5 Waiver Wire Pickups For Your Fantasy Football Team in Week 16
Although many fantasy football leagues have come in the playoffs, there are still many that are wrapping up their season with the championship round in Week 16 action. There are still several viable options out there that could be difference-makers for teams battered by injuries or needing an extra boost in the championship round in the biggest game of the year. Here are five options to consider in this week’s waiver wire.
5. O.J. Howard
ESPN: 52.3% OWNED
The Buccaneers have been battered by injuries in the passing game, which has seen their two best targets in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin suffer what appear to be season-ending injuries. That will thrust Howard into a potentially promising position to be a primary target.
Yes, it has been quite frustrating at times as the Alabama product has shown flashes of great potential, but this is an opportune time for him to finish out the season strong. He has notched at least four catches and 40 receiving yards in each of the last three straight games and has a promising matchup against the Houston Texans, who are 25th in the league, allowing 11.0 fantasy points per game against opposing tight ends.
4. Anthony Miller
ESPN: 24.9% OWNED
The Bears offense has been quite frustrating to trust this season, especially in the passing game aside from star wide receiver Allen Robinson. It has seen quarterback Mitchell Trubisky struggles throwing the ball impact the rest of the offense significantly throughout the year.
But Miller could be a potentially promising snag as he’s coming off a stellar outing as he’s coming off his best outing of the year with nine catches for 118 receiving yards and a touchdown. He has picked up his production over the last five weeks with double-digit outings in each contest. He could be a dependable option in the flex position if your fantasy team is need of help in that spot.
3. Tyler Higbee
ESPN: 39% OWNED
One of the biggest beneficiaries in the Los Angeles Rams‘ pick up in their offensive production in the last few weeks has been Higbee. With an injury to Gerald Everett, he has taken over as the primary option at the position, putting up a career-best stretch as he has been a fantasy juggernaut at the position.
Higbee tallied three straight double-digit outings, topping more than 15 points in each contest with more than 100 receiving yards and at least seven catches. If he’s somehow available in your league, go snatch him up as he’s earned a TE1 spot even with a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.
2. Alexander Mattison
ESPN: 27.3% OWNED
Mattison has shown flashes throughout the season what he can do when given some playing time. He is a bruising runner that has some big-play ability that provides the Vikings offense with another element. However, his fantasy impact is linked directly to the health of Dalvin Cook.
At this point, there is no clarity if he will be able to play in Week 16 action, but if he’s sidelined that could open the door for Mattison against the Green Bay Packers. It should be noted that Mike Boone, who is coming off a two-touchdown performance in place of Cook last week, could factor into the equation as well. Nonetheless, the Vikings’ backfield is something to watch closely in the coming days.
1. Breshad Perriman
ESPN: 9.1% OWNED
If there is any player that should be picked up ahead of Week 16 action, it should be Perriman as he has been a huge fantasy factor in the last few weeks. With Evans out, he had stepped into a more prominent role in the passing game as one of Jameis Winston’s primary targets. That has ramped up a notch with Godwin also now out.
Perriman is, without a doubt, the No.1 option in the passing game, which has seen him already tally three straight double-digit outings. He’s coming off a strong performance against the Detriot Lions, where he had five catches for 113 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Perriman could be in line for another massive outing against the Houston Texans defense, which is ranked 20th against opposing wide receivers allowing 29.3 fantasy points per contest.
