We have reached the conclusion of the fantasy football regular season for most leagues. It is time for the playoffs. It’s win or go home for the next three weeks. That means each pickup should be geared toward winning a specific playoff matchup, either the current one … or a future one if you are so fortunate. We need to cater our moves toward our team situations. It’s now time to improve our rosters.
Let’s take a look at the top Week 15 waiver wire targets and pickups that fantasy managers should consider adding to their rosters.
As always, all players are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
I have done away with FAAB recommendations this year, as there are too many variables to account for. Instead, I replaced it with my opinion on how aggressive fantasy managers should be in pursuing the player on a scale of 1-10.
Aaron Rodgers, QB | NYJ
Rostered: 34%
For the first time all season, Aaron Rodgers threw for over 300 yards, throwing for 339 yards and a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins.
Rodgers is obviously a shell of his former self, but he has hit 18 fantasy points in five of his last six. He’s an option next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars’ league-worst pass defense.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.5
Drake Maye, QB | NE
Rostered: 13%
I sure hope you can do better than Drake Maye as your QB in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. If not, well, you can certainly do worse.
Maye has run for at least 24 yards in all but one of his starts this season, giving him a nice floor. He also has four games of 20+ fantasy points.
The matchup against the Arizona Cardinals isn’t the best, as they’ve been better than expected defensively this season. However, Maye has been good enough that he can be a passable option if you really need him.
Aggressiveness Rating: Desperation streamer
Jameis Winston, QB | CLE
Rostered: 34%
There’s certainly a chance the Cleveland Browns end up benching Jameis Winston, as they keep losing games and he keeps throwing interceptions. But as long as he’s starting, the volume will keep him relevant.
Winston only threw for 212 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he managed two touchdown passes, scoring a total of 19.28 fantasy points. That can work as a streaming option, especially against the Kansas City Chiefs’ pass-funnel defense in a game the Browns should be trailing throughout.
Aggressiveness Rating: Desperation streamer
Anthony Richardson, QB | IND
Rostered: 55%
Oftentimes, players on bye weeks can go overlooked. Anthony Richardson still has a long way to go as a passer. However, as a fantasy asset, he’s rebounding nicely.
Richardson has 23 fantasy points in two of his three starts since being reinstated as the starter. While he doesn’t project great against a top-five Denver Broncos defense in Week 15, we did see Jameis Winston go for nearly 500 yards against them. They can be scored upon, especially if their offense forces a back-and-forth affair.
Richardson’s upside remains quite high. He can be a viable starter if you need a ceiling game.
Aggressiveness Rating: Viable streamer
Isaiah Davis, RB | NYJ
Rostered: 11%
The New York Jets say they’re not going to shut down Breece Hall. I’m not sure I believe them.
With Hall out this week, Braelon Allen started, but he was far from a bell cow. Isaiah Davis mixed in plenty, touching the ball 13 times and amassing 67 yards and a touchdown.
.@z4days for SIX!!! 🙌#NYJvsMIA on CBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/0QQuc3Jceh
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 8, 2024
Allen is still the presumptive goal-line back, but I saw Davis in the game plenty in the red zone. He’s now scored in two straight games.
With the Jets frequently in a negative game script, we could see more of Davis, who has actually played better than Allen this season. He’s worth an add as someone to roster for the remainder of the season.
Aggressiveness Rating: 6.0
Tank Bigsby, RB | JAX
Rostered: 46%
After seemingly falling to clear backup once again, Tank Bigsby reemerged against the Tennessee Titans, leading the Jaguars with 18 carries compared to just four from Travis Etienne Jr.; Bigsby ran the ball 18 times for 55 yards and a touchdown.
The Jaguars’ remaining schedule features three teams that are no lock to force them into negative game script, which could keep Bigsby and the run game in play. He’s at least worth a speculative addition.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
Kendre Miller, RB | NO
Rostered: 10%
It was pure happenstance that Kendre Miller wound up scoring the first touchdown of the game for the New Orleans Saints. However, it was not random that he handled 10 carries, serving as the primary backup to Alvin Kamara.
Miller has struggled to stay on the field during his two years in the NFL. But when healthy, he’s been effective. He appears to be the Kamara handcuff. That doesn’t have nearly as much value this late in the season as it would have earlier, but he’s still worth rostering.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
Sincere McCormick, RB | LV
Rostered: 15%
Antonio Pierce is quickly developing a reputation for leaning on his lead back, whoever it may be. Last year, we saw him ride the Zamir White train hard for the final month of the season. This year, once White proved ineffective, the Las Vegas Raiders rolled heavy on Alexander Mattison.
After Mattison went down, Ameer Abdullah was the clear guy. Then, when Sincere McCormick looked good, Pierce decided he needed to shoulder the load, and he did.
McCormick ran the ball 15 times for 78 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. By contrast, Abulldah touched the ball twice. This is not a timeshare, and even when Mattison returns, the Raiders have no allegiance to any of their backs. McCormick is playing well. I expect him to remain the lead running back until he stops playing well.
Aggressiveness Rating: 9.0
Jerome Ford, RB | CLE
Rostered: 42%
Nick Chubb has really struggled in his return from a knee injury. He may never regain his pre-injury form. That’s led to a steady increase in work for backup Jerome Ford.
The Browns gave Ford 10 carries and four targets against the Steelers, which he turned into 47 yards. Obviously, that’s not great, but the usage is something we can work with. It’s enough to justify at least putting him on fantasy benches. If you have a bye next week, you can see if the tides continue to turn against Chubb and then make a decision on whether to start Ford in Week 16.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
Sean Tucker, RB | TB
Rostered: 2%
In a game where Bucky Irving didn’t play much, it’s certainly concerning that Sean Tucker handled just three carries. However, he did turn them into 47 yards.
