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Welcome to the Week 15 edition of Waiver Wired for the 2021 season. Currently in the thick of the fantasy playoffs, we’ll direct all of our attention to winning the week while keeping in mind a handful of stash ideas for the Fantasy Championship. We’ll also sift through ongoing injury and COVID situations to ensure all of our ducks are in a row during the most important stretch of the season.
As a refresher, The Drop List consists of players who are rostered in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and are no longer must-have assets, recommended additions are available in over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, the Watch List contains in-depth notes on fringe waiver adds, and Deep Cuts includes player notes on those rostered in five percent or fewer of Yahoo leagues.
The Drop List
The fantasy playoffs are prime for parting ways with basically any player who won’t cut it in your starting lineup this week or, more reasonably, those who have to jump multiple hoops for direct opportunity. You should look to prioritize winning in Week 15 — even if that means cutting a tried and true FLEX play for a stronger streaming option — then avert your focus to stashing any and all high-upside players. Courtland Sutton, for example, is an easy candidate to part with since he’s been useless for fantasy with 3.3 targets per game since Jerry Jeudy returned in Week 8. Same goes for Carson Wentz, Emmanuel Sanders, Allen Robinson, Marvin Jones, and Kenny Golladay. This is also the time of the year when stashing multiple defenses isn’t a crime since the primary goal is to win every matchup over the next 3-4 weeks.
Overall Top 5
1. Rashaad Penny
2. Gabriel Davis
3. DeVante Parker
4. Ameer Abdullah
5. Malcolm Brown
Deep League Top 5
1. Rashaad Penny
2. Gabriel Davis
3. Malcolm Brown
4. Duke Johnson
5. Craig Reynolds
For those looking to roster the best available player(s) regardless of position, the rankings above take into account every factor from the positional lists minus players’ actual positions for both recreational and deep league (FFPC, NFFC, 20-player rosters, etc.) formats, the latter which have far fewer viable players available with every passing week. These are listed in the precise order I would prioritize waiver claims in those leagues ahead of Week 15. Adjust accordingly for what you need on your roster to win this week and over the course of the fantasy playoffs.
End-of-Roster Top 10
1. D’Ernest Johnson
2. Darrel Williams
3. Samaje Perine
4. Wayne Gallman
5. Khalil Herbert
6. Devontae Booker
7. Ronald Jones
8. Eno Benjamin
9. Peyton Barber
10. Carlos Hyde
The time has come to stop rostering backups to our own starters and, rather, target reserves with the most potential opportunity if a door or two randomly opened. That’s why the above list was carefully assembled to highlight league-winners (available in a majority of leagues) in the event the player ahead of them misses any time. Presumed snaps, carries, targets, and the play-calling each are tied to have been factored in. They’re chronologically listed in the precise order I would stash them for the fantasy playoffs, though managers should obviously feel free to adjust accordingly.
Quarterbacks
1. Tua Tagovailoa
2. Justin Fields
3. Ben Roethlisberger
Running Backs
Chase Edmonds rostered in 79 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 RB add if available.
1. Rashaad Penny
2. Ameer Abdullah
3. Malcolm Brown
4. Duke Johnson
5. Kenneth Gainwell
6. Craig Reynolds
Wide Receivers
1. Gabriel Davis
2. DeVante Parker
3. K.J. Osborn
4. Kendrick Bourne
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown
6. Donovan Peoples-Jones
Tight Ends
1. Gerald Everett
2. Foster Moreau
Defense/Special Teams
1. Miami Dolphins
2. Las Vegas Raiders
3. Houston Texans
Kickers
1. Dustin Hopkins
2. Jason Sanders
3. Robbie Gould
4. Brandon McManus
QUARTERBACKS
1. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins — Rostered in 34 percent of Yahoo leagues
Miami, already averaging the fifth-highest pass play rate in one-score situations since Tagovailoa returned in Week 11, should be afforded even more volume through the air this week since their running backs room is depleted (scroll down). The Jets shouldn’t offer any pushback to that approach, as proven in allowing top-12 finishes to Gardner Minshew (QB10) and Taysom Hill (QB4) in their last two games. For that reason, Tua is arguably a safer option than Taysom Hill (against Tampa Bay) in Week 15.
2. Justin Fields, Bears — Rostered in 19 percent of Yahoo Leagues
Fields scored 18.1, 25.3, and 18.4 fantasy points in his last three full starts because he’s averaged a rocked-up nine carries and 74 rushing yards in those performances including 21 scrambles off script. Having allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, the Vikings are an ideal matchup for Fields to continue his high floor trends.
3. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers — Rostered in 22 percent of Yahoo Leagues
Even in digging holes for the Steelers to crawl out of over the last three weeks, Ben Roethlisberger has properly carried on the torch of Garbage Time King in the fourth quarter, completing 33-of-43 (76.7%) passes for 447 yds (10.3 YPA), five touchdowns, and zero interceptions in that time. His 39 attempts per game across the last month should continue into Sunday given Tennessee’s lackluster 23.5% pressure rate (23rd-overall) since Week 10.
Watch List: Lamar Jackson is reportedly dealing with a low-ankle sprain and thus unclear for Sunday. If unable to go, note that Tyler Huntley averaged 6.5 carries in his two interim spots for Jackson this year...Gardner Minshew should settle into another elite matchup against Washington, permitting a league-high in fantasy points per game to enemy quarterbacks, if Jalen Hurts (ankle) can’t go.
RUNNING BACKS
1. Rashaad Penny, Seahawks — Rostered in 23 percent of Yahoo leagues
When asked if Penny is going to continue filling the lead role in Seattle’s backfield, Pete Carroll’s response was telling:
Penny was afforded a career-high 16 (out of 25 running back) carries for the Seahawks without Adrian Peterson (back) available on Sunday and should continue surging in usage behind the scenes as long as the veteran remains sidelined (and Penny himself stays healthy). Even if Penny busts against the Rams in Week 15, having him on your bench ahead of Seattle’s juicy matchup against the Lions in the Fantasy Championship is well worth prioritizing him above all else on waivers.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 10-team leagues
Injuries to be ahead of for waiver bids this evening:
— John Daigle (@notJDaigle) December 14, 2021
(Maybe available):
* Fuller = DeVante Parker
* DJ Moore = Robby A
* Eli Mitchell = Wilson
* Damien = Rhamondre
* Thielen = Osborn
(Likely available):
* AP = Penny
* Sanders = Gabe Davis
* Dolphins RBs = Brown, Duke
2. Ameer Abdullah, Panthers — Rostered in 11 percent of Yahoo leagues
Abdullah notably out-snapped Chuba Hubbard 38 to 25 (including 11 to 2 on third down) in the duo’s first game together in place of Christian McCaffrey, the former seeing 100% of the Panthers’ backfield targets (4) on Sunday. With the Bucs, Bills, and Saints — three defenses that rank top-12 in adjusted fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs — on deck through Week 17, managers should expect a full heaping of Abdullah over Hubbard as a high floor option in the negative game scripts Carolina will inevitably face in that stretch.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 10-team PPR leagues
3. Malcolm Brown, Dolphins – Rostered in 2 percent of Yahoo leagues
4. Duke Johnson, Dolphins – Rostered in 0 percent of Yahoo leagues
You would absolutely start a(ny) lead back against the Jets’ front-seven, permitting a league-high 31.3 touches and 27.7 fantasy points per game to enemy runners, and don’t pretend otherwise. The issue is that Miami’s availability is murky since Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, and Phillip Lindsay all tested positive for COVID and Malcolm Brown (hamstring) remains on injured reserve; Duke Johnson and Gerrid Doaks are on the practice squad if Brown, who is expected to practice this week, isn’t activated ahead of Sunday. If this situation shakes out sooner rather than later, I would prioritize Miami’s lead back in the above order over Ameer Abdullah for Week 15.
