Fantasy Football: Playing the Waiver Wire for Week 15

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Week 14 was rough for a lot of Fantasy owners because of injuries, and if you managed to advance in your playoffs to Week 15 you could be looking to replace at least one prominent player on your roster. We hope there are options on the waiver wire to help fill the void.

We already know Andy Dalton (broken thumb), Thomas Rawls (broken ankle) and LeGarrette Blount (hip) are done for the season, and it appears like Vincent Jackson (knee) won't return before Week 17 as well. And the injuries we're monitoring this week to players you might have been starting in the majority of leagues include Brian Hoyer (concussion), Jonathan Stewart (foot), T.J. Yeldon (ankle), Spencer Ware (ribs), DeSean Jackson (knee) and Tyler Eifert (concussion). Todd Gurley (knee), David Johnson (thigh) and Greg Olsen (foot) are also banged up, but their injuries aren't expected to keep them out in Week 15.

The options aren't great at quarterback with players owned in less than 50 percent of leagues, and Kirk Cousins might be your best bet as a replacement for Dalton. He has played well at home this season, and he faces the Bills in Washington on Sunday. AJ McCarron also didn't embarrass himself as Dalton's backup, and he gets all those weapons in Cincinnati now, especially if Eifert is healthy. For this week, you can also consider T.J. Yates with his matchup at Indianapolis, and I like his outlook better than McCarron since the Bengals will likely try to run on the 49ers.

Running back has some better choices, with four players all top priorities in Denard Robinson, Bryce Brown, Tim Hightower and Brandon Bolden, in that order. Robinson is the No. 1 running back to target with Yeldon expected to sit against the Falcons.

The Seahawks made things clear for us as Fantasy owners when they released DuJuan Harris on Tuesday. That opens the door for Brown to get a heavy workload in a favorable matchup with the Browns. It looks like Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) won't return for Week 15, and Brown should share carries with Fred Jackson, who will likely stay in his current role as a change-of-pace option.

In New Orleans, Hightower showed he can handle a heavy workload as the replacement for Mark Ingram (shoulder), who was placed on injured reserve last week. We like his matchup against the Lions in Week 15. And Bolden should see an increase in touches in tandem with James White now that Blount is out for the season. Bolden should be considered a flex option against the Titans.

At receiver, the two top options are Julian Edelman, who could return from his foot injury this week, and Tyler Lockett, who is playing great right now and catching passes from the hottest quarterback in the NFL in Russell Wilson. And Zach Miller is the No. 1 tight end for this week now that Martellus Bennett (ribs) is on injured reserve.

It's never fun to lose players to injuries, especially in the Fantasy playoffs. But at this time of year you just need to keep winning, so find the best player to help you advance and potentially win a title.

Quarterbacks

Injuries: Andy Dalton (thumb), Brian Hoyer (concussion) and Matt Hasselbeck (ribs)
Priority list (Add them in this order):

Kirk Cousins

ATL • QB • #8

Ownership percentage40 percent

Cousins is coming off a solid game at Chicago in Week 14 with 23 Fantasy points, and that bodes well for his outlook heading into Week 15 against the Bills. He has scored at least 23 Fantasy points in four of his past five home games, and Buffalo also has allowed multiple touchdowns to five of the past eight opposing quarterbacks, with Alex Smith and Hoyer each scoring at least 25 Fantasy points in the past three games. It helps that Cousins also has a favorable matchup at Philadelphia in Week 16 if you want to look ahead if you're trying to replace Dalton, and we hope Jackson is able to play this week. One concern for Cousins could be the Redskins running on the Bills, but he still looks like the best option on waivers in the majority of leagues based on his track record at home.

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T.J. Yates

HOU • QB • #2

Ownership percentage1 percent

Yates is expected to start for Hoyer this week, and he could be a solid starting option in two-quarterback leagues. He had 19 Fantasy points when he started for Hoyer in Week 11 in a tough matchup against the Jets, and this is a much better scenario against the Colts. Indianapolis is among the league leaders in Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks at 22.5 points per game, and Hoyer had 23 Fantasy points against the Colts in Week 5. And three of the past four quarterbacks to face Indianapolis have scored at least 23 Fantasy points. It will help Yates that the Texans can't run the ball, and he didn't have any issues connecting with DeAndre Hopkins, who scored twice against the Jets.

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AJ McCarron

CIN • QB • #4

Ownership percentage0 percent

McCarron is expected to start for the final three games of the regular season with Dalton out and potentially the playoffs, so hopefully he's up to the task. Our biggest concern with McCarron is keeping A.J. Green and Eifert playing at a high level, but hopefully he can help Fantasy owners as well, most likely in two-quarterback leagues. He had 19 Fantasy points filling in for Dalton against the Steelers in Week 14, including a 66-yard touchdown to Green. The positive for McCarron this week is he'll have nice weapons around him, especially if Eifert is healthy. But the negatives are the Bengals will likely lean on Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard this week, and the 49ers have only allowed one quarterback to score at least 20 Fantasy points at home, which was Joe Flacco in Week 6. And that includes matchups with Carson Palmer, Aaron Rodgers and Wilson. The Bengals also play at Denver in Week 16, so McCarron might be tough to trust in most standard leagues.

