NFL Waiver Wire: Week 15 Deep Dive

It's a difficult week to navigate managing rosters as teams could be missing multiple contributors due to both injuries and COVID. It will be even more important to carefully track news up to kickoff. If you're in a tough spot, the hope is that this article can help identify some viable starters. As always, it won't duplicate any players mentioned in the traditional waiver wire column. 

Quarterback

Tua Tagovailoa vs. Jets (43 percent ESPN)

Tagovailoa is likely scooped up in most competitive or deep leagues, but he's in a tremendous spot to produce. If QB is a weak point on your roster, it's worth at least checking the wire to make sure he isn't available.

Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Falcons (16 percent ESPN)

Garoppolo has started to get some love around the fantasy community, so he may not be as available as he was last week and certainly a few weeks ago. Though his Week 14 performance stood out thanks to a season-high 41 pass attempts, he's delivered even with lesser volume. Garoppolo's connected on five completions of 20 yards or more in each of his last three games and topped 290 passing yards and thrown for multiple touchdowns in the last two.

Carson Wentz vs. Patriots (43 percent ESPN)

Wentz was recently heavily rostered in competitive leagues, but coming off a bye into a matchup against New England has brought him back within range for inclusion. He certainly faces a difficult matchup, though a few factors offer some hope he can produce. First, the Pats will almost certainly gameplan to stop Jonathan Taylor with the hopes of forcing Wentz to beat them with his arm - with the end result being a lot of volume. The other is that the game is Indianapolis, meaning Wentz will be throwing in a dome rather than potentially troublesome conditions in New England.

Justin Fields vs. Vikings (18 percent ESPN)

Fields showed promise – mixed in with his mistakes – in the defeat to Green Bay. While his passing stats were a bit inflated by some lengthy runs after the catch by his receivers, his 74 rushing yards remain notable. Minnesota should be a strong environment for Fields to produce, so he's a streaming option without much of a safe floor.

Teddy Bridgewater – vs. Cincinnati (17 percent ESPN)

Bridgewater is the poor man's version of Garoppolo. He's capable of spiked weeks with volume – which could come this weekend – but he's the less efficient of the pair.

Sam Darnold at Bills (four percent ESPN)

Darnold was designated to return from injured reserve this week. He may not play again this season, but could be a worthy stash in two-quarterback/superflex leagues if he comes back.

Running Back

Duke Johnson vs. Jets (zero percent ESPN)

Johnson is currently the only healthy back on the Dolphins' active roster. If that remains the case, Gerrid Doaks or Dexter Williams will likely be promoted from the practice squad. Regardless, Johnson should have the chance to be the lead back in a tremendous matchup.

Rhamondre Stevenson at Colts (43 percent ESPN)

Stevenson is likely to be rostered in most leagues, but should maintain a role in New England's offense even if Damien Harris is able to suit up.

David Johnson at Jaguars (34 percent ESPN)

Johnson has been exceptionally inefficient this year, but is a near lock for double-digit touches. That's more than can be said for most of this group, so he's among the best options.

D'Ernest Johnson vs. Raiders (24 percent ESPN)

The Browns are not only dealing with a COVID outbreak, but Kareem Hunt is almost certain to be sidelined. Nick Chubb will remain the clear lead back, but Johnson should mix into the backfield assuming Hunt is officially ruled out.  

Royce Freeman at Jaguars (one percent ESPN)

Rex Burkhead has already been ruled out with a hip injury, which should leave Freeman as the primary backup to David Johnson. Freeman earned 11 carries that went for only 15 yards last week, but did manage six receptions for 51 yards. If he maintains that role, he could be the Texans' most valuable back.

Ameer Abdullah at Bills (seven percent ESPN)

Abdullah was on the field for a season-high 60 percent of offensive snaps in Carolina's win last weekend. As the primary pass catcher out of the backfield, he could become even more involved assuming Buffalo jumps ahead in the game as currently projected.

Jalen Richard at Browns (zero percent ESPN)

Richard was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list and should have the chance to be the primary change-of-pace back behind Josh Jacobs with Kenyan Drake on IR. The Browns are likely to be missing several key members of their defense, and Las Vegas should be able to take advantage.

Eno Benjamin at Lions (two percent ESPN)

Jonathan Ward at Lions (zero percent ESPN)

The Cardinals' backfield is up in the air. James Conner underwent an MRI on his ankle after Monday's loss to the Rams, and did not practice Wednesday. Meanwhile, Chase Edmonds has been designated to return from injured reserve, but it's unclear how large of a workload he'll get right away. That makes it possible either Benjamin and/or Ward will have a meaningful role this weekend. However, neither offers the profile of a workhorse back, so don't have that expectation if you roster either one.

Kenneth Gainwell vs. Washington (11 percent ESPN)

Philadelphia's backfield is getting healthy, so it's likely Gainwell won't see a big role this weekend. However, he's proved capable with any opportunity he's received and is a worthy stash candidate.  

