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. 

The post Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 16 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By Calvin K (Twitter: @Calvin_SGF)

NOTE: These players are rostered in 40% or less of ESPN leagues

1. Elijah Moore (WR, New York Jets)

Moore had the best game of his young career on Thursday, catching seven of eight targets for 84 yards and two scores against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts game was a fitting accentuation to Moore’s hot stretch as of late, as his 20 targets over the last three weeks have represented a heavy involvement in the offense as of late. Moore shouldn’t be considered a safe fantasy starter just yet, but he’s still someone who should be rostered in all leagues, as he’s worth a plug-and-play because of his upside.

2. Dan Arnold (TE, Jacksonville Jaguars)

Arnold’s target share has greatly benefited from his trade to Jacksonville, as he now has 12 catches on 17 receptions in the two weeks he’s played for the Jags. Arnold can now be considered a borderline TE1 for fantasy, and good tight end options don’t come around often on the waiver wire, so he’s certainly someone that fantasy managers should look to add this week.

3. Rashod Bateman (WR, Baltimore Ravens)

Bateman has gotten better and better each game for the Ravens, and his five-catch-for-52-yard day against the Vikings on Sunday capped off a solid three-game stretch for him. Bateman hasn’t scored a touchdown yet this year, which has limited his value, but he has received 20 targets in his three active games this year (with no fewer than six in any), a very encouraging sign for his involvement in the offense. Bateman is still a low-upside option with many other pass-catchers still heavily in the Ravens’ fold, but his target share still makes him worth a pickup in fantasy leagues.

4. Sony Michel (RB, Los Angeles Rams)

A lot of Michel’s work this week (nine touches and a touchdown) came with starting RB Darrell Henderson injured, but when Henderson returned to Sunday’s contest, Michel was only a minimal contributor in the offense. Nonetheless, he’s still worth a pickup for RB-needy teams, as the Rams have shown they are willing to rely on him when necessary. Michel has six games with nine or more touches on the year, and he’s shown the ability to be physical and wear down defenders in the running game. Thus, he’s worth a fantasy stash, because if something happens to Henderson, Michel could step in and be a very viable fantasy option.

5. Tyrod Taylor (QB, Houston Texans)

Taylor is someone who doesn’t necessarily need to be added given his bad game last week, but for those who need QB help, his name is one to keep an eye on. Taylor started off the season very well for the Texans until his hamstring injury, compiling 331 total yards in Week 1 before following that up with a hot Week 2 start that got cut short by his injury. Taylor’s performance on Sunday was admittedly dreadful, but he is a dual-threat quarterback who established what he is capable of early in the year, so he could be a good bet for a bounce-back in the coming weeks.

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