RADIO
In fantasy football leagues that use FAAB (free agent acquisition budget), it can be hard to know how much money to spend on key players at QB, RB, WR, or TE. Kev Mahserejian gives fantasy owners his recommendations on how to spend FAAB for Week 16.
As an addendum to our famous waiver wire pickups list, and our weekly waiver wire columns by position, in this column we also present suggested waiver wire bidding percentages for fantasy football owners in leagues using a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB).
Finals week is here and that FAAB is as close to useless as possible. This is THE must win (unless you have a Week 17, which you shouldn't). Spend all of your money no matter what. Below are our FAAB auction bidding recommendations (with a playoff twist) for Week 16.
The designation of "Outbid Opponents" means that you should evaluate how much FAAB your opponents have left and try to outbid them on any particular player(s) while trying to maximize what you have left for other free agents. Good luck, and happy bidding!
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FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Quarterbacks
Josh Allen (QB, BUF) - FAAB Bid: Outbid Opponent
23% owned
Josh Allen's fantasy stats are what you wish Lamar Jackson had been putting up these past few weeks. Allen is gigantic and hard to bring down while on the run. He is athletic as any quarterback in the league and will continue to provide a high floor with his legs. The deep shots are a bonus. If Allen can connect on a couple of his rockets downfield, he could win your playoff matchup. Somehow he's become a very solid play these next two weeks as he faces the Patriots who are just about middling defensively. Personally, would not want to start him in a championship matchup, but do what you must to win if your other options aren't better.
Sam Darnold (QB, NYJ) - FAAB Bid: Outbid Opponent
4% owned
The Darnold has finally reached fantasy relevance. With a matchup at home against a bad Packers' defense coming up, Darnold is in a prime spot to shine yet again. He has been magnificent these past few weeks on tape against the stout Texans and Bills and should take advantage of a beat-up Green Bay team. There are rumors that Aaron Rodgers might be out for the game with a "groin" injury, which would boost Darnold's outlook thanks to more possible possessions. Like Allen, he is not someone you should want to start, but someone you might have to start.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Running Backs
John Kelly (RB, LAR) - FAAB Bid: All
4% owned
Gurley is day-to-day with a knee contusion. Don't risk letting your opponent benefitting from the next running back up in the Rams' offense. Drop all your marbles on Kelly and see how the injury report goes in LA. He's a must-start if Gurley's out.
Elijah McGuire (RB, NYJ) - FAAB Bid: Almost All
33% owned
With Isaiah Crowell out for the season, McGuire has been granted the reigns of the Jets running game. He is the workhorse back in a mediocre offense but gets the benefit of playing an equally mediocre defense this weekend. The Packers are without Mike Daniels and recently lost Kenny Clark to injury. If Clark is once again ruled out, McGuire should be a very solid RB2. If not, he'll still be a great flex, especially in PPR thanks to his pass catching ability.
Jamaal Williams (RB, SEA) - FAAB Bid: Almost All
18% owned
Aaron Jones is probably out for the season, leaving Williams as the workhorse back in this offense that might completely stagnate if Deshone Kizer is under center. Williams is not someone to trust with your championship on the line but times are tough, and he is in flex territory. If Rodgers plays, he's a bonafide RB2.
Kalen Ballage (RB, MIA) - FAAB Bid: Whatever You're Comfortable With
2% owned
Frank Gore is officially out for the season, and Ballage has taken over as the lead back in the offense. Normally, this would be a run, don't walk scenario, but Ballage has to face the Jaguars this weekend. While they did just give up a billion yards to Derrick Henry two weeks ago, that is more likely because of Thursday night weirdness than weakness. Ballage is a flex option but not one to be too confident in, especially in PPR leagues. Grab him if you need him.
Mike Davis (RB, SEA) - FAAB Bid: Couple Bucks
19% owned
If Rashaad Penny is out again, Davis could be flexed in Week 16. The matchup with Kansas City should require plenty of passing and Davis is the passing-down back for the job. He provided a solid double-digit outing against the 49ers this past weekend and could be relevant once again. Fire him up in deeper PPR leagues if you must.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Wide Receivers
Mike Williams (WR, BAL) - FAAB Bid: Majority of Budget
51% owned
Three touchdowns last Thursday and potentially no Keenan Allen this weekend. That's a recipe for disappointment if I've ever seen it. Williams has an awful matchup on paper against a talented Ravens' secondary but could be targeted plenty if Allen's out. Melvin Gordon's presumed return puts a damper on the passing game volume-wise but actually things up. Williams is a potential WR2 with a bad matchup in championship weekend. Trust him at your own risk.
Robby Anderson (WR, NYJ) - FAAB Bid: Almost All
27% owned
Robby Anderson and Sam Darnold finally seem to have a solid connection between them. Anderson was heavily targeted against the Texans and should be in a similar position against a limited Packers'secondary. Jaire Alexander will probably be tasked with plenty of Anderson, but even then Anderson has the talent to win enough of those matchups. He's an upside WR3/Flex this week.
Daesean Hamilton / Tim Patrick (WR, DEN) - FAAB Bid: Majority of Budget
22% and 3% owned
Hamilton replaced Emmanuel Sanders as the Keenum's go-to slot receiver, and Patrick is now the outside receiver opposite Courtland Sutton. These two have been targeted plenty over the past two weeks and have looked pretty good in their new roles. A matchup against the weak Oakland Raiders' secondary should be exploited by these two. There is no real preference. Both are great WR3s in PPR this week.
Dante Pettis (WR, SF) - FAAB Bid: Almost All
46% owned
Pettis has been a monster these past four games. Mullens appears to have a great connection with him, and now that he's healthy there is no stopping him. This matchup with the Bears is daunting on paper, but they have given up a decent chunk of PPR points to WRs this year. Start Pettis if you need him.
Robert Foster (WR, BUF) - FAAB Bid: Whatever You're Comfortable With
1% owned
Foster has taken over the slot role in Buffalo and has become Josh Allen's most trusted target. He is an Alabama product and has burst onto the scene out of nowhere. Foster has four double-digit games over the past five weeks and has an exposable matchup against New England this weekend. Foster could once again go deep and produce, but that's something to go about with caution, especially in shallower leagues.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Tight Ends
Chris Herndon (TE, NYJ) - FAAB Bid: Couple Bucks
12% owned
Herndon has found the end zone a few times this year, but unfortunately, it was all in the span of three weeks mid-season. He is solid regardless and should be targeted a handful of times against the Packers. The wire is barren at tight end right now, just do what you got to.
CJ Uzomah (TE, CIN) - FAAB Bid: Couple Bucks
34% owned
Uzomah is a decent floor, low ceiling play. If you need a couple of points, he'll get you a couple of points. If you need a double-digits to win your matchup, he'll get you a couple of points. He's the definition of fantasy filler. The matchup against Cleveland is decent enough that he shouldn't completely flop.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Defense/Special Teams
Miami Dolphins D/ST - FAAB Bid: Outbid Opponent
18% owned
They are at home and play against the Jaguars this weekend.
New York Jets D/ST - FAAB Bid: Outbid Opponent (If Rodgers is Ruled Out)
11% owned
They might get to play against a starting lineup consisting of DeShone Kizer and Jamaal Williams. Keep an eye on the injury report for Green Bay.
Dallas Cowboys - FAAB Bid: Couple Bucks
35% owned
They are at home and play against the Buccaneers this weekend.
