Pigskin Papers: 2022 Waiver Wire Week 16
Need Playoff Help? Consider Purdy
(Published December 19, 2022)
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Wow, what a weekend of NFL football! For many of you, the craziness that unfolded on the field played also played out in your fantasy playoff matchups. Kirk Cousins managers got to experience in very real time the lowest lows and highest highs of fantasy football, all inside of 2 crazy hours. And don’t get me started on the Raiders’ D/ST. If you made it through to Week 16, congrats, and keep reading. Actually, keep reading regardless.
If you’ve made it this far, your roster is probably pretty set. Still, some of you might need some help from the Waiver Wire this week. It’s pretty slim pickings, but let’s see what’s out there.
The Process: Each week, I try to identify the top Waiver Wire targets and evaluate the short and long term prospects of those players. I also do my best to identify which players who are coming off a big week are fool’s gold. I also try to identify streamers who might help you in a pinch. Note that this advice is primarily intended for Season-Long leagues, and NOT Dynasty leagues.
Some of the players I’ll talk about won’t be available in your league. As a general rule, I list players who are available in more than 50% of leagues. But what does that even mean? A 10 team league with 6 bench spots will have a much larger free agent pool than a 14 team league with 8 bench spots. Most leagues fall somewhere in between. This isn’t “one size fits all.”
NOTE: This column is posting before the Week 15 Monday night game.
Week 16 Waiver Wire:
QB:
Brock Purdy is putting up solid if unspectacular numbers, and has a very good schedule over the next 2 weeks (WAS, @LV). In 3 games, he’s thrown 6 TD passes against just one INT, plus a rushing TD. He has yet to throw for more than 220 yards in a game and given the quality of the 49ers’ defense, he’s not going to get into shootouts. So the upside is limited. Still, he’s got quality weapons and if you need help at QB, he’s proven to be a very viable option.
Daniel Jones will be at the Vikings this week. They’ve been a very good fantasy matchup for QBs (7th most fantasy points allowed), and Jones has been a pretty decent and consistent streaming option/QB2 for Superflex all year.
Grab McKinnon if You Can
RB:
Jerick McKinnon and Lat Murray are priority adds if they’re available, which they shouldn’t be at this point. Others:
It sounds like Jonathan Taylor might not play again this year. The Colts are reeling, and there’s really no reason to play him and risk further injury. This is a pretty bad offense that doesn't score a lot, so the recommendation below is a tepid one, at best. Still, volume is volume, plus the schedule is favorable (vs. LAC, @ NYG). Zack Moss and Deon Jackson figure to split the work, with the former getting more of the early-downs work and the latter more of the passing downs and 2-minute role.
Tyler Allgeier got 3 more carries than CP84 this week and the rookie made the most of the opportunity, surpassing 100 yards and scoring a TD against a stingy Saints’ run defense. This team runs, runs, and then runs some more and that’s not going to change with an inexperienced rookie at QB. Allgeier’s schedule is pretty neutral (@BAL, ARI). Also, Caleb Huntley suffered an injury so there’s less competition. He’s a good add if you need an RB.
Joshua Kelley got a decent amount of run (and scored a TD) against the Titans’ very tough run defense, with Austin Ekeler fighting through a shoulder injury. It sounds like Ekeler is fine, but Kelley is someone you can add if you’re desperate or if you’re an Ekeler manager.
Khalil Herbert should be back from IR this week, and is an intriguing pickup if you’re in need.
If Bam Knight misses any time with his knee injury, Michael Carter figures to be the biggest beneficiary, and in line to get the most work. If you’ve been riding Knight, picking up Carter is a good idea.
If you’re really stuck, it looks like Royce Freeman will have a decent early-down role for the Texans, with Dameon Pierce out. This is low-ceiling stuff, folks.
I can’t recommend Nyheim Hines. Yes, he caught a TD pass this week. But this backfield has turned into one where none of the 3 backs is getting enough of the work to be started with any degree of confidence, and especially with Josh Allen continuing to dominate at the goal line.
Zay Jones Continues to Shine
WR: If Jahan Dotson is available, he’s a priority add. Here are some other choices:
Zay Jones has been mentioned in this column at least ten times. Do you believe me now? This week’s opponent (NYJ) is a tough one though.
I could say the same thing about DPJ. I’ve mentioned him over and over, and he continues to produce.
If Treylon Burks got dropped in your league, he’s worth adding.
K.J. Osborn’s breakout game this past week needs to be taken in context. Justin Jefferson was out for part of the game, and the Vikings were trying to overcome a huge deficit, in frantic fashion. The volume of passing was very unusual and I don’t see this week’s game vs. the Giants being anything at all like the Indianapolis game. I can’t blame you if you want to grab Osborn after his monster game, but I think he’ll be hard to trust for the rest of the fantasy playoffs and especially with the Vikings not having the much to play for over the next 2 weeks.
Marquise Goodwin should step into the #2 role in Seattle with Tyler Lockett out for at least this week and possibly longer. Goodwin had a couple of good games in the #3 role, and this week’s opponent (KC) has allowed the most TD passes to WRs and the 5th most fantasy points to the position. Goodwin is worth an add and can be streamed at flex this week if you need him.
Other WRs you can think about, if you need some help: Mack Hollins, Romeo Doubs, Isaiah Hodgins, Russell Gage, Chris Moore, and Elijah Moore.
Yes, This Player Qualifies as a TE
TE:
Taysom Hill was my TE Sleeper of the Week last week and he delivered. He’s a boom or bust option, but he’s worth comsidering if you’re stuck at this weak position, as he’s a threat to score fantasy points 3 different ways. With Mark Ingram out, he figures to get used in more packages. The Saints are only a game out in their division and will be pulling out all the stops.
Chig Okonkwo continues to be serviceable, on a low-voltage Titans’ passing offense.
Juwan Johnson is back from his injury and once again, he’s finding his way into the end zone. He scored twice this past week and seems to be an Andy Dalton favorite.
Dawson Knox is hard to trust, but he has scored in 2 straight games, and this week’s matchup (@CHI) is a good one.
PK Streamers, Week 16: C. Dicker (@IND), G. Zeuerlein (vs. JAC), M. Gay (vs. DEN)
D/ST Streamers, Week 16: BAL (vs. ATL), TEN (vs. HOU), LAC (@IND)
***This column (Waiver Wire) and the Weekly Fantasy Recap appear each Monday and Tuesday, and the Weekly Fantasy Preview each Thursday. Please bookmark the site and come back often. You can also follow on Social Media - on Instagram (thepigskinpapers) and Twitter (@PigskinPapers). I appreciate your patronage and welcome your feedback. You can post in the comment boxes or email pigskinpapers@gmail.com.***
DH
