Fantasy Football Week 16 - Top Waiver Wire Adds

Fantasy Football Week 16 - Top Waiver Wire Adds

Every Tuesday afternoon I'll send this sheet out to the interwebs, highlighting this week's top waiver wire pick-ups.
Criteria to Make this List:
  • All players must be owned in less than 50% of Yahoo Leagues.
  • FAAB is based on $100 budget. Y'all can do the simple math if your league isn't $100... The first bullet for each player is how much I would recommend spending on your league.
  • Is this FA Worthy of your top waiver wire claim?​ The second bullet is whether or not I would recommend spending your #1 WW claim on this player.

Sorry for any typos, I'v g0t no tyme to proophread.

Quarterbacks

    Tyrod Taylor (38% Owned) - Bills @ New England Patriots

    • $2-4
    • I would NOT use #1 claim.
    • The year of TyGod is back in full swing. After sitting out Week 14, Taylor came back to throw for 224 yards and touchdown along with 42 rushing yards and another score, taking care of the Miami Dolphins during the wildcard playoff push.
    • While there's no doubt the Patriots defense has taken a complete 180 swing since the beginning of the szn, they still rank in the bottom of the NFL in most defensive statistical categories. They're allowing the 4th most passing yards per game (255.1), the 5th most fantasy points per game (19.2) and the 7th most rushing yards per game to opposing QBs (18.2). Tyrod has rushed for at least 27 yards in 6 straight games scoring 3 times during the span. 
    • Taylor's been pretty good on his own right, for some reason people just don't want to believe it. Over his last 6 games, that he's actually played a full game at QB (so 20 pass attempts or more), Taylor is averaging 19.82 fantasy point per, which is totally usable if not great for a streaming option. You could absolutely do worse then TT in your chip. 

    Eli Manning (33% Owned) - Giants @ Arizona Cardinals

    • $1-3
    • I would NOT use #1 claim.
    • Eli's 434 pasing yards on Sunday were his highest total since Week 5 of 2015. The three touchdowns marked the second time hitting that number this szn, both coming against the Eagles. He'll get an easier matchup on Sunday as they travel to Arizona to take on a Cards d that's given up the 8th most fantasy points to the QB position.
    • Eli might be my least favorite of the QBs on this list to stream in Week 16, but I think he has a solid 200-yard, 2 touchdown floor in this one. Surprisingly, Manning has averaged more fantasy points on the road this szn than at home.

    Nick Foles (26% Owned) - Eagles vs. Oakland Raiders

    • $5-8
    • I would NOT use #1 claim.
    • Foles was an obvious streaming option in Week 15 against one of the NFL's worst pass defenses in the Giants. He didn't disappoint throwing for 237 yards and 4 touchdowns. This week should be no different as they get a home game versyus the Oakland Raiders.
    • It took the Raiders secondary 14 weeks to register their first interception of the szn, but have since totaled 3 picks over their last two and have actually looked somewhat improved. Regardless, the Eagles have too much fire power in this offense and Foles looks super comfortable marching downfield with these weapons to shy away from him.
    • The Raiders rank in the bottom-10 in passing yards allowed per game and have given up the 4th most passing plays of 40+ yards this year and this Philly offense is one that can take advantage of an open secondary. Foles is a top-10 option this week.

    Joe Flacco (18% Owned) - Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

    • $1-3
    • I would NOT use #1 claim.
    • Yeah, I'd hate me too. But the numbers line up. 
    • Flacco's been a roll as of late, throwing for at least 269 yards in three straight games and gets arguably the single best matchup you could ask for in a fantasy championship week, the Colts at home. His 288 passing yards in Week 15 were his highest number since Week 14 of last szn. After averaging less than 30 pass attempts over the team's first 8 games, this offense is starting to come together both on the ground and through the air. That number has risen to 37.5 pass attempts/game for Flacco over their last 6. 
    • All the Colts do is let opposing QBs wash them. Our latest example being BROCK OSWEILER this week. Indy make Brock look like an NFL quarterback, that's not easy to do. He finished the game with more than 25 fantasy points. Blake Bortles posted similar numbers two weeks prior.
    • The Ravens should take care of this Colts team without a problem and I think Flacco, like Eli, gives you a safe 200-yard, 2-TD floor with upside given the lack of personnel on this Colts d.

            Running Backs

              Mike Davis (48% Owned) - Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys

              • $6-10
              • I would NOT use #1 claim.
              • Zamn I was really high on Davis this week. Who woulda thunk the Hawks-Rams game would turn out like it did. A 42-7 lose led to Davis and really any Seattle RB becoming a non-factor. Any normal game script would've seen Davis dominate this backfield, which is something I'd expect in Week 16 in Dallas.
              • The Cowboys allow the 6th most yards per carry (4.3) to opponents so I'm looking for a solid bounce-back game for MD. He's a flex option for your chip.

