The Week 16 waiver wire isn’t overly exciting at the wide receiver position. There aren’t high-upside players, but there are some solid floor guys fantasy football managers might want to add. Should you look to add Joshua Palmer, Noah Brown, and Curtis Samuel?
Top WR Waiver Wire Targets in Week 16
Josh Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers (29% Rostered)
After a six-game absence due to a knee injury, Josh Palmer returned Thursday night against the Raiders. In a disastrous game where the Chargers never had a chance, Palmer still managed to put up 113 yards and a touchdown.
While Palmer only seeing four targets in a game Keenan Allen didn’t play is less than ideal, the Chargers also can’t possibly play worse over these final two games of the fantasy season.
At worst, Palmer is the Chargers’ WR2. But I have my suspicions about whether Allen will even return this year. The 31-year-old doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone. The Chargers’ season is over. I would be surprised if we saw him again. That would set Palmer up to lead the team in targets going forward.
Noah Brown, Houston Texans (40% Rostered)
After back-to-back goose eggs, Noah Brown somehow managed to bounce back with Case Keenum at quarterback. He caught eight of 11 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown.
More Waiver Wire Targets: RB | QB | TE
With Nico Collins out and Tank Dell done for the season, it was Brown operating as the Texans’ WR1. It remains to be seen whether Collins will be able to return next week. But either way, Brown should be startable even as the WR2.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders (37% Rostered)
Fresh out of the bye, Curtis Samuel saw his role in the Commanders’ offense continue to grow. His nine targets were his second most of the season. He caught five of them for 41 yards and two touchdowns.
Of course, touchdowns are what made Samuel’s day an elite WR1 one. We can’t expect those to happen often. But it’s clear he’s the WR2 in an offense willing to throw a lot. He should be picked up.
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers (3% Rostered)
There are a lot of moving pieces with the Packers wide receivers right now. Christian Watson has missed the past two weeks with a hamstring strain. That elevated Dontayvion Wicks to the WR3 role.
This week, Jayden Reed left the game with a toe injury. It’s unclear how serious it is or whether he will miss any time. If he does, Wicks would stand to benefit significantly.
Against the Bucs, Wicks caught six of seven targets for 97 yards. He’s a talented player who can excel with opportunity. It’s possible that is coming this week, making him worth adding.
Which WR Should You Roster in Fantasy Football?
Should You Roster Curtis Samuel or Adam Thielen?
It is wild to think about this question in light of what Adam Thielen did to start the season. From Weeks 2-6, Thielen’s worst outing was 15.2 fantasy points. Since then, his best outing has been 15.4.
Since Week 8, Thielen is averaging 9.5 fantasy points per game. He has been nothing more than a desperation Flex play — the farthest thing from a must-start.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Now, that’s not to say Samuel has been some world-beater. He’s had his fair share of big games, but overall, he hasn’t been any better than Thielen. The difference is Samuel is playing his best football now when fantasy managers need it most.
With the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars remaining for Thielen, compared to the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers for Samuel, as bad as Thielen has been recently, I just can’t endorse starting Samuel in either of these final two games. As a result, I would stick with Thielen.
Should You Roster Joshua Palmer or Jaxon Smith-Njigba?
I am writing this before Monday Night Football, which admittedly could change things. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has seen his targeting increase recently, but still not to the point where he can be trusted as a weekly starter.
But JSN has Geno Smith throwing him the ball. Palmer has Easton Stick. While Palmer smashed on Thursday night, it’s important to put that game in context. He caught three passes for 34 yards … but also caught a 79-yard bomb touchdown. He saw four total targets. I think fantasy managers chasing last week’s fantasy output may be sorely disappointed.
With that said, JSN has cracked double-digit fantasy points just four times all season. As long as DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are healthy, he’s always going to struggle to command targets.
Palmer is poised to be the Chargers’ WR1 for the final two weeks of the fantasy season — I do not think we will see Allen again. Therefore, despite the poor target numbers in his first game back, give me Stick’s WR1 over Smith’s WR3.
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