Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Targets: Playoff Edition

Welcome to the Semi-Finals!!! If you made it through the first week of the fantasy playoffs or enjoyed a bye week to place yourself in this contest, you are one game away from potentially hoisting the coveted championship trophy. By now the waiver will be nothing of a major factor unless you have found misfortune with injuries. With that said, deeper leagues could have opportunity to secure a matchup play with what’s on the wire to help get you through this round. Some potential does exist to plug-and -play certain players to potentially make a difference. Most notably, snagging players of value off the waiver to block your opponent could become extremely valuable for the next two weeks. Pick your poison and good luck, ADF rides with you to the finals.         

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Quarterbacks:

Dak Prescott (DAL) (57%)

If you happened to make it this far in the fantasy playoffs, more than likely you will not require a starting quarterback off the wire for its set in your lineup. However, if an upgrade is appealing to your club, Dak Prescott does sit on the waiver in 47% of leagues and has a tasty matchup against the Colts in week 15. The Cowboys offense has been much improved since Amari Cooper has come to town and there will be little doubt that more points will be scored. Dak put up 20+ fantasy points for the second time in 3 games and has good prospects to reach that number again this week. If you need him, Dak may be there for the picking.

Lamar Jackson (BAL) (45%)

Still dependant on health, the Ravens rookie dynamo Lamar Jackson still sits on the wire with 55% availability and could lift your team this week. Facing off against the Buccaneers in week 15 has us licking our chops at prospects that the Ravens will run the ball in bunches leaving Jackson a potential great play. Jackson has been fairly consistent since taking over the starting role in Baltimore putting up no less than 15 points while seeing a ceiling of 21 back in week 12. It’s never easy to trust a rookie quarterback in such an important fantasy match, but Jackson could give you want you need.

On the Radar:

Josh Allen (BUF) (15%)

Derek Carr (OAK) (19%)

Running Backs:

Justin Jackson (LAC) (54%)

If you didn’t secure the services of the Chargers running back Justin Jackson off the wire last week, you will be kicking yourself as you read this. Owned in only 54% of leagues and looking to gain the starting role due to the Ekeler injury, this supremely important divisional contest against the Chiefs makes Jackson a shoe in to be leaned upon in this contest. If you still see Jackson on the wire place top priority on the running back with must start appeal going up against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.   

Elijah McGuire (NYJ) (8%)

With the Jets Isaiah Crowell sitting in the medical room nursing an injured foot, backup Elijah McGuire could take the lead in the Jets backfield in the contest verse the Texans. While the matchup on paper isn’t very nice to say the least, picking up McGuire with the thought of playing him is purely based on the volume of touches he will receive. Red flag caution definitely exists on this play as the Texans are one of the best defensive groups against the run. This would be a desperation play in our minds as you may be stuck at the running back position.  

Kenneth Dixon (BAL) (9%)

It’s no secret that the Ravens coaching staff are enamoured with Kenneth Dixon and would like nothing more than for him to succeed. Gaining a vow of confidence from his head coach after last week’s contest, it’s extremely possible to see Dixon begin to steal more carries away from Gus Edwards starting this week. Edwards has played well and will still have a big role on this offense as its dictated by the run, but don’t be surprised to see Kenneth used a great deal especially in goal line situations. This is a very sneaky play with a fantastic matchup.  

On the Radar:

Chris Ivory (BUF) (4%)

Damien Williams (KC) (18%)

Ito Smith (ATL) (28%)

Royce Freeman (DEN) (46%)

Darren Sproles (PHI) (6%)

Giovani Bernard (CIN) (25%)

Wide Receivers:

Curtis Samuel (CAR) (31%)

While the Panthers continue to struggle as a team losing five straight, the integration of last year’s rookie Curtis Samuel is beginning to bear fruit. Curtis has seen a whopping 19 targets in two games and it appears he will continue to have a large role moving forward. The Panthers are in desperation mode to save their season to gain entry into the playoffs, meaning they will have to be on point this week. Facing the Saints defense that gives up the most to fantasy receivers, Curtis could again be a great flex play for your matchup.   

DaeSean Hamilton (DEN) (8%)

The Denver Broncos looked abysmal last week verse the 49ers not being able to muster much of anything positive. The one bright spot on offense was the involvement of DaeSean Hamilton playing the Sanders role to near perfection. Seeing a healthy 9 targets and finding the endzone lifted his overall day in seeing 16+ points generated in PPR formats. A similar outcome could be had this week when Denver hosts the Browns in Mile High as the Browns struggle to cover the slot receiver in most occasions. We really like the plug-and-play appeal of Hamilton this week for the semi-finals.  

Dante Pettis (SF) (46%)

While the 49ers play spoiler to every team they face until the end of season, rookie Dante Pettis is becoming a player that most defenses will take notice of for the last three games. Coach Shanahan is involving his young talent more and more and the production is mounting on a weekly basis. Pettis has generated a fantastic 53.8 PPR fantasy points in the last three weeks while seeing exactly 7 targets a game over that span. Still available in 54% of leagues, and playing the Seahawks who allowed a great deal of garbage time points to the 49ers a couple weeks ago, the same outcome could be had again this week.   

On the Radar:

Robert Foster (BUF) (1%)

Dede Westbrook (JAX) (34%)

Chris Conley (KC) (15%)

Keke Coutee (HOU) (33%)

Zay Jones (BUF) (21%)

Randall Cobb (GB) (34%)

Mohamed Sanu (ATL) (45%)

Jamison Crowder (WAS) (22%)

Tight-Ends:

Ian Thomas (CAR) (9%)

The tight-end pool remains a complete disaster off the wire with some light shining bright as the Panthers Ian Thomas is proving to be a viable weapon. Cam Newton threw a whopping 11 times to Thomas last Sunday seeing 9 receptions for 77 yards on the stat sheet. Carolina is trying their best to find different ways to get their playmakers the ball and Thomas should continue to have a role. In this offense that can still move the ball up and down the field, the prospects of Thomas finding the endzone this week isn’t out of the question. He is the best on the wire with very good upside.    

CJ Uzomah (CIN) (29%)

As the Bengals play out the string, rookie quarterback Jeff Driskel is beginning to utilize his tight-end providing a healthy dose of targets. Having a glorious matchup against the Raiders who are the worst at coving the position, CJ could be in for another heavy workload with the potential to garner great fantasy production. With the uncertainty at the tight-end position every week, the Bengals Uzomah could be the answer you’re looking for.     

On the Radar:

Anthony Firkser (TEN) (0%)

Gerald Everett (LAR) (21%)

Matt LaCosse (DEN) (10%)

Jordan Thomas (HOU) (2%)

Best Week 15 Defensive Streams:

Buffalo Bills (50%) vs Detroit Lions

Atlanta Falcons (17%) vs. Arizona Cardinals

Washington Redskins  (33%) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

New York Giants (28%) vs. Tennessee Titans