SIGN ME UP!
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 15%
Chig was hyped by many for his recent play and it payed off in Week 14 where he caught all six of his targets for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Titans were without Treylon Burks and looked to their tight ends to move the ball. While it’s possible Burks returns and cuts into that production Okonkwo is a nice option again this week with the team taking on Chargers defense that has given up the 16th most fantasy points to tight ends.
Others to Consider: Juwan Johnson (18%)
DEFENSE
Denver @ ARI
Cleveland vs BAL
New Orleans vs ATL
Washington vs NYG
*Roster percentages based on Yahoo
