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Pick ‘Em Up: Week 16 Waiver Wire

Week 16 Waiver Wire

In most leagues, just four teams remain. One of those four teams just lost Jalen Hurts and is freaking out. Welcome to the semi-finals! The standard advice this time of year is “Start Your Studs,” and, for the most part, that is a sound strategy. It is unlikely you should, or would, trust your playoff hopes with any of the players still on the Week 16 waiver wire. This article will be short because I will only be suggesting players you might actually start with your entire season on the line. However, just two weeks ago, Jerick McKinnon was available in over 75% of leagues, and he has been the overall RB1 for each of the last two weeks. There are still some surprises out there. Let’s dig for some gold.

Quick Note: All players listed are available in around 50% of ESPN leagues. While not everyone plays on ESPN, studies show most do. So, if they’re available there, they’re likely available on your platform. Pick ‘Em Up!

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Week 16 Waiver Wire

1. Gardner Minshew

I could literally spend this entire article talking about how Gardner Minshew should be a starting QB in this league, but unless you are one of the 32 GMs in the NFL, I would be wasting everyone’s time. However, you are the GM of a very important team: your fantasy team. Minshew Magic in the playoffs is a beautiful thing, and I legitimately believe that he can be a top-12 QB against Dallas this week. Minshew threw four TDs for the Eagles last year on 60 attempts, and that was before AJ Brown was on the team. He also has rushing upside, though obviously not as much as Jalen Hurts. If you lost Hurts or Kyler Murray, there is no better streaming option in Week 16. Also, check out this tweet from yours truly last week.


2. Donovan Peoples-Jones

Since Week 4, DPJ has been the overall WR24 in fantasy. Since Week 10, he has been the WR16. How the hell is this guy still available in 50% of fantasy leagues? Cleveland has New Orleans, and Washington left this season. Both give up plenty of points to fantasy WRs. Start him with confidence.

3. Tyler Allgeier

I should start by mentioning that Jerick McKinnon is available in almost 40% of leagues. If yours is one of those leagues, fix that immediately, whether you need an RB or not. Allgeier is a good consolation prize. It looks like rookie Desmond Ridder is bringing a new life to this offense, and Allgeier went off for 139 yards in Week 15. He could easily repeat this performance twice with Baltimore, and Arizona left to play.

If you missed our new Monday Hangxiety show, you missed a great time! Josh and Ryan gave their reactions to Sunday’s action to let you know whether you need to worry or Chill TF Out! We’ll be live every Monday at 11 AM EST. Check out last week’s episode now!

4. Zack Moss / Deon Jackson

With Jonathan Taylor going down for the rest of the fantasy playoffs, there is still some value in the Colts’ running game. Jackson found the endzone in Week 15, and Moss went for 81 yards. Moss handled most of the carries, but Jackson might have lost time due to a fumble. The long and short is that one of these guys will hold value each week. I think they’ll lean on Moss, but keep an eye on the practice reports if you’re going to enter this sweepstakes.

5. Zach Wilson

Playing for his job and possible NY career, Zach Wilson delivered in Week 15. He threw for 300 yards and two TDs against an improving Detroit defense. With Jacksonville and Seattle left, Wilson is a solid play for those in the streaming mode. Of course, you’ll need to keep an eye on the battle between Wilson and Mike White.

6. Chigoziem Okonkwo

Rookie TEs take time, and Okonkwo is popping right on schedule. Over the last four games, Okonkwo is the overall TE3 in fantasy with 21 targets and a 17/202/1 stat line. On a team with no WRs, he is all the Titans have in the passing game.

7. Darius Slayton

Since Week 7, Slayton has taken the reigns as the WR1 for Giants and has been a top-30 WR in fantasy over that span. The Giants are still fighting for a playoff spot and have games against Minnesota and Indianapolis left. The Vikings give up a ton of points to WRs, and the Colts just got torched by the Vikings’ WRs corps.

8. Noah Fant

Fant has emerged as a top target for Geno Smith recently and with Tyler Lockett set to miss a game or three, Fant’s role could increase to end the season. With three receptions in five of his last six games and two TDs in his previous three, Fant could be a top-10 TE to end the season.

9. Jared Goff

The good news for the teams that lost Jalen Hurts is that there is plenty of talent to stream in Week 16. Goff and the Lions take on Carolina this week. It is a road game, making him slightly riskier, but Goff has scored 14+ fantasy points in each of his last four games. He has been the QB8 since Week 12. Goff is a decent last resort if you miss out on Minshew or Zach Wilson.

10. K.J. Osborn

Osborn had a few good games early this season and then fell completely off the radar. He has stepped his game up in the last two weeks, arguably the best possible time, and has a soft schedule to end the year. He is little more than a WR3 or Flex play, but if you’re desperate, I have no issue playing him.

If you’re looking for Week 16 Rankings, Ryan and Austin have you covered! We do our first upload early on Tuesday and update them throughout the week!

This article is brought to you by ConnectGo! If you want more personalized advice from Ryan Weisse, you should check out ConnectGo! It’s an app that lets you get 1-on-1 advice from some of your favorite fantasy analysts. You can text them and even set up video calls to discuss waivers, trades, lineups, and whatever other fantasy football questions come to mind. Download the app today!
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