Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business,
but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious
selections to help your team from week to week while you strive
to collect fantasy wins, reach your league playoffs and win the
elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp. While
I’m a big proponent of making trades to bolster your roster,
the waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource when it comes
to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each week, I’ll
highlight some of the popular (and not-so-popular) players who can
help your squad and may still be available in your league.
Jimmy Garoppolo, SF – I’m all in on Jimmy G –
who’s owned in fewer than 60 percent of ESPN leagues –
after that electrifying performance in Week 14 in New Orleans.
The Niners aren’t just a run-first team anymore and he’s
looking very much like a Top 10 fantasy QB heading into Week 15
vs. the Falcons in what could end up another shootout –
or at least a high-scoring affair with the 49ers winning by a
touchdown or two.
Ryan Tannehill, TEN – The Titans have been an offensive
juggernaut lately, and Tannehill (40-50 percent owned) has been
part of that resurgence. He had a monster Week 14 game with 391-3-1
and gets the defensively challenged Houston Texans in Week 15.
Giddyup.
Jared Goff, LAR – Goff (58 percent owned in ESPN leagues)
is looking like his 2018 self the last couple games. He threw
for 293 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the
Rams' Week 14 win over Seattle, though he really started off on
fire – leading the Rams to scoring drives on three of their
first four possessions. This week presents a matchup against a
Dallas team that has not been able to stop anyone the past couple
games, so I’ll take a risk on him as a low-end QB1 or high-end
QB2 in deeper formats.
Kirk Cousins, MIN – Cousins notched a win on Sunday and
completed 24-of-30 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown, but we
expected better numbers in this one. I’m not interested
in using him next week against the Chargers.
Jacoby Brissett, IND – Brissett completed 19-of-36 passes
for 251-2-0 in the Colts’ thrilling Week 14 loss to the
Buccaneers. He’s still without some key offensive cogs so
he’s not very efficient right now. He might have some trouble
with the Saints in Week 15.
Andy Dalton, CIN – Dalton completed 22-of-38 passes for
262 scoreless yards and one interception in the Bengals' 27-19,
Week 14 loss to the Browns, but he’s lost some of the vim
of his younger years and just doesn’t have the weapons to
compete with some of the younger gunslingers.
Running Backs
DeAndre
Washington, OAK – Washington took lead back duties in Week
14 with Josh Jacobs (shoulder) inactive, logging 40 of 63 offensive
snaps to Jalen Richard’s 24. He had 53 rushing yards and a TD
on 14 carries, adding 6-43-0 receiving. He’d be a solid RB2 facing
the Jags in Week 15 if Jacobs is out again, which he most likely
will be.
UPDATE: No official update yet
but the odds are that Jacobs will be inactive for Week 15.
Dion Lewis,
TEN – It’s no secret I love the guy, and I’ve been stashing him
in the FFToday staff league just for this spot! Seriously, though
– if Derrick Henry is forced to miss time with the hamstring injury,
I’m interested. Obviously, if Henry gets in full practices before
the Texans' game, he’d be locked in at RB1 and Lewis won’t make
much sense, but Lewis would be plug-n-play if Henry has a setback.
UPDATE: Mike Vrabel said Tuesday the maintenance plan for Derrick
Henry during the week will be "the exact same as it was last
week" which means limited reps during the week and a game
time decision. Remember – Lewis isn’t any kind of
lock for significant reps if Henry is active.
Adrian Peterson,
WAS – Well, that was fast. Derrius Guice is injured again and
AP is back on the fantasy radar. I hate playing him against Philly,
but he’s getting all the traditional carries moving forward. Go
for it if you need a viable RB3/flex with some TD equity.
Raheem Mostert,
SF – Mostert rushed 10 times for 69 yards and a TD in the 49ers’
exhilarating Week 14 win over the Saints, adding 2-40-1 on two
targets – and he did it against a tough opponent with Matt Breida
back in the lineup and Tevin Coleman still healthy. Aren’t you
glad we talked about him last week?
Peyton Barber,
TB – The Bucs RBs are dead to me. Barber had 34 rushing yards
and 2-19-0 on Sunday and I don’t think you can trust either him
or Ronald Jones at this point, regardless of opponent.
