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The fantasy football playoffs will officially be underway this Thursday evening when the Seattle Seahawks play host to the San Franciso 49ers. Hopefully, our site here at RotoBaller has helped you make your way into your league's playoffs.
If you're lucky enough to have secured a first-round bye, be sure to start checking out your matchups for Weeks 16 and 17. This is such a competitive advantage, so be sure to use it. If your team will be in action in Week 15, be sure you're treating it as the win-or-go-home matchup that it is.
Let's look at the top Week 15 waiver wire pickups and free agent adds for all positions. Be sure to also check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice, and our free new Who Should I Pickup? Waiver Wire player comparison tool to get an edge on the competition! Let's get to who the best waiver wire additions are this week. As always, the players will appear in the order in which they should be prioritized.
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Running Backs – Waiver Wire Options
Zonovan Knight, New York Jets – 55% Rostered
Zonovan Knight needs to be a priority add if he's still on waivers. He has 17 touches in three straight weeks. He has double-digit half-PPR points in three straight games. He's had at least 75 scrimmage yards in each of his last three games.
In Week 15, the Jets play against the Detroit Lions, which could be a high-scoring affair. Fantasy managers in need of a starting running back should look to add Knight right away. He's locked into 15 touches per game and is the primary goal-line back for the Jets.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens – 49% Rostered
Ever since he's been healthy, the Ravens have treated Gus Edwards like their No. 1 running back. However, in Week 14 with J.K. Dobbins back in the fold, Edwards operated as the 1B to Dobbins' 1A.
Edwards played 21 snaps while Dobbins played 28. Their touch total was very close as well. Dobbins led the way with 15 carries, but Edwards was right behind with 13. Dobbins was immensely more productive, finishing with 120 yards compared to Edwards' 66. He also found the end zone, whereas Edwards did not.
Still, the pitiful passing game in Baltimore and the injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley could force them to lean on the running game even more, so Edwards should continue to see 10–12 carries per game.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers – 33% Rostered
If you're in need of a starting running back for Week 15, Chuba Hubbard should be on your radar, and if you find yourself in such a spot, I'd be adding Hubbard ahead of Joshua Kelley. In back-to-back weeks, Hubbard has been given 17 touches. He finished with 65 scoreless yards in a tough Week 12 matchup against the Broncos but finished with 99 total yards and a score in Week 14 against the Seahawks.
On another positive note, in Week 12, he recorded all of his touches via carries, but this past week, he mixed in a few receptions, too. He finished with 14 carries and three receptions. The Panthers will play the Steelers in Week 15, who have allowed the 14th-most points to opposing running backs this season.
Others to Consider: Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers – 4% Rostered, Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears – 36% Rostered, Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers – 13% Rostered, Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings – 34% Rostered, Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles – 15% Rostered, Matt Breida, New York Giants – 11% Rostered
Wide Receivers – Waiver Wire Options
Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans – 52% Rostered
If Treylon Burks was dropped in your league due to him missing last week with a concussion, he's well worth the addition. He left the Week 13 game early due to a concussion, but not before catching a touchdown. However, in the prior three games, Burks was averaging 68 receiving yards and 76 air yards per game. Those numbers rank 23rd and 27th, respectively, among receivers. As long as Burks is able to return in Week 15, he's likely to be ranked as a WR3, one who will continue to come with weekly WR2 upside.
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars – 51% Rostered
This is going to blow your mind, but through 13 weeks of the 2022 NFL season, Zay Jones is averaging 7.9 targets per game. He's played 11 games so this isn't some sort of small sample size gimmick either. His 7.9 targets per game are higher than Deebo Samuel, Tee Higgins, Tyler Lockett, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith. He's also averaging 5.5 receptions through 13 games, which is tied for 14th among receivers. In any kind of PPR league, Jones is a really good addition.
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals – 46% Rostered
Rondale Moore injured his groin early in Week 11, which forced him out and did not allow him to return. This injury forced him to miss Week 12 as well. The Cardinals had a bye in Week 13, but it wasn't enough for him to get back on the field this past weekend. He's played seven full games this season, and in five of them, he's been used almost exclusively in the slot.