Recommendation: Whomever starts should be rostered in 12-team leagues
5. Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles – Rostered in 13 percent of Yahoo leagues
Note that Gainwell was out-touched 27 to 9 by Miles Sanders until the latter rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter before the bye, allowing Gainwell to churn out eight more carries to close the game. There was also no need to bring Sanders back in at that time since the Eagles were padding a 30-18 lead. With 14 days to heal, it’s possible both Jordan Howard (knee) and Sanders are healthy and available for practice mid-week. Boston Scott, who previously worked behind Howard when all were at full strength, should also be healed from the illness that rendered him touchless in his last appearance. Assuming all are available, I rank them Sanders > Howard > Scott > Gainwell for the rest of the season.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues in the above order
6. Craig Reynolds, Lions – Rostered in 1 percent of Yahoo league
Reynolds was promoted from the practice squad in place of Jamaal Williams (COVID) and promptly led the Lions’ backfield in snaps (29, 46%) and touches (13) over Godwin Igwebuike (44% and 8). Keep in mind that Reynolds would only be a viable option in the short-term if D’Andre Swift (shoulder) and Williams were ruled out again. Otherwise managers should look to stash an End-of-Roster Top 10 player (scroll up) over any of Detroit’s fill-ins.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues if D’Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams (COVID) remain out
Deep Leagues: I understand you may have to roster Michael Carter given the current state of available bodies in the league, but he’s definitely not someone I’m looking to stash for the fantasy postseason. Even if Carter were activated from injured reserve this week, his role in his first game back against Miami is a conundrum to navigate in itself. The Jets are also faced with an impossible matchup against the Bucs in Week 17...Tennessee’s running backs literally split everything down the middle with Jeremy McNichols (27 snaps) back in the mix, seeing D’Onta Foreman out-carry (13) both Dontrell Hilliard (6) and McNichols (8). Although all are guaranteed to endure a hodge-podge of hit-or-miss roles to close the year, I rank them Foreman > McNichols > Hilliard if forced to choose...Friendly reminder D’Ernest Johnson handled 50 of Cleveland’s 57 backfield touches in two starts without Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (ankle, week-to-week) this year. Johnson is suddenly only one injury away from having to take on that role yet again in the fantasy postseason as a premier stash…With Alexander Mattison unvaccinated and out for Monday night (and perhaps the foreseeable future), Wayne Gallman and rookie Kene Nwangwu, the latter who has played just 11 snaps on offense all year, could be forced into Minnesota’s lineup in Week 16 if Dalvin Cook is injured against the Bears…Austin Ekeler (ankle) was reportedly held out for precautionary reasons in the second half against the Giants and is expected to return on Thursday night. If surprisingly sidelined, I rank his replacements Justin Jackson > Joshua Kelley > Larry Rountree.
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WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Gabriel Davis, Bills – Rostered in 3 percent of Yahoo leagues
With Emmanuel Sanders (knee, week-to-week) sidelined for the foreseeable future, Davis’ season-highs in snaps (65, 83%) and targets (8, 14.8%) from Sunday should carry over in place of the veteran akin to Davis’ usage without John Brown last year. Even if it doesn’t, it’s possible to backdoor touchdowns from Davis since he’s led the Bills in red zone (6) and end zone (4) targets the past two weeks.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 10-team leagues for however long Emmanuel Sanders (knee) is out
2. DeVante Parker, Dolphins – Rostered in 46 percent of Yahoo leagues
Parker was only deployed for a season-low 71% of Miami’s snaps before the bye, mustering a 12.1% target share as a part-time player. Now 14 days removed from his last game action, Parker should mirror Jaylen Waddle in snaps in a glorious spot against New York’s secondary, which has been pummeled for 8.6 yards per attempt to opposing wideouts.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 10-team leagues
3. K.J. Osborn, Vikings – Rostered in 38 percent of Yahoo leagues
Osborn has logged 130-of-146 snaps in place of Adam Thielen (high-ankle sprain) the past two games, registering a 17% and 29% target share in back-to-back appearances. Slide Osborn to the back of the line behind Kendrick Bourne and Amon-Ra St. Brown (see below) if Thielen forces his way onto the field Monday night.
Recommendation: Both should be rostered in 12-team leagues if Adam Thielen (high-ankle sprain) is out
4. Kendrick Bourne, Patriots – Rostered in 31 percent of Yahoo leagues
It’s been two whole weeks since we’ve seen Bourne do anything at all, but he remains a high-floor option out of New England’s bye if only for his 18.6% target share accrued in five performances prior to #Windgate against the Bills.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions – Rostered in 12 percent of Yahoo leagues
St. Brown has separated from the rest of the pack as Jared Goff’s go-to receiver since Week 13, running 81 routes to Josh Reynolds’ 71 with 24 targets (!!!) in that stint. We should expect the former’s voluminous opportunity to continue into Week 15 given that the Lions are 13.5-point home dogs against Arizona.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues
6. Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns – Rostered in 10 percent of Yahoo leagues
DPJ is purely an opportunity-based flier since the Browns will likely be without Jarvis Landry (COVID), Anthony Schwartz (concussion), and all three tight ends on the active roster in Saturday’s short turnaround against the Raiders. Peoples-Jones admittedly lacks a ceiling in this matchup since Cleveland will be forced to keep Baker Mayfield upright without 3-of-5 starting o-linemen.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in deep 12-team leagues
Deep Leagues: After being used behind both Devin Duvernay and Sammy Watkins in Week 13, Rashod Bateman oddly ran the second-most routes for the Ravens on Sunday. The uptick in usage is enough to add him wherever possible just in case one of your starters joins the rest of the National Football League on the COVID list...Ben Skowronek would replace Odell Beckham in 11 personnel if the latter isn’t cleared in time for Sunday...Nico Collins logged a season-high 57 snaps (70%) in negative game script against Seattle, registering a 20.4% target share behind Brandin Cooks’ 22.4% share. The Jaguars have sneakily limited opposing wideouts to the 11th-fewest fantasy points on the year but have been pillaged for 9.0 yards per attempt by that position when targeted...Breshad Perriman has played 55% of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps the past two weeks compared to Tyler Johnson‘s 37%, which seems significant to note since it’s unclear whether Antonio Brown will even be on the team upon returning from suspension.
