RADIO
Alex's fantasy football WR waiver wire pickups for Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season. Free agent wide receivers to add, stream, and stash off waivers.
Welcome back, RotoBallers, for Week 15's edition of wide receiver waiver wire pickups. It's bittersweet, isn't it? An entire season's worth of roster decisions, start-sit questions, and the like, all bringing us to one destination -- the fantasy playoffs. If you're still with us, don't blink. While it's been a wild ride in the 2025 campaign thus far, we're not out of the woods yet.
It was a particularly rough week for wide receiver scoring in Week 14, and that wasn't just because we had the final four teams on bye. The (current) PPR WR24 for the week posted a dismal 11.5 fantasy points (Bo Melton). If that score stands, it'd be the second-lowest for the WR24 on a given week this season, and two full fewer points than that finish has averaged on the year as a whole.
Luckily, we've listed a few more intriguing receiver assets below for your choosing. As has been the case all season, the players in this column are available in more than half of leagues, and are featured in priority order for your convenience. Please consult your league's scoring settings before staking a claim, considering PPR is assumed. Happy hunting!
Editor's Note: The FFPC Playoff Challenge #2 is back with a massive $100,000 grand prize and $203,250 total prize pool, paying down to 100th place. Here's the deal: no salary cap, no draft, no pickups, no subs. Choose 8 players, and as NFL teams get knocked out so will your players, so choose your team wisely. The entries will sell out quickly, and registrations will close on Saturday January 17th at 4:30 pm ET . Don't wait - get your team now and end your fantasy football season with a shot at $100,000! Sign Up Now!
Wide Receiver Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans - 42% rostered
Houston and Kansas City capped Sunday's festivities with a defensive-focused slugfest. Even with the Texans' offense stalling for most of the second half, they beat out the hosting Chiefs in a hard-fought 20-10 victory. Houston's attack wasn't at its best, but I'm still willing to give Jayden Higgins a chance on the waiver wire.
C.J. Stroud only threw for 203 yards on the evening, and Nico Collins accounted for 121 of them on 4-of-8 receiving -- all team-highs. Higgins came in behind him, though (3/34), operating as the team's No. 2 wideout for yet another contest.
With a stellar defense supporting Houston's O, it won't be too often that the unit finds itself in a shootout, culminating in a lower ceiling for the Iowa State alum than other secondary wideouts around the league. With that in mind, tight end Dalton Schultz appears to be the only significant target threat outside of Collins in the offense.
Higgins has established himself as a solid WR3, and I feel a blowup game coming on the horizon. Grab him before it's too late.
John Metchie III, New York Jets - 14% rostered
The Jets' outing in Week 14 got off to a rough start right out of the gates. Aside from being down 21-0 within the first 10 minutes of the contest, quarterback Tyrod Taylor (groin) exited with a groin injury shortly after the game began, ceding way for rookie Brady Cook to close out their 34-10 loss.
Cook looked like a fish out of water, but I still think John Metchie III can be a fantasy asset.
Metchie could only haul in four passes for the second straight week, although he'd also command another eight targets, tying him for the team lead with tight end Mason Taylor. Despite another lowly yardage total (34 yards), the 25-year-old's share of New York's pass attempts is substantial since he joined the team.
Teammate Garrett Wilson's (knee) potential return in Week 15 will hurt Metchie's opportunity, but should also help open things up for the rest of the offense. Even with a slight downtick in that aspect, there's a decent PPR floor here.
Variables notwithstanding -- including who will be the quarterback in next Sunday's road meeting with the Cleveland Browns -- there is latitude for another modest fantasy option in New York if Wilson plays again this year. I prefer Adonai Mitchell's talent, but I'm staking my claim on Metchie with Wilson's impending reinstation.
Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers - 14% rostered
Jalen Coker and the Panthers didn't suit up in Week 14, as they were one of the final four squads to get a week off. However, I'm recommending him for this feature anyway, since I've liked what I've seen from him since he rejoined the team following an injury.
The former undrafted free agent showed promise during his rookie season in 2024, but a quadriceps injury mid-year slowed his progress. Another quad injury kept him out during the first half of this season, but he has been gaining momentum over the past few weeks.
Coker has at least four targets in five of seven appearances thus far, and his performance in Week 13 was the best yet, pulling in four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown (six targets).
I've advocated for a secondary Panthers' pass-catcher behind rookie Tetairoa McMillan all season, and I'm hopeful that Coker will be the one to prove me right. Pay no attention to his slight dip in snaps from a week ago, as he played ahead of teammate Xavier Legette for each of the four games prior.
Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys - 1% rostered
Dallas couldn't outlast a feisty Lions' squad in Thursday night's 44-30 road loss. With superstar teammate CeeDee Lamb (concussion) forced from the contest early, Ryan Flournoy took over and put up a stellar performance.
It was the second time this season Flournoy popped off for 100-plus yards in Lamb's stead, recording a scintillating 9/115/1 line on 13 targets. Each of those figures, aside from the yardage total, was a team best, even with George Pickens out there for a full complement of snaps. While it's possible that Lamb won't miss any time, Flournoy should be on our radars regardless.