During those five games, he's seen 49 targets. It should be noted that none of those five games had both DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown active for Arizona. Starting tight end Zach Ertz is now on IR, which should help the target competition concerns that may have existed otherwise. Arizona has spent the vast majority of their season behind on the scoreboard, so the pass attempts will continue to be there.
If Moore is back on the field in Week 15, it'll be interesting to see how he fits into the offense with Brown and Hopkins, but from what we've seen from him out of the slot, if he was dropped following his injury, he's worth the pickup. In those five contests he played from the slot, he scored 9.6, 7.9, 19.9, 10.9, and 13.9 half-PPR points. He's a better asset in PPR-scoring leagues, but he should maintain a WR3/4 value moving forward.
D.J. Chark Jr., Detroit Lions – 40% Rostered
D.J. Chark has been pretty effective for the Lions this season when he's been healthy. He's played just four games where he's had a snap share over 70%, but in those four games, he's scored 13.2, 6.1, 8.6, and 12.3 half-PPR points. In those contests, he's received 25 targets or 6.25 per game.
He played on 64 of his team's 76 snaps in their Week 13 win over Jacksonville. He also led the team in routes run with 41. He finished second on the team with six targets and finished just shy of the century mark (98). In Week 14, he played 60 of the team's 70 snaps and earned seven targets. He finished with six receptions, 94 yards, and a touchdown. He's found the end zone in three of his five games that he played 70% or more of the snaps. He also has 90 or more yards in back-to-back games.
Chase Claypool, Chicago Bears – 46% Rostered
Since Chase Claypool was acquired by the Chicago Bears, he's earned a 19.3% target share from Weeks 9–13. That's only led to 4.4 targets per game, but with Darnell Mooney now on IR, there's plenty of opportunity for Claypool to earn a larger role. Even if he does that, fantasy managers need to keep expectations in check because this is still a low-level passing attack. However, the Bears' passing game will likely run through Cole Kmet and Claypool. In deeper leagues, Claypool is worth the add in hopes that the Bears' bye week will have been used to further implement him into their game plan.
DeVante Parker, New England Patriots – 16% Rostered
DeVante Parker has played eight games for the Patriots where he's played at least 55% of the team's snaps. He's scored eight or more half-PPR points in five of them. Two of the three games where he didn't score at least eight were the first two games of the season and Parker's first two games with the Patriots.
The third was in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills. He has at least 60 yards or more in four of those eight games. With Jakobi Meyers out in Week 14 against the Cardinals tonight, Parker could be in line for another big game. Parker has a great matchup in Week 15 against the Raiders, who allow the 11th-most points to opposing receivers this season. In Week 16, they'll play the Bengals in what is likely to be a positive game script for the Patriots' pass-catchers.
Elijah Moore, New York Jets – 27% Rostered
Corey Davis left the game this past weekend early due to a concussion, which typically results in a player missing one game. While Garrett Wilson has been the team's No. 1 weapon in the passing game, Moore quietly had nine targets this past weekend. This upcoming weekend, the Jets have a date with the Detroit Lions who have been one of the most generous fantasy defenses in the league.
Slot receivers against Lions the past month:
Wan'Dale Robinson 9-100
Isaiah McKenzie 6-96-1
Christian Kirk 6-104
K.J. Osborn 5-38-1Elijah Moore, come on down.
— John Daigle (@notJDaigle) December 12, 2022
It's been a rough second season for Moore, but if you need to stream a receiver for Week 15, Moore could finally be a really good option. I wouldn't sleep on him considering the matchup and the improved quarterback play.
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions – 36% Rostered
Jameson Williams is the ultimate stash candidate, but we're running out of time for Williams to earn enough playing time that fantasy managers can feel confident enough putting him into their starting lineup. In Week 14, he played just 13 snaps out of the team's 70. He finished with just two targets but made the most of them by finishing with one reception of 41 yards that just so happened to end with him crossing the goal line.