Darwin Thompson, KC – Thompson was as bust on Sunday, compiling
just 7 rushing yards on four carries while nabbing four catches
for an additional 36 yards (five targets). This backfield belongs
to either LeSean McCoy or Damien Williams (ribs) moving forward.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Diontae Johnson,
PIT – Johnson broke out for 6-60-1 on eight targets Sunday, leading
the team in looks. He’s got a tougher matchup facing the Bills
in Week 15, but there will be a need for a possession receiver
in that offense to complement James Washington’s big-play ability.
Justin Watson,
TB – UPDATE: The athletic Watson caught 5-of-8 targets for
59 yards and a TD in the Buccaneers’ Week 14 win over the
Colts and has stepped into a featured role with Mike Evans (hamstring)
likely done for the rest of the season. He’s a priority
add this week at WR.
A.J. Brown,
TEN – Brown is a better player with Adam Humphries off the field,
and he caught 5-of-7 targets for 153 yards and two touchdowns
in the Titans’ Week 14 win over the Raiders. Despite not getting
a ton of targets, he’s carved out a nice role as an every-week
WR3/4, and the Titans face a beatable Texans secondary in Week
15.
Anthony Miller,
CHI – UPDATE: I didn’t mean to leave Miller out of this
space, as he’s been a popular target for Mitchell Trubisky
the past few weeks and is a tough receiver the Bears QB can lean
on. He has at least nine targets and six catches in three of his
last four games, and the Packers present a challenge that may
only be solved by getting him the ball. He’s a viable WR3
in PPR.
Robby Anderson,
NYJ – Anderson is showing similar upside to last season down the
stretch. He caught 7-of-11 targets for 116 yards and a touchdown
in the Jets’ Week 14 win over the Dolphins – his second straight
100-yard effort. The Ravens will make it tough on him in Week
15, but we just saw Cole Beasley have an okay game, didn’t we?
Allen Hurns,
MIA – UPDATE: I’m tempting fate adding another Miami WR
here, because they keep going down like flies, but Hurns has at
least 11 PPR points in two of his past three contests, and he’s
coming off a 5-68-0 (eight targets) performance against the Jets
in Week 14 when DeVante Parker (concussion) got hurt.
TE Ian Thomas,
CAR – With Greg Olsen out, Thomas went nuts, hauling in 5-57-1
on 10 targets. He’s worth a look if Olsen misses the Seattle game
in Week 15.
TE Noah Fant,
DEN – We mentioned Drew Lock as a possible keeper add, even though
he’ll be tough to use in Week 15 facing the Chiefs, but Fant (foot)
has been a godsend for the Broncos. The rookie from Iowa had his
second 100-yard game in his last five, catching 4-113-1 in a solid
showing that included a highlight-reel 48-yard reception and a
14-yard score.
UPDATE: No update on the foot injury yet, so stay tuned to the
injury report as the week progresses.
Alshon Jeffery,
PHI – UPDATE: Jeffery injured his foot in a non-contact move on
Monday night and finished without a catch. He’s done for
the year. If Nelson Agholor returns in Week 15 he’d be a
great addition, and while I mentioned both JJ Arcega-Whiteside
and Greg Ward above, but neither looks great working in this offense,
which will likely flow through Agholor, the TEs and RBs moving
forward.
Zach Pascal, IND – Pascal caught 5-of-9 targets for 74
yards and a TD vs. the Buccaneers on Sunday, with a much tougher
matchup against the Saints in Week 15.
TE Mike Gesicki, MIA – No! My dude Gesicki busted out on
Sunday with just one catch for 6 yards on five targets. The Giants
have been decent vs. TEs but I like him better next week in a
possible rebound game.
Allen Lazard, GB – Another dud. Lazard took a step back
in Week 14 with just 2-19-0 on three targets.
Breshad Perriman, TB – Yes! Perhaps his usage went up after
the Mike Evans exit, but Perriman caught 3-of-5 targets for 70
yards and a TD in the Buccaneers’ Week 14 win over the Colts.
He’s a solid Week 15 play and could get more looks if Evans
misses.