Flo on the go 💨
📺: #DALvsDET on Prime Video
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/RmDxAeCG4M pic.twitter.com/o8FXEHB15R— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 5, 2025
The Southeast Missouri State product has carved out a decent role over the back half of the season for Dallas, operating as the team's third wideout regarding snap share in each appearance since Week 8.
His volume hasn't been consistent enough to warrant starting for fantasy each week, but Dallas' offense is one we want pieces of, especially when there are looks in the passing game available.
Owners can't expect another 100-yard effort from the second-year pro, although he'll likely be the topic of quite a few start/sit queries over the days ahead if Lamb's ailment keeps him out for Week 15's home matchup with the Vikings on Sunday Night Football.
Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans - 15% rostered
Tennessee won a thriller on Sunday afternoon, barely eking out the Cleveland Browns on the road 31-29 in inclement weather. It might not always be pretty, but rookie wideout Chimere Dike got it done again, registering another useful fantasy performance.
The former Florida Gator couldn't get much going in terms of yardage with Cameron Ward throwing for a paltry 117. However, Dike pulled in his second touchdown in three games -- and fifth all-purpose score of the campaign (two returns) -- all while leading the team with five catches and eight targets (24 yards).
Chim is HIM! #ProBowlVote + @chimdk11
📺: #TENvsCLE on @NFLonFOX & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/NXOupQhZSh
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 7, 2025
Ward has been up and down -- and more down than up -- making it hard to trust Tennessee's skill-position players week to week, as it's unclear which version of the first-year QB we'll get. Still, Dike has been one of the most consistent options in the Titans' game plan, and his work on special teams gives him a superb boost in leagues that account for such statistics.
The future looks bright in Nashville if Ward can develop.
Deeper Wide Receiver Fantasy Football Pickups
Devaughn Vele, New Orleans Saints - 1% rostered
Devaughn Vele couldn't come through for fantasy managers who rolled him out in Week 14. After a strong eight-catch, 93-yard outing in last weekend's road loss to the Dolphins, the San Diego, California, native could only muster 40 yards on three of his five targets as the Saints picked up their third victory in a win over the Buccaneers.
Vele's lack of production on Sunday might be a deterrent for fantasy managers looking for help at wide receiver, but he still projects to hold some value across the remaining games.
Despite New Orleans' lack of stable offensive production, the 27-year-old has really come around for the team since ex-teammate Rashid Shaheed was traded to Seattle.
From Week 10 on, Vele has played at least 87% of the Saints' snaps in a given game. Furthermore, he's either led or tied Chris Olave (back) in the metric in each contest and has been their leading receiver in the last two outings.
It's unclear whether Olave's back issue has contributed to his recent drop in production. Either way, Vele has seemingly emerged as a go-to guy in the offense. He can be relied upon for low PPR value, even with tight end Juwan Johnson seeing a steady stream of targets.
Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears - 17% rostered
Chicago came into Sunday's meeting with the Packers riding a 9-1 record over its last ten games. However, the Bears couldn't keep up with their division rivals, falling 28-21 on the road, and slipping into seventh in the NFC playoff picture.
Quarterback Caleb Williams had a so-so outing without his top receiving target, Rome Odunze (foot), but first-year pro Luther Burden III stepped up in his stead, leading the team in catches (four), yards (67), and targets (six). The 21-year-old had steadily seen a rise in involvement starting in Week 10, though this was the first time he stepped into a premier role.
Burden didn't run the most plays at his position, or even the second-most. He did, however, set a new high in snaps (50) and snap share (71%), and has now reeled in at least three catches in five straight.
Considering Odunze's foot injury prevented him from participating in practice this week at all, it isn't a stretch to think he may be made to miss another game. If that's the case, Burden would be poised for another significant workload when Chicago lines up across from the visiting Cleveland Browns in Week 15.
Tim Patrick, Jacksonville Jaguars - 0% rostered
Teammate Parker Washington's (hip) absence allowed veteran Tim Patrick to make an impact in Jacksonville's 36-19 win over their division-rival Indianapolis Colts. The 32-year-old was effective, posting 78 yards and a touchdown on five of his six targets. It was his third TD of 2025, and second in his last four appearances.
.@trevorlawrence hits Tim Patrick on a ROPE after spinning out of the pressure ‼️
RT to #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/QtSR3WsyeM
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 7, 2025
Patrick isn't a long-term option, as it's possible he slides back down the pecking order next Sunday if Washington's hip injury only causes him to miss one contest. That said, the former should retain a solid role if the opposite comes to fruition.
While Jacksonville hasn't been that pass-happy, the target share is mostly consolidated to a few players. Jakobi Meyers' ascension quashes some of Patrick's upside. However, Brian Thomas Jr. hasn't been himself all season, leaving a few extra looks available for the veteran if Washington fails to suit up for next weekend's meeting with the New York Jets.
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Coker, Luther Burden III, Jayden Higgins, John Metchie III. These are some common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy football rankings, projections, and more.
Improvements For Who Should I Pickup? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Pickup? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win on the waiver wire in 2025. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, stats, projections, strength of schedule, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Coker, Luther Burden III, Jayden Higgins, John Metchie III:
More Waiver Wire Analysis
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