If you're in a deep league, Williams' boom potential may still be worth the gamble, but until he starts playing more snaps, he's going to be tough to trust. Still, Week 14 showcased the kind of potential he has any time he steps foot on the field.
Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills – 42% Rostered
For the past few weeks, Isaiah McKenzie has operated as the primary slot receiver and it's been a fruitful change for his fantasy prospects. While he had a down week in Week 14, the entire Bills' offense was held in check by the New York Jets. However, in his prior two games, he had a combined 15 targets, 11 receptions, 140 yards, and one touchdown.
In Week 15, the Bills will go up against their division opponent, the Miami Dolphins, and while they've been a tough matchup for receivers this season, this game could very likely turn into a shootout.
Mack Hollins, Las Vegas Raiders – 30% Rostered
On the season, Mack Hollins is averaging 6.1 targets per game. He's also averaging 47 yards per game and 75 air yards per game. All three of these numbers rank inside the top-50 for receivers this season. These kinds of numbers aren't going to be a league winner, but they're good enough to keep him in the WR4/5 range weekly.
However, since Hunter Renfrow went on IR prior to Week 10, Hollins has averaged 7.2 targets per game, which ranks 26th among receivers. Unfortunately, his receiving yards have actually decreased, down to 42 despite an increase in his air yards (82). If Renfrow continues to stay out in Week 15, Hollins will be worth playing as a WR3/4.
Demarcus Robinson, Baltimore Ravens – 15% Rostered
Demarcus Robinson has been the best receiver for the Ravens over the past few weeks. Since the team's Week 10 bye, Robinson has racked up 27 targets over the past four weeks. He also has three games with at least five receptions or more. In three of the last four, he has at least 7.5 half-PPR or more points. This passing attack has been incredibly underwhelming and it's hard to envision that changing, especially if the Ravens are down to their No. 3 quarterback in Week 15.
Lamar Jackson did not play this past weekend, and based on reports from over the weekend, he seems to be on the wrong side of questionable for this upcoming week. Tyler Huntley left the Week 14 game early, leaving plenty of questions about Baltimore's passing attack. However, if Jackson is able to return in Week 16, Robinson has a good matchup against the Falcons, who allow the ninth-most points to receivers this season.
Richie James, New York Giants – 11% Rostered
Richie James has found the end zone in three out of the Giants' last four games and he has settled in as one of Daniel Jones' most trusted receivers. This past weekend, James played the most snaps among all the Giants receivers. He also ran the most routes and earned the most targets with eight. This is a low-volume passing offense, but James' slot role will keep relatively consistent.
He's had at least 40 yards in three of his last four games and has finished with at least three receptions in all four. The upside with any Giant not named Saquon Barkley or Daniel Jones is fairly limited. Even though he's found the end zone three of the last four weeks, his highest half-PPR performance was 15.6 points.
Isaiah Hodgins, New York Giants – 1% Rostered
Isaiah Hodgins operated as the Giants' No. 2 receiver this past weekend, which is somewhat surprising considering how well Darius Slayton has played this season. Still, it was Hodgins who played more snaps, ran more routes, and finished with more targets. He now has touchdowns and six targets in back-to-back weeks.
James, Hodgins, and Slayton are going to continue to operate as the top-three receivers for the Giants, which will make it difficult for fantasy managers to trust any of these options, but Hodgins has played well and in deeper leagues could be worth an addition, especially with positive matchups in Weeks 16 and 17.
Others to Consider: Corey Davis, New York Jets – 21% Rostered, Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders – 15% Rostered, Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams – 26% Rostered, Nico Collins, Houston Texans – 26% Rostered, Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts – 13% Rostered, Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders – 22% Rostered, Julio Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 16% Rostered, Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers – 16% Rostered
Tight Ends – Waiver Wire Options
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars – 56% Rostered
Holy Evan Engram! His Week 14 performance no doubt won (and subsequently) lost plenty of fantasy matchups this past weekend. He finished with 14 targets, 11 receptions, 162 yards, and two touchdowns. He finished with 33.7 half-PPR points.
