Hey Nerds, Welcome to the playoffs! Hopefully, you have advanced to your semifinals matchups. In this Week 16 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 15 Waiver Wire, and be sure to read my trade articles series that concluded with free agent wide receivers and tight ends to target.
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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.
Week 16 Quarterback Targets | Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups
Brady Cook | New York Jets | 19% Rostership | 3% FAAB
In his NFL debut, undrafted rookie Brady Cook completed 22 of 33 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also rushed 6 times for 39 yards. The Jets are going to be in the hunt for a quarterback in the offseason, and it only makes sense to allow Cook to finish out the season. However, this is the Jets, so nothing is for sure.
Gardner Minshew | Kansas Ciy Chiefs | 15% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Patrick Mahomes suffered what’s being reported as an ACL injury late in the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. With Mahomes out for the season, Gardner Minshew appears likely to serve as the starting quarterback over the final three games of the regular season, as the Chiefs have been eliminated from the playoffs.
Kenny Pickett | Las Vegas Raiders | 35% Rostership | 3% FAAB
Geno Smith was unable to practice all week, allowing Kenny Pickett to start Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders offense continued to look miserable with Pickett under center. Pickett completed 15-of-25 passes for 64 yards and an interception in the Raiders’ 31-0 loss. It does not get any easier for Pickett in Week 16 against the Houston Texans.
Las Vegas may want to see what they have for the rest of the season with Pickett, as Smith has been one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL this year, completing 67% of his passes for 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns, and a league-high 14 interceptions while taking a league-high 49 sacks. While Week 16 is a rough matchup, Pickett does have a good fantasy championship matchup against the New York Giants. I expect the Raiders to be a favorite to land Fernando Mendoza in the NFL Draft.
Philip Rivers | Indianapolis Colts | 42% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Yep, that’s correct. I never expected to write about 44-year-old Philip Rivers in a free-agent waiver-wire article. However, here we are.
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Week 16 