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Nick Mariano's fantasy football waiver wire FAAB bidding guide for Week 15 (2025) -- how many FAAB dollars (free agent acquisition budget) to spend on waivers.
Many of you are now knee-deep in the playoffs, while others in shallower formats may still have a week to go before the four-team playoffs kick off. We hope that you still have some FAAB funds to play with, but this can still serve as a waiver prioritization article with lookahead stashes to help skirt the $0 remaining issue. It's likely a do-or-die format from here on out, so let's do it up with our famous waiver wire pickups list and our fantasy football waiver wire columns by position -- specially tailored for leagues using FAAB.
It's imperative that you realize how these FAAB prices do not indicate how much these free-agent players will go for, as every league has a different FAAB landscape by now, and you need to adjust for how much FAAB remains. All of the bye weeks are behind us, so you're out of excuses and must decide whether those injury stashes you're still carrying are truly worth it. Championship week stashes are important, but make sure you have your bases covered for the current matchup.
As always, I cannot know your specific league outlook, so please try to leverage historical data and personal knowledge of the remaining opponents whenever possible. We still cap the rostered rate at 40% on Yahoo!, but you can adjust if someone is dropped or remains on the wire above that threshold. Those looking at a bye can line up QB or DST streamers as needed and prioritize high-value handcuff RBs where available.
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FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Quarterbacks
J.J. McCarthy (QB, MIN) - 30% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
McCarthy kicked off this beautiful stretch of schedule to end his fantasy season with three touchdowns on 16-of-23 passing (163 yards). He also chipped in six rushes for 19 yards, which gives him five or more rush attempts in four of his seven starts. That's right, he's only made seven NFL starts, so an upward trajectory is easily in play.
Naysayers can point to the low passing volume and write this off, but bear in mind that Washington collapsed on the other side of the ball in the 31-0 rout, so why push it? Upcoming games against the Cowboys, Giants, and Lions should put up more of a shootout script fight, with all three sporting top-five QB-friendly fantasy defenses.
Tyler Shough (QB, NO) - 8% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Shough the passer was nothing special, completing 13 of his 20 pass attempts for 144 yards with an interception on a miscommunication with Chris Olave downfield. The rain was bad, so I can overlook this (Baker Mayfield only had 122 yards!).
Meanwhile, Shough the rusher galloped for a season-high 55 yards and a pair of TDs on seven totes. That makes three consecutive games out of the bye with six or more rushes, which sneaks him onto the streaming radar for Week 15 against a tough Carolina defense. He then faces the Jets and Titans, if anyone in deep waters needs a stash.
Shedeur Sanders (QB, CLE) - 8% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Sanders hit on several big plays in a Week 14 loss to the Titans, compiling 364 yards and three scores on 23 completions alongside three rushes for 29 yards and a fourth TD. Tennessee is not a strong opponent in 2025, with a worse defensive form since Week 7, but it hadn’t allowed a 300-yard passer before this:
And now, Cleveland must travel to Chicago and face a Bears defense that has overwhelmed bad QBs (Spencer Rattler, Tyler Huntley, Mason Rudolph), but still yields 20-plus fantasy days to others. Where you rank Sanders and the Browns’ overall offensive potential at this time will determine which bucket he’s in for you.
David Njoku’s knee injury takes a key red-zone piece off the chessboard, and Sanders being lifted for goal-line reps diminishes his median expectations, but achieving a 40-point day is a strong counter to ceiling arguments.
*Bryce Young is 18% rostered coming out of the bye (following a three-TD performance against the Rams) and will face the Saints in the Superdome.
*Marcus Mariota, at 10% rostered, could start for Washington after Jayden Daniels re-injured his left elbow. His QB1 effort at DEN portends good things at NYG.
*Riley Leonard should be available everywhere and could take rushing upside into a scary road matchup in Seattle, but is uncertain with a knee injury. The team is having Philip Rivers come in for a workout, which is not going to attract my FAAB dollar(s).
FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Running Backs
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB, WAS) - 37% rostered
FAAB Bid: 25-35%
Aggressive Bid: 35-45%
Desperation Bid: 45-60%
Rodriguez continues to run well, gaining 52 yards on 10 totes against a good Minnesota defense, but he’s dependent on scoring a TD for fantasy viability. He tends to capture 10-15 rushes per game while Jeremy McNichols handles the passing downs. Do you need a TD-dependent RB3 for the flex?
Washington potentially losing Jayden Daniels again does lower the offense’s overall potency, but Marcus Mariota is a capable backup. Fantasy speculators who need a rental should at least consider Rodriguez against a Giants’ rush D that has allowed the second-most points to RBs this year.
Bam Knight (RB, ARI) - 37% rostered
FAAB Bid: 20-30%
Aggressive Bid: 30-40%
Desperation Bid: 40-50%
The Cardinals needed to throw early and often against the Rams powerhouse, which left only seven carries and five targets for Knight, who ceded the majority of hurry-up snaps to Michael Carter. Trey Benson is still on the IR, and Arizona has until Wednesday to activate him, or else he’s done for the year.
It won’t get much easier than the Rams’ vaunted front in Week 15, which sees Arizona travel to Houston. You’ll want Knight for Weeks 16 and 17 against Atlanta and Cincinnati, which brings a controllable gamescript and a vulnerable defense, respectively. He seems to be the goal-line option, even if Emari Demercado returns from his ankle injury.
Blake Corum (RB, LAR) - 33% rostered
FAAB Bid: 15-20%
Aggressive Bid: 20-25%
Desperation Bid: 25-35%
The Rams had seemingly cooled on Corum after he failed to find lanes against Seattle and Tampa Bay in Weeks 11 and 12 (15 carries for 34 yards), but he’s shown stellar burst over the last two weeks.
After cruising to 81 yards and a TD plunge on seven carries against Carolina in Week 13, he flew through the Cardinals for 128 yards and a pair of TDs on 12 rushes on Sunday.
We know the Rams want to avoid leaning on Kyren Williams before the playoff reps hit, so Corum’s 7-12 weekly touch share seems safe. The problem lies in a pair of upcoming games against top-five rushing defenses in Detroit and the Seahawks, as mentioned earlier.
Still, the Rams’ propensity for scoring in chunks keeps many players on fantasy radars. Just be aware that both Carolina and Arizona were bottom-10 rush defenses, and the pendulum swing in opponent quality is roaring back. However, holding Corum could pay off in Week 17 against Atlanta.
Devin Singletary (RB, NYG) - 24% rostered
FAAB Bid: 8-12%
Aggressive Bid: 12-18%
Desperation Bid: 18-25%
Singletary holds that valuable goal-line role in a split backfield with Tyrone Tracy Jr., who is coming off a hip stinger in Week 13. The Giants get to face Washington's defense now, which just allowed a 28-143-1 line to Minnesota's RBs.
In fact, the Commanders have been dinged for six rushing TDs in the last four games, allowing a lively 5.2 yards per carry in their last eight contests. Let's see just how much having Jaxson Dart in helps the team's production compared to the ugly 21-6 loss in Week 1.
Jaylen Wright (RB, MIA) - 3% rostered
FAAB Bid: 4-6%
Aggressive Bid: 6-8%
Desperation Bid: 8-12%
De’Von Achane suffered a rib injury amidst the Week 14 win and did not return, but was available to return in an emergency. Of course, they rolled the Jets, so that was not close to occurring. Since then, Mike McDaniel said Achane “needs treatment” and could rest during practice sessions this week, though the star will push to play.
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane rib injury Sunday came from falling on ball. He was adamant to Mike McDaniel he could have returned to game and he’s highly motivated to play next Monday vs. Steelers.