Wide Receiver

Allen Lazard at Ravens (seven percent ESPN)

Lazard saw a season-high seven targets in the absence of Randall Cobb. Cobb will remain sidelined and the matchup could be a shootout if Lamar Jackson is healthy. That should give Lazard a chance to put together another solid performance.   

Rondale Moore at Lions (19 percent ESPN)

A.J. Green at Lions (29 percent ESPN)

With the news DeAndre Hopkins will be sidelined for the rest of the regular season, all of the Cardinals' receivers should see an increased role.  Christian Kirk is already widely rostered, but Green saw 10 targets last week. Meanwhile, Moore's role has lagged behind, but should be much closer to a full-time player with Hopkins out of the picture.

Donovan Peoples-Jones vs. Raiders (11 percent ESPN)

Peoples-Jones could be the last man standing among the Browns' receiver corps. Jarvis Landry is almost certain to be out, while Anthony Schwartz remains in concussion protocol. That leaves Peoples-Jones as the top wideout, with Rashard Higgins also a name to consider if both Landry and Schwartz are gone.

Kendrick Bourne at Colts (27 percent ESPN)

New England will presumably throw more than three passes in their matchup against Indianapolis. Prior to New England's rushing bonanza in Buffalo, Bourne had recorded at least four receptions in five of his past six games.

Josh Reynolds vs. Cardinals (three percent ESPN)

Reynolds hasn't received a lot of volume in the Lions' offense, but he's still operated as the deep threat. As a result, he's been able to record four receptions of 20 yards or more across the team's last three contests. If Reynolds finds the end zone on one of those deep shots, he's virtually guaranteed a productive day.

Laquon Treadwell vs. Texans (one ESPN)

Treadwell's story is similar to that of Reynolds, though he's seen five or more targets in each of the last three. The primary concern moving forward is that Darrell Bevell is set to be the new coach in Jacksonville, and he could focus the offense elsewhere.

Jamison Crowder at Dolphins (32 percent ESPN)

Crowder turned in a disappointing performance last week, but still saw six targets. He isn't a safe play based on the terrible Jets' offense, though he should have more bankable opportunity than many others on this list.

K.J. Osborn at Bears (33 percent ESPN)

Because Minnesota plays Monday, there has yet to be any practice information available for the team. That leaves Adam Thielen's status uncertain, though Osborn used his Week 14 performance to showcase he's a viable deep threat and doesn't require a large number of targets to produce.

DeAndre Carter at Eagles (two percent ESPN)

Carter's role in Washington is a bit difficult to decipher. He saw his snap rate drop significantly last week, but still earned six targets. Even if Terry McLaurin remains sidelined, Carter will have to compete with Cam Sims and Adam Humphries. That could make each of the trio difficult to trust.

Keelan Cole at Dolphins (one percent ESPN)

Denzel Mims at Dolphins (zero percent ESPN)

Keelan Cole received a big increase in role - but not production - in the absence of both Corey Davis and Elijah Moore. He's the safer bet to see continued volume, but it may be worth speculating the Jets will give Mims some extra opportunity down the stretch. Neither is a comfortable start this week, but Cole is likely the better option of the two in the short-term.  

Ben Skowronek vs. Seahawks (zero percent ESPN)

Suddenly Skowronek is set to step into the third receiver role with Los Angeles as Odell Beckham is likely to be out. He'll be fourth – and potentially fifth behind Darrell Henderson – in the target pecking order, so producing is still far from a certain outcome.  

Dee Eskridge at Rams (one percent ESPN)

Eskridge pushed ahead of Freddie Swain in terms of role last week. Monitor the status of DK Metcalf – he's been sidelined with foot and back issues early in the week – because it's possible Eskridge could sneakily step into the second receiver role against a Rams' secondary missing a number of key players.

Tight End

Gerald Everett at Rams (14 percent ESPN)

Aside from a disastrous Week 13, Everett has emerged and consistently been a key part of Seattle's offense. As was noted, the Rams are likely to be without a number of important defensive personnel, which only makes Everett's opportunity to produce cleaner.

Evan Engram vs. Cowboys (30 percent ESPN)

Engram had a down performance last week, but has consistently been able to chip six to seven PPR points per week throughout the season.

Cole Kmet vs. Vikings (23 percent ESPN)

Kmet didn't perform well with Justin Fields back under center, which is a bit of a concern. However, he's still racked up at least three catches in seven of his last eight games to provide a safe PPR floor. 

Harrison Bryant vs. Raiders (zero percent ESPN)

David Njoku vs. Raiders (four percent ESPN)

This will be another situation to monitor. In addition to the wide receivers Cleveland will be missing, Austin Hooper also landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Njoku still remains on the list, but could be activated in time for Saturday. Meanwhile, Bryant has been limited by an ankle injury. Given the Browns' willingness to utilize two tight ends, both could viable plays if they're cleared in time.

James O'Shaughnessy vs. Texans (one percent ESPN)

O'Shaughnessy is simply a volume play. He's recorded at least five targets in each of his last three outings, but has failed to reach 30 yards during that span.