For most leagues, we have reached the fantasy football semifinals. Hopefully, you don’t need anyone on this list. But even if you don’t, your opponent might, and sometimes, even in fantasy, defense wins championships.
Let’s take a look at the top Week 16 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%
I guess we need to take Aaron Rodgers somewhat seriously. He just threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns while somehow rushing for 45 yards.
This will likely end up being Rodgers’ best performance of the season, as well as for the rest of his career. But if you need a desperation streamer for Week 16, the New York Jets do get the Los Angeles Rams in what could be a high-scoring contest.
Aggressiveness Rating: Desperation streamer
Anthony Richardson, QB | IND
Rostered: 56%
Pay no mind to Anthony Richardson’s passing efficiency — it’s not suitable for children. But for fantasy, you can grin and bear it because of his high floor.
Richardson managed 16.4 fantasy points with just 172 passing yards because he ran for 46 yards and a touchdown. He did that against a very good Denver Broncos defense. Next week, Richardson gets a more favorable matchup against an average Tennessee Titans defense. He’s a viable streamer if you need him.
Aggressiveness Rating: Viable streamer
Jameis Winston, QB | CLE
Rostered: 33%
I think the Jameis Winston experience might be over. As fun as he is and as great as he is for the offense, coaches just aren’t going to tolerate the reckless interceptions. Winston threw another three picks against the Kansas City Chiefs, leading to him getting pulled in the second half for Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
The timing couldn’t be worse if Winston did, indeed, lose the starting job, as the Cleveland Browns get the Cincinnati Bengals next week. All the Bengals do is play in shootouts. If we get word Winston remains the starter, he’s absolutely worth a stream in Week 16.
Aggressiveness Rating: TBD
Russell Wilson, QB | PIT
Rostered: 49%
Somehow, Russell Wilson’s worst performance of the season came in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. If that scares you off of Wilson, I completely understand. But if you do need a streamer, I suspect this one may be a bit higher scoring in Baltimore with the Ravens clicking on all cylinders offensively.
The Ravens are still one of the softest pass defenses in the league. There should be plenty of opportunities for Wilson to connect downfield with, hopefully, a returning George Pickens. We’ll see if he can make the throws.
Aggressiveness Rating: Desperation streamer
Tyjae Spears, RB | TEN
Rostered: 44%
Seemingly out of nowhere, Tyjae Spears popped off for his best fantasy performance ever. With four carries for five yards, it’s pretty astonishing that Spears was the overall RB1 after the 1 p.m. games.
YOU RAISE ME UP @tyjae22
📺: Watch #CINvsTEN on @NFLonFOX stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/g71UCZv4gr
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 15, 2024
Spears did all of his work through the air, catching six of seven targets for 87 yards and a touchdown. He also scored one on the ground.
Tony Pollard came into Sunday’s game banged up. If he’s more hurt than we realized, Spears could end up being startable. Monitor the news and consider adding Spears if we don’t get anything positive about Pollard.
Aggressiveness Rating: Add if you have a roster spot to burn
Jerome Ford, RB | CLE
Rostered: 42%
Nick Chubb broke his foot in this game. He is done for the season. That puts Jerome Ford back in the RB1 role.
Ford carried the ball seven times for 81 yards while catching two passes for 20 yards. He will be the starter for the remainder of the season.
The Browns get the Bengals next week. Ford is the No. 1 addition.
Aggressiveness Rating: All in
Kendre Miller, RB | NO
Rostered: 11%
Alvin Kamara tweaked his groin in the New Orleans Saints’ narrow loss to the Washington Commanders. It’s currently unclear whether the injury is significant. Regardless, with the Saints’ season over, there’s no reason for the team to force him back at less than 100%. We could get at least one week of Miller in a starting role. The mere potential for that is worth adding.
Aggressiveness Rating: All in if you miss out on Jerome Ford/he’s not available
Sincere McCormick, RB | LV
Rostered: 43%
I have to assume the only reason Sincere McCormick isn’t more heavily rostered is that half of all teams aren’t playing anymore, and the ones in the playoffs likely don’t need him. But we’re still talking about a starting running back who has proven effective playing on a team that wants to run the ball.
