It’s Week 15, meaning the fantasy football playoffs are here for most leagues, and finding hidden gems on the waiver wire is absolutely crucial. Whether you’re patching up injuries or simply looking for upside plays, these players could provide the spark your team needs.
If you’re looking to get that all-important win and advance in the playoffs, these are the best names to target after the waiver wire has run and before Week 15 begins.
Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN Points Per Reception (PPR) redraft fantasy football leagues as of Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Check Your Waivers: Mainstream Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups
Many of these more mainstream targets could still be available on the waiver wire in your league:
Quarterback
- Drake Maye (QB, New England Patriots) | 15.4%
- Matthew Stafford (QB, Los Angeles Rams) | 38.1%
- Caleb Williams (QB, Chicago Bears) | 47.9%
- Jameis Winston (QB, Cleveland Browns) | 19.9%
Running Back
- Patrick Taylor (RB, San Francisco 49ers) | 4.0%
- Tank Bigsby (RB, Jacksonville Jaguars) | 35.6%
- Sincere McCormick (RB, Las Vegas Raiders) | 11.2%
- Braelon Allen (RB, New York Jets) | 48.7%
- Isaiah Davis (RB, New York Jets) | 3.4%
Wide Receiver
- Adam Thielen (WR, Carolina Panthers) | 38.7%
- Elijah Moore (WR, Cleveland Browns) | 23.6%
- Cedric Tillman (WR, Cleveland Browns) | 36.0%
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR, Tennessee Titans) | 47.6%
- Demario Douglas (WR, New England Patriots) | 28.3%
- Jalen McMillan (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) | 8.5%
- Ray-Ray McCloud (WR, Atlanta Falcons) | 12.0%
Tight End
- Pat Freiermuth (TE, Pittsburgh Steelers) | 48.2%
- Noah Gray (TE, Kansas City Chiefs) | 12.3%
In the Scope Targets: Top Fantasy Football Week 15 Free Agent Finds
Let’s dive into which players are “In the Scope,” the best pickups after the Week 15 waiver wire run to give your team an extra boost:
Daniel Bellinger (TE, New York Giants) | 0.1% Rostered
The tight end landscape is always thin, but with Theo Johnson sidelined for the season, Daniel Bellinger steps into a prominent role in the Giants’ passing game. Drew Lock appears to have developed a connection with Bellinger, targeting him frequently on short routes. These types of plays provide a safe floor in Points Per Reception (PPR) formats and could lead to larger gains as Bellinger uses his athleticism to create Yards After the Catch (YAC). Once a preseason standout, Bellinger’s blend of explosiveness and good hands could help him regain relevance in fantasy football.
Bellinger offers a unique opportunity as a low-cost TE option who can produce immediately in Week 15. The Giants’ offensive struggles mean they’ll often be in negative game scripts, forcing Lock to air it out. With few reliable pass-catching options remaining, Bellinger could easily become a security blanket. He’s a worthy plug-and-play option, especially for managers frustrated with underperforming tight ends like Kyle Pitts.
Jerome Ford (RB, Cleveland Browns) | 30.6% Rostered
Jerome Ford has seen his role in the Cleveland Browns’ offense expand as the team moves away from leaning so heavily on the run and Nick Chubb. Ford’s increasing snap share and involvement, particularly in passing situations, make him a valuable asset heading into the fantasy football playoffs. Cleveland is another team likely to find itself in several trailing game scripts over the next few weeks, which bodes well for Ford’s usage as a receiving back.
Beyond his immediate utility, Ford represents an excellent insurance policy, especially for managers aiming to block their opponents from picking up handcuffs or emergency starters. With his versatility and the Browns’ need for consistent offensive production, Ford could provide both a steady floor and occasional ceiling performances. If he’s still available in your league, now is the time to snag him off free agency before his role expands even further.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn (RB, San Francisco 49ers) | 0.0% Rostered
Ke’Shawn Vaughn is a deep waiver wire stash who could pay off big if Isaac Guerendo is unable to suit up for the 49ers this week. While Patrick Taylor is currently expected to start in Guerendo’s absence, Vaughn’s familiarity with the 49ers’ playbook and pass-catching ability could allow him to carve out a meaningful role. A former third-round pick, Vaughn has yet to live up to his potential but showed flashes of pass-catching prowess during his time at Vanderbilt.
If Vaughn earns the coaching staff’s trust, he could emerge as a change-of-pace option or even push Taylor for the starting role. The 49ers have shown a willingness to utilize unexpected players in key situations, and Vaughn’s skill set fits their offensive philosophy. Managers in deeper leagues or with roster flexibility should consider adding Vaughn as a speculative play with upside, especially if Guerendo is ruled out for Week 15.
Check out all of our Week 15 fantasy football content:
- Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 15 News & Notes (2024)
- Week 15 Fantasy Football Advice Mailbag (2024)
- Week 15 NFL DFS Picks & Lineup Advice (2024)
- Week 15 Shore Thing Sleepers (2024)
- Week 15 In the Scope Targets (2024)
- PropKings: NFL Week 15 (2024)
Thanks for reading our “In the Scope” targets to add after the Week 15 waiver wire run. Check out more of our fantasy football and other written content here at In-Between Media, or head over to our YouTube channel to get your fix via video.
*Photo Credit: Scott Rausenberger – USA TODAY Sports*