              Kerwynn Williams (35% Owned) - Cardinals vs. NYG

              • $8-12
              • I would NOT use #1 claim.
              • Williams left Week 15 with a quad injury after carrying the rock 17 times for 61 yards in Washington. Since AP's been goneeeeee yaahhhhh I can't breathe for the firsttt... sorry. KWilly's averaged 18 touches per in the three games since. With AP headed to the IR, that spot is Williams' for the next two weeks as long as he's good to go in Week 16.
              • Assuming that's the case, he gets a great matchup at home against the Giants who've been killed by backs all year, allowing the 4th most FPs to the position in 2017. 
              • On the year, there have been 10 starting RBs that have seen 15+ touches against the G-Men, those 10 backs have averaged 112 scrimmaged yards per game. They haven't let up a ton of TDs to the position, but they're very susceptible to big plays having allowed the 3rd most rushing plays of 20+ yards this year.
              • If he's active, K-Will is a solid flex in Week 16.

                Wayne Gallman Jr. (5% Owned) - Giants @ Arizona Cardinals

                • $1-4
                • This is purely out of desperation, for those of you maybe in 14-team leagues, etc. Week 15 was the second straight (3rd time in last 4) game in which Gallman has lead the NYG backfield in snaps and touches. He has 33 total touches over their last two games, running for 98 yards on 20 carries (4.9 ypc) while catching 13 passes for 80 yards. He's not getting the goal-line work right now, but if he keeps playing well on all three downs, it doesn't seem like they'd have a reason to take him off the field. With the szn completely lost, it makes sense to see what they've got in their 4th round rookie out of Clemson.
                • He's shaping up to be a solid PPR floor play in Week 16. The Cardinals are allowing over 45 receiving yards and the 7th most (5.8) receptions per game to opposing RBs on the year. The Cardinals could be without ILB Karlos Dansby this week too, after exiting Sunday's game with a calf injury after registering two sacks.

                      Wide Receivers

                          Dede Westbrook (44% Owned) - Jaguars @ SF 49ers

                          • $8-10
                          • I WOULD use #1 claim.
                          • There's a decent chance I ruined between 75-100 peoples fantasy szn's by telling them to start Dede Westbrook in Week 15. I'm here to own up to my L's -- and double down!!!!
                          • Dede shit the bed, no other way to say it. In a great matchup, with Marqise Lee going down with an ankle injury, Westy disappointed big time catching just two balls for 21 yards while fellow Jags WRs Keelan Cole and Jaydon Mickens exploded. 
                          • The day should've been much bigger. DW forced two defensive penalties in the endzone on the Texans, both of which led to Jacksonville TDs...not to him.
                          • Lee's injury is not as serious as previously expected and he's expected to return before the playoffs, but I think it still puts him as a long shot to suit in Week 16 as the team travels to San Fran in a plus matchup. After leading the team in targets, receptions and yards from Weeks 12-14, I expect a bounce back game for the Jags WR1.
                          • If Lee is out, I expect an 8-target floor for the breakout rookie with a decent chance of finding paydirt.

                            Mike Wallace (40% Owned) - Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

                            • $8-12
                            • I WOULD use #1 claim.
                            • Mike Wall-Made-It did it again on Sunday, reeling in 6-of-10 targets for 89 yards. It's his 3rd straight game with 72+ receiving yards and he'll look to make it 4 with a home game against the Colts. Only six wideouts in the NFL have more receiving yards in that span than Wallace (277). 
                            • As I spoke on in Flacco's lil tidbit, the Ravens are airing the ball out way more in recent weeks. From Weeks 1-8 Flacco was throwing the ball less than 30 times per game, that number has been juts below 38 over their last 6.
                            • Among the 60 WRs in the NFL with at least 35 receptions this szn, Wallace's 15.1 yards per reception and 14.1 average depth of target ranked 13th and 19th. It's going to be tough for this banged up Colts secondary to cover the speedster given their propesntiy to give up big plauys. Not only are they allowing the 3rd most passing yards per game to opponents (257.1), they are the single worst team in terms of yards per attempt (8.3), in passing plays allowed of 20+ yards (61) and 29th in passing plays allowed of 40+ yards (11).
                            • Wallace is my favorite WR pick up for the chip.

                            Tyrell Williams (38% Owned) - Chargers @ New York Jets

                            • $5-6
                            • I would NOT use #1 claim.
                            • Silly Ty Willy has been anything but consistent this year. If you've followed me from the beginning of the summer you know I had a full hard-on for this guy entering the year. I'm looking to make back at least a little bit of revenue from my investment on the Chargers wideout.
                            • He's a high-ceiling, low-floor guy in this offense, but Rivers has played good enough to make him usable. Williams has 11 targets over his last two games, including a 4-catch, 132-yard, touchdown game in Week 14 against the Skins. He's found paydirt in 2-of-4 and has a fantastic matchup against the Jets this Sunday. 
                            • I went back and looked at the Jets previous five games to see who/what kind of players were beating them through the air. For the most part it was guys similar to Tyrell - long, lean and fast. Starting in Week 15 going back through Week 11 - Michael Thomas (9-93-1), Demaryius Thomas (8-93-1), Tyreke Hill (6-185-2), Travis Kelce (4-94-2), Devin Funchess (7-108) and DeSean Jackson (6-82). Most the damage comes on the outside, not to slot guys like Keenan Allen.
                            • I'm looking for Rivers to exploit Tyrell Williams' matchup on the outside and hit us with that 5-70-1 statline.

