Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Winston crashed back to earth against the Chiefs, throwing 3
interceptions with 0 touchdowns in a home loss to the defending
champions. He gets a much easier matchup against the Bengals,
who have been getting torched through the air this season, allowing
the 4th-most points to opposing QBs.
Rush had a great day against the Panthers, going 214-3-0 in a
blowout win. He’s been fairly efficient in his recent games,
throwing for 8 TDs and only 1 interception in his last four contests.
Up next he gets a plum matchup against the Bucs, who have allowed
the 2nd-most points to QBs.
Wilson has been solid most of the year for the Steelers, posting
a 10-3 TD-Interception ratio in the six games since their bye
week. He had a tough day against the Eagles, but still had a touchdown
without an interception. This week he gets a Ravens defense that
has allowed the 8th-most points to QBs.
Aaron Rodgers,
NYJ @ JAX: Rodgers looked like his old self against the Jags,
delivering a 289-3-0 throwing line and even chipping in 6-45-0
on the ground. Up next he gets another positive matchup against
the Rams.
Update:Desmond
Ridder, LV vs ATL: Ridder got the start but struggled all
night against the Falcons in a home loss, throwing for 208-1-2
and rushing for 5-28-0. He’ll have a dream matchup against
the Jags this week but it’s not clear if he’ll be
able to take advantage.
Ford started as the RB2 behind Nick Chubb, but Chubb left the
game with a broken foot leaving Ford to go 7-84-1 on the ground
and 2-2-20 through the air. He’ll get the start against the Bengals,
who have been more forgiving through the air than on the ground.
With Tony Pollard limited in snaps due to an ankle injury, Spears
saw a higher workload and delivered a strong performance: 4-5-1
on the ground and 7-6-87-1 through the air. He may continue to
see work against the Colts, who have allowed the 6th-most points
to opposing RBs.
Miller was on IR for the most of the season, but has now seen
19 carries and 2 targets in the two games since returning. He
may see even more run this week as Alvin Kamara left the game
early with a groin injury and could be sidelined against the Packers,
who have allowed the 10th-most points against RBs and are especially
susceptible to pass-catching backs.
With Sincere McCormick going down with an ankle injury, Mattison
and Abdullah saw more work in Week 15. Abdullah had the better
stat line, going 7-7-58-1 receiving and 3-8-0 on the ground. Mattison
saw 7-21-0 rushing and 4-2-3-0 receiving. If McCormick is forced
to miss time, Mattison will get the early down work while Abdullah
will be mostly a pass catching back. Either could be an option
against a Jags defense that has allowed the 2nd-most points to
RBs.
Patrick Taylor,
SF vs LAR: Taylor was close to getting the start for Thursday
Night Football, but Isaac Guerendo was able to play and took all
of the workload. Taylor won’t be an option this week as Guerendo
has full control of the backfield.
Update:
Sincere McCormick, LV vs ATL: McCormick had a solid workload
(7-8-0 rushing and 2-2-17-0 receiving) before departing late in
the first half with an ankle injury. Can he can recover in time
for a matchup this week against a struggling Jaguars defense?
Braelon Allen
/ Isaiah Davis,
NYJ @ JAX: Allen (6 touches) and Davis (2 touches) split the RB2
work as Breece Hall was able to return from his knee injury. With
Hall back neither will be an option when they meet the Rams in
Week 16.
Coker has been out the last three games with a quad injury, but
before the bye week the UDFA was looking like the Panthers’ best
WR after trading Diontae Johnson to BAL. He exploded for a 6-4-110-1
line and should be a decent pickup if you’re hurting at WR.
Washington saw increased playing time with Odell Beckham Jr.
being released and Jaylen Waddle leaving the game early with a
knee injury. Washington ended up with a 6-5-52-0 receiving line.
Up next will be a tougher task against the 49ers, but if Waddle
sits, Washington should see a fair amount of targets.
Downs was only able to catch 3 of 8 targets for 32 yards against
a tough Denver secondary. But he’s been averaging 8 targets
over the last six games, so the volume is there. Up next is a
tough assignment against the Titans secondary.
