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It’s Week 15, and you’ve secured your spot in the 2nd round. Now, let’s get to work.

Last week’s post has been updated, and Week 14 players have been removed.

Quarterback and Defense Streamers

Week 15

QB
Tyrod Taylor (BUF) vs CLE
Jameis Winston (TB) at DAL
Carson Palmer (ARI) vs NO

DEF
Buffalo Bills vs CLE
Houston Texans vs JAX
Miami Dolphins @ NYJ

Week 16

QB
Jameis Winston (TB) @ NO
Tyrod Taylor (BUF) vs MIA
Marcus Mariota @ JAX

DEF
San Diego Chargers @ CLE
Tennessee Titan @ JAX
Los Angeles Rams vs SF

Running Back Handcuffs

Whether you have the starter on these teams (listed after each) or are looking for playoff depth, the following running backs will be great options if the guy ahead of them misses any time.

Bilal Powell (NYJ) (Matt Forte) – potential starter Week 15
Kenneth Farrow (SD) (Melvin Gordon) – likely starter Week 15
DeAngelo Williams (PIT) (LeVeon Bell)
Derrick Henry (TEN) (DeMarco Murray)
Mike Gillislee (BUF) (LeSean McCoy)
Charles Sims (TB) (Doug Martin)

One down, two to go before you’re a champion. The following players should be the top waiver wire priorities for the week.

Should already be on your roster:
The following players should have already been picked up in past weeks, but if still available should be a top target for you this week:

WR
Taylor Gabriel (ATL) – Another one. With Julio Jones still hobbled, Gabriel will continue to thrive. Get him.

On to the next one:
Whether they had a big Week 14, their team has suffered a loss to injury, or you’re stashing for your playoff run, these guys need to be your targets for the week:

WR
Robby Anderson (NYJ) – Since Bryce Petty has taken over at quarterback for the New York Football Jets he has loved Anderson. With 23 targets, 160 yards, and a touchdown over the last two games, Anderson should continue to do well, as long as the Jets try to score. Biggest risk here is them giving up on games in an effort to tank.

Alshon Jeffery (CHI) – Potentially dropped in many leagues due to his suspension, Jeffery returns to action this week. Though a relatively meaningless game for the Chicago Bears, Jeffery could be a lifesaver for many fantasy playoff contenders. Matt Barkley has been playing surprisingly well, and (when healthy) Jeffery has the potential to dominate.

RB
Bilal Powell (NYJ) – Featured in our Week 9 write up, Powell should probably be in the section above, but we’ll put him here since it’s been a minute. Thought it seems weird to have another player from a 4-9 team on this list, their offense hasn’t been terrible for fantasy purposes and has some pieces that put up points. Powell is one of those players. With Matt Forte hobbled, and looking like he may miss time, Powell showed once again that he can dominate when given the chance. Scoop him.

Kenneth Farrow (SD) – Similar to Powell, Farrow is the backup to an elite RB, but proved that he can ball, too. Melvin Gordon also looks like he’ll miss some time and Farrow filled in well in his absence. Though we’d rather have Powell because we’ve gotten to see more of him in the past, Farrow will also be a great pickup this week, especially if Gordon misses this week and/or next.

 

It’s Week 14, and likely the opening round  of the playoffs in your fantasy league. Whether you’ve stumbled in like the Kool-Aid Man (see below), or cruised your way to a first round bye, you made it. Now it’s time to plan. Streamers, handcuffs, and matchups, oh my. We’re going to take a look at the players who we think might help deliver you the championship you’ve been waiting for.

Note: Sure, you should probably always play your studs (Aaron Rodgers, Seattle DEF, etc). However, you may not have the luxury of those easy decisions. If that’s the case, these players (based on recent performance and/or matchups) might just do the trick.

