Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers - Week 16

December 17, 2019

Quarterback waiver wire pickups and streamers for Week 16 of the fantasy football season. Elliott Baas recommends QB free agents to consider adding off waivers.

It's championship week, and if you're looking for quarterback streamers things have either gone horribly right or horribly wrong for your squad heading into the title game. Whichever it is, we've got some strong options to help bring home the ship.

Maybe you're looking for a streamer because your regular starter has a tough matchup. If you own Tom Brady (vs. BUF), Josh Allen (@ NE), Jared Goff (@ SF), Baker Mayfield (vs. BAL), Carson Wentz (vs. DAL), Patrick Mahomes (@ CHI), Aaron Rodgers (@ MIN), or Kirk Cousins (vs. GB), then it's at least worth weighing your options.

In this article, we're looking at quarterbacks owned in fewer than 65% of fantasy leagues, while throwing in a few deep-league options who are owned in fewer than 20% of leagues. Ownership is based on Yahoo leagues and is current as of 12/15/2019.

Week 16 Quarterback Waiver Wire Options

Philip Rivers (LAC) 59% Owned vs. OAK

Rivers and the Chargers got their teeth kicked-in by Minnesota yesterday, but luckily for the veteran gunslinger this will be much easier in Week 16. The Chargers host Oakland, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. They’ve also allowed the highest average yards per target, third-highest aDOT, and an above average completion rate on passes at least 15 yards downfield. In other words, their secondary can’t handle the deep ball. Starting free safety Lamarcus Joyner has been an abomination in pass coverage for Oakland this year, and they are without top corner Daryl Worley. Oakland’s already subpar defense could be extra-vulnerable in this one.

While the matchup is a good one, Rivers himself has been a question mark all year. There’s no sugarcoating it, father time looks to have claimed Philip Rivers. His 18 interceptions are the second-most in football, and Rivers has been brutalized by defenses, taking a hit on 10% of his dropbacks. In Rivers’s defense, he’s faced one of the toughest schedules of any quarterback this season. Since week five’s faced just two bottom-10 pass defenses, Oakland in Week 10 and Jacksonville in Week 14, and Rivers shredded the Jaguars for three touchdowns and 24.5 fantasy points. Even taking his struggles into consideration, Rivers has been productive on volume alone. He’s averaged 309.75 passing yards and 35.5 attempts per game over his last four games. With his track record and an excellent matchup, Rivers is by far the top stream of the week.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA): 25% Owned vs. CIN

Fitzpatrick had a solid fantasy showing this past week, putting up 279 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants. He’s been a solid fantasy quarterback over the last few weeks, averaging over 22 points per game over his last four games. A string of soft matchups have boosted his numbers, and the good times should continue this week as the Dolphins host the hapless Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and while that may not seem too bad, that number is artificially lower because opponents rarely throw on Cincinnati. The Bengals have seen the fourth-fewest pass attempts this season, certainly a product of their -169 point differential, second-worst the in league. 

With an anemic run game led by Patrick Laird, The Dolphins won’t have the luxury of keeping the ball grounded in this one. Miami has relied heavily on Fitzpatrick’s arm as of late, as Fitz has averaged 40.2 pass attempts over the last five weeks. The connection between Fitzpatrick and Devante Parker may be the strongest offensive force either team can offer in this game, and Fitzpatrick has the ability to deliver another solid fantasy performance in championship week.

 Jacoby Brissett (IND): 37% Owned vs. CAR

The Panthers are a team in turmoil, as they dropped their sixth-straight game yesterday in a 30-24 loss to the Seahawks. They’ve allowed 31 points per game during that stretch, and while their rush defense has received some well deserved criticism recently, Carolina has also allowed multiple pass touchdowns in each of the last four games. Brissett has yet to play this week, but in the week before the Colts QB took advantage of a soft opponent, scoring 22.64 points against Tampa Bay. Obviously, Brissett would be much better off if T.Y. Hilton plays in Week 16, but even without Hilton he’s got a nice young duo at receiver with Zach Pascal and Marcus Johnson, and a reliable target with the veteran Jack Doyle at tight end. Brissett doesn’t have the same upside as the likes of Philip Rivers and Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he is less mistake-prone and blowup-prone than the latter. Fitzpatrick has thrown twice as many picks as Brissett despite starting one fewer game. If you aren’t willing to roll the dice with a riskier play, then Brissett provides a safer option with a stable floor in this matchup.

Two-QB League Pickups

Daniel Jones (NYG): 18% Owned @ WSH

Jones has been on the sidelines the past two weeks with an ankle injury, and it’s a wonder if the Giants would risk their QB of the future in a lost season, but if Jones is healthy and plays he’s a good deep-league streaming option. Jones hsa flashed brilliance at times this season, and has proven capable of capitalizing on a bad defense. He’s had three games of 28 points or more, and they came against Tampa Bay, Detroit, and the Jets. Washington hasn’t been as bad as Tampa or Detroit, but they’ve had their struggles against the pass this season, allowing the 13th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. They just allowed three touchdowns to Carson Wentz, who is missing his top three wide receivers. Washington is struggling at cornerback, with Quinton Dunbar out and Fabian Moreau hobbled they were forced to start the corpse of Josh Norman in this one. Norman was outdone by rookie Greg Ward Jr., a quarterback who converted to receiver after going undrafted this offseason. The Giants’ receiving corps isn’t the strongest, but their better than what Philadelphia can offer these days. Jones could leap back into production if healthy. If Jones doesn’t play, then Eli Manning (6% Owned) could be a sneaky two-QB streamer as well, though Jones is the more enticing option.

Drew Lock (DEN): 6% Owned vs. DET

Lock disappointed in Week 15 after a strong showing the week before against Houston, but Lock has the perfect bounceback opportunity this week, facing Detroit at home. The Lions’ defense has already booked their tee times for the offseason, having checked out sometime in October following the Quandre Diggs trade. Detroit’s secondary was absolutely dominated by a banged up Jameis Winston last week, as Winston put up 458 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-17 road win. Lock isn’t on Winston’s level yet, but he is of a similar archetype. He’s a tall, strong-armed quarterback with questionable decision-making skills. The Lions are tied for the sixth-most fantasy points per game allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and have managed a meager six interceptions all year, tied for second-fewest in the NFL. Detroit’s lack of turnover-prowess should help a young quarterback like Lock avoid costly mistakes. Lock makes for a high-upside dart throw in a juicy matchup.

Dwayne Haskins Jr. (WSH): 3% Owned vs. NYG

Haskins had his best showing as a pro last week, going 19-for-28 with 261 yards and two touchdowns in Washington-s 37-27 loss to Philadelphia, good for a 121.3 passer rating.  He also chipped in with 26 rushing yards, helping him top 19 fantasy points for the first time in his career. To say Haskins is hard to trust would be a massive understatement, but in leagues where even Drew Lock is unavailable Haskins could prove to be a decent hail mary option. The Giants have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and their defense took a big hit when they cut Janoris Jenkins last week. Jenkins was their only above average corner, and with him gone DeVante Parker took advantage of a week counterpart for two touchdowns yesterday. If you’re looking at quarterbacks owned in fewer than 5% of leagues, then Haskins at least has upside in a soft matchup.

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