Week 16 Waiver Wire Wonders

Hello, there fantastic LAFBNetwork readers! We’re back with our waiver article for the week and more importantly, you’re back trying to get the inside scoop for your Championship in Week 16. Now of course not everyone won their semifinal playoff matchup; I know I took quite the beating from fellow LAFBNetwork writer Chauncey Telese, (90.56 – 173.14), but that’s neither here nor there.

If you were a non-winner this week I’ll meet you at your local pub at 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. But us non-winners shouldn’t give up, there’s still another week of fantasy, which means a potential opportunity to make sure those losers in the Championship can’t get all the good players. I know I’ll be doing my best Jeff Saturday impression and trying to block Mr. Telese and whoever his opponent might be in the Championship round in Week 16, so let’s check out some players for this upcoming week!

Week 16 Waiver Wire Wonders

QB

(CLE) Baker Mayfield @ New York Jets

owned in about 47% of fantasy leagues

You know it’s saying something when Mayfield has 20.68 fantasy points after just two-quarters of football against the Giants. This week Mayfield has the pleasure to go against the J-E-T-S that just received their first victory against our beloved Rams. I suppose even a blind squirrel finds a nut, *cough cough* Adam Gase.

As of right now, the New York Jets are sporting the second-worst passing defense in the NFL. They’re only behind the Seattle Seahawks but that’s not saying much. Even with the loss under his belt, Jared Goff still had a very playable 20.26 fantasy points.

I’m not saying Goff and Mayfield are interchangeable but Baker’s been on a hot streak lately and it would be very satisfying to go into the Championship round of your playoff with Mayfield and his juicy matchup.

(PHI) Jalen Hurts @ Dallas Cowboys

owned in about 38% of fantasy leagues

The rookie sensation Hurts has been quickly making a name for himself in fantasy, and the Eagles organization, in his first few starts. Throughout the year he’s been sprinkled in the offense whether it be in Wildcat or a series to give Carson Wentz a breather, but finally, we see his possible potential.

This past week against the Cardinals Hurts showed us exactly what he could do: 338 passing yards and three TDs, along with 11 rushing attempts for 63 yards and a score. Surprisingly enough, his rushing yards were a tad bit more expected than his passing game.

In Week 14 Hurts rushed 18 times for 106 yards against the New Orleans Saints and that’s a Saints team that can be a little stingy when it comes to the rushing game. It looks like the dual-threat QB is in another slam play this Week 16 against the Cowboys so pick him up where you can.

RB

(DAL) Tony Pollard vs Philadelphia Eagles

owned in about 45% of fantasy leagues

With Ezekiel Elliott sidelined this past week, Pollard had the time to shine and boy did he: 69 rushing yards and two scores, as well as six receptions for 63 yards. The man finished with 28.20 fantasy points which could’ve actually won your matchup this week.

Of course, when the cat’s away, the kittens get to play. With Zeke off the field, Pollard was practically guaranteed to be gaining all his groundwork. Already Pollard had most of the passing downs but give him the ball between the tackles and the man can work.

Against the San Francisco 49ers, Pollard averaged 5.75 rushing yards per attempt. Like the Saints, the 49ers don’t give up a lot of work on the ground and until this last Sunday, they averaged only 3.9 rushing yards per attempt. They also average 105.8 yards per game but Pollard had 132 overall yards on Sunday.

He’s had a promising performance when the game is on his shoulders but keep Zeke’s health in mind for next week’s matchup. If it is looking like Zeke is going to suit up Pollard would be a FLEX play at best, if Zeke is sidelined once again, feel free to slam Pollard in that RB slot.

(MIA) Salvon Ahmed @ Las Vegas Raiders

owned in about 34% of fantasy leagues

The first 100-yard rusher for the Miami Dolphins since 2018 definitely, Ahmed opened some eyes against the New England Patriots. The week started off with the Dolphins not naming a starting RB since Myles Gaskin was coming off IR and Matt Breida still lurking around in the trenches.

Even after DeAndre Washington had the backfield all to himself in Week 14 it didn’t seem to impress anyone because once Ahmed was cleared from his shoulder injury, he stepped right in and didn’t miss a beat. Once again, if Gaskin is out, put Ahmed in your starting roster, if Gaskin is back from his Covid-IR, Ahmed might be a FLEX play.