                            Keelan Cole (5% Owned) - Jaguars @ SF 49ers

                            • $0-1
                            • I would NOT use #1 claim.
                            • Introducing Keelan Cole....
                            • Cole is just another Jags WR stunningly producing high numbers despite being far below average in every measurable number for a WR. 
                            • Cole went nuts in Week 15, catching 7-of-9 targets for 186 yards and a score. With Marqise Lee exiting the game, Cole got all the opportunity he could handle. And handle he did.
                            • It's the third consecutive game that the 24-year old UDFA has found the endzone, compiling 334 receiving yards during the stretch. He's fantasy's WR3 from Week 13 through 15.
                            • If Lee were to sit again, Cole would be a full-time player in a very good matchup. I still tend to be weary when it comes to these types of players because their floor is so low, but it's another game I expect to see a high-level of production out of their QB.... and as the old saying goes, he has to throw to someone.

                            Tight Ends

                                Eric Ebron (43% Owned) - Lions @ Cincinnati Bengals

                                • $2-4
                                • I would NOT use my #1 claim.
                                • Ebron was garbage for most of 2017, but he's gotten way better, or at least usable in fantasy as of recent weeks. He's caught at least 4 passes in 5 straight games including 19 over his past 3.
                                • It's a tough matchup against the Bengals in Week 16, but the Bengals may again be without Vontaze Burfict after missing Week 15 with a concussion. Cincy has allowed the opposing TE to score in each of the past two games. Their defense is super banged up and they're not playing for anything, while the Lions still are.
                                • I like Ebron as a top-12 option for Week 16.

                                O.J. Howard (26% Owned) - Bucs @ Carolina Panthers

                                • $0-2
                                • I would NOT use my #1 claim.
                                • Howard started off with a bang against the Falcons, throwing up a 30-yard tuddy on his solo catch, only to leave the game with an ankle injury that happened once he crossed the goal line. Howard was seen in a walking boot after the game, so the extent of the injury is still unknown. 
                                • Howard has been more and more involved in the offense as the year's gone on, out-snapping and out-touching Cameron Brate for the last two and a half months. His TD on MNF was his second in as many games, and third in his last five. He's had double-digit fantasy point in 3/5 as well.
                                • If the stupid talented, elite prospect can be ready to suit up for their Week 16 in Carolina, he'll be a top-12 option. The Panthers have been good against TEs for the most part, but just allowed a 4-77-1 game to Richard Rogers this weekend following a 3-41-1 line from Kyle Rudolph in Week 14.
                                • However, if Howard isn't ready to roll, Cameron Brate (62% owned) becomes a top-12 option himself.

                                Ben Watson (14% Owned) - Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

                                • $1-2
                                • I would NOT use my #1 claim.
                                • Somehow Watson scored 0 fantasy points in a game where the Ravens scored 38 points in Week 14. Watson bounced back as he's done all szn, grabbing 4-of-4 targets for 74 yards and a touchdown. It's his second touchdown in three games.
                                • Flacco, Watson and the Ravens get an awesome matchup at home versus the Colts giving up the 3rd most passing yards per game. There's really no telling what you're going to get from Watson aon a weekly basis but most of his good games have come against bad defenses, including the Browns twice, Miami, Detroit. The Colts definitely belong to that group.

                                  Defense

                                    Washington Redskins vs. Denver Broncos (35% Owned)

                                    • $2-4
                                    • I would NOT use #1 claim.
                                    • Spread: WAS -3.5
                                    • Over/under: 41
                                    • When in doubt, stream against the Broncos. When really in doubt, stream against Brock Osweiler every change you get. Yeah I know Osweiler played like an actual QB last week, but I'd give it an 85% chance of relapse. He's a turnover machine and I think the Skins will expose that once again.
                                    • Coming off a szn-high 5 sacks against the Cardinals, the Skins will look to build on that. They've allowed just 25 total points in their last two home games. The Broncos have given up the single most fantasy points to opposing defenses and are averaging just over 18 points scored/game.

                                    Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns (25% Owned)

                                    • $0-1
                                    • I would NOT use #1 claim.
                                    • Spread: CHI -6.5
                                    • Over/under: 38.5
                                    • Only the Broncos have given up more fanatsy points to opponent's than the Browns. Cleveland's offense has scored just 12.8 points per game over their last five games, turning the ball over 13 times in those five games. As their trouble at QB continues, the Bears defense should eat em up at home.
                                    • A low scoring, big favorite at home is exactly what you look for in streaming defenses.
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