NFL Waiver Wire: Week 15 Pickups

Another crazy week in the NFL is in the books with a lot of blowouts in the early games (maybe don't stomp on the Chiefs' logo at midfield, Raiders) and a couple big comebacks that forced overtime in the later games. Hopefully you're still in the hunt for a championship. Let's see what players on the waiver wire could be late-season difference makers.

Good news! The bye weeks are over, and we get two Saturday games this week.

QUARTERBACK

PRIMARY TARGETS

Ben Roethlisberger, PIT - Reports of Big Ben's demise might have been a bit premature, though playing the Vikings defense isn't too hard these days. He has a solid receiving corps and gets a home matchup this week against the Titans, who rank 28th in the league against quarterbacks. The Steelers then play Kansas City (27th) next week. FAAB: $5-$10

SECONDARY TARGETS

Davis Mills, HOU - It seems like a change to Mills was already brewing in the mind of Texans brass before it was announced last week that he'll be the starter the rest of the season. Tyrod Taylor is likely destined for backup duty the rest of his career and the Texans need to see what they have in Mills while giving him game experience. He has the highest floor of the backups given that he's guaranteed playing time for the final four games. FAAB: $4-$8

HAIL MARY

Tyler Huntley, BAL - Huntley looked very good for a player thrust into action (7.1 YPA, no interceptions, 45 rushing yards). The offense won't change much if Huntley gets the call in the upcoming weeks should Lamar Jackson miss time. He's probably the best add of the backup quarterbacks given his rushing ability and seems to have a good rapport with Rashod Bateman. FAAB: $2-$4 provided he's the starter this week

Mitchell Trubisky, BUF - Josh Allen was in a walking boot after getting beaten up in Tampa and his status for this week is uncertain. There's a good possibility Allen could play this week, but in a home game the Bills expect to wind handily vs. the Panthers, they might opt to give Allen the week off. That would make Trubisky the starter and, all jokes aside, he's probably one of the better backups in the league. FAAB: $1-$2

RUNNING BACK

PRIMARY TARGETS

Rashaad Penny, SEA - It seems like a good time to drop a dime on Penny after he led the Seattle backfield with 16 carries for 137 yards on Sunday. Alex Collins is still working his way back from a groin injury (seven carries for 16 yards), so Penny should continue to get the bulk of the workload. This week's matchup against the Rams isn't exactly appealing, but they're only 11th against  running backs this season. The remaining three games (Chicago, Detroit and Arizona) are at least league average, if not better. FAAB: $6-$12

SECONDARY TARGETS

Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, LAC - First, this assumes Austin Ekeler is out this week with an ankle injury. The Chargers will use both players if Austin is out, but it's tough to read the tea leaves between these two as Jackson had 10 targets and Kelley had 11 on Sunday in relief of Ekeler. If one fumbles it could be the other becomes the main ballcarrier, and the Chiefs are a good matchup, especially at home. FAAB: Both $4-$8

HAIL MARY

Craig Reynolds, DET - Reynolds wasn't on my fantasy radar to start the season, but he looked good with 7.5 yards per carry against the Broncos on Sunday. Granted, most of that was done in garbage time, and both D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams could return this week. This is really a speculative add, but Reynolds seems to have at least leapfrogged Godwin Igwebuike on the depth chart. FAAB: $1-$2

WIDE RECEIVER

PRIMARY TARGETS

DeVante Parker, MIA - Parker has been the clear top receiver for the Dolphins when he's played. He's had at least seven targets in five of his six games. Not only is he another week removed from missing games, he's had the bye week to rest. The Dolphins have some good matchups down the stretch and his line of 11-8-85 shows his potential. FAAB: $4-$8

SECONDARY TARGETS

Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET - I thought Week 13 was a fluke, but St. Brown had another stellar performance Sunday and now has 12 targets in each of the last two games. Someone is going to  get targets from Jared Goff, and St. Brown is a great candidate to continue being that guy. He has a lot of potential garbage-time production. FAAB: $4-$8

Gabriel Davis, BUF - The injury to Emmanuel Sanders will keep him out for at least this week and perhaps longer. Davis had an incredible fourth-down conversion in the Bills' comeback Sunday, catching the ball short of the first down and giving extra effort to not only get the first down but get out of bounds as well. With Sanders hurt, Davis got a season-high eight targets. He also has touchdowns in back-to-back games, as Josh Allen trusts him in the red zone. FAAB: $3-$6

Adam Humphries, Cam Sims, WFT - Terry McLaurin is in the concussion protocol, though it's definitely possible he gets out of it before this week's game. Humphries (7-4-34) is something of a poor man's Hunter Renfrow but had the most targets this week of the Football Team's wide receivers. Sims was the hero (despite the loss) with an outstanding touchdown grab; I just don't like that he got only four targets.  Kyle Allen could be under center this week, so we're somewhat grabbing at straws for Humphries and Sims. FAAB: Humphries $2-$4; Sims $1-$2

TIGHT END

HAIL MARY

Brevin Jordan, HOU - Jordan has now scored in three of his six games this season and the rookie appears to be a trusted red-zone target for the Texans. My only issue with him is that he's touchdown dependent (most tight ends are) and has only a season high of 41 receiving yards. He gets the Jaguars and Chargers the next two weeks before tougher matchups against the 49ers and Titans to end the season. FAAB: $1-$2

DEFENSE

Miami Dolphins - The only reason they're 48 percent owned on Yahoo is likely because they're coming off a bye. They Dolphins have a good home matchup against the Jets this week and have scored 17, 18 and 23 fantasy points in three of their last five games. I'll be shocked if the Jets go to Miami and Zach Wilson picks apart their defense. FAAB: $3-$6