RADIO
It's Wednesday morning. You dropped a player last night expecting to make some moves on the waiver wire, only to wake up and find out you weren't able to get anyone you put a claim in for. What now?
If you've got an open roster spot, its always a good idea to plan ahead for the future. There are plenty of players in the NFL ripe for a breakout game that will fly up the waiver wire in the following week. This column is here to help you anticipate who that's going to be, and stay a week ahead of your competition.
Usually, we look at guys with upside down the line in this column, but this week we'll look at a few guys who could help you next week. These players should help you beat the waiver wire ahead of Week 16, and give you a leg up should you be playing in championship week.
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Waiver Wire Stashes and Fliers for Week 16
Joe Flacco (QB, BAL) - 18% owned
After 12 weeks of being a fantasy afterthought, Joe Flacco is starting to look like a top streaming option in deeper leagues. Flacco has exactly 269 yards and two touchdowns in each of his last two games. The Ravens face Cleveland this week and Indianapolis next week. Flacco is starting to put up decent numbers at the perfect time. A week schedule and a relatively high floor make Flacco a consideration for streamers not satisfied with their current quarterback.
Nick Foles (QB, PHI) - 25% owned
With MVP candidate Carson Wentz done for the year, Nick Foles takes over as the starter in Philadelphia. Foles has a fairly loaded offense around him: a stable of good running backs and a solid receiving core around him. It was just four years ago that Foles threw for 27 touchdowns and two interceptions in a season. He could emerge as unlikely QB1 for a Week 16 matchup with Oakland if he plays well this week. Foles started just one game in Kansas City last year and was very underwhelming. He was a major disappointment for the Rams in 2015, but if 2017 has proven anything its that we can't trust what we saw from a quarterback playing for Jeff Fisher. Foles has been a legitimate fantasy option in the past. It isn't ridiculous to imagine him doing it once again.
Kerwynn Williams (RB, AZ) - 27% owned
The hardest thing for a running back to come by is volume. With Adrian Peterson being placed on the IR in Arizona, Kerwynn Williams is locked and loaded as the lead back for the Cardinals. Williams has played fairly well in his two starts for Arizona, running for 97 and 73 yards respectively. He already has FLEX appeal in deep leagues. A big performance in Week 15 will make him the top waiver option in leagues he is available. This is a guy I'd grab before he goes on waivers for Week 16.
Randall Cobb (WR, GB) - 52% owned
With Aaron Rodgers finally back in the lineup, everybody gets a boost. Jordy Nelson is back as a top fantasy option, DeVante Adams remains in the WR2 discussion, and Randall Cobb is once again a fantasy asset. Cobb has a proven connection with Rodgers and had some fantasy value early in the year with Rodgers under center. With just two games left in the fantasy season, Cobb is about as good of a stash as you could get. He could be in FLEX consideration for championship week.
Chicago Defense - 24% owned
Cleveland's opponent in Week 16 is Chicago, a defense who has put up quite a few solid performances this season. While Chicago is clearly the top streaming option for Week 16, this matchup screams trap game to me. Cleveland is going to be desperate for a win if they lose to Baltimore this week and Chicago simply isn't that good. It could finally be the week the Browns score a victory. Still, the odds are in favor of the Bears winning and putting up a solid fantasy day. They are a top streaming option and owners set at defense might want to pick them up now just to block the rest of the league.
Washington Defense - 30% owned
Washington faces off against a struggling Denver offense that may be starting Brock Osweiler in Week 16. The unit has been hard to trust this year, but has actually had a solid fantasy outing in two of their last three games. The Broncos offense should not scare anyone. For owners who haven't planned ahead on their defense for championship week, Washington is a solid play.