(NYJ) Frank Gore vs Cleveland Browns

owned in about 24% of fantasy leagues

Franky, Franky, Franky, whatever shall we do with you, Mr. Frank Gore. Somehow Gase trusts you enough to feed you the ball until you’re gushing out from the sides but he won’t just pass you the ball. This was Frank’s first week back as the lead back for the New York Jets.

The past two weeks Gore has been dealing with a concussion divvying up his work between Ty Johnson and Josh Adams but it was clear that there was something missing in the Jets’ offense. In his absence, Johnson barely had a single fantasy point, while Adams had four points.

In Gore’s first full game leading the backfield, he had 23 rushing attempts for 59 yards and a score. Clearly, he’s the most dynamic RB on the field so if you’re desperate for a mediocre performance on your roster this Week 16, Gore should be your man.

WR

(MIA) Lynn Bowden Jr. @ Las Vegas Raiders

owned in about 27% of fantasy leagues

Looking for a high-risk/high reward player to add to the roster? Bowden is going to be your guy. He is literally the FLEX of all FLEXes because he is both a WR and an RB so you may actually have to search for him in both categories.

This past week against the Patriots Bowden didn’t exactly shine super bright on the field like Ahmed but he has been showing some kind of fantasy relevancy to us making a judgment. In the past three weeks, Bowden has had 20 targets go his way, that’s almost seven targets a game.

The recent playability most likely comes from fellow WR DeVante Parker being sidelined with an injury. In the same game Parker was injured, Bowden had nine targets, the next week (this past week) Bowden had seven targets. He might not be utilized in the running game like Gaskin or Ahmed but somehow, someway Bowden is getting involved in the offense.

(ATL) Russell Gage @ Kansas City Chiefs

owned in about 24% of fantasy leagues

Did you have Julio Jones and have to pivot to another player or possibly Gage? Yeah, same here. Luckily I was able to scoop Gage off the wire the day or so before his game because if not, Gabriel Davis was calling my name.

Recently, most likely because of Julio’s health, Gage has been killing it for fantasy. Now I’m not saying he’s been a top 10 or 15 WR, but he has definitely been a safe pivot option if one of your starting WRs like Julio or Parker were hurt. In the last five weeks, Gage has accumulated 42 targets and averaged 13.06 fantasy points.

If I were to classify Gage, I would say he has a safe floor to which he could achieve. Matt Ryan has been looking his way in the absence of Jones but more importantly, Ryan has been targeting Gage almost eight times a game. If you need a last-minute sub, Gage should be your guy.

(PHI) Jalen Reagor @ Dallas Cowboys

owned in about 21% of fantasy leagues

Is it any surprise that the rookie QB Jalen Hurts would target fellow rookie Reagor? I think so, I wouldn’t want to give the ball to anyone with the same first name as me but that’s because I’m selfish. Hurts on the other hand is not because not only does he target all the rookie WRs on the Eagles, Reagor was actually targeted the most among the team.

Ever since Hurts took the starting spot he hasn’t been targeting the average faces that we saw earlier in the year for the Eagles. Travis Fulgham was reduced even more this past week to just two targets. Greg Ward had only five targets and two TDs but the guy only had 15 receiving yards. Hurts even spread the ball out to Quez Watkins for 40 yards and a TD. Consider Reagor a gamble but against the Cowboys, it may be hard to resist in Week 16.

TE

(WAS) Logan Thomas vs Carolina Panthers

owned in about 63% of fantasy leagues

Now I know Thomas is a little more owned than I normally like to talk about but come on, the guy is looking like the only receiving option in the Washington offense. Against the Seahawks, Thomas had a team-high 15 targets. Those are Travis Kelce or Darren Waller‘s numbers. Believe it or not, Thomas actually had more fantasy points, targets, and receptions than Kelce this week, and he 20.8 points! On the year Thomas is sixth in targets and fantasy points among all TEs. He has surpassed names like Hunter Henry, Noah Fant, and even Mike Gesicki. If he’s available in your league do not hesitate to pick him up and play him immediately.