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Potential drop candidates: Matt Ryan (91 percent), Jameis Winston (88 percent) and Andrew Luck (86 percent)

Of note:

Ryan Fitzpatrick (74 percent) would easily be the best quarterback to add if he's still available on waivers. He has scored at least 29 points in three games in a row in a standard league, and he should have the chance for another quality outing at Dallas in Week 15.
Jay Cutler (75 percent) is also worth a look if he's still available on waivers. He scored 22 Fantasy points against the Redskins in Week 14, and that was his first game with at least 20 points since Week 10. But he had 21 Fantasy points against the Vikings in Week 8, and Minnesota has allowed multiple touchdowns to four of the past five opposing quarterbacks. It will help Cutler if the Vikings are still down several starters on defense, so keep an eye on the injury report for Minnesota this week.
Marcus Mariota (62 percent) would be risky to trust heading into New England this week, and the Patriots haven't allowed a quarterback to score 20 Fantasy points at home since Week 7. But Mariota has found a way to score at least 20 Fantasy points in four of his past six games, including three in a row. It was fluky in Week 14 at the Jets because he caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Antonio Andrews, but he could just be that kind of player that makes things happen even in dire situations. I'd be OK with him in a two-quarterback league this week.
Peyton Manning (57 percent) could be an option if you want to go that route with his matchup this week at Pittsburgh. First, you have to see if he's able to return from his foot injury, and if the Broncos will go back to him over Brock Osweiler, who finally lost his first game as a starter in Week 14 against Oakland. Manning also was bad as a Fantasy quarterback this season with only two games of at least 20 Fantasy points, and the last time he scored that many points was in Week 3. But the matchup would be favorable since Pittsburgh has allowed three of the past five quarterbacks to score at least 19 Fantasy points, and Manning could be helpful in two-quarterback leagues if he plays.

Running backs

Injuries: Thomas Rawls (ankle), LeGarrette Blount (hip), Todd Gurley (knee), Jonathan Stewart (foot), T.J. Yeldon (ankle), Spencer Ware (ribs) and David Johnson (thigh)
Priority list (Add them in this order):

Denard Robinson

JAC • RB • #16

Ownership percentage7 percent

It appears like Yeldon is going to be out this week since the Jaguars signed Jonas Gray as insurance. Robinson will be the starter, and he should take advantage of his matchup this week with the Falcons at home. He had 14 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown in Week 14 against the Colts after Yeldon got hurt, and Atlanta has allowed a running back to score double digits in Fantasy points in four games in a row, with five rushing touchdowns over that span. Last year, Robinson had four games with at least 15 carries, and he scored at least 11 Fantasy points in a standard league in each outing. I like Robinson better than Brown and Hightower because he's less likely to share touches compared to those other guys.

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Bryce Brown, RB, Seahawks
Ownership percentage: 0 percent

The Seahawks appeared to have a mess at running back with Rawls out, but they made it easy for us with the surprise release of Harris on Tuesday. That should mean Brown will get the majority of work, but don't be surprised if Jackson (6 percent) or even fullback Derrick Coleman get some touches in Week 15. Seattle also must feel confident Lynch is close to a return. Still, the move to cut Harris appears to be an endorsement for Brown, and he's worth adding in all leagues for his matchup at home against Cleveland. The Browns have allowed a running back to score double digits in Fantasy points in 10 of 13 games. Brown has the chance to be a solid No. 2 running back in the majority of leagues this week.

Tim Hightower, RB, Saints
Ownership percentage: 48 percent

The Saints made it clear that Hightower and not C.J. Spiller will be the guy to replace Ingram. Hightower had 28 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown and one catch for 10 yards at Tampa Bay in Week 14, and Spiller only had three carries for 2 yards and three catches for 7 yards. This week, the Saints could easily win this game at home against Detroit and lean on Hightower to kill the clock. The Lions have done a nice job in run defense of late, but last week Gurley had a big game with 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns. And in their previous game on the road in Week 8 against Kansas City, the Chiefs had three rushing touchdowns. Hightower has the potential to be a No. 2 running back this week.

Brandon Bolden

LV • RB • #34

Ownership percentage19 percent

Blount is expected to miss the rest of the season, which opens the door for Bolden to share touches with White. Based on New England's offense, we still like White (80 percent ownership) as the No. 1 option, and he has scored at least nine Fantasy points in a standard league in three of his past four games. But Bolden gets a significant boost in value, and he had 16 carries for 51 yards in Week 14 at Houston. Blount had double digits in carries in nine games this year, and he scored double digits in Fantasy points in four of those outings. For this week, Bolden should be considered a flex option against the Titans, who have allowed three running backs to score double digits in Fantasy points in the past two games.

