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.
Note: This column will be updated tomorrow at the conclusion
of Week 16.
Bye weeks: None. Good luck if you made your championship game!
Ewers was a surprise starter after Tua Tagovailoa was benched
to end the year. He managed a respectable 260 passing yards against
a vulnerable Bengals pass defense, but still had 2 interceptions
in his first career start. He gets another positive matchup against
the Buccaneers, and will likely be forced to throw above expectation
in a potential shootout.
Shough has been putting up solid fantasy numbers of late, including
a 308-1-0 line in a blowout win over the Jets. Up next, he gets
the pass-funnel Titans defense that has given up the 6th-most
points to QBs.
Smith was surprisingly efficient against a brutal Texans defense
that has strangled QBs all year, passing for 201-2-1 in a close
loss. Up next, he gets a much easier assignment against the Giants,
who have allowed the 3rd-most fantasy points to the position.
C.J. Stroud, HOU vs LV: Stroud struggled more than expected in
a tight win over the Raiders, passing for only 187-1-0. He won’t
be a streaming option this week against a tough Chargers defense.
Gardner Minshew, KC @ TEN: Minshew couldn’t take advantage
of a vulnerable Titans pass defense, as he injured his knee early
in the game and was ruled out. It appears to be a torn ACL so
he’ll be facing rehab over the offseason.
J.J. McCarthy, MIN @ NYG: McCarthy suffered a hand injury just
before halftime, but managed a 108-0-1 passing line and 2-20-1
rushing in the eventual win. It appears he avoided serious injury,
but it might be tough for him to get right on a short week against
the Lions on Thursday Night Football, although it would be a solid
matchup if he can go.
Tua Tagovailoa,
MIA vs CIN: Tagovailoa has had his ups and downs this year, but
was ultimately benched this week in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers.
He’s likely done for the year, and it remains to be seen
whether he’ll come back for the Dolphins or if he will be
elsewhere in 2026.
Rodriguez dominated the RB work, doubling the touch count of
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, with a 15-63-1 rushing line and chipping
in a 6-yard reception in a loss to the Eagles. This week he’ll
get a much easier Cowboys defense that has given up the 6th-most
points to RBs.
As expected, Carter got the start and handled most of the RB
touches, going 11-65-0 on the ground and failing to catch his
2 targets. He now gets a juicy matchup against a Bengals team
that has given up the most fantasy points to RBs, including the
most rushing yards.
With Woody Marks out, Jordan got the start and had a nice day,
going 15-53-0 on the ground and 5-5-17-0 through the air in a
surprisingly close win over the hapless Raiders. He’ll face a
much tougher test against the Chargers this week, but with this
kind of volume, he should have a nice floor.
With Quinshon Judkins breaking his leg, Sanders saw the most
carries for the Browns, rushing for 11-42-0 and catching his only
target for 4 yards. Sampson didn’t practice all week and didn’t
suit up against the Bills, but would be the preferred option if
he’s good to go against the Steelers. Sanders would be an emergency
option only.
Audric Estime/Devin Neal, NO vs NYJ: With Devin Neal going on
IR, Estime led all RBs in touches with 5-19-0 rushing and 4-3-17-0
receiving, but he was overshadowed by Taysom Hill (who had 16
touches). As a result, Estime will be tough to trust against the
Titans this week.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt/Chris Rodriguez Jr., WAS vs PHI: See above
for Rodriguez. Croskey-Merritt rushed for 8-25-1 in a loss to
the Eagles, as Rodriguez is the clear starter. They’ll face
the Cowboys this week.
With Davante Adams nursing a hamstring injury, Mumpfield saw
more work, and was 2nd on the team in targets (8), catching 3
for 40 yards. It appears Adams won’t be back against the Falcons,
who have allowed the 9th-most points to WRs.
Franklin had a decent 5-4-66-0 stat line in a surprising loss
to the Jaguars. He should have a decent floor against a reeling
Chiefs team that he caught 4 balls for 84 yards against in Week
11.
Tucker had a modest 5-4-43-0 line to lead the Raiders WR corps
in receiving against a tough Texans secondary. The Raiders have
lost 9 straight, although he’s faced a brutal stretch where
his last five games were all matchups against defenses in the
bottom 8 of fantasy points allowed to WRs. He finally gets a great
matchup against a Giants defense that has allowed the 5th-most
points to the position.
Washington had a monster night against a tough Broncos defense,
leading the Jaguars in all receiving categories with a 10-6-145-1
fantasy line. We’ll see if he can keep it going against
a much softer Colts secondary that has allowed the 3rd-most fantasy
points to WRs.
