Both Gary Brightwell and Matt Breida are intriguing names on the waiver wire for fantasy football managers in Week 15. Last week, with Saquon Barkley managing a neck injury, Brightwell and Breida saw eight and seven opportunities, respectively, while the trio split snaps.
Let’s take a look at whether Brightwell or Breida is worth adding this week on the waiver wire or if the situation is too uncertain to call.
Gary Brightwell or Matt Breida: Who Should You Add From the Waiver Wire?
The key for either Brightwell or Breida to be significant contributors for fantasy managers depends on Barkley’s health. After the game Sunday, Barkley told reporters he came through unscathed and was not limited. While the Giants were using Brightwell and Breida a little more in the first half of Week 14’s game, the majority of their usage came in the second half when the Eagles had a big lead.
When discussing Barkley on Monday, head coach Brian Daboll told reporters, “hopefully he’s a little better this week than he was last week.” We won’t get another real indication until the Giants open practice on Wednesday. However, even then, Barkley’s status could be misleading. He could easily be absent or limited at practice and then play in the game.
If Barkley does end up missing time, the split we saw last week was that Brightwell played more on early downs. Meanwhile, Breida played more across the spectrum, seeing usage on early downs, third downs, and the two-minute drill.
The goal-line opportunities are also key, but that picture was less clear. Barkley took the majority of goal-line opportunities. Breida had one opportunity around the goal line, but Brightwell had a short-yardage opportunity elsewhere.
What is fairly clear is that if Barkley were to miss time, this would likely be a committee approach. With his role on third downs and in the two-minute drill, Breida would have intriguing value in PPR scoring formats. Brightwell closes the gap in non-PPR, but in that scoring format, it may very well be that the pair simply cannibalize each other’s ceilings.
If you are playing on Underdog Fantasy, Breida would be the more intriguing later-round shot for upside. Their half-PPR scoring should suit his pass-catching role, but you would still likely need him to find the end zone to have significant value.
How Should Fantasy Managers Prioritize Breida and Brightwell in Week 15?
The RB position is intriguing on the waiver wire in Week 15. At this stage of the season, you are either looking for immediate help or a handcuff for your starter. The other main options this week are Travis Homer, Chuba Hubbard, J.K. Dobbins, Jerick McKinnon, and the duo of Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong in New England.
Homer’s value depends almost entirely on the health of Kenneth Walker. The rookie RB was limited in a practice estimation Monday, so he has a chance to be active this week. Additionally, the matchup this week with the 49ers is a tough one, meaning Homer slides down the priority list.
Hubbard carried the ball 14 times and saw three targets. However, D’Onta Foreman had been limited in practice last week with a foot injury, so his usage could have been boosted by that. However, Hubbard is the clear handcuff to Foreman right now and could have weekly value mixing into the offense.
Dobbins is not widely available, but if he is, he is the priority right now. He carried the ball 15 times for a massive 120 yards and a touchdown. The efficiency will be hard to repeat, but the fact the Ravens threw him straight into a major role suggests he is fully healthy. Of course, this is the Ravens, meaning he may touch the ball just five times next week…
MORE: Monday RB Injury Report Week 15
McKinnon saw an increased usage this week and made the most of it. However, his 15 opportunities are unlikely to be a regular thing. Additionally, turning those 15 opportunities into 134 yards and two touchdowns is not easily repeatable.
Among those four, Breida sits fourth on the priority list. He is below Dobbins, Hubbard, and McKinnon but above Homer. The other three can all have standalone value this week, while Breida’s value is heavily reliant on Barkley’s health.
After Monday Night Football, there are other names to consider in Harris and Strong. With Damien Harris missing the game and Rhamondre Stevenson leaving with an ankle injury, the rookie duo could be leading this backfield in Las Vegas next week. Both of those sit above Brightwell right now, who is the lowest priority.
When it comes to Brieda against that duo, it is a tougher call. If you want to shoot for the upside, Harris and Strong are the names to consider above Breida. However, in PPR formats, Breida offers a safer floor if Barkley is limited. My personal preference in the fantasy playoffs would be for Strong, who had two targets and five carries.
Therefore, Breida is the fifth RB priority for me this week after Dobbins, Hubbard, McKinnon, and Strong. With no clarity over Barkley, it would not be prudent to spend more than 5% of your remaining FAAB (or waiver priority) on Breida. Meanwhile, Brightwell is my lowest priority add, and I would not be putting more than a 1-2% FAAB bid on him this week.