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Fozzy Whittaker

CAR • RB • #43

Ownership percentage1 percent

Stewart was in a walking boot Monday, and he's been diagnosed with a foot sprain. That doesn't bode well for his status heading into Sunday's game at the Giants, especially with the Panthers locked into the playoffs. Carolina could opt to rest Stewart and use a committee of Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne and Mike Tolbert. Whittaker would be the running back to target, and he had eight carries for 34 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons in Week 14 when Stewart got hurt. The matchup in Week 15 is great against the Giants, who have allowed a running back to score double digits in Fantasy points in three of the past four games. Whittaker could be a solid flex option in the majority of leagues this week if he starts for Stewart.

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Bilal Powell

NYJ • RB

Ownership percentage33 percent

Powell is playing great right now, and he's worth adding in all leagues, especially in PPR formats. He has at least five catches in three of his past four games, and he has scored at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in three of four games as well. He has scored a touchdown in consecutive games, and his usage has been up when the Jets are chasing points. We doubt that happens in Week 15 at Dallas, but the Cowboys just allowed three touchdowns to the Packers duo of Eddie Lacy and James Starks. Powell is worth using as a flex in PPR leagues, and he could also be a spot starter in standard leagues based on his recent level of play.

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Potential drop candidates: DeMarco Murray (98 percent), Alfred Blue (81 percent) and Antonio Andrews (79 percent)
Of note:

Matt Jones (76 percent) is worth adding if he's still available, and he has a good opportunity this week against the Bills, who have allowed a running back to score double digits in Fantasy points in nine games in a row. Alfred Morris could easily have the better Fantasy performance, and he scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 14 at Chicago. But Jones has consecutive games with at least 19 touches, and Morris was held to 17 touches combined in each of the past two games.
Since the Eagles have decided to shake up their backfield, we've seen Darren Sproles (65 percent) become the most productive Fantasy option over Murray and Ryan Mathews. He only had seven carries for 41 yards in Week 14 against Buffalo, but he scored a touchdown for the second game in a row. Now, Mathews (13 carries for 38 yards and two catches for 4 yards) and Murray (11 carries for 34 yards and two catches for 3 yards) had more work, but Sproles has the highest ceiling right now and is worth using as at least a flex option in the majority of leagues.
I liked Isaiah Crowell (52 percent) going into Week 14 against San Francisco because the 49ers were bad in run defense, especially on the road. And he delivered with 20 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns and one catch for 9 yards. This week, we would avoid Crowell in the majority of leagues with his matchup at Seattle. He also plays at Kansas City in Week 16 and vs. Pittsburgh in Week 17, so it will be tough to trust him moving forward. Still, he helped any of the Fantasy owners who started him in Week 14.

Wide receivers

Injuries: DeSean Jackson (knee), Vincent Jackson (knee), Brian Hartline (collarbone) and Devin Smith (knee)
Priority list (Add them in this order):

Tyler Lockett

SEA • WR • #16

Ownership percentage31 percent

Lockett was a priority player to add here last week, and he delivered in a big way at Baltimore with six catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. He has now scored at least nine Fantasy points in a standard league in three of his past four games, with four touchdowns over that span. Wilson is the best quarterback in the NFL right now, and he's leaning on Lockett and Doug Baldwin. I consider Lockett the No. 1 player to add this week at any position. I would also look at Jermaine Kearse (14 percent) as a potential No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week. He had eight targets against the Ravens and finished with seven catches for 74 yards, and Seattle should have success throwing against Cleveland this week at home.

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Julian Edelman

NE • WR • #11

Ownership percentage65 percent

Edelman returned to practice prior to Week 14, so he could be close to a return from the foot injury that has kept him out for the past four games. When Edelman is back he should be considered a must-start Fantasy receiver in all leagues, and we hope he can return for Week 15 against the Titans. He would impact Danny Amendola in a negative way, and Edelman scored at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in seven of nine games. He could be a significant difference maker for Fantasy owners in the playoffs.

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Ted Ginn

Ownership percentage65 percent

You're never going to feel comfortable starting Ginn, which is totally understandable. But his production has been good of late, and Cam Newton is playing at a MVP level. Ginn has two touchdowns in each of his past two games, and he's scored five touchdowns in his past four outings. Last week against Atlanta was a little fluky because he had three targets and finished with two catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns, but he had at least eight targets in three of his past four outings. The Giants have allowed a touchdown or 100 receiving yards to a receiver in each of the past three games, and Ginn is the type of receiver who can help you win a playoff matchup.

