Another NFL Sunday comes and goes and with it we saw more fantasy stars fall to injury which more than likely cost some players a shot at their fantasy championship. Players such as LeSean McCoy, Lamar Miller, Alshon Jeffery and Danny Amendola all suffered injuries and put up poor performances because of it. Fortunately for those who survived Week 15 there are some solid group of new faces that should be available on your waiver wire that can help win you Week 16 and for most a 2015 Fantasy Football Championship. So let’s get to it, here are the top players to add heading into Week 16.
– Note the FAAB Bids are based off of a $100 budget.
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, WSH – Cousins continues to thrive at home as his five-touchdown performance now gives him 20 total touchdowns and just two interceptions when playing at FedEx Field. In Week 16, however, Cousins and the Redskins will head to the road where he has struggled but finds himself with an incredibly favorable matchup against an Eagles defense that has been torched by opposing quarterbacks all season long.
FAAB Bid- $5-$10
Jay Cutler, CHI – Cutler could be without Alshon Jeffery who was forced to leave Sunday’s contest due to a hamstring injury but the Bears do find themselves up against a Buccaneers defense that has been beaten through the air this season. If Jeffery is active then this matchup gets even better for Cutler so this is something worth monitoring as the week moves on.
FAAB Bid-$0-$5
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ – Fitzpatrick was due for a mediocre performance after playing lights-out over the previous three weeks so while fantasy owners were likely disappointed in his effort against the Cowboys there’s little reason to dump him all together given the receiving weapons at his disposal. In Week 16 the Jets head back home and welcome in the New England Patriots who boast one of the league’s best defenses. However, Fitzpatrick did throw for 295 yards and two touchdowns against them earlier this season. If you are looking for a QB to play in Week 16 you likely won’t find one with better receiving weapons sitting in free-agency.
FAAB Bid- $10-$15
Running Backs
Christine Michael, SEA – Most expected Bryce Brown to be the lead back heading into Week 15 for the Seahawks but a late week signing of Christine Michael ruined those plans and after a first half timeshare Michael took over the lead role in the second half and finished with 84 yards on 16 carries. In Week 16 the Seahawks face off against the Rams who are allowing 4.2 yards per carry this season which rank them in the lower half of the league, which should bode well for Michael assuming he gets the majority of the workload.
FAAB Bid- All of it
Karlos Williams BUF – LeSean McCoy went down with an MCL sprain in Week 15 which should thrust Williams back into the starting role for the Bills heading into Week 16 against the Cowboys. Williams split carries with Mike Gillislee who actually had the better game last Sunday but Williams has proven that when given the majority of the touches he is a more than capable of leading the Bills' rushing attack.
FAAB Bid-$25-$30
Cameron Artis-Payne, CAR – With Jonathan Stewart out on Sunday it was a total mystery as who was going to lead the Panthers' rushing attack. By the end of the day, however, it was clear that rookie Cameron Artis-Payne is the man the Panthers will be leaning on in Week 16 if Stewart is once again unable to suit up. Artis-Payne carried the ball 14 times for 59 yards and added two catches for 34 yards against the Giants and will find himself with a favorable matchup against the Falcons in Week 16 who have been susceptible to the run this season.
FAAB Bid- $10-$15
Wide Receivers
Markus Wheaton, BAL – Wheaton has been carving out a nice niche in the Steelers' passing attack as the No. 3 receiver behind Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant over the past few weeks having caught 13 passes on 24 targets for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Many should also remember that he is just four weeks removed from his outstanding game against the Seahawks where he caught nine passes for 201 yards and a score. While it’s unlikely he puts up that ridiculous stat line again the Steelers get to face one of the league’s worst pass defenses in Week 16 in the Baltimore Ravens which should allow for Wheaton to, at the very least, maintain his recent level of production with a big upside of surpassing it.
FAAB Bid- $10-$15
Willie Snead, NO – The Saints offense when playing at home is no joke and Willie Snead has benefited greatly from playing on the home turf. In Week 15 he caught 10 passes for 76 yards against the Lions after catching seven passes for 122 yards in the week before. The Saints will be at home once again in Week 16 against the Jaguars who have been susceptible to the pass this season and as long as Drew Brees' foot injury is not serious Snead should once again be among his favorite targets.
FAAB Bid- $10-$15
Ted Ginn, CAR – It’s impossible to ignore the success Ginn has had this season as he has set new career highs in touchdown catches with 10 and is closing in on career marks in receptions and yards. Over the last four games in particular that Ginn has appeared, he has caught seven touchdown passes which is among the league leaders and has made him a surprising star on many fantasy rosters. In Week 16 the Panthers face off against the Falcons who Ginn just torched for 120 yards and two scores just two weeks prior.
FAAB Bid- $10-$15
Tight Ends
Maxx Williams, BAL – This is definitely a sleeper play for the week if you find yourself in a very deep league and in need of a tight end. The Ravens' second round pick is coming off a solid game where he caught five passes on six targets for 31 yards. While those numbers are not eye popping by any means, the Ravens do find themselves facing the Steelers in Week 16 who have allowed the fifth most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.
FAAB Bid- $0-$5
Will Tye, NYG – Tye continues to produce for the Giants and on Sunday he found the end zone for the second straight week and since taking over the starting job is averaging 4.8 catches for 54.6 yards. With Odell Beckham getting suspended for Week 16 Tye could find himself with some additional targets against the Vikings.
FAAB Bid- $5-$10
Kyle Rudolph, MIN – This season has been hit or miss for Rudolph but in Week 16 he gets to face a Giants squad that has allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Rudolph has proven in the past to be a big time red zone target and with the Giants unlikely to stop the Vikings offense on Sunday and their inability to cover the tight end he could very well end up finding the end zone.
FAAB Bid- $0-$5