Of course, fantasy owners are getting used to late-week waiver pickups being just as valuable as traditional early-week adds. As injury situations become clearer and players are placed on the COVID list, new starters can emerge at any time. Obviously, we can’t predict all those occurrences, so our full free agent list is comprised mostly of potential streamers at QB, WR, TE, and D/ST for Week 15, as well as a few potential “boom-or-bust” stashes who could be in play the next two weeks depending on what you need at the flex spot. The streaming options can be found at the end of this list. If you’re looking for a new kicker or just want to stare sadly at a list of names as you contemplate where it all went wrong, you can check out our Week 15 kicker rankings.
WEEK 15 FANTASY: Top pickups | FAAB budget planner | RB Handcuff Chart
There’s no obvious pickup worth a high waiver claim this week, but with just two weeks left in most fantasy seasons, there’s no reason to hold back. If you need a player, go get him. If you’re worried about your opponent(s) getting a player, then beat them to the punch and play some defense. Having a higher claim heading into Week 16 could prove valuable, but if you won’t matter if you don’t make it there, so plan accordingly.
UPDATE: With news of Raheem Mostert’s ankle injury, Jeff Wilson Jr. could have significant value this week against Dallas and would be worth a high claim.
WEEK 15 STANDARD RANKINGS: Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 15
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues considered.
Nelson Agholor, WR, Raiders. Many fantasy owners have been burned by Agholor in the past, so perhaps that’s why they don’t want to believe in him, but he just continues to put up good numbers and operate as the Raiders’ No. 1 receiver. In Week 14, he caught five passes for 100 yards and his seventh score of the season. He has tough matchups against the Chargers and Dolphins the next two weeks, but Agholor, who’s caught 20 passes over the past four games, is still in play as a WR3/flex.
Keke Coutee, WR, Texans. Coutee didn’t quite have the monster day day many were expecting after Brandin Cooks (foot, back) was declared out, but he still produced at a WR3 level by catching all three targets for 24 yards and a touchown against the Bears. It’s unclear if Cooks will return in Week 15 against Indianapolis, but either way, Coutee will have upside considering he just burned the Colts for 141 yards on eight catches in Week 13.
WEEK 15 FANTASY: Top pickups | FAAB budget planner | RB Handcuff Chart
DeAndre Washington, RB, Dolphins. Washington was pressed into action after Myles Gaskin was placed on the COVID list on Saturday. With Salvon Ahmed (shoulder) and Matt Breida (COVID) also out, Washington handled the bulk of Miami’s RB touches, rushing for 33 yards on 13 carries and adding another 17 yards on two catches (four targets). Obvously, those numbers aren’t great, but if Washington is starting again next week against New England (likely since Gaskin is expected to be out and Ahmed hasn’t been practicing), he’ll have flex value thanks to his workload. Lynn Bowden, who’s eligible at both RB and WR in Yahoo and ESPN leagues, has some PPR flex upside, as well.
WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS: Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Tim Patrick, WR, Broncos. Patrick continued his late-season surge in Week 14, catching three-of-five targets for 36 yards and a score. Patrick has seen consistent targets most of the year, and he’s had either 100 yards or a TD in three of the past four games – and the one in which he didn’t was the infamous Kendall Hinton start. Patrick has some tough matchups coming up (Bills, Chargers), but given his relative consistency, he’s still worth using a WR3 or flex every week.
Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles. Hurts passed his first test as Philadelphia’s starter, throwing for 167 yards, running for another 106 (18 carries), and accounting for one TD against the Saints. The fact he did that against one of the NFL’s best defenses bodes well for his chances the next two weeks against Arizona and Dallas. It seems unlikely you’ll “need” to start Hurts in your fantasy playoffs, but much like his counterpart on Sunday, Taysom Hill, his rushing ability gives him a high floor and a potential high ceiling in every matchup. Hurts’s Week 16 matchup against the Cowboys is especially appealing, so if nothing else, it wouldn’t hurt to stash him and keep him away from any potential opponents.
For more waiver/free agent suggestions, including more breakouts and potential streamers, check out our full Week 15 list.
