Week 15 Quarterbacks: Waiver Wire Pickups (QB)

December 9, 2013

RotoBaller David Paul takes a look at some Week 15 quarterbacks (QBs) to consider as waiver wire pickups, and some QB2 options for the fantasy football playoffs.

If you are reading this article, then you're most likely planning for the 2nd round of the fantasy football playoffs. You are probably already set at the quarterback position, because you've gotten this far. But in case you're in a QB bind, here are some Week 15 waiver wire recommendations for QBs that may still be available in your league. 

Quarterbacks for Week 15 - Waiver Wire Options 

Carson Palmer - QB, Arizona Cardinals – 46% owned in Yahoo Leagues

Week 14: 32 attempts, 27 completions, 269 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT – 16.66 pts
Analysis:  Palmer's Week 14 matchup, in which he netted 17 points, was actually better than the final fantasy line would indicate.  Palmer connected for nearly 85% of his passes and threw for close to 300 yards, but only had 1 TD, which hurt his overall scoring.  This was the first game since mid-October in which he had less than two passing TDs, so expect a quick recovery against the Tennessee Titans.  Palmer hasn’t thrown more INT than TD since that same poor mid-October game against the Seahawks and is playing like a QB1 in deep leagues.  He's been a model of consistency the past few weeks and has a decent matchup for Week 15 against the Titans.  Consider him in all formats.

Joe Flacco – QB, Baltimore Ravens – 55% owned in Yahoo leagues

Week 14:  50 attempts, 28 completions, 245 passing yards, 3 TD, 3 INT – 29.00 pts
Analysis:  Flacco’s erratic season continued with a 3 TD / 3 INT game that included a last-second TD to cap off a remarkable football game.  His season total line of 18 TD / 17 INT sums it all up: mediocre at best.  Week 14 was the only week in which he threw for at least 3 TDs, which is pretty incredible when you think about it.  And in all other weeks, his best TD/INT differential was +1.  Playing in Detroit’s dome against one of the worst passing defense makes him a viable QB2 quarterback option, but not much more due to his noted inconsistency.

Ryan Tannehill – QB, Miami Dolphins – 26% owned in Yahoo leagues

Week 14:  33 attempts, 20 completions, 200 passing yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 2 Rushes, 56 Yards – 30.60 pts
Analysis:  Tannehill had a terrific game against the Steelers in Week 14, making it the sixth consecutive week he has had one or fewer INT and at least 200 yards passing.  In that timespan, he’s been a symbol of consistency for fantasy owners, completing at least 60% of his passes and topping 20 yards rushing in four of those games.  Despite the team’s offensive line woes, Tannehill’s found a nice outlet in TE Charles Clay, connecting for close to 100 yards in three of the last four.  He is inching up to QB1 status for his Week 15 matchup against New England, a team that just allowed nearly 400 yards to Cleveland’s Jason Campbell.

Jason Campbell – QB, Cleveland Browns – 6% owned in Yahoo leagues

Week 14:  44 attempts, 29 completions, 391 passing yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 2 Rushes, 27 Yards – 30.60 pts
Analysis:  If you had picked up Jason Campbell as a fringe QB2 for Week 14 you’re feeling pretty good about it.  He shredded the Pats defense for an unreal 391 yards and 3 TDs, and would have led the Browns to a big upset victory if the refs hadn’t made some questionable last-minute calls.  Campbell is still an inconsistent QB with questionable value in single-QB leagues, and he's heading into a tougher Week 15 matchup against the Bears. He’s put up three very good games and two very bad games this year, so you can flip the coin and play him as a decent QB2 option, but don't expect much more than that in standard leagues.