Quarterback and Defense Streamers

Week 14

QB
Jameis Winston (TB) vs NO
Andy Dalton (CIN) @ CLE
Eli Manning (NYG) vs DAL

DEF
Cincinnati Bengals @ CLE
Detroit Lions vs CHI
Houston Texans @ IND

Week 15

QB
Jameis Winston (TB) at DAL
Carson Palmer (ARI) vs NO
Tyrod Taylor (BUF) vs CLE

DEF
Buffalo Bills vs CLE
Houston Texans vs JAX
Miami Dolphins @ NYJ

Week 16

QB
Jameis Winston (TB) @ NO
Tyrod Taylor (BUF) vs MIA
Marcus Mariota @ JAX

DEF
San Diego Chargers @ CLE
Tennessee Titan @ JAX
Los Angeles Rams vs SF

Running Back Handcuffs

Whether you have the starter on these teams (listed after each) or are looking for playoff depth, the following running backs will be great options if the guy ahead of them misses any time.

DeAngelo Williams (PIT) (LeVeon Bell)
Derrick Henry (TEN) (DeMarco Murray)
Mike Gillislee (BUF) (LeSean McCoy)
Charles Sims (TB) (Doug Martin)

 

Playoffs are finally here. As we noted in weeks past, pickups going forward can have a big impact on your chances of winning the title. The following players should be the top waiver wire priorities for the week. Stay tuned for a separate post on top streamers and handcuffs for the entirety of the fantasy playoffs.

Should already be on your roster:
The following players should have already been picked up in past weeks, but if still available should be a top target for you this week:

WR
Malcolm Mitchell (NE) – With three touchdowns over his last three games, the former Georgia standout continues to shine in the high octane New England Patriots offense. Look for that to continue the rest of the season with Rob Gronkowski out.

Taylor Gabriel (ATL) – His ability to contribute was limited due to a decrease in snaps, but with Mohamed Sanu hurt and Julio Jones a bit banged up Gabriel should continue to show his big play ability moving forward.

On to the next one:
Whether they had a big Week 13, their team has suffered a loss to injury, or you’re stashing for your playoff run, these guys need to be your targets for the week:

WR
Brandon LaFell (CIN) – It initially seemed like Tyler Boyd was the Cincinnati Bengals receiver to grab once A.J. Green went down, but LaFell as emerged as Andy Dalton’s 2nd favorite option in the redzone (behind TD machine Tyler Eifert).

RB
Shane Vereen (NYG) – The best New York Giants backfield option when healthy, Vereen looks like he will be making his return this week. After extremely lackluster rushing efforts for the past few weeks, the Giants could really use him.

Justin Forsett (DEN) – More of a stash/handcuff, Forsett has been reunited with his former coach, Gary Kubiak, and will be backup to Devontae Booker. With Booker struggling as the lead back in Denver, Forsett could become an important part of the rushing game. However, this won’t happen right away, so you’ll probably need to be patient if you decide to scoop Forsett.

TE
Ladarius Green (PIT) – As most teams have done this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers used their TE to expose the New York Giants defense, and Green had a big day. Back to full healthy in a top tier offense, Green should continue to get his fair share of targets.

Jason Witten (DAL) – Still seems to be available in many leagues. See above re: New York Giants vs. TEs. He’s got them on Sunday Night Football.

Lineup wrecked by injuries, under-performers, or bye weeks? Likely the last week in your league before playoffs start, pickups here and going forward can have a big impact on your chances of winning the title. The following players should be the top waiver wire priorities for the week.

Should already be on your roster:
The following players should have already been picked up in past weeks, but if still available should be a top target for you this week:

QB
Colin Kaepernick (SF) – Was a top pickup last week, and then shredded. You need to scoop him if he’s still available.

P.S. Since taking over as QB he has more rushing yards than Todd Gurley, Frank Gore, Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray.

WR
Tyreek Hill (KC) – He really should not be available, but if he is then his 3 all-purpose TDs last week are probably convincing enough, no?

DeVante Parker (MIA) – Yes, we’re assuming that Ryan Tannehill will continue to get Parker the ball. But he’s been doing that frequently as of late, and when he does good things happen.

RB
Wendell Smallwood (PHI) – Not a lot of certainty in this backfield, especially once Ryan Mathews returns, but Smallwood has good well with limited reps.

