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For most leagues it's time for the second round of the fantasy football playoffs, and today we're back with our Week 16 fantasy football waiver wire rankings to help you make the right moves this week on the waiver wire. The grind never stops.
Week 16 will be an interesting one -- with new injuries popping up yet again, there are likely going to be fill-ins and backups to emerge as viable fantasy options. Be sure to follow the news closely and be ready to strike. Each year players always rise during the fantasy playoffs to become difference makers and help win championships. Is Joshua Palmer here to stay and can be trusted down the stretch after a big week? Can we trust Noah Brown again after putting up back-to-back duds? Is Zamir White in line for another large workload with Jacobs injured?
Our waiver wire rankings will help answer these questions -- they've been a staple in the fantasy industry for years, providing a quick-hit list of player names that goes deep into the free agent options each week. For those unfamiliar, one of the industry's sharpest fantasy football minds, Nick Mariano, brings you his weekly waiver wire rankings and priority adds for the top 60 potential options.
Week 16 Waiver Wire Articles
Before diving into the Week 16 rankings, let's look at some other free waiver wire resources available at RotoBaller.
Each week, our NFL team puts out a complete array of fantasy football waiver wire articles to compliment our slick new Who Should I Pickup? Waiver wire player comparison tool. Bookmark it!
In addition, here is a quick rundown of our other waiver wire articles. First up is our overall Week 16 fantasy football waiver wire pickups (all positions) article by Robert Lorge and the famous Week 16 waiver wire express article compliments of Nick Mariano. These give a nice overview of the waiver wire pickup options each week. Then, we also look at FAAB waiver wire bidding recommendations from Nick Mariano. We also dig deeper for each position with individual waiver wire articles:
- RB waiver wire pickups for Week 16
- WR waiver wire pickups for Week 16
- TE waiver wire pickups for Week 16
- QB waiver wire pickups for Week 16
- D/ST waiver wire pickups, streamers for Week 16
- Kicker waiver wire pickups, streamers for Week 16
- IDP waiver wire pickups for Week 16
- The Cut List - players to consider dropping for Week 16
Who To Pickup for Fantasy Football Week 16?
Finally, below, you'll see our weekly rankings for the relevant waiver wire pickup options, including how to prioritize them for your league (depending on the league size). Quarterbacks and Defenses (D/ST) are grouped together at the bottom of the list:
| Rank | Player Name | Pos. | % Ros. | Baller Move |
| 1 | Ty Chandler | RB | 52 | Add in All Leagues |
| 2 | Noah Brown | WR | 40 | Add in All Leagues |
| 3 | Curtis Samuel | WR | 37 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 4 | Romeo Doubs | WR | 58 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 5 | Joshua Palmer | WR | 29 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 6 | Roschon Johnson | RB | 21 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 7 | Dontayvion Wicks | WR | 3 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 8 | Jerry Jeudy | WR | 54 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 9 | Jameson Williams | WR | 22 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 10 | Tyler Boyd | WR | 49 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 11 | Hunter Henry | TE | 24 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 12 | Demario Douglas | WR | 22 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 13 | Quentin Johnston | WR | 21 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 14 | Kenneth Gainwell | RB | 28 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 15 | Jerick McKinnon | RB | 41 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 16 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | 40 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 17 | Zamir White | RB | 15 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 18 | Tyjae Spears | RB | 45 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 19 | Rico Dowdle | RB | 11 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 20 | Tucker Kraft | TE | 10 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 21 | Rashid Shaheed | WR | 47 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 22 | Treylon Burks | WR | 11 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 23 | Parker Washington | WR | 5 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 24 | Greg Dortch | WR | 5 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 25 | Gerald Everett | TE | 44 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 26 | Chase Brown | RB | 20 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 27 | Justice Hill | RB | 13 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 28 | Jonathan Mingo | WR | 14 | Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 29 | Robert Woods | WR | 6 | Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 30 | Demarcus Robinson | WR | 8 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 31 | Tre Tucker | WR | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 32 | Latavius Murray | RB | 15 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 33 | Jamaal Williams | RB | 15 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 34 | Trey Sermon | RB | 0 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 35 | Juwan Johnson | TE | 12 | Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 36 | Jamal Agnew | WR | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 37 | Tyler Higbee | TE | 39 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 38 | Cedric Tillman | WR | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 39 | D.J. Montgomery | WR | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 40 | Tanner Hudson | TE | 4 | Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 41 | Jordan Mason | RB | 3 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 42 | Isaiah Spiller | RB | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 43 | Darius Slayton | WR | 2 | Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 44 | Michael Mayer | TE | 7 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 45 | Chris Rodriguez Jr. | RB | 3 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 46 | Ameer Abdullah | RB | 1 | Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 47 | David Moore | WR | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 48 | Trenton Irwin | WR | 1 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 49 | Baker Mayfield | QB | 54 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 50 | Jake Browning | QB | 47 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 51 | Gardner Minshew | QB | 25 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 52 | Joe Flacco | QB | 24 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 53 | Derek Carr | QB | 39 | Add in 2QB Leagues |
| 54 | Nick Mullens | QB | 4 | Add in 2QB Leagues |
| 55 | Aidan O'Connell | QB | 5 | Add in 2QB Leagues |
| 56 | Denver Broncos | DST | 47 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 57 | Green Bay Packers | DST | 47 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 58 | Chicago Bears | DST | 14 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 59 | Cincinnati Bengals | DST | 48 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 60 | Los Angeles Rams | DST | 21 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
Some of the top names include Zamir White, Curtis Samuel, Hunter Henry, Trey Sermon, and Noah Brown. We recap why these players rostered under 55% in Yahoo! leagues should be on your radar when scrolling through the waiver wire for Week 15.