No fracture, he had MRI. Just treatment and maybe a little practice rest. Good news.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 8, 2025
Ollie Gordon II remained Achane’s backup to open the game, but Wright was the spell back on the second drive and ran well enough to establish momentum. He wound up with 24 carries for 107 yards and a TD (Gordon had a 5-17-1 line).
If Achane is limited or out for Week 15 at Pittsburgh, then Wright would carry some flex appeal despite the tough matchup. The issue there is that Miami plays on Monday, so pivots will be limited. If the injury spilled over in Week 16 against Cincy, then Wright becomes a serious fantasy asset.
FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers
Luther Burden III (WR, CHI) - 16% rostered
FAAB Bid: 20-25%
Aggressive Bid: 25-30%
Desperation Bid: 30-40%
Burden held a 47.5% route participation rate and measly 4.2 aDOT on six targets in Week 13, but still posted two missed tackles forced with the juicy 74% slot usage rate.
Without Rome Odunze (foot) in Week 14’s gritty loss to the Packers, Burden moved to a 72% wide alignment rate with an 8.3 aDOT for a 4-67-0 line on a team-high six targets (64% route participation). It’s not the spike we hoped for, as Olamide Zaccheaus absorbed much of Odunze’s vacated usage, but he only had two catches for seven yards.
The rookie was a clear focal point while DJ Moore continued to fade into the shadows (one catch for negative four yards and lots of frustrated video clips). With Odunze week-to-week, Burden remains a solid play, though Caleb’s inconsistency and a Week 15 date with Cleveland keep the volatility high.
Jayden Reed (WR, GB) - 40% rostered
FAAB Bid: 10-15%
Aggressive Bid: 15-20%
Desperation Bid: 20-25%
Green Bay wasn’t afraid to scheme up plays for Reed upon his return, including the first play of the game. He wound up with four catches for 31 yards and two rushes for another 22 yards on the ground.
With the foot and shoulder injuries behind him, he led all receivers in touches while Romeo Doubs went without a catch on two targets, Matthew Golden is still bothered by the wrist issue, and Dontayvion Wicks barely played due to his ankle injury.
It’s possible that if those two get healthier, then the receiver room will be so muddied that everyone is a roulette spin. However, Reed’s immediate involvement and Christian Watson’s big-play ability look to be the most reliable going into Week 15 at Denver.
Kayshon Boutte (WR, NE) - 29% rostered
FAAB Bid: 7-10%
Aggressive Bid: 10-15%
Desperation Bid: 15-20%
New England’s receivers weren’t asked for much in the Week 13 win over the Giants, as Boutte paced the crowd with four catches, 35 yards, his sixth TD of the year, and 25 routes run.
He’s only gotten five receptions in a game twice this year, but New England is both well-rounded and has often faced light competition. They’ll face the Bills and Ravens over the next two weeks before likely steamrolling the Jets in our championship week.
Andrei Iosivas (WR, CIN) - 14% rostered
FAAB Bid: 5-8%
Aggressive Bid: 8-12%
Desperation Bid: 12-16%
Tee Higgins missed Week 13 due to a concussion and had an excellent game in Week 14, though he missed some time after hard falls on an icy Buffalo field. He cleared protocol checks during the game and returned to play, yet reported concussion symptoms afterward and is back in the protocol.
Tee Higgins had concussion symptoms after the game. He will go back in the protocol, according to Zac Taylor.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 8, 2025
Risking a third concussive event in such a small time period is a massive problem, so season-ending IR is possible, especially with Cincy eating another loss. We’d expect Iosivas to once again take on a more prominent role, though the floor is still low beyond Ja’Marr Chase and Chase Brown. Still, Joe Burrow’s current form means you’re buying in before Week 15’s dance with Baltimore.
Pat Bryant (WR, DEN) - 3% rostered
FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-8%
Desperation Bid: 8-12%
Bryant once again outproduced Troy Franklin, though the underwhelming box score result keeps this role shift rather quiet. The rookie brought in all four targets for 32 yards in the win over Las Vegas, which is how many yards Franklin has combined for in Denver’s last two games.