On to the next one:
Whether they had a big Week 12, their team has suffered a loss to injury, or you’re stashing for a playoff run, these guys need to be your targets for the week:

QB
Robert Griffin III (CLE) – It pains me to put RG3 on this list, but hey, it’s a light week for QBs – ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU SHOULD ALREADY HAVE COLIN KAEPERNICK. He wasn’t great before he got injured, but the Cleveland Browns’ QB situation has been sketchy at best, and they might give him a go and see how he does, once cleared to return.

WR
Taylor Gabriel (ATL) – At the beginning of the season Mohamed Sanu was the front runner to be the Robin to Julio Jones’ Batman. However, that seems to have changed in the past few weeks. Enter Taylor Gabriel. Though he’s still more of a boom-or-bust option, Gabriel has that big play ability, as is evident in his Week 12 performance.

Malcolm Mitchell (NE) – There are a lot of mouths to feed in New England, but if anyone is able to spread it around it’s Tom Brady. Mitchell caught two touchdowns in Week 12, and has earned a role in the Patriots offense going forward. Likely not an every week starter on your team, he’s still worth an add based purely on his potential and his QB.

Dorial Green-Beckham (PHI) – Nelson Agholor is barely on the roster, and Jordan Matthews is injured. If Matthews misses extended time, DGB will continue as the Philadelphia de facto WR1, as he did Week 12 upon Matthews’ exit.

TE
Vernon Davis (WAS) – We told you to stash him, if you were able, weeks ago. Now is the time when you take Davis off the shelf. Jordan Reed looks like he might miss some time, and Davis has been very solid when either Reed or DeSean Jackson have missed time.

 

Lineup wrecked by injuries, under-performers, or bye weeks? The following players should be the top waiver wire priorities for the week.

Should already be on your roster:
The following players should have already been picked up in past weeks, but if still available should be a top target for you this week:

WR
Tyreek Hill (KC) – Not a huge week from Hill in Week 11, but with Jeremy Maclin still hobbled, he’ll continue to get a lot of work.

RB
Thomas Rawls (SEA) – First Christine Michael, now C.J. Prosise. Rawls is now the only fantasy option in the Seattle Seahawks backfield now. Needs to be scooped wherever possible.

On to the next one:
Whether they had a big Week 11, are coming off a bye, or their team has suffered a loss to injury, these guys need to be your targets for the week:

QB
Colin Kaepernick (SF) – Kaep is back. High floor, high ceiling. His rushing ability makes him a great option most weeks, and a top-tier streamer this week.

WR
Tajae Sharp (TEN) – Sharp has started to shine with the rest of the Tennessee Titans offense, and has scored in back to back weeks. As long as the Titans continue to put up lots of points, Sharp will be a good WR3/FLEX option.

DeVante Parker (MIA) – Yes, we’re assuming that Ryan Tannehill is able to get Parker the ball. But when he does, good things happen. He’s got good size, and good hands.

Tyler Boyd (CIN) – Though very inconsistent thus far, the talented rookie has the most upside of any Cincinnati Bengal receiver, and should get many targets as long as A.J. Green is sidelined.

RB
Wendell Smallwood (PHI) – Darren Sproles is probably going to be back this week, but Ryan Mathews will not be. Smallwood will get enough work as Sproles’ backup to warrant a pick-up, and will be the clear starter if Sproles’ injury lingers.

Dion Lewis (NE) – He’s back, and ready to rock. In one of the most high octane offenses in the league, Lewis will continue to get both carries and targets.

Mike Gillislee (BUF) – Once a top waiver pickup, Gillislee has fallen off with the continued dominance of LeSean McCoy. McCoy is now hurt, and while he’ll possibly play Week 12, Gillislee is a great insurance plan for folks with McCoy on their roster, or ones that just need more depth.

TE
Vance McDonald (SF) – Continues to get targets and has done well with the improved quarterback play in San Francisco. In a position that has been weak so far this year, and has seen a few top TEs miss time, McDonald is a good option.