Irving was playing through multiple injuries and was unable to finish the game. There’s a chance he ends up missing a game or two. That would put Rachaad White back in the RB1 role and elevate Tucker to the clear RB2.
We’ve seen Todd Bowles show a willingness to ride the hot hand. We’ve also seen White struggle mightily at times. Tucker would become a handcuff at worst and a startable RB3 at best.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
Patrick Taylor Jr., RB | SF
Rostered: 3%
Someone needs to investigate the 2024 San Francisco 49ers. Elijah Mitchell. Christian McCaffrey. Jordan Mason. And now, Isaac Guerendo. At this point, it’s unclear how serious Guerendo’s injury is, but if he does have to miss time, the 49ers will be down to their RB5.
Patrick Taylor Jr. would be in line to start next week. Ke’Shawn Vaughn served as the RB2, but that may change to Israel Abanikanda next week. Given the rate the 49ers’ backs get hurt, both might be worth speculative adds as well.
With that said — Taylor is the priority pickup here. I am sorry to everyone who correctly shelled out all of their FAAB on Guerendo. As you can see from his 26.8-point performance, he was worth every penny. If he can’t go, it’s the same deal with Taylor.
Aggressiveness Rating: Full send
Tyler Allgeier, RB | ATL
Rostered: 30%
Handcuffs for healthy starting running backs aren’t as important this late in the season because there is limited time for fantasy managers to benefit. But if you want to take a shot on rostering Tyler Allgeier, he would be a weekly RB2 if Bijan Robinson went down.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
Jalen McMillan, WR | TB
Rostered: 5%
When Mike Evans and Chris Godwin went down, Jalen McMillan was a hot waiver wire pickup, as fantasy managers were chasing the potential beneficiary. The rookie sorely disappointed and was quickly dropped everywhere.
This week, McMillan had the best game of his young career, catching four passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Is this the start of something? Maybe. But probably not.
If you want to take a shot and have the room on your bench to do it, there’s nothing to lose. However, I think this will end up being a fluke.
Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0
Adam Thielen, WR | CAR
Rostered: 53%
I will have to chalk it up to it simply being late in the season as to why Adam Thielen isn’t more heavily rostered. Last week, he caught eight of 10 targets for 99 yards and a touchdown. This week, he caught nine of 11 targets for 102 yards.
Bryce Young to Adam Thielen! Big play on 4th down.
📺: #CARvsPHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/m2uaiVVskP— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2024
Thielen is old, but clearly, he still has something left in the tank. He’s the clear WR1 for a Carolina Panthers team that is often trailing and throwing. He needs to be rostered.
Aggressiveness Rating: 10.0
Ray-Ray McCloud III, WR | ATL
Rostered: 18%
Don’t look now, but Ray-Ray McCloud III has hit 95 receiving yards in back-to-back games. Despite Kirk Cousins’ struggles, he’s been able to upkeep the fantasy values of Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and McCloud.
You will probably never feel great about starting McCloud, but he’s proven he can be a viable WR3 if necessary.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
Romeo Doubs, WR | GB
Rostered: 38%
We haven’t seen Romeo Doubs in a couple of weeks due to a concussion. With 10 days between Thursday Night Football and the Green Bay Packers’ next game, there’s a good chance Doubs will clear it.
It’s hard to predict the performance of Packers WRs from week to week, but Doubs has been useful in the past.
The Packers’ three final opponents of the fantasy season rank 16th, eighth, and first in terms of favorability for WRs. Doubs could be useful in a pinch.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0
Juwan Johnson, TE | NO
Rostered: 10%
With Taysom Hill done for the season, the Saints are running a more conventional offense. Juwan Johnson is the primary tight end and has hit double-digit fantasy points in two of his last three, including a score in each of those performances.
The Saints close out against two bottom-10 defenses against tight ends in Weeks 16 and 17. You could do worse if you need a tight end.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0
Grant Calcaterra, TE | PHI
Rostered: 4%
Whenever Dallas Goedert doesn’t play, Grant Calcaterra serves as the clear TE1 for the Philadelphia Eagles. Goedert is on injured reserve and done for the regular season.
Although Calcaterra only saw three targets against the Panthers, he caught all three of them for 16 yards and a touchdown.
The floor is as low as it gets, but he’s the starting tight end on what is probably the second best team in all of football.
Aggressiveness Rating: Viable streamer
Noah Gray, TE | KC
Rostered: 21%
This is being written before the Sunday night game. We don’t have the benefit of seeing how he performed in Week 14. With that said, Noah Gray has shown enough over the past couple of weeks to put him on the streaming radar.
Gray has four receptions in three consecutive games. In Weeks 11 and 12, he scored twice in each game. Plus, he’s playing with Patrick Mahomes. That can work for fantasy managers without a tight end.
Aggressiveness Rating: Viable streamer
Zach Ertz, TE | WAS
Rostered: 44%
Many fantasy managers were forced to drop Zach Ertz on account of the Washington Commanders’ Week 14 bye. If you need a tight end, go and pick him up.
Before the bye, Ertz hit double-digit fantasy points in six of his last eight games. He’s seen at least six targets in four straight and scored in three straight. Ertz has had a solid floor all season and continues to be a passable option at fantasy’s weakest position.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.5
Hunter Henry, TE | NE
Rostered: 40%
Much like Ertz, fantasy managers likely could not hold Hunter Henry through his Week 14 bye. Even so, he’s been under-rostered all season.
Henry has scored at least 9.4 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games. He’s earned 8+ targets in three straight and caught at least five passes in those contests.
The remaining schedule for Henry is quite difficult, but his usage is good enough to warrant a spot in your starting lineup.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
