Joe Serpico shares his top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups heading into Week 16.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets: Vintage Aaron Rodgers was back on Sunday against the Jaguars. The four-time MVP threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 45 yards on the ground. That is back-to-back weeks with Rodgers finishing as a QB1, and as long as he and Davante Adams keep rolling, A-Rod can be trusted as a starter. The Rams’ defense is an obvious upgrade over the Jaguars, but they are not the feared defenses of the past. Rodgers will be a fringe QB1 in my rankings this week.
Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns: A league winner for fantasy owners a few seasons ago has an opportunity to do it again. Nick Chubb suffered a broken foot on Sunday and is out for the rest of the season. Ford took advantage of the expanded role, recording 102 yards on nine touches against the Chiefs. Next up for Ford is the Bengals, who have one of the worst defenses in the league. He is a must add for all leagues.
Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints: The Saints said they wanted to get Miller more involved in the offense, and a groin injury to Alvin Kamara will give the second-year pro the opportunity. Miller rushed nine times for 46 yards against the Commanders in relief of Kamara after recording 10 carries last week. New Orleans’ playoff hopes evaporated after the loss on Sunday, so there is no incentive in rushing Kamara back to action. Miller has just one reception on the year so he is not exactly Kamara’s clone, but the Packers and Raiders can be run on.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans: Another running back in line to get more touches due to injury, Spears took the majority of the snaps with Tony Pollard battling an ankle injury. Spears did little on the ground but did damage in the pass game with seven receptions for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Add Spears if he is available and wait to see the status of Pollard before putting him in your lineup.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens: This is the playmaker the Ravens were hoping for when they drafted Bateman in the first round in 2021. Bateman finished with 80 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants, showing off his hands and big-play ability. Baltimore’s offense looks next-level when Bateman is making plays, and with big games upcoming against the Steelers and Texans, they will need to continue to feature him. Bateman is a decent WR3 to deploy if you lost Jaylen Waddle, who was not having a great season anyway.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: Back in the starting lineup after the season-ending injury to Evan Engram, Strange reeled in 11 of 12 targets for 73 yards against the Jets. I have always stressed how much Doug Pederson utilizes his tight ends regardless of who that guy is. Strange finished as a top-10 tight end for three weeks when Engram was out of the lineup earlier in the year. The Raiders are up next. If you are streaming tight ends at this stage of the season, Strange is a solid option.
Arizona Cardinals D/ST: Arizona draws the Panthers in Week 16. Carolina has looked better in recent weeks, but the Panthers are still one of the worst offenses in football. Do not overthink it.
Indianapolis Colts D/ST: The Colts have the best matchups in the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs with the Titans and Giants coming up. If your league stretches into Week 18, they close the season out with the Jaguars.
Atlanta Falcons D/ST: There is a good possibility the Giants are starting fourth-string quarterback Tim Boyle in Week 16. Does it matter if it’s Boyle, Tommy DeVito or Drew Lock? The Giants are tanking.
Top Handcuffs (Rostered in less than 50 percent of leagues)
Tyler Allgeier
Zach Charbonnet
Kenneth Gainwell
Tyjae Spears
Cam Akers
Ray Davis
Braelon Allen
Roschon Johnson
Trey Benson
Blake Corum
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