Noah Brown, WR, Houston Texans (40% Rostered)
Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings: 2
After sitting out Weeks 11 and 12 with a knee injury, Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (knee) was cleared to play Sunday against the Titans. He rebounded in Week 15 after posting donuts in the last two games. The 27-year-old caught eight of 11 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Titans.
Brown is Houston's No. 1 wide receiver with Nico Collins (calf) sidelined. His fantasy stock will rise if rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) returns in Week 16 after missing a game due to a concussion. Fantasy managers should add Brown in all league formats with the expanded role as the Texans' top target.
Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (15% Rostered)
Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings: 17
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (quad) was ruled out for last Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Zamir White drew the start and posted a solid line in the Raiders' 63-21 win over the Chargers. White rushed 17 times for 69 yards and a touchdown while catching three of four targets for 16 yards. The 24-year-old outpaced Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden 17-6-2 in Week 16.
If Jacobs cannot suit up for Sunday's upcoming contest against the Kansas City Chiefs, White would remain the Raiders' lead back and have an expanded role in the second game of the fantasy postseason. Fantasy managers, especially Jacobs ones, and those searching for running back help should look to add White in all league formats.
Trey Sermon, RB, Indianapolis Colts (0% Rostered)
Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings: 34
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (arm) exited Saturday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers with an arm injury and did not return. Trey Sermon filled in for Moss and rushed for 88 yards on 17 attempts in the Week 15 win. Sermon would have an expanded role and be the Colts' lead back if Moss and Jonathan Taylor (thumb) remain sidelined.
However, Taylor is feeling good and could return after missing the previous three games with a thumb issue. The severity of Moss' injury is unknown, but he did have his x-rays come back negative. Sermon's fantasy value all depends on the health of both Taylor and Moss, making him an add in most leagues, but especially for any Moss or Taylor managers.
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots (24% Rostered)
Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings: 11
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (knee) is dealing with a knee and was initially injured during Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 29-year-old caught seven of nine targets for 66 yards and one touchdown in the Week 15 loss. Over the last two games with Bailey Zappe under center, Henry has caught 10 of 12 targets for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
Fantasy managers should monitor Henry's practice status throughout the week. If Henry doesn't miss any time, he is an excellent streaming option for the fantasy playoffs in a plus matchup against the Broncos. Denver has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Managers searching for tight-end help can add and stream Henry in Week 16.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders (37% Rostered)
Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings: 3
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin's monster performance overshadowed teammate Curtis Samuel but he still had a productive fantasy day in Week 15. Samuel caught five of nine targets for 41 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 28-20 loss to the Rams. The 27-year-old has hauled in 18 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns over his last three games.
Samuel has played well recently but draws a tough matchup against a tough Jets secondary in Week 16. The Jets allowed the least number of fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2023. Fantasy managers searching for wide receiver help or an option in deep leagues can look to add and start Samuel this week. It gets more challenging for the Commander's schedule with the 49ers on deck after the Jets, making Samuel a flex option at best in the upcoming weeks.
Running Backs - Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings
Pickups are in priority order:
| Player Name |
| Ty Chandler |
| Roschon Johnson |
| Kenneth Gainwell |
| Jerick McKinnon |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire |
| Zamir White |
| Tyjae Spears |
| Rico Dowdle |
| Chase Brown |
| Justice Hill |
| Latavius Murray |
| Jamaal Williams |
| Trey Sermon |
| Jordan Mason |
| Isaiah Spiller |
| Chris Rodriguez Jr. |
| Ameer Abdullah |
Wide Receivers - Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings
Pickups are in priority order:
| Player Name |
| Noah Brown |
| Curtis Samuel |
| Romeo Doubs |
| Joshua Palmer |
| Dontayvion Wicks |
| Jerry Jeudy |
| Jameson Williams |
| Tyler Boyd |
| Demario Douglas |
| Quentin Johnston |
| Rashid Shaheed |
| Treylon Burks |
| Parker Washington |
| Greg Dortch |
| Jonathan Mingo |
| Robert Woods |
| Demarcus Robinson |
| Tre Tucker |
| Jamal Agnew |
| Cedric Tillman |
| D.J. Montgomery |
| Darius Slayton |
| David Moore |
| Trenton Irwin |
Tight Ends - Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings
Pickups are in priority order:
| Player Name |
| Hunter Henry |
| Tucker Kraft |
| Gerald Everett |
| Juwan Johnson |
| Tyler Higbee |
| Tanner Hudson |
| Michael Mayer |
Quarterbacks - Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings
Pickups are in priority order, with emphasis on Week 16:
| Player Name |
| Baker Mayfield |
| Jake Browning |
| Gardner Minshew |
| Joe Flacco |
| Derek Carr |
| Nick Mullens |
| Aidan O'Connell |
Defenses (D/ST) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Rankings
Pickups are in priority order, with emphasis on Week 16:
| Player Name |
| Denver Broncos |
| Green Bay Packers |
| Chicago Bears |
| Cincinnati Bengals |
| Los Angeles Rams |
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More Waiver Wire Analysis
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