TIGHT ENDS
1. Gerald Everett, Seahawks — Rostered in 31 percent of Yahoo leagues
The fact Everett is one of our safest streaming options in Week 15 tells you exactly how pathetic the position is. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old has averaged 5.8 targets in five games out of Seattle’s bye, ranking second on the team in red zone targets (5) in that stretch. Here’s to hoping he reaches pay dirt for the second straight game against Los Angeles.
2. Foster Moreau, Raiders — Rostered in 20 percent of Yahoo leagues
Moreau actually leads all of Las Vegas’ skill players in snaps (90.4%) the past three weeks, somehow mustering just 14 targets for 5/50 receiving in place of Darren Waller (knee, week-to-week) in that span. Moreau is merely an every-down touchdown-or-bust option to lean on while Waller, who has yet to practice since suffering his injury in Week 12, is out.
Deep Leagues: Even in out-targeting Jimmy Graham 23-7 in Chicago’s last three games, Cole Kmet has seen fewer red zone targets (3-2) than the former since the Bears don’t use Kmet in that area of the field. He’s a reasonable option if you’re looking for a reception floor but should not be counted on for his (non-existent) ceiling...With six targets in back-to-back games for the hopeless Jaguars, it’s now or never for James O’Shaughnessy against Houston’s 25th-ranked defense covering opposing tight ends. Godspeed.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
1. Miami Dolphins – Rostered in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues
The Dolphins are only available in a majority of leagues because they were on bye last week and those who previously rostered them didn’t think to look ahead to their upcoming schedule against Zach Wilson, Taysom Hill, and Ryan Tannehill. Miami should be the highest priority at their position whether you’re rostering for Week 15 or beyond.
2. Las Vegas Raiders – Rostered in 20 percent of Yahoo leagues
Las Vegas, quietly top-four in creating pressure this year, can’t possibly screw this up against a Browns o-line sans starting LT Jedrick Wills and RG Wyatt Teller.
3. Houston Texans – Rostered in 5 percent of Yahoo leagues
Trevor Lawrence’s passing numbers out of Jacksonville’s bye: 142-of-250 (56.8%) attempts, 1,270 yards (5.0 YPA), two touchdowns, six picks.
Week 15: Don’t make the same mistake as last week’s Dolphins managers and drop the Chargers because they face the Chiefs on Thursday. Hold because Los Angeles takes on the Texans and Broncos beyond that game...Eagles, rostered in over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, become interesting since Taylor Heinicke is suddenly battling a knee injury and is presumably less mobile.
Week 16 (in order): Eagles against Mike Glennon and the Giants…Miami opposite Taysom Hill and New Orleans’ lackluster offense…Chargers versus Davis Mills…San Francisco against Tennessee.
Week 17 (in order): San Francisco’s turn to tee off on Davis Mills…Miami against the Titans…Eagles (for a second time) against Washington...Chicago versus Mike Glennon...Seattle opposite Jared Goff and Detroit.
KICKERS
Only a fool wouldn’t pass the ball to Michael Jordan in his prime, so it only makes sense that I pull each week’s kicker streamers from Denny Carter’s column and #adjust them accordingly. For in-depth analysis, you can read his entire piece here:
1. Dustin Hopkins, Chargers– Rostered in 35 percent of Yahoo leagues
2. Jason Sanders, Dolphins – Rostered in 14 percent of Yahoo league
3. Robbie Gould, 49ers – Rostered in 25 percent of Yahoo league
4. Brandon McManus, Broncos – Rostered in 43 percent of Yahoo leagues
