Roster percentages taken from ESPN leagues.
Just two weeks remain in the fantasy season, and if you’re reading this, then you’re probably in the midst of a playoff run. Congrats!
We are holding our breath during every game now as we pray that injuries don’t scupper our title chances. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerrick McKinnon are filling in for Isiah Pacheco nicely, and it will be interesting to see if Justice Hill can do the same in Baltimore now that Keaton Mitchell is out.
Picking up replacement players is as important as ever, but it is also crucial to snap up any waiver wire value in Week 16 to prepare for Championship week and any potential injuries. Here are the value pick-ups in fantasy this week.
Quarterback
Gardner Minshew – Indianapolis Colts (16% rostered)
It has been a good stretch of games for Gardner Minshew. The Colts quarterback has had at least 16 points in each of his last four games, going past 20 points twice. This weekend, he passed for 3 touchdowns against the Steelers’ defense, who were top 10 against quarterbacks in fantasy heading into the game. He now gets to go up against the Falcons, who just lost to the Carolina Panthers.
It will be important to track the availability of Michael Pittman, who left with a concussion. Pittman has been a very reliable chain move for the Colts, and losing him would make life a lot harder for Minshew. If he plays, I like Minshew as a pick up and play option this week.
Running Backs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire – Kansas City Chiefs (32% rostered)
Could Clyde Edwards-Helaire (CEH) be the latest Chiefs running back to take the crown of league winner, after Jerrick McKinnon did so last year? With Pacheco on the sidelines this weekend, CEH was given 13 carries and 4 targets, totalling 101 yards and a score.
Jerick McKinnon also had a good fantasy outing, as he registered 16 points. He only had 7 total touches though, which is 10 less than CEH. It looks like Edwards-Helaire is the one they want to use on early downs, keeping McKinnon as the third down player. The Chiefs get the Las Vegas Raiders next week, who are giving up the 9th most points to the running back position. Clyde-Edwards Helaire’s fantasy value looks like a good option to me if you are struggling at running back.
Trey Sermon – Indianapolis Colts (2% rostered)
One of the potentially significant injuries to occur this weekend was to Zack Moss, who left with an arm injury. There is a chance that Jonathan Taylor makes his return next week, but it is worth looking the way of Trey Sermon just in case. The Colts like to run the ball, and Sermon was trusted with 17 carries in relief of Moss this weekend.
A matchup with the Falcons isn’t the easiest, but if Moss and Taylor are both out, Sermon could be in line for a big workload. If you are at a loss for what to do at the running back position, a player who could touch 20 carries is a pretty good option.
Justice Hill – Baltimore Ravens (1% rostered)
Keaton Mitchell is out after he suffered an ugly knee injury late in the game against Jacksonville, which will free up some more opportunities for Justice Hill. Gus Edwards will still be the primary ball carrier and the player trusted near the goal line, but Hill could see some work as a pass catcher, as well as more carries moving forward. Edwards has not passed 4 yards per carry in his last three games, which could lead Baltimore to try and get Hill more involved.
The 49ers are up next, which is not as scary of a matchup as you’d think. The 49ers just gave up 234 rushing yards to the Cardinals, and the Ravens could use their run game as a way of limiting the effectiveness of San Francisco’s pass rush. I’d only be starting Hill if I was truly desperate, but he works as a very nice handcuff in case something happens to Edwards this weekend.
Wide Receiver
Dontayvion Wicks – Green Bay Packers (3% rostered)
It was a good outing for Dontavyion Wicks this weekend against Tampa Bay, registering a career-high 97 yards on 6 receptions. The Buccaneers have been hemorrhaging yards in the secondary, but this is still very promising to see from a rookie who has shown flashes this year.
The Panthers are up next for Green Bay. They are giving up the 6th fewest points to the wide receiver position, and the Green Bay receiver room is banged up. Christian Watson has now missed a few weeks, and breakout rookie Jayden Reed suffered a toe injury this weekend. Wicks has proven to be a reliable option for Love, who could find himself without two of his top playmakers against the Panthers. If he does, grabbing Dontayvion Wicks in fantasy would be a safe bet for some more targets.
Noah Brown – Houston Texans (40% rostered)
Noah Brown’s stats are tricky to read, but the wide receiver fantasy value still feels for real. Across his last five active games, he has had more than 20 fantasy points three times but also posted two ugly zeros. The big game this week should come as no surprise, as the Texans were without both Tank Dell and Nico Collins. Brown soaked up 11 targets against Tennessee, catching 8 of them for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Brown has proven to be a dangerous player when either Dell or Collins are missing. Collins could return next week, and a matchup with the Browns is not very appealing, but week 17 is another clash with the Titans. We saw him go big on the Titans this weekend, so snagging him in case you reach the Championship could be a savvy move.
Curtis Samuel – Washington Commanders (42% rostered)
Curtis Samuel has been amazing in recent weeks, posting scores of 19, 10.5 and 21.1. Washington is clearly making an effort to get him the ball, and he is delivering. The bad news is that he faces the New York Jets’ number-one secondary next weekend. It is a frustrating matchup because he would be a good start against almost every other team.
Despite the bad matchup, I thought I would include him as a name to look out for. If there is not much available on your waiver wire this week, you can at least take comfort in knowing that Samuel should see plenty of targets.
Josh Downs – Indianapolis Colts (46% rostered)
The ownership on Josh Downs is relatively high, but it is worth checking the waiver wire in case someone has dropped him after his three bad games in a row. Downs put some good film on tape earlier in the year but has been underwhelming ever since his injury and the bye week.
The reason he is worth keeping hold of or picking up is because Michael Pittman suffered a concussion and might be out this week. Pittman is the PPR machine for Indianapolis, and his absence would free up a hefty chunk of targets. Minshew targeted Downs like mad earlier in the year, so he could pay off nicely for you if Pittman misses.
Tight End
Hunter Henry – New England Patriots (18% rostered)
Firstly, it is worth noting that Henry did leave this weekend’s game with a knee injury, so it is important to monitor that if you want to pick him up. Hopefully, he can suit up, because he was brilliant against Kansas City and now gets a dream matchup against Denver.
Only one team has given up more points to the tight end in fantasy this year than Denver, which is exactly what we love to see for Henry during the fantasy playoffs. His receptions and yards led the Patriots against Kansas City, which suggests a big outing could be on its way against a beatable Denver defense.