He has seven games this season with six targets or more, eight contests with at least four receptions, and three double-digit half-PPR performances.
Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals – 41% Rostered
The health of two Bengals receivers will be an important Week 15 storyline. Tee Higgins played just one snap and Tyler Boyd played just two. If either is limited or out for Week 15, Hurst could be a very attractive option. However, that would also have to include Hurst being healthy enough to go himself. He missed their Week 14 win over Cleveland.
Appearing in 12 games this season, Hurst has earned seven or more targets in five of them. He also has seven or more half-PPR points in five contests. That kind of target volume is very attractive, especially at the tight end position. If Boyd and/or Higgins are out, Hurst's involvement in the passing game could be even higher in Week 15. He has an excellent matchup this upcoming weekend against the Buccaneers, who have given up the seventh-most points to tight ends this season.
Daniel Bellinger, New York Giants – 5% Rostered
Fantasy managers will need to track Daniel Bellinger's Week 15 injury status before deciding to add him this week. He left their Week 14 game with a rib injury. While he did attempt to come back, he was eventually ruled out and did not return. However, prior to leaving the game, Bellinger ran 100% of the team's snaps and had a 17.6% target share before departing.
Last week in his first game back, the Giants wasted no time easing him back in. Bellinger played a full snap share and ran a route on over 80% of the team's pass plays. He also finished with a 17.9% target share in Week 13. Bellinger's role right now is elite. He's playing almost all of the snaps, running a route at an elite rate, and has minimal target competition. Pay attention to his injury status, but if it's believed to be minor, he's one of the better widely available tight ends.
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets – 26% Rostered
In six games this season with Joe Flacco and/or Mike White under center, Tyler Conklin has averaged 6.6 targets, 4.6 receptions, and 39.8 receiving yards per game. That kind of target volume at the tight end position being available on the waiver wire is pretty rare. Corey Davis left Week 14 with a head injury and did not return. If he were to miss their Week 15 game, it would further narrow the target competition in New York.
Elijah Moore has been a gigantic disappointment in his second year, and if Davis were to be out, Conklin would likely operate as the No. 2 option in the passing game for either Mike White or Joe Flacco. He finished Week 14's game with eight targets and five receptions.
Others to Consider: Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 9% Rostered, Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders – 6% Rostered, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans – 14% Rostered
Quarterbacks – Waiver Wire Options
Daniel Jones, New York Giants – 55% Rostered
Daniel Jones has been playing some excellent football as of late. He has six touchdown passes in his last five games with just two interceptions. During that time period, he's also chipped in two rushing touchdowns. Jones has scored 14 or more points in five straight games since the team's Week 9 bye. He has three games over 18 and has one game with 24.64 points. He has three games with more than 200 passing yards in his last five games, which is more than he had in the first eight games of the season.
In Week 15, the Giants play the Commanders, who just two weeks ago Jones scored 17.1 points against. Washington has given up 17.2 points per game to the quarterback position, which makes Jones a decent streamer. In Week 16, however, Jones will go up against the Minnesota Vikings, who have been much more generous, giving up the fifth-most points to quarterbacks at 22.1.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers – 9% Rostered
Brock Purdy becomes a little less appealing with the news that Deebo Samuel suffered a high-ankle sprain, which will likely keep him out next week. Still, fantasy managers need to give credit where credit is due. He came in and relieved Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 13 and played very well against the Dolphins. He ended up with 14 points.
Getting a week's worth of practice and the full game, Purdy played amazingly against a tough Tampa Bay defense. He completed 76.2% of his passes and finished with two touchdowns and zero turnovers. The 49ers are up against the Seahawks in Week 15, who have given up the 14th-most points to quarterbacks this season.
Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts – 12% Rostered
Matt Ryan has been bad the last three weeks. He's been below 10 points in two out of three and scored 10.16 in the third. In Ryan's defense, he's played the Eagles, who have allowed the third-fewest points to quarterbacks, and the Cowboys, who have allowed the fourth-fewest points to quarterbacks this season. That's two of the hardest matchups for any quarterback.
