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.
We can’t deny what Browning has been able to do off the bench
for the Bengals. He has three-straight games with multiple touchdowns,
making him a legitimate streaming option in Week 16 if you’ve
been hit by the injury bug at QB (who hasn’t?).
Rodgers has been linked with possibly returning from his Achilles
injury suffered Week 1; he has been designated to return and he’ll
have to be activated by Wednesday or he’ll be out for the
year. With the Jets being all but eliminated from the playoffs
it doesn’t make sense to rush him back, but if he decides
to play, he would get a cupcake matchup against the Commanders.
Matthew Stafford, LAR vs WAS: Stafford had another nice game,
throwing for 258-2-0 against the lowly Commanders. Up next, he
gets a much tougher assignment against the Saints. You likely
have better options.
Joe Flacco, CLE vs CHI: Flacco has been announced as the starter
for the remainder of the year, and he put together a 374-2-3 line
against the Bears in a comeback victory. Up next is a mediocre
matchup against the Texans, as they’ve allowed the 7th most
yards but fewest passing TDs in the league.
Gibson has seen more high-value touches with Brian Robinson Jr.
being out with a hamstring injury. This week he went 4-15-0 rushing
and 5-5-20-0 receiving in a loss to the Rams. Up next is a game
against the Jets and their bottom-10 defense against RBs.
CEH has had solid outings the last two games with Isaiah Pacheco
sidelined. In Week 15 he went 13-37-0 on the ground and 4-4-64-1
through the air against the Patriots. Up next is a much easier
matchup against the Raiders, whom Pacheco gashed for 2 TDs in
their Week 12 matchup. If Pacheco can’t go again, fire up
CEH with confidence.
Ty Chandler,
MIN @ CIN: Chandler had a massive game as the starter against
the Bengals, going 23-132-1 on the ground and 4-3-25-0 through
the air. If Alexander Mattison is out again with an ankle injury,
Chandler will face another high workload against the Lions.
Zamir White, LV vs LAC: White was strong in relief of the injured
Josh Jacobs, rushing for 17-69-1 in a blowout win over the Chargers.
He also caught 3 of 4 targets for 16 yards. Up next is another
divisional opponent in the Chiefs; if Jacobs is still out, White
could be called upon again to carry the load.
Samuel has strung together three double-digit PPR games in a
row, going 9-5-41-2 against the Rams. Up next is a very tough
matchup against the Jets, but Samuel has shown the ability to
deliver as the WR2 in the Commanders pass-heavy offense.
Palmer came off IR to go 4-4-113-1 against the Raiders in their
blowout loss on Thursday Night Football. Keenan Allen was out
with a heel injury, and if he sits again Palmer should have a
fine showing against the Bills as they’ll most likely be coming
from behind again.
UPDATE:Parker
Washington and Jamal
Agnew, JAX @ TB: With Christian Kirk done for the
year and Zay Jones looking iffy with a hamstring injury, it's
next man up for Jacksonville. Washington is most likely to see
a target uptick, as he's had 12 receptions for 100 yards and 2
TDs over the last three games (his first targeted games of the
year). Agnew has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries
(only 5 games with touches), but went 2-2-70-1 on 10 snaps in
Week 15. Both are risky plays but they're going up against a porous
Bucs secondary that has allowed at least two WRs to score double-digit
PPR points in half of their games, so there is a path to relevance
if Jones sits.
Henry has scored 3 TDs in his last two games, and led the Patriots
in all receiving categories in a loss to the Chiefs. Up next is
a date against the Broncos, who have allowed the most TDs, 4th-most
receptions, and 2nd-most yards to TEs.
Otton has been relatively quiet, but after going 2-2-44-0 in
a blowout win over the Packers, he gets a much easier matchup
against the Jaguars, who have allowed the 5th-most receptions
and 4th-most yards to TEs.
Odell Beckham
Jr. BAL @ JAX: OBJ had a dud against the forgiving Jaguars,
going 3-1-14-0 (even though he was 3rd on the team in targets).
Up next is a tough 49ers defense, but one that has given up the
6th-most receptions to WRs as teams are forced to throw when coming
from behind.
Isaiah Likely, BAL @ JAX: Likely just keeps producing with Mark
Andrews out, going 6-5-70-1 against the Jaguars. Up next is the
tough 49ers defense in a potential Super Bowl preview.
Logan Thomas, WAS @ LAR: Thomas had another poor showing against
the Rams, catching one pass (3 targets) for 7 yards. Up next is
a much tougher game against the Jets where he won’t be a
recommended option.
Defense/ Special Teams
Broncos vs NE
The Broncos had a rough day at the office, giving up 42 points
to the Lions in a blowout defeat. Prior to that, they had been
playing much better on defense, as they’d only allowed 17.9
points per game since the 70 point debacle against the Dolphins.
In Week 16 they face the Patriots, who have scored the fewest
points in the NFL, and have the 3rd-most INTs and 2nd-most D/ST
TDs allowed.
Packers @ CAR
The Packers got 5 sacks and a turnover in a loss against the
Buccaneers. Up next is a great matchup against a Carolina offense
that has allowed the 4th-most sacks, scored the 4th-fewest points,
and is tied for 2nd in defensive TDs allowed.
Texans vs CLE
The Texans got 7 sacks and a turnover while holding the Titans
to 10 points in their Week 15 win. Up next is a game against the
Browns, who have thrown the most INTs and allowed the 4th-most
fumble recoveries, leading the league in turnovers. They’re
also tied for 2nd in most D/ST TDs allowed.
Last week’s waiver adds:
Rams vs WAS: The Rams defense struggled a bit
against the most forgiving Commanders offense, only generating
1 sack and an INT. Up next is a tougher matchup against the Saints.
Falcons @ CAR: Atlanta only managed 3 sacks
and no turnovers, and only holding the Panthers to 9 points wasn’t
good enough to get the victory. Up next is a game against the
Colts.
Colts vs PIT: The Colts got back into the win
column with a 30-13 beatdown of the Steelers. The defense led
the way with 4 sacks and 3 turnovers. Up next is another positive
matchup against the Falcons.
