The 2023 fantasy football season is nearly over. Most fantasy football leagues have their playoffs starting in Week 15 if they haven’t started already. Therefore, fantasy players must make life-or-death decisions with the lineups and waiver wire moves over the next few weeks.
One player who will be a popular waiver wire target this week is Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon. The veteran running back could be a league-winning addition off of the waiver wire.
Should Jerick McKinnon Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 15?
Hopefully, fantasy players didn’t spend a mid-round draft pick on McKinnon in August. The veteran running back had an impressive finish to the 2022 season. However, the Chiefs limited his workload early in the year to keep him fresh and ready for the postseason run.
McKinnon was the RB56 over the first 13 weeks, averaging 4.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He scored fewer than 9.5 fantasy points in all but one contest. Furthermore, the veteran scored over 3.7 fantasy points only twice. However, McKinnon was productive on Sunday in the loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The veteran running back had an increased workload in Week 14 with Isiah Pacheco out because of a shoulder injury. McKinnon had only seven touches in the game (four rushing attempts and three receptions), totaling 37 scrimmage yards, a touchdown, and 11.2 fantasy points, a season-high.
Reportedly, Pacheco is dealing with a shoulder contusion. The Chiefs don’t consider the injury a long-term issue, meaning the second-year running back could return in Week 15. However, Pacheco’s return wouldn’t mean the end of McKinnon’s fantasy value, especially in PPR leagues.
Last year, the veteran running back played under 55% of the snaps in 10 of the first 11 games. His season-high over those contests was 62%. Meanwhile, he played at least 47% of the snaps in all but one of the final six regular-season games, only playing less in the meaningless Week 18 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. McKinnon should see more snaps during the fantasy football playoffs.
Furthermore, he played a significant role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl run. The veteran running back played 55% or more of the snaps in two of three playoff games, including the Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles. By comparison, Pacheco played under 57% of the snaps in every game last season, including the playoffs.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
However, Pacheco has significantly improved since his rookie year. Yet, McKinnon’s ability to pass protect and create in the passing game will earn him more snaps moving forward, especially with the Chiefs’ passing attack struggling.
Kansas City needs to find a spark in the passing game. Travis Kelce had 74 receptions on 93 targets this year before the loss to the Bills. Behind him is the rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice. He had 52 receptions on 65 targets entering Week 14.
The next highest-targeted wide receiver or tight end on the roster is career journeyman Justin Watson. He had 20 receptions on 39 targets before the matchup against Buffalo, already setting career highs in both categories.
McKinnon should continue to see more touches on offense moving forward. With matchups against the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and Cincinnati Bengals during the fantasy football playoffs, the veteran running back could become a weekly Flex option to end the season. Fantasy players who need help at the running back position should make McKinnon their top waiver wire target in Week 15.
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