Hey Nerds, Welcome to the playoffs! In this Week 15 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, we break down the best fantasy football pickups to add after another chaotic week of roster reshuffling and injuries. Whether you’re managing a dynasty roster or fighting to advance in the playoffs, this week’s waiver wire targets are here to help.
Missed last week’s pickups? Check out the Week 14 Waiver Wire, and be sure to read my trade articles series that was highlighted last week by free agent wide receivers and tight ends to target.
All rostership percentages are based on 12-Team SuperFlex PPR dynasty leagues. Please note: At the time of this publication, all free agents were at or under 50% rostered in Sleeper dynasty leagues.
🔗 Keep Building Your Dynasty
Week 15 Quarterback Targets | Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups
Brady Cook | New York Jets | 2% Rostership | 15% FAAB
New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor left Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins early with a groin injury and did not return. With Justin Fields inactive as well due to a knee injury, undrafted rookie Brady Cook, who was just elevated from the practice squad earlier in the week, was called into action. Cook completed 14-of-30 passes for 163 yards and two interceptions. It is hard to trust Cook in your fantasy playoff matchups, but if you are without a starting quarterback, Cook may be forced to start Week 15 against the Jaguars if Fields and Taylor are unable to suit up.
Riley Leonard | Indianapolis Colts | 24% Rostership | 50% FAAB
Daniel Jones will miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury. Rookie Riley Leonard is the presumptive starter for Week 15’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, assuming Anthony Richardson isn’t able to return from the Injured Reserve. Leonard completed 18-of-29 passes for 145 yards and an interception in a Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, Leonard was able to find the endzone on a six-yard rushing touchdown. Much like Brady Cook, Leonard will be hard to trust in your fantasy playoffs, but he would be my priority add at the quarterback position for Week 15. Who knows, you may catch lightning in a bottle with the sixth-round rookie Leonard due to the uncertainty of Indy’s plans at quarterback in the offseason.
Kenny Pickett | Las Vegas Raiders | 20% Rostership | 30% FAAB
Geno Smith did not return to the game after suffering a shoulder injury in the second half of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. He was replaced by Kenny Pickett who completed 8-of-11 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. In a lost season, Las Vegas may just turn to Kenny Pickett in Week 15 as he faces his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles in a revenge game.
💥 Dominate your league with the Dynasty Nerds App
Get instant player values, trade calculators, and rankings all in one place.
👉 Join the NerdHerd & Get the App
Week 15 Running Back Targets | Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rasheen Ali | Baltimore Ravens | 13% Rostership | 3% FAAB
Keaton Mitchell injured his knee in Week 15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and did not return to the game. With Justice Hill on Injured Reserve, Rasheen Ali will be Derrick Henry’s backup moving forward if Mitchell is forced to miss any time.
Malik Davis | Dallas Cowboys | 22% Rostership | 10% FAAB
The fantasy playoffs are either here or approaching fast. You must secure your running back handcuffs, and if you are the Javonte Williams, that is clearly Malik Davis. Davis has steadily accounted for a larger share of the backfield touches over the previous few weeks, supplanting rookie Jaydon Blue as the handcuff to roster behind Williams.
Samaje Perine | Cincinnati Bengals | 49% Rostership | 10% FAAB
Just below our 50% rostership was Samaje Perine. Perine is the clear-cut handcuff to roster in the event something happens to Chase Brown. Perine has been mentioned numerous times in previous waiver wire articles, so it is nice to see him almost cracking the 50% threshold.
BREAKING NEWS
📊 Our Data Hub is live! Get custom player stats in the Dynasty Nerds App.
📱 Use code data-hub for 20% off any membership!
Week 15 Wide Receiver Targets | Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups
Ryan Flournoy | Dallas Cowboys | 21% Rostership | 5% FAAB
CeeDee Lamb‘s departure due to a concussion created a Cowboys’ passing attack that saw Ryan Flournoy have a career night. The second-year wideout hauled in nine of his team-high 13 targets for 115 yards while also finding the endzone. If Lamb is unable to clear concussion protocol before the Cowboys’ Week 15 matchup against the Vikings, Flournoy could be in line for another starting role and significant target volume.
