Week 15 waiver wire pickups and players to stream

It’s playoff time! If you are reading this then that probably means you’ve made the fantasy playoffs, if so congratulations. The work is not done yet, though, as just getting in is only half the battle, now is the time to bunker down and win some championships. There is still some juice on the bone of the waiver wire, lets grab the last pieces we need for our championship rosters. Happy shopping! 

*Player rostered in under 65% of ESPN leagues considered*

Week 15 players to add

Pickup of the week – Ezekiel Elliott: Zeke took us back to 2018 with a blow-up performance last Thursday, showing that he should not only be owned but can be started going forward. If you had running back troubles going into the fantasy playoffs, hopefully, you were able to grab Zeke to slot right into your RB2 role.

Quarterback

Top pick – Matthew Stafford: with a matchup against the league’s worst Commanders this week, Stafford is shaping up to win some Week 1 playoff matchups. Stafford has been on a hot streak as of late, and with his weapons looking as good as they have all season last week against the Ravens, this is the perfect time to throw him into your lineup. If you lost Herbert, you should pivot right to Stafford this week.

Next – Jordan Love: At this point, he has proven to be a reliable fantasy starter, at worst, should be rostered as a backup. Love doesn’t have a bad matchup the rest of the way, so if you need him to be your starter in the playoffs, he should be able to get the job done.

Stash – Geno Smith: He was probably dropped after missing last week’s game, but they had a monster game the week before and has one of the softest playoff schedules for any QB. If you have room on your bench for a backup, then you might be happy to have Geno if your starter gets hurt, like when Jalen Hurts went down last fantasy playoffs.

Check to see if available – Baker Mayfield has been playing well lately and could be in a back-and-forth afar with the Packers. Gardner Minshew gets a weakened Steelers, who gave up two touchdowns to Bailey Zappe last week. Aaron Rodgers, you don’t have to rush to the waiver wire to grab Rodgers right now, but if you have an open IR slot, this seems like a “why not” type add as the Jets activated him, and he is targeting a Week 16 return.

Running Back

Top pick – Ty Chandler: With Alexander Mattison looking very iffy to play this week, Ty Chandler has become a very solid RB2/flex option. While he hasn’t done much this year, he has shown some flashes and should get the volume to be successful this week. Grab him with the hopes he can be the lead running back.

Next – Antonio Gibson: Gibson might get the start if Robinson is out, which would give him a huge boost. Even if not, he should be in line for a lot of work against a Rams team this week that is clicking on offense. He is the perfect insurance back for your playoff team in case of injury. Grab him and hope that Commanders games continue to be shootouts where they are in comeback mode.

Stash – Clyde Edwards-Helaire/Jerick McKinnon: It seems like Pacheco will miss more time, which leads both of these players to be worthy stashes in fantasy. If one can take over the lead role, then they could be a very valuable piece to a playoff roster.

Check to see if available/others of note – Chuba Hubbard continues to get a ton of touches and has clearly taken over the lead back role; if available, must add. Rico Dowdle is another very good stash handcuff; Pollard got hurt late last year. Elijah Mitchell is the handcuff to CMC, throw him at the end of your bench.. D’Onta Foreman seems to be the only Bears running back worth playing at this time, and even that is a dart throw. 

Wide Receiver

Top pick – Rashee Rice: Rice had another very solid week and continues to look like Mahomes top WR option. With Travis Kelce not looking like himself, Rice should continue to ascend to the end of the year. The Chiefs also have a very favorable schedule to end the year. There is no reason he should be on the waiver wire at this point in all leagues. 

Next – Odell Beckham Jr.: Coming off a huge game, OBJ should be healthy and ready to go. Without Mark Andrews for the rest of the fantasy season, we should see a lot of targets in the red zone for Odell. Grab OBJ this week as a solid start to the rest of the fantasy season.

Stash – Jayden Reed/Romeo Doubs: It is Worth stashing these two to see if Watson continues to be out. If we are, then these two become solid flex options. 

Check to see if available/others of note – Noah Brown should be the main target of CJ Stroud this week if Stroud can play. Josh Downs didn’t have the game we wanted last week, but still a solid add in a great match-up. Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to impress and is just a DK or Lockett injury away from becoming a top-24 WR. Elijah Moore is still a low-end flex for those who are in major bye-week trouble. Demario Douglas might not know who his QB will be, but whoever it is should make sure to feature him, a solid bench stash and bye week replacement if he is healthy. 

Tight End

Top pick – Isaiah Likely: Likely went off last week and is a must-roster player in today’s TE landscape. Grab him if you need a solid TE starter for the fantasy playoffs.

Next – Darren Waller: If Waller returns this week, it would be very scary to start him, but if the Giants are okay with bringing him back, then you should be too. In a barren TE waiver wire, Waller should get enough volume in his return to warrant a desperate start.

Stash – Brevin Jordan: Jordan is worth stashing to see if Dalton Shultz is out again and if CJ Stroud can return this week. IF both happen, then you can start Jordan as a boom or bust TE, who will be targeted heavily with Tank Dell and Nico Collins out.

Check to see if available/others of note –Tyler Conklin has terrible QB play but did get good targets last week for a team needing a second pass catcher. Cade Otton can be a play if you’re desperate, as he plays every snap. 

Defense/ST

Top pick – Falcons D/ST: They get the best matchup against the Panthers this week; if you need a defense to stream for the playoffs, put them at the top of your list.

Next – Saints D/ST: They get a Giants team this week still led by Tommy Devito. While he has picked up some wins, he is not scary for anyone in fantasy.

Stash – Packers D/ST – They get Carolina next week, great stash for Week 16.

Check to see if available – Raiders D/ST get to face a backup QB named after a hockey stick, good desperation play. Chargers D/ST are facing a Raiders team that just got shut out last week and looks lost on offense.

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