Willie Snead

Ownership percentage65 percent

Snead came back from his one-game absence from a calf injury and played well at Tampa Bay in Week 14 with seven catches for 122 yards on eight targets. The Saints have a great schedule coming up with Detroit and Jacksonville in the next two weeks, and Snead should be involved since he has at least seven targets in five of his past six games. The number you want him to hit is eight targets, which he's had four times this year and scored at least nine Fantasy points in a standard league each time. Also, it was great to see Marques Colston (35 percent) get six catches for 36 yards and two touchdowns against the Buccaneers on eight targets, and he scored 15 Fantasy points in a standard league. He had nine Fantasy points combined in his past four games, so it's hard to trust him moving forward. Brandin Cooks and Snead are the receivers of worth in most Fantasy leagues for the Saints.

Potential drop candidates: Vincent Jackson (90 percent), Brandon LaFell (90 percent), Jordan Matthews (90 percent), Stefon Diggs (84 percent) and Donte Moncrief (81 percent)

Of note:

I wouldn't give up on DeVante Parker (60 percent) yet even though he struggled against the Giants with two catches for 16 yards on five targets. He scored in his previous two games prior to Week 14, and the Chargers have allowed a touchdown to a receiver in each of the past three games.
If this were the middle of the season, you could look at guys like Robert Woods (23 percent), Nelson Agholor (12 percent) and Albert Wilson (2 percent) as potential starting options in deeper leagues, but it will be hard to count on them in most standard formats even though they are coming off productive games in Week 14. Of these guys, Woods has the most upside, especially if Charles Clay (back) is out in Week 15 at Washington. Woods has a touchdown or 100 receiving yards in each of his past two games.

Tight ends

Injuries: Tyler Eifert (concussion), Greg Olsen (knee) and Charles Clay (back)
Priority list (Add them in this order):

Zach Miller

CHI • TE • #71

Ownership percentage57 percent

The Bears placed Bennett on injured reserve last week, and Miller took advantage of his new opportunity as Chicago's starting tight end with five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown on six targets against the Redskins in Week 14. He now has at least seven Fantasy points in three of the four games where he has at least five targets. He faces the Vikings this week, and there have been nine tight ends to get at least five targets against them this season, with five scoring at least six Fantasy points in a standard league. Miller should be considered a low-end starting option this week.

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Eric Ebron

PIT • TE • #85

Ownership percentage53 percent

Ebron has been a disappointment of late following a hot start, but this is a game for him to get back in the good graces of Fantasy owners at New Orleans in Week 15. The Saints allow the most Fantasy points to opposing tight ends, and they have given up 10 touchdowns to the position. Ebron only has one touchdown since Week 7, but this could be a week where he finds the end zone. He also had five targets in Week 14 at St. Louis, which were the most he's had in his past four games, so hopefully Matthew Stafford continues to keep him involved this week.

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Vernon Davis

WAS • TE • #85

Ownership percentage49 percent

Davis had his best game with the Broncos in Week 14 against the Raiders with seven catches for 74 yards on nine targets, and we hope he can build off that performance this week against the Steelers. Pittsburgh has struggled with tight ends this season with eight touchdowns allowed to the position, and Osweiler has leaned on Davis and Owen Daniels since taking over for Manning. The problem for Davis is the presence of Daniels, so keep that in mind, but he could be a starter for you in deeper PPR leagues this week if his performance in Week 14 carries over to this matchup.

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Potential drop candidates: Scott Chandler (88 percent), Jason Witten (85 percent) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (72 percent)

Of note:

Richard Rodgers (77 percent) should be considered a must-add tight end if he's still available, and I would take him over Miller. He scored last week against the Cowboys on his only catch for 3 yards, and he should have the chance for another quality outing this week at Oakland. This matchup is similar to what he had at Detroit in Week 13 when he had seven catches for 85 yards before coming down with a 61-yard Hail Mary touchdown to win the game.
Benjamin Watson (73 percent) is another tight end to prioritize this week if he's still available, and I would also add him over Miller. He has at least eight targets in each of his past three games, and he has scored a touchdown in three of his past four home games. The Lions are also terrible against tight ends with 10 touchdowns allowed to the position.
Will Tye (22 percent) is playing well for the Giants with at least seven Fantasy points in a standard league in three games in a row, including his first NFL touchdown in Week 14 at Miami. He has a tough matchup in Week 15 against Carolina, but the Panthers did allow Watson to score in their last road game.
Heath Miller (41 percent) returned in Week 14 at Cincinnati from his one-game absence with injured ribs and was back to being a go-to option for Ben Roethlisberger with 10 catches for 66 yards on 10 targets. He's worth adding in PPR leagues, especially if T.J. Ward (ankle) remains out for the Broncos. The Raiders had Clive Walford and Mychal Rivera combine for six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets last week at Denver with Ward out.