With a ton of injuries in the backfield (Kamara, Neal, Miller),
Hill saw the most carries (12-42-0) and was 3rd on the team in
targets (6-4-36-0) in a big win over the Jets. This week, he’ll
face a vulnerable Titans defense, so the Swiss Army knife of football
players should see a decent touch floor.
Strange had a great game in a big win over the Broncos, going
7-5-39-1 as the red-hot Jaguars won their 6th straight game. Up
next, he gets a positive matchup against a Colts team that has
is in the top 10 in yards and receptions allowed to TEs.
Loveland has had a solid floor, but rather low ceiling, in the
second half of the year, with at least 4 targets but no more than
7 in his last ten games. He went 4-3-30-0 in the overtime win
over the Packers. He should have an easier time against the 49ers,
who are tied for 4th-most TDs to TEs.
Adonai Mitchell, NYJ @ NO: Mitchell led the team in targets (6),
but was only able to convert 3 into receptions, for 43 yards.
The entire Jets offense is struggling with Brady Cook at QB. Up
next, he’ll face a Patriots defense that is middle-of-the-pack
against WRs, but it should be much tougher given the QB situation.
Jayden Reed, GB @ CHI: Reed had a modest 3-3-35-0 receiving line
in an overtime loss to the Bears. With Jordan Love dealing with
a concussion and Malik Willis at the helm, the Packers will likely
try to run the ball as much as possible, even though the Ravens
are a positive matchup for WRs.
Ricky Pearsall, SF @ IND: Although they have yet to play tonight,
Pearsall unfortunately has been ruled out with a knee injury.
He’ll look to get back for a positive matchup versus the
Bears.
Luther Burden III, CHI vs GB: Burden couldn’t practice
all week and was ruled out before kickoff to the Packers. He’ll
get a chance to suit up against the 49ers but he’ll have
to start practicing first.
TE Colby
Parkinson, LAR vs SEA: Parkinson couldn’t get much going in
a shootout against the Seahawks, putting up a 4-2-21-0 receiving
line and watched Terrance Ferguson spike a touchdown in the loss.
He gets a tough matchup against the Falcons this week.
TE Oronde
Gadsden II, LAC @ DAL: A week after leading the Chargers in
receiving yards, Gadsden was outproduced by Will Dissly after
catching his only target for 7 yards in a big win over the Cowboys.
He’ll face a tough Texans defense this week.
TE Darren Waller, MIA vs CIN: Waller had a monster game against
the Steelers, but couldn’t duplicate it with Quinn Ewers
at the helm in a blowout loss to the Bengals, going for 5-3-40-0.
He gets another great matchup against the Bucs this week, but
it’s questionable if he can take advantage with Ewers at
the controls.
Defense/ Special Teams
Giants @ LV
The Giants D/ST did everything they could, including 4 sacks,
2 turnovers and a return TD, but still came up short against the
Vikings. They should be able to have another nice game against
a Raiders team that has given up the 3rd-most points to the position,
as they’ve allowed the most sacks and scored the fewest
points.
Lions @ MIN
The Lions struggled a bit in a disappointing loss to the Steelers,
getting 2 sacks and a turnover but giving up 29 points. Up next,
they’ll get a Vikings team that has given up the most points
to opposing defenses, including the most interceptions. If J.J.
McCarthy (hand) can’t go on a short week, facing Max Brosmer
would be a big bonus, as he threw 4 interceptions in his only
start of the year.
Patriots @ NYJ
The Patriots had a decent outing against the Ravens on Sunday
Night Football, getting a sack and 2 turnovers in a big road win.
This week they’ll face a Jets team that has allowed the
6th-most points to the position, but just got routed by the Saints
as UDFA rookie Brady Cook has struggled.
Other D/ST to consider: Titans vs NO
Last week’s waiver adds:
Saints vs NYJ: The Saints defense delivered
a win by getting 8 sacks, 2 turnovers and holding the Jets to
6 points. If you picked them up you can run them out again this
week against a Titans team that has allowed the 8th-most points
to DSTs.
Bills @ CLE: It was a closer game than expected,
but the Bills still managed 3 sacks and 2 turnovers in a win over
the Browns. They’ll face a tough Eagles team this week.
Chiefs @ TEN: The Titans only allowed 2 sacks
in a win over the defending AFC champions, as the Chiefs struggled
to move the ball with their 3rd string quarterback playing, which
put more pressure on their defense. They won’t be a recommended
option against the division-rival Broncos this week.