Tim Patrick | Jacksonville Jaguars | 7% Rostership | 2% FAAB
In Week 14, Tim Patrick tied for second on the Jacksonville Jaguars in targets with 6 while also leading the team in receiving yards. His 78 receiving yards are the most since 2021, so I don’t anticipate this production to continue. However, he is worth a speculative add.
📻 Want in-depth analysis all week long?
Catch the latest insights on the Dynasty Nerds Podcast—streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Week 15 Tight End Targets | Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups
Mike Gesicki | Cincinnati Bengals | 43% Rostership | 10% FAAB
Mike Gesicki saw season-high marks in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills. Gesicki turned 6 targets into 6 receptions for 86 receiving yards while also finding the endzone. The Bengals’ defense is going to force Cincinnati to be in a lot of shootouts, making Gesicki worth the roster add.
Taysom Hill | New Orleans Saints | 37% Rostership | 2% FAAB
The Taysom Hill Experience lined up as a quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end against the Buccaneers in Week 14. With tight end eligibility, all players with a pulse are an option, and Hill should be no exception.
Colby Parkinson | Los Angeles Rams | 35% Rostership | 10% FAAB
Colby Parkinson has been a namestay on this list for weeks. Parkinson has seen at least four targets in four of his last five matchups. Parkinson has also caught a touchdown pass in four of those games. Parkinson has established himself as a fantasy-relevant option
Ben Sinnott | Washington Commanders | 50% Rostership | 35% FAAB
Washington Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn said that Zach Ertz is feared to have torn his ACL, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. This could allow Ben Sinnott to step into the starting role. Let’s not forget that Washington drafted Sinnott in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Sinnott would be my priority add at the tight end position.
Over 50% Rostered Waiver Wire Players | Week 15 Fantasy Football
Other players who are great waiver wire additions but have over 50% rostership include: Jack Bech, Jacoby Brissett, Michael Carter, Kirk Cousins, Isaiah Davis, Chimere Dike, Ollie Gordon, Bam Knight, Dawson Knox, Isaiah Likely, Marcus Mariota, John Metchie, Adonai Mitchell, Keaton Mitchell, Luke Musgrave, Chris Rodriguez, Shedeur Sanders, Tyler Shough, Isaac TeSlaa, Sean Tucker, Devaughn Vele, and Jaylen Wright.
🔥 Take Control of Your Dynasty Today
Want to see where your lineup stacks up? Start building like the pros with our most powerful tools and resources:
👉 It’s time to take control of your dynasty and see where your lineups truly rank
🧠 FAQ | Week 15 Waiver Wire & Fantasy Football Playoffs
Q1: Who is the best quarterback to add on the Week 15 Waiver Wire?
A: Riley Leonard offers the best combination of opportunity and rushing upside. Brady Cook has volume but more risk, while Kenny Pickett is a deeper-stream option if Geno Smith sits.
Q2: Which running backs should I prioritize for Week 15?
A: Malik Davis and Samaje Perine are the top handcuff priorities. Rasheen Ali becomes a deeper-add option if Keaton Mitchell’s knee injury forces him to miss time.
Q3: Is Ryan Flournoy worth starting in Week 15 if CeeDee Lamb is out?
A: Yes. Flournoy saw 13 targets in Week 14 and would project for strong volume again if Lamb does not clear concussion protocol.
Q4: Should I spend FAAB on Ben Sinnott this week?
A: Yes. With Zach Ertz feared to have suffered an ACL tear, Sinnott could step into an every-down role, making him a viable tight end starter in playoff lineups.
Q5: Who is the best stash for deeper dynasty leagues heading into Week 15?
A: Colby Parkinson and Tim Patrick remain strong stashes due to steady roles and potential target increases down the stretch.
Q6: Which waiver wire players over 50% rostered are still worth checking for?
A: Jack Bech, Isaiah Davis, Ollie Gordon, John Metchie, Keaton Mitchell, Luke Musgrave, and Devaughn Vele should all be rostered everywhere they’re still available.