In Week 15, however, the Colts will play against the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed the fifth-most points to quarterbacks this season. Ryan has some good pass-catchers with Michael Pittman Jr., Parris Campbell, and Alec Pierce. The Colts are also coming off their bye week and will have had plenty of time to prepare for the Vikings.
Others to Consider: Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons – 4% Rostered, Taylor Heinicke, Washington Commanders – 11% Rostered
Team Defenses – Waiver Wire Options
Minnesota Vikings – 41% Rostered
The Vikings have been a quality fantasy defense this season. Through 13 weeks, they're No. 13 with 6.5 PPG. Fantasy managers who will be in action in Week 15 will want to make the Vikings a priority add. That's because they'll play against the Colts in Week 15, who have given up the second-most points to opposing defenses this season at 11.6 PPG. Their Week 16 matchup isn't necessarily one to shy away from either. They'll play against the New York Giants, who have given up the 12th-most points to opposing defenses at 7.2 PPG.
Green Bay Packers – 33% Rostered
For any fantasy manager who did not get a first-round bye, there may not be a better defensive addition for Week 15. Not only will the Packers be coming off a bye in Week 14 and will have had plenty of time to rest up and prepare for their opponent, but that opponent couldn't be any easier. In Week 15, they'll play against the Rams, who have allowed the most points to opposing defenses this season. Sure, they'll have Baker Mayfield behind center, but he's been a turnover machine for the majority of his NFL career.
Tennessee Titans – 62% Rostered
If you're one of the teams with a first-round bye or maybe you're in a 10-team league where your fantasy playoffs do not start until Week 16, the Titans are an excellent addition. While you don't want to use them in Week 15 against Justin Herbert and the Chargers' offense, they get the lowly Houston Texans in Week 16. The Texans have given up the third-most points to opposing defenses this season at 11.3 PPG. If you have the roster spot to stash them until Week 16, their matchup against the Texans could be a week-winning move.
Denver Broncos – 43% Rostered
The Broncos find themselves in a similar situation as the Titans. They are best viewed as a defense to stash. In Week 15, they'll play against the Arizona Cardinals, who have been middle of the pack in terms of giving up points to opposing defenses. Due to how great their defense has played, they're a viable option in Week 15, but what should get fantasy managers excited is their Week 16 matchup against the Rams. They've been the most-friendly matchup for fantasy defenses this season, giving up 11.7 points per game.
Pittsburgh Steelers – 53% Rostered
The Steelers defense hasn't played like we're typically accustomed to seeing, but they have a nice matchup for the first week of the playoffs. They'll play the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have given up, on average, 7.5 points per game to fantasy defenses this season, which is the 10th-most this season. They're not a defense you'll want to use in Weeks 16 and 17, but they have one of the better matchups in Week 15 and are likely available on your waiver wire.
New Orleans Saints – 25% Rostered
Looking at the matchups for the Saints in Weeks 15 and 16 is unlikely to get any fantasy managers excited just based on the numbers, but there are reasons to be optimistic. In Week 15, they'll play the Falcons, who have been a stingy offense for fantasy defenses.
However, they'll have third-round rookie, Desmond Ridder, under center making the first NFL start of his career. Then in Week 16, they'll face off against the Deshaun Watson-led Cleveland Browns. He's been pretty dreadful through his first two weeks. If you're in a deep league or one where a lot of playoff teams are hoarding 2–3 defenses, the Saints aren't a bad consolation prize.
Arizona Cardinals – 24% Rostered
The Cardinals have been a middling defense this season, ranking 16th in points per game, but they have one of the better matchups on the Week 15 slate. They'll play against the Broncos, who are giving up the fourth-most points to fantasy defenses this season at 9.6 PPG. Russell Wilson did leave the game in Week 14, so it's possible their offense gets better, but regardless, it's hard to imagine Denver becoming an offense that fantasy managers need to be afraid of.
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