Things are starting to click for McMillan, as he’s totaled
a 13-9-134-3 line over the last two games, both blowout wins.
Up next is a struggling Dallas defense that has given up the 9th-most
points to opposing WRs.
Doubs spiked 2 touchdowns in a win over the Seahawks, and Watson
tied for the team lead in targets as he went 6-3-56-0. It’s
tough to know who will get the most looks in Green Bay as Jordan
Love likes to spread the ball around, but they’ll face a
Saints defense that has allowed the 5th-most points to WRs.
Brown has been on IR all season after preseason shoulder surgery,
but he looks to return this week. With Patrick Mahomes nursing
an ankle injury, it may not be the right time to start him in
his first game back. But if he does end up playing, he’ll face
a Texans team that has given up the 6th-most points to WRs.
Strange got the start now that Evan Engram in on IR, and blew
up for a 12-11-73-0 line in a shootout with the Jets. Up next
is a great matchup against the Raiders, who have allowed the 3rd-most
points to opposing TEs.
Henry led the team in catches, going 4-4-25-0 as Drake Maye only
threw 23 passes despite trailing most of the game. He should be
busy versus a juggernaut Bills team that should force the Patriots
to pass from the get-go.
Adam Thielen, CAR vs DAL: Thielen led the team in targets and
catches, going 7-5-51-0 against the Cowboys in a blowout loss.
Up next are the Cardinals.
Quentin
Johnston / Josh
Palmer, LAC vs TB: Johnston led the team in targets, going
10-5-45-1 in a blowout loss to the Bucs. Palmer was less involved
with Ladd McConkey playing, catching 2 passes for 10 yards. They’ll
get a much tougher assignment against the division rival Broncos
this week.
Cedric Tillman, CLE vs KC: Tillman was ruled out again due to
his concussion suffered three weeks ago. Can he be ready for Week
16?
Keon Coleman,
BUF @ DET: Coleman only caught 1 pass for 64 yards as Josh Allen
threw for 362 yards and the Bills scored 48 points. Amari Cooper
didn’t have any targets. The Bills are spreading the ball around
in the passing game but perhaps more will be needed from the WRs
when they face the Patriots this week.
TE Stone Smartt,
LAC vs TB: With Will Dissly out for several weeks, Smartt got
the start and filled in admirably, going 6-5-50-0 in a blowout
loss to the Bucs. He’ll get another start in a tougher matchup
against the Broncos this week.
TE Zach Ertz, WAS @ NO: Ertz had been heavily targeted over the
last four games, but unfortunately only saw 2 targets (catching
both) for 25 yards before leaving with a concussion against the
Saints. It’s likely he won’t be cleared in time to
go against the Eagles this week.
The Titans just keep on giving: They allowed a sack, 6 turnovers
and a TD to the Bengals defense, getting Will Levis benched in
favor of Mason Rudolph. Up next they get the turnover prone Jameis
Winston, so if you picked them up you can roll them out again
as they had 4 sacks and 2 turnovers against their division rivals
earlier this year.
Falcons vs NYG
Update: The Falcons stymied
the hapless Raiders on Monday Night Football, allowing only 9
points while getting 4 sacks and 3 turnovers (and blocking 3 kicks).
In Week 16 they’ll face the demoralized Giants, who had
to turn to Tim Boyle at QB after Tommy DeVito got injured. The
Giants have allowed the 4th-most points to opposing defenses.
Colts vs TEN
The Colts played tough against the Broncos, getting a sack and
3 turnovers, before getting blown out in the second half. This
week they’ll have an easier task against a Titans team that
has given up the most points to opposing defenses.
Other DST to consider: Packers vs NO
Last week’s waiver adds:
Commanders @ NO: The Commanders had a nice matchup
against the Jake Haener-led Saints, getting 3 sacks and a turnover
before forcing his benching at halftime in a win. Up next they
get the division-rival Eagles.
Cardinals vs NE: The Cardinals won handily against
the lowly Patriots, getting 2 sacks and a turnover in a game they
won by 13 points. Up next they get a road matchup against the
Panthers.