Alexander Mattison’s return is of no concern. This is McCormick’s backfield. We will have to see how he performs on Monday night, but I’m confident he will be worth adding.
Aggressiveness Rating: 7.0
Tyler Allgeier, RB | ATL
Rostered: 32%
You are probably reading this before Monday Night Football. Pick up Tyler Allgeier. He’s the clear handcuff to Bijan Robinson. You never know what might happen. You could stumble into a startable RB2 for Week 16
Aggressiveness Rating: Stash if you can
Jalen Coker, WR | CAR
Rostered: 2%
Making his return after a three-game absence due to injury, Jalen Coker caught four passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Now, to be fair, 83 of those yards and the score came on one play, as Bryce Young regressed considerably in this game.
BRYCE YOUNG TO JALEN COKER. 83-YARD TD.
📺: #DALvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/9DdQnhGIEP— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
Coker has shown a big-play upside, but he’s not exactly someone you’re going to be looking to start in Week 16. I would leave him on waivers.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0
Rashod Bateman, WR | BAL
Rostered: 25%
Rashod Bateman has been a touchdown machine this year. He has seven. We like touchdowns in fantasy. However, we don’t play receivers entirely reliant on scoring.
Bateman had 80 yards and two touchdowns against the New York Giants, which is great. He only caught three passes and saw just five targets.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers on tap next week, Bateman is not someone you need to add off the waiver wire.
Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0
Jalen McMillan, WR | TB
Rostered: 8%
Alright, Jalen McMillan, you have my attention. Mike Evans is obviously still the clear WR1, but the rookie is emerging as the WR2.
For the second consecutive week, McMillan posted WR1 numbers. He caught five of six targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. That’s three scores in the past two weeks.
With the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers on tap in Weeks 16 and 17, McMillan may actually be startable.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
Quentin Johnston, WR | LAC
Rostered: 41%
Quentin Johnston continues to struggle with consistency, but we can’t deny the usage. He saw 10 targets against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even though he only caught five of them, his 45 yards and a touchdown resulted in 15.5 fantasy points.
That’s back-to-back games with essentially the same stat line. He’s actually hit double-digit fantasy points in five of his last seven. The matchup next week against the Broncos isn’t great, but QJ has proved more useful than not.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
Malik Washington, WR | MIA
Rostered: 0%
This is for the deep leaguers out there. The Miami Dolphins cut Odell Beckham Jr., elevating Malik Washington to the WR3 role. Then, Jaylen Waddle went down with an injury that might cost him a game or two.
Washington could end up being the WR2 next week. He’s coming off a game where he saw six targets, catching five for 52 yards. That’s worth a speculative add in deeper formats.
Aggressiveness Rating: 2.0
Brenton Strange, TE | JAX
Rostered: 2%
With Evan Engram done for the season, Brenton Strange took over as the primary TE and did his best Engram impression. Strange caught 11 of 12 targets for 73 yards. At a depleted TE position, that type of volume is certainly worth chasing, especially against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that entered Week 15 surrendering 28.5% of its total passing yards to tight ends.
Aggressiveness Rating: All in if you need a tight end
Chig Okonkwo, TE | TEN
Rostered: 5%
Once considered a popular breakout candidate, Chig Okonkwo has been well off the fantasy radar for two years. Against the Bengals, though, he saw 10 targets, catching eight for 59 yards.
As great as this performance was, it was against the Bengals. They can’t stop anyone.
The remaining two games are favorable, but it’s unlikely we see anything like this again. Do not add.
Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0
Noah Gray, TE | KC
Rostered: 19%
The touchdown machine keeps on chugging along. Noah Gray now has an incredible five touchdowns in his last five games.
With that said, Gray’s volume is not there. He’s survived almost exclusively on scoring. Patrick Mahomes is also dealing with a sprained ankle. It’s possible the Chiefs could play it safe with him and hold him out. There’s no way you’re trusting Gray with Carson Wentz.
Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0
Stone Smartt, TE | LAC
Rostered: 6%
With Will Dissly presumably done for the season, Stone Smartt has taken over as the Los Angeles Chargers’ primary tight end. In his first game as the starter, he caught five of six targets for 50 yards. That is perfectly serviceable.
Next week’s matchup against the Broncos isn’t ideal, but he should at least be a passable option for those in need.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0