Week 16 Quarterbacks: Waiver Wire Pickups (QB)

If you are reading this article, then you're most likely planning for the final round of the fantasy football playoffs. For those of you in two-QB leagues or anyone in a QB bind, here are some Week 16 waiver wire recommendations for QBs that may still be available in your league. 

Quarterbacks for Week 16 - Waiver Wire Options

Kirk Cousins - QB, Washington Redskins – 46% owned in Yahoo Leagues

Week 15: 45 attempts, 29 completions, 381 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Analysis: Let’s start with the fact that Cousins's Week 16 matchup is against the Cowboys terrible defense. America’s Team gave up 34 second-half points to a Matt Flynn-led Packers team in their own house! Cousins, on the other hand, did everything right except win the actual game in Week 15, throwing for nearly 400 yards. He did a nice job spreading the ball, completing passes to nine players and finally getting big games out of both Santana Moss and Pierre Garcon. Unlike RGIII, he’s very much a pocket passer who doesn’t run and looks to pass first. Given the matchup and the fact that Cousins is getting an opportunity to prove he is a #1 QB, this makes him a really appetizing pick. Take a risk and start him.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – QB, Tennessee Titans – 14% owned in Yahoo leagues

Week 15: 58 attempts, 36 completions, 402 passing yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Analysis: He’s an underdog, under-the-radar player who heads into Week 16 with a terrific matchup against the Jaguars. The last time Fitz faced the Jags, he threw for 264 yards and 2 TDs, and ran in another TD. It’s reasonable to expect another solid game after his monster Week 15 against the Cardinals. The Titans have two serviceable WRs in Kendall Wright and Nate Washington, who though they lack name recognition, have both put up solid WR#2 numbers all season long. The Jags may be playing better after their 0-fer start, but don’t confuse them with a good team. Playing against one of the poorer passing defense makes Fitzpatrick a viable QB2 quarterback option.

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

Week 15: 37 attempts, 25 completions, 312 passing yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Analysis: Tannehill had a terrific game against the Patriots in Week 15, making it the seventh consecutive week in which he's had one or fewer INT and at least 200 yards passing. During this streak, he’s been above 60% completion in every game, averaging close to 35 passing attempts per contest. It’s no coincidence that the Dolphins have jumped into the wild-card hunt during this period. Tannehill is inching up toward QB1 status, but despite the winnable matchup in Week 16 against Buffalo, the weather may be his biggest foe, with the forecast calling for a near-80% chance of rain with winds at 25 mph.

Jay Cutler – QB, Chicago Bears – 48% owned in Yahoo leagues

Week 15: 31 attempts, 22 completions, 265 passing yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 3 Rushes, 11 Yards
Analysis: He has replaced Josh McCown, who had put up good enough numbers to earn another start, but you cannot fault the Bears for looking to Cutler if they want to make a serious playoff run. His performance was OK in his first start in nearly a month, as he complementing his three TDs with a couple of bad picks, and one those TD passes to Alshon Jeffery should have been intercepted, too. That said, the Bears of now are a far different team from the Bears of yesteryear. The modern version is all offense, led by two elite receivers and Matt Forte in the backfield. This team is designed to score a lot, and to do so by throwing the ball, which helps to make Cutler a shaky #1 but a solid #QB2 in deeper leagues.