Jared Goff is a must pickup on the fantasy football waiver wire
By: Rishi Patel
Welcome back to this NFL column where I will be preaching my advice about which fantasy players you should pluck off your waiver wire each week during this NFL season.
During each NFL season, there are usually sleepers that emerge who you should pick up off the waiver wire due to various reasons, such as better performances than expected, injuries, etc. It’s important to make good use of the waiver wire as players from here could sometimes be good depth and even a starter for your team in critical stretches. It’s hard to believe we are in the fantasy playoffs. Congrats to those who will still be setting their lineups at this point. Going forward, things will get more intense as managers play for all the marbles. Let’s look at some players who could be of sneaky value during your quest for the title:
Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
Don’t look now, but the Lions are a two-win team now. Who would have thought after the disastrous start to the season? In the last three games, the 27-year-old Goff has seven touchdowns to two picks and at least 215 yards in all three contests. The Lions play the Falcons, Seahawks, and Packers to close out the season and Goff can continue to put up good numbers given the Packers are the only intimidating defense on that list. (Note: Goff got put on the COVID list Monday and his status will need to be monitored but he’s worth stashing for now and potentially streaming in Week 16 if he can play).
Craig Reynolds, RB, Detroit Lions
The Lions have been shorthanded at running back but first-year player Craig Reynolds has been making noise lately. The Kutztown product has at least 83 rushing yards in the last two weeks, including 112 yards in the stunning upset of Arizona on Sunday. Reynolds is worth stashing as coach Dan Campbell may ride the hot hand to close the season. If D’Andre Swift (shoulder) returns, then Reynolds would have no fantasy value.
Duke Johnson, RB, Miami Dolphins
Duke Johnson has hopped around NFL teams and he produced a vintage performance out of nowhere in Week 15 against the hapless Jets. Johnson had 22 carries for 107 yards and two scores as a member of the Dolphins and looks like a solid complement back to Myles Gaskin. While the performance was impressive, Johnson is only worth stashing for now as managers should wait and see whether the back can sustain this production. It’s best not to stream a player based on one performance.
Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, San Francisco 49ers
As the 49ers deal with RB injuries, Jeff Wilson has risen up and posted 21 carries for 110 yards and a score in Week 15. The 25-year-old isn’t normally the starter but Elijah Mitchell is dealing with a knee injury and his return remains uncertain. For now, consider Wilson the workhorse back and he’s worth stashing as the 49ers face a tougher defense in Tennessee in Week 16 before playing a porous Texans defense in Week 17.
D’Onta Foreman, RB, Tennessee Titans
Foreman has quietly put up at least 108 rushing yards in two of the last three games while seeing at least 19 carries in two of the last three games too. While Dontrell Hilliard is also in the picture, he hasn’t been as explosive as Foreman, only posting over 100 rushing yards once. Foreman is currently dealing with an ankle injury, but he’s worth stashing given his recent production.
Amon Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
Yes, this is the third LIONS player on this list, but that team is playing with heart and some players are actually producing fantasy-relevant numbers. St. Brown has been playing lights out recently. He has posted at least eight receptions, 11 targets, and 73 yards in the last three contests. The WR posted a season-high 90 yards in Week 15. Given Detroit plays teams like Seattle and Atlanta in the next couple of weeks, St. Brown is a must-add and is even in the streaming picture given his recent production.
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Denver Broncos
The TE out of Mizzou is quietly posting better game stats as of late. He has at least three receptions and four targets in the last three games while posting at least 41 yards in the last two games. Okwuegbunam is worth adding as a stash given he could be of use as a TE2 in very deep leagues if needed.
