NFL Waiver Wire: Week 16 Pickups

The first round of the fantasy playoffs saw a number of players make an impact who weren't even on the radar to start the season. Craig Reynolds, D'Onta Foreman, Jeff Wilson, Duke Johnson, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Gabriel Davis didn't just have good games, they were all at least in the top 8 at their respective positions Week 15. Some of those are still on waiver wire in some leagues, so let's talk about who is actually out there and if they're worth grabbing.

I discussed a number of players last week who are still available this week (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Gabriel Davis, etc.). If you don't see someone here, refer to that piece and hit me up in the comments if you have any further questions.

QUARTERBACK

SECONDARY TARGETS

Carson Wentz, IND - Do I feel great about recommending Wentz after he went 5-for-12 for 57 yards and one touchdown against the Patriots last Thursday night? No. However, the Cardinals just gave up a good game to Jared Goff and likely will sell out to stop Jonathan Taylor this week. There are way too many questions at the position, and overall the Colts seem to be doing a good job keeping their players off the COVID-19 list. Surprisingly, Wentz has more than 20 fantasy points in eight of his 14 games this season. If you're looking for other options, see last week's piece. FAAB: $4-$8

RUNNING BACK

PRIMARY TARGETS

Ronald Jones, TB - It's doubtful Leonard Fournette returns soon and highly unlikely he suits up this week. That leaves Jones as the primary running back for Tampa Bay. Jones rushed for 63 yards on only eight carries Sunday. Fournette is used as a three-down back, catching passes out of the backfield and only coming off for a breather. If there's one red flag it's that it's hard to determine Bruce Arians' reaction should Jones cough up the ball. However, backup Ke'Shawn Vaughn didn't look like an even backup-caliber running back Sunday night, so Jones' leash should be long. Think of Jones at least as a flex starter this week but more like an RB2. FAAB: $20+

Duke Johnson, MIA - I'd be a lot higher on Johnson if his opportunity Sunday wasn't the result of Myles Gaskin being on the COVID-19 list and not practicing most of the week.  Johnson made the most of his opportunity, though, rushing 22 times for 107 yards and a score, while Gaskin had only 10 carries for 54 yards. Johnson might have taken the lead-back role, but Gaskin is still going to get his touches and it could be more of a 50/50 split now that he's back at practice. I'm not sure I'd trust either in the near future. They play the Nos. 1 and 2 fantasy defenses (Tennessee and New Orleans) against running backs the next two weeks on the road. FAAB: $5-$10

SECONDARY TARGETS

Craig Reynolds, DET - For the second week in a row Reynolds was impressive and now has 216 yards from scrimmage his last two games. Those two games were both against top-10 teams against running backs, so it's not like he had cupcake matchups. He has excellent matchups the next two games against Atlanta and Seattle, but the problem is both D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams could be back. Reynolds, at worst, has earned himself a handful of touches even if his teammates return. FAAB: $4-$8

Devontae Booker, NYG - Booker had a nice game Sunday splitting the workload with Saquon Barkley, finishing with more rushing yards (74 to 50) despite getting seven fewer carries. Booker is at least a good player to roster given the Giants could shut down Barkley (like they did Daniel Jones) in the upcoming weeks. I wouldn't trust Booker this week, but he has upside if he becomes the starter. FAAB: $3-$6

WIDE RECEIVER

SECONDARY TARGETS

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB - MVS was included here earlier in the season, but his lack of consistency has kept him at a 41 percent roster rate on Yahoo. In full-point PPR he's coming of a 20.8 fantasy-point effort and has games of 14.9 and 22.3 fantasy points in two other games this season. The problem is sandwiched around those games are five games of 5.1 fantasy points or less. This shows while he has a high ceiling, he also has a low floor. The good news is the next two games are at home (Week 17 vs. the Vikings is at good as it gets) and defenses double-team Davante Adams leaving MVS wide open. If you need upside in your matchup this week and don't have faith one of your starting wide receivers, this is the guy to take a chance on. FAAB: $4-$8

Tyler Johnson, TB - News broke Monday that Chris Godwin is out for the season with a torn ACL. Mike Evans is dealing with a hamstring issue that could keep him out and the only good news is Antonio Brown is re-joining the team after his suspension. Johnson got seven targets Sunday, leading all wide receivers below Godwin and Evans on the depth chart. Brown and Rob Gronkowski will be the main targets, but Johnson should get work this week with Tom Brady and draw softer coverage against the Panthers on Sunday. FAAB: $3-$6

TIGHT END

HAIL MARY

James O'Shaughnessy, JAC - O'Shaughnessy has had four targets in each of his last four games since returning from injury and appears to have a good rapport with Trevor Lawrence. Outside of New England in Week 17, he has two other excellent matchups against the Jets (this week) and the Colts in Week 18. FAAB: $2-$4

Foster Moreau, LAV - I'm starting to think we may not see Darren Waller the rest of the season, leaving Moreau to be the Raiders' starting tight end. He's never going to put up strong receiving numbers but should find the occasional red-zone target as the team's top tight end. FAAB: FCFS or $1

DEFENSE

Philadelphia Eagles - The Giants haven't decided whether they'll start Mike Glennon or Jake Fromm this week, but at this point it doesn't really matter. Glennon had three interceptions against the Cowboys and Fromm has only been with the team a few weeks after getting signed off the Bills practice squad. Leading receiver Sterling Shepard was placed on season-ending IR on Monday and Saquon Barkley hasn't looked completely like his old self yet. The Eagles are 49 percent rostered on Yahoo, meaning they're a coin flip to be available. FAAB: FCFS or $1

Atlanta Falcons - The deeper team I'd consider is the Falcons, who are home taking on the Lions. Jared Goff was placed in COVID-19 protocol Monday and it's unknown if he will the start or if he is dealing with virus symptoms that could affect his play. The Lions could also opt to use Tim Boyle no matter what as he'll practice with the first string this week. While the Atlanta defense hasn't been good this season, it will be at home with a good matchup. FAAB: FCFS or $1

New York Jets/Jacksonville Jaguars - Finally, feel free to take either defense in this week's Jets-Jaguars matchup. My lean is the Jets, as they are at home and have shown more creativity on offense. FAAB: FCFS or $1