“In the Scope” is a unique weekly article that won’t solely focus on giving readers mainstream fantasy football waiver wire pickups. Instead, we aim to recommend the top free agents to acquire after waivers run. These players may be the top pickups next week, saving you Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) and waiver priority. So whether you’re trying to grab the leftover mainstream fantasy football waiver wire Week 16 pickups or the longer-ranged free agents, below are some options to consider.
Rostership percentages are based on ESPN Points Per Reception (PPR) redraft fantasy football leagues as of Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Check Your Waivers: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 16 Pickups
• Zack Moss (RB, Indianapolis Colts) | 26.7 Percent
• Deon Jackson (RB, Indianapolis Colts) | 17.1 Percent
• Tyler Allgeier (RB, Atlanta Falcons) | 37 Percent
• Chuba Hubbard (RB, Carolina Panthers) | 25.8 Percent
• Kenny Pickett (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers) | 8.2 Percent
• Brock Purdy (QB, San Francisco 49ers) | 16.3 Percent
• Darius Slayton (WR, New York Giants) | 43.1 Percent
• Chris Moore (WR, Houston Texans) | 14.8 Percent
• Richie James (WR, New York Giants) | 1.4 Percent
• Marquise Goodwin (WR, Seattle Seahawks) | 3.8 Percent
• Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE, Tennessee Titans) | 16.4 Percent
• Juwan Johnson (TE, New Orleans Saints) | 20.1 Percent
In the Scope Targets: Top Fantasy Football Free Agent Week 16 Finds
Romeo Doubs (WR, Green Bay Packers) | 14.7 Percent
In his first action back from injury, Romeo Doubs caught all five of his targets for 55 yards. This subsequently came on running just 32 percent of snaps as the Packers battled the Rams with a run-heavy approach. Doubs’ role should only increase from here with matchups against the high-flying Dolphins and Vikings to round out the fantasy football playoffs. Miami has been a middle-of-the-road matchup for opposing WRs lately and a slightly-plus matchup on the season.
However, Minnesota has been a top-three matchup for WRs, both in the last month and throughout the season. With the Packers needing to win out to make the playoffs, I expect them to scheme the talented rookie into game plans as a result. Therefore, I’m grabbing him this week to hold in hopes of playing him in fantasy championships as a WR3 option. – Seth Woolcock
Khalil Herbert (RB, Chicago Bears) | 27.8 Percent
Yes, Khalil Herbert is currently on Injured Reserve (IR). However, Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus is anxious to activate him to the backfield after Herbert has spent the required four weeks on IR with a hip injury. Herbert has been an excellent rusher when on the field. He stood in as the lead back when David Montgomery was out in Week 4, rushing 19 times for 77 yards. Heading into the semifinals of the fantasy football playoffs, and perhaps even into the championship rounds, you can count on Herbert to snag you a few points if you need a running back. – Jen Polvogt
Rashid Shaheed (WR, New Orleans Saints) | 1.2 Percent
Rashid Shaheed is no stranger to the pages of “In The Scope.” Jen wrote about him as a viable fantasy option after his Week 14 bye. At that time, he was rostered in 0.4 percent of ESPN leagues. However, week 15 saw Shaheed have a solid fantasy week, catching three of his four targets for 96 yards and a touchdown.
The boom week from Shaheed, which saw him finish as the PPR WR15, certainly shouldn’t have been a surprise. He put up two solid weeks ahead of the team’s bye week, catching six of his seven targets for 123 yards. While he didn’t find the end zone either week, he still averaged nine PPR points over those games.
At this point in the fantasy season, waiver wire options are sparse, so you have to find value where possible. Shaheed has emerged as a preferred deep threat for Saints quarterback Andy Dalton, with an Average Depth of Target (aDOT) of 15.2 yards. They have occasionally used him as a rushing threat, such as in Week 6, where his lone touch was a 44-yard touchdown run.
New Orleans travels to Cleveland for Week 16, and Shaheed could be in for another boom week. A week 17 fantasy championship matchup against the Eagles is subsequently less attractive for the undrafted rookie. However, he could still find his way to a WR3/FLEX-relevant finish. Considering it will cost you nothing to acquire him today after the waiver wire in Week 16 runs, it’s worth the risk for a boom potential to get you that championship hardware. – Nate Polvogt
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