The Broncos haven’t eclipsed 28 points scored in a game since Week 8’s outburst against Dallas, so the pie isn’t as big as we’d like. However, the next three games (GB, JAX, at KC) should push Denver out of its comfort zone. Bryant’s best PPR output yet was in Week 11 against the Chiefs (5-82-0, six targets), so perhaps we expand on that down the stretch?
*Jalen Coker had a season-high 74 yards and his first TD in Carolina's last game.
*Ryan Flournoy could find valuable starting reps in Dallas if CeeDee Lamb (concussion) cannot go.
*Darius Slayton is the boom-or-bust deep man for Jaxson Dart’s Giants.
*Adonai Mitchell’s appeal hinges on Tyrod Taylor or Justin Fields playing in Week 15.
*Devaughn Vele remains a starting piece with PPR appeal.
*Chimere Dike is the slot man with return TD potential, and SF is vulnerable to the slot.
*Tim Patrick posted a 5-78-1 line with Parker Washington (hip) out.
*Jack Bech had six catches, though most came with Kenny Pickett in late relief.
FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Tight Ends
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, CLE) - 40% rostered
FAAB Bid: 13-18%
Aggressive Bid: 18-25%
Desperation Bid: 25-30%
Fannin’s first career 100-yard game came with another TD, eight catches, and 11 targets. It’s his second straight game with a score as the rapport with Shedeur Sanders builds, and if David Njoku’s knee injury limits him, then Fannin could ascend as the consolidated red-zone threat.
For the uninitiated, Fannin was an outstanding receiving TE in college, but setting records at Bowling Green left quality-of-competition questions unanswered. Those in shallower leagues waffling on underperforming “studs” can consider Fannin for Week 15 against Chicago.
Colston Loveland (TE, CHI) - 40% rostered
FAAB Bid: 8-12%
Aggressive Bid: 12-15%
Desperation Bid: 15-20%
Despite icy weather, Loveland found the end zone with 29 yards on four catches (five targets). It’s his second TD of the last three games and a continuation of averaging five looks per game over nearly two months now.
Rome Odunze (foot) being out didn’t change Loveland’s play, and Cole Kmet did outsnap him for a second week in a row, with Loveland running 20 routes to Kmet’s 21. But roughly one-third of Loveland’s routes were from the slot or out wide, whereas Kmet only had a 15% usage rate there. Last week, Loveland had a 55% clip there (Kmet 12%), so we’re still on the right path for valuable routes.
The Bears may have wanted more help to mitigate Green Bay’s edge rushing, especially after Caleb Williams got off to a horrid start in the first half. Chicago may be able to revert to the run-heavy ways against Cleveland in Week 15, but at least monitor the high-scoring scripts in Week 16 (vs. GB) and 17 (at SF). All four of Loveland’s TDs have come in games with over 45 combined points tallied.
Isaiah Likely (TE, BAL) - 6% rostered
FAAB Bid: 5-8%
Aggressive Bid: 8-12%
Desperation Bid: 12-15%
Many of us recognize that Likely should’ve had that second TD late in Week 14’s loss to Pittsburgh, but the “what is a catch” debate rolls on. It’s particularly painful given the previous week’s lost fumble out of the end zone. Regardless, he did secure an earlier score and now has a 9-120-1 line over the last two games.
A rematch with Cincinnati’s TE1-crowning defense looms, and all Mark Andrews has done lately is make fans question the three-year extension tendered to him by the franchise. Can he make up for lost TDs in this green-light gamescript?
Mike Gesicki (TE, CIN) - 2% rostered
FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-7%
Desperation Bid: 7-10%
On the other side of the ball will be Gesicki, who was nearly invisible in the first game against Baltimore (2-19-0 on four looks). But the first Gesicki Griddy of 2025 came out in Week 14 against Buffalo’s stingy (to TEs) defense, as he hauled in all six targets for 86 yards and a TD.
Those who lost Zach Ertz or are generally hurting for upside shouldn’t shy away from riding Joe Burrow’s coattails to red-zone chances. The score was great, but it was also encouraging to see Cincy run him up the seam (and Gesicki pulling off the snazzy catch helps).
Gesicki down the field with one hand
CINvsBUF on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/6urgEkz6Sh
— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025
*Colby Parkinson scored for the fourth time in five weeks ahead of a likely shootout script between the Rams and Lions.
*AJ Barner could see more usage with Elijah Arroyo suffering a knee injury of unknown severity. He had 10 catches against the Rams in Week 11 and faces them again in Week 16.
*Ben Sinnott is the upside case for Washington over John Bates in the wake of Zach Ertz's injury.
FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Defense (D/ST)
Jacksonville Jaguars Defense (vs. NYJ) - 36% rostered
FAAB Bid: 2%
Aggressive Bid: 3%
Desperation Bid: 4%
The Jags slipped into some prevent defense late against Indy with the backup QB in and an eventual 36-19 victory well in hand. Don’t let that overshadow a stellar day with three turnovers, a sack, and a fourth straight effort leading to fewer than 20 points allowed.
They’ve buttoned things up since Week 10’s fourth-quarter meltdown in Houston, and now they may get a Jets team that is starting Brady Cook. With Jacksonville playing like this (the offense is averaging over 30 points per game since the Week 8 bye), the Jets will be in trouble even if Tyrod Taylor or Justin Fields can go.
Take the Jags at home in a potential avalanche. They’ll also square off with the same beleaguered Colts team in Week 17.
San Francisco 49ers Defense (vs. TEN) - 22% rostered
FAAB Bid: 2%
Aggressive Bid: 3%
Desperation Bid: 4%
San Fran entered the bye with its two best defensive efforts of the year, and they’ll come out of it to face Tennessee and Riley Leonard’s Colts. The Niners held Carolina to nine points on MNF in Week 12 before capping Cleveland at eight points in the cold. Each game featured multiple takeaways and four combined sacks, which is a big deal considering they’d only recorded seven sacks over the previous eight games.
Injuries to Fred Warner and Joey Bosa have undoubtedly lowered expectations here, but a healthy offense can flip the field and force opponents into more risky behavior. Line up SF for the next two weeks against Cam Ward and Leonard.
Chicago Bears Defense (vs. CLE) - 21% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3%
Those who scoffed at the Sanders section earlier will surely delight in scooping up the defense that gets to host him on homefield. Chicago has forced a turnover in six straight games, but they’ve only logged three sacks in the last four.
Facing QBs with a strong pocket presence will do that, but just be aware of the recent trend. The Bears must win this to maintain an inside track to the playoffs with tough games against the Packers, Niners, and Lions beyond it.
Dallas Cowboys Defense (vs. MIN) - 11% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3%
Again, your feelings on McCarthy will inform whether you lean on Dallas or look for other options. The Cowboys’ re-tooled defense looked incredible in Week 11 against a lowly Las Vegas squad, but then they’ve faced the Eagles, Chiefs, and Lions.
Doing so has seen them understandably linger on many waiver wires, but now you can see if a high-powered Dallas offense puts McCarthy’s offense into an early negative gamescript. Minny’s defense is no slouch, but if Dallas can tilt the scoreboard, then the JJM that has thrown multiple picks in all four of his losses could emerge.
Carolina Panthers Defense (at NO) - 4% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3%
The Panthers have some Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde to their game, but they forced three turnovers in each of their last two games against Brock Purdy and Matthew Stafford. Can they contain Tyler Shough’s rushing ability and make him win through the air?
**New Orleans is 8% rostered and will face the Jets and Titans after this Panthers matchup. If you haven’t already made a stash for future playoff weeks, then now is the time. Those with byes already secured should’ve done this by now!
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