Author: Jake Ciely, Senior Writer
Join AccuScore now using the code SALE50 for $50 off an annual All-Sports premium membership. For all others this is $349, but as you are reading this article, it is only $299... Join Today
backup tight end and then matchup-based DSTs if you have the room. Or, did you not learn from Week 14 when we saw Matt Forte, Melvin Gordon, Matthew Stafford, Vance McDonald and more suffer injuries? If you are wasting bench spots on players that will never enter your lineup, you have no one to blame but yourself if you end up scrambling through waivers for replacements during championship week.
As a quick side note, we’re dropping the ownership percentages. At this point of the season, half (or more) of the teams are dead, and if owners are making the smart decisions listed above, some players may be available in your league despite having a 70 percent ownership on average.
Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups QBs (Streaming Quarterbacks)
Colin Kaepernick, SF – Yes, Kaepernick burned owners in Week 13 and had a mediocre game last week, but don’t forget that Kaepernick ranked eighth, fifth, eighth and first in the four weeks prior. Few quarterbacks have the upside of Kaepernick, and he travels to Atlanta this week. Two things: Kaepernick doesn’t have to worry about weather indoors, and no team allows more FPPG to quarterbacks than the Falcons.
Tyrod Taylor, BUF – Taylor is a volatile option given his low volume of passing attempts each week, but the Bills host the Browns this Sunday. Only two quarterbacks have failed to throw for two or more touchdowns against the Browns and seven have thrown three. Add in Taylor’s rushing ability, and he could be a QB1 in Week 15.
Jameis Winston, TB – Winston would be a better option if not for a few concerns. First, Winston hasn’t thrown for more than two touchdowns since Week 9. Second, he disappointed in a terrific matchup last week. And third, the Bucs slow the pace of games nearly as much as the Cowboys do, which is whom they face (in Dallas) this week. Winston still has a nice upside and solid floor, but both are a bit lower than normal.
Matt Barkley, CHI – Barkley proved he could provide value in his first start. Yes, Barkley had 54 attempts in that game, but the Packers allowed the second most FPPG to quarterbacks in the four weeks before the Seahawks game. In those games, quarterbacks had 1,126 passing yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are clicking offensively, which will force the Bears to pass to keep up.
Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups RBs
Bilal Powell, NYJ – This should be fairly obvious. Forte injured his knee and is hearing crackling and popping as of this writing. If Forte misses time, Powell would see the lion’s share of the backfield work and be a legitimate Top 20 running back with the upside for RB1 value, especially in PPR. Let Powell be one more reminder about owning your handcuffs.
Powell could be a Top 20 RB if Matt Forte misses time. Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire
T.J. Yeldon, JAX – Chris Ivory still sounds questionable to return from an injury, as does Denard Robinson. If Yeldon continues to see the majority of running back work, he’ll be hard to ignore. The Texans are weaker against the run than the pass, putting Yeldon in the RB2 discussion if Ivory and Robinson are out again.
Kenneth Farrow, SD – The Chargers sound optimistic about Melvin Gordon’s health, but if Gordon were to miss Week 15, Farrow would lead the way. However, Farrow is less of a sure thing than Powell, as he has struggled a bit with pass blocking, giving Ronnie Hillman the opportunity to steal snaps. Nevertheless, Farrow is a tough runner a decent pass-catcher, making him a must-grab… if nothing else but to keep him away from your competition.
Charles Sims, TB – Sims was a low-end RB2 in standard and high-end RB2 in PPR leagues last year despite playing second fiddle to Doug Martin. In Sims’ first game back, he saw 15 snaps with seven touches and 50 yards. Look for Sims to see a bigger share against the Cowboys this week, giving him flex value in PPR leagues, which could help Forte or Gordon owners.
Justin Forsett, DEN – It appears Devontae Booker’s time is done. Booker has the talent, but he’s not C.J. Anderson and struggles in pass blocking. That latter part is the main reason Forsett had a larger workload despite it being his first game with the Broncos. Forsett knows Gary Kubiak’s system and Kubiak knows what Forsett can do. He’ll likely lead the Broncos backfield down the stretch.
Ty Montgomery, GB – It seems Mike McCarthy finally realized Montgomery is his best “running back.” Whether or not your site lets you use Montgomery as a running back, Montgomery must be owned in all leagues. As with Farrow, even if you don’t need Montgomery, you’ll want to keep him away from the competition given his upside.
Handcuffs that need to be owned: Mike Gillislee, Tim Hightower, DeAngelo Williams, Derrick Henry, Alfred Morris, Charcandrick West, Alfred Blue, Jeremy Langford, Alex Collins, Cameron Artis-Payne, DuJuan Harris
Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups WRs
Alshon Jeffery, CHI – Jeffery’s suspension is over and many owners couldn’t afford to hold onto him. If Jeffery is out there, throw everything you have at him, as Jeffery will be a WR3 at worst, especially with his being 100 percent healthy with the layoff.
Malcolm Mitchell, NE – Four touchdowns in four games since Mitchell grab a starting role in the Patriots offense. What more do you need to know? Tom Brady and the Patriots are going to score plenty every week, and Brady clearly enjoys looking for Mitchell for big plays and in the red zone. As I said last week, Mitchell is at least a Top 35 receiver down the stretch if not Top 25.
Robby Anderson, NYJ – Anderson is clearly Bryce Petty’s favorite receiver, as Petty has targeted him more than Brandon Marshall and Quincy Enunwa combined over the last two weeks. There is plenty of risk with the Jets offense, but 22 targets in two games is impossible to ignore.
Taylor Gabriel, ATL – If Mohamed Sanu returns, Gabriel’s value will take a hit, as his snap count would drop significantly. However, if Sanu is out another week or is limited in practice and less that 100 percent, Gabriel has proven more than enough over the past few weeks to warrant being a high risk/reward play against the 49ers.
Dontrelle Inman, SD – No team has a friendlier schedule for the passing game over the next two weeks than the Chargers do. Philip Rivers is a great bet to throw for at least two touchdowns against the Raiders and Browns each, and when he does, Inman has a high likelihood of catching one of them.
A.J. Green, CIN – Green has a chance, albeit low, to return this week. If so, it would be near impossible to keep a receiver with the talent of Green on your bench. Yes, the risk of him aggravating the injury and exiting early would be high, but so is Green’s potential for a 100-yard game.
Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups TEs
Cameron Brate, TB – Brate’s ownership is finally in a respectable range, but anything less than 90 percent is still too low. Even in an off week for Winston and the Buccaneers offense, Brate still had four catches for 47 yards, which had him 12th overall for tight ends. That shows how weak the position is this year, but also proves that Brate’s floor is as a fringe TE1, and his weekly upside is inside the Top 5.
Ladarius Green, PIT – It’s tough to have consistent value when your snap percentage remains under 50, but Green’s potential is still significant. Green is the team’s second best red zone option in the passing game… well, actually third when you include Le’Veon Bell. With Ben Roethlisberger’s propensity to target his tight ends frequently, Green is a perfect replacement for C.J. Fiedorowicz owners or those looking for upside in the playoffs.
The Fantasy Radio Sports Network (FNTSY) is the premier FREE 24/7 Fantasy Sports radio channel on the planet! Listen live or on demand and get the app in the ITunes Store or on Google Play. It’s the new home of the RotoExperts in the Morning and brand new shows featuring your favorite hosts, such as Tony Cincotta, Scott Engel, Jake Ciely, Nando Di Fino, Corey Parson, Pat Mayo, Joe Pisapia and many more!
