Week 16, the artist formally known as “championship week,” has now arrived as semi-finals week. If you’ve made it this far, congrats! I have a couple of teams alive myself. I also had some teams and hopes get properly smashed on Sunday. But we will focus on those leagues where a championship is still possible! We’re totally not going to dwell on the fact the NFL still does not know what a touchdown is, and therefore, Calvin Ridley scored eight-10 fewer fantasy points than he could have. Nope, onward to the Week 16 waiver wire!
As always, the players below are rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 16 Pickups (2023)
(Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN)
Priority Adds
Baker Mayfield (QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) | 49% Rostered
Baker Mayfield had his best game as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer on Sunday. Hell, it may have been the best game of his entire career. The two-time Heisman Trophy winner threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns. He exploited the Packers all afternoon. While I don’t expect this output again, the Buccaneers do take on the Jacksonville Jaguars this week, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. I know relying on Mayfield to get you to the ‘ship is a dicey proposition, but he’s scored over 20 fantasy points in back-to-back games, the matchup is ripe for a fantasy bonanza and he’s on the Week 16 waiver wire in half of all leagues.
Ty Chandler (RB, Minnesota Vikings) | 46% Rostered
With Alexander Mattison out due to a high-ankle sprain, Ty Chandler made the most of his opportunity, putting up 24.7 Points Per Reception (PPR) fantasy points on Sunday. Chandler was on the field for over 80% of the Vikings’ snaps and saw over 95% of the running back opportunities. Chandler compiled 157 total scrimmage yards on 25 opportunities. He chipped away at the Bengals in chunks all game, including a 30-yard scamper in the second half. The former North Carolina Tar Heel has some juice.
The Vikings take on the Lions, who have actually given up the sixth-fewest fantasy points to the RB position over the last month. Even so, DraftKings has this contest with a 47-point total. Chandler should have a solid fantasy day, assuming Mattison is out once again.
Plug-Ins
Clyde Edwards-Helaire & Jerick McKinnon (RBs, Kansas City Chiefs) | 33% & 37% Rostered
With starting RB Isiah Pacheco missing the last two games, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (CEH) and Jerick McKinnon have split duties for the Kansas City Chiefs. CEH has seen the bulk of the groundwork, and although they haven’t been efficient touches, he’s now adding some value in the passing game. He snagged four balls for 64 yards on Sunday and scored a pretty impressive touchdown in the back of the end zone. The fourth-year RB had more snaps, carries and routes than McKinnon in Week 15.
McKinnon continues to be a red zone weapon for the Chiefs, as he found the end zone once again. However, his fantasy day was bailed out a bit because he threw for a score, which we definitely can’t bank on each week. I slightly favor CEH if Pacheco is still out, as the Chiefs are 10-point favorites against their divisional opponent, the Las Vegas Raiders, on Christmas Day. Still, both backs are worth a roster spot, and you can grab either or both off the waiver wire heading into Week 16.
Noah Brown (WR, Houston Texans) | 40% Rostered
Naturally, the Houston Texans surprised a lot of folks by starting QB Case Keenum in place of the injured C.J. Stroud (concussion). And because it’s the fantasy football playoffs, Noah Brown smashed. Brown stockpiled eight catches on 11 targets for 82 yards and a score. When Brown has been called upon this season, he’s produced, and he will likely remain an essential player for the Texans once again in Week 16 when they take on the Cleveland Browns. Regardless of their QB, it will be tough sledding, as Cleveland has given up the seventh-fewest touchdowns on the season and the 12th-fewest PPR points over the last month to the WR position. Based on his volume, Brown is a borderline-WR2 start with Stroud and has added big play potential.
Hunter Henry (TE, New England Patriots) | 18% Rostered
With QB Bailey Zappe leading the Patriots, Hunter Henry has seen 12 targets, accruing 10 catches for over 100 yards and three total touchdowns in the last two weeks. Henry exited the game on Sunday with what the Patriots said was a knee injury, but Henry noted after the game that his knee felt “alright.” Assuming Henry can play in Week 16, New England will face the Denver Broncos, who have given up the most touchdowns and third-most PPR points to opposing tight ends over the last month. You can stay in the flames with Henry so long as he’s active, and he is widely available on the Week 16 waiver wire.
Stashes
Zamir White (RB, Las Vegas Raiders) | 7% Rostered
Zamir White had a clutch fantasy day for managers who were without Josh Jacobs this past week. White got over 17 fantasy points in a game that the Raiders dominated from the jump. There’s a decent chance that Jacobs is back for Week 16, and if so, White would likely be relegated to the bench for the most part. This would render him a stash, albeit a good one, until he has a clear path to touches again. Should Jacobs be unable to go, White faces a much tougher opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs. While he’d be a decent flex, I would temper my expectations in a game where the Raiders are 10-point dogs. Either way, it is a situation worth monitoring ahead of Week 16.
Thanks for reading my favorite fantasy football waiver wire Week 16 pickups. Looking for more fantasy football advice? Follow me on Twitter @ThatMattKelley.
*Photo Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer – USA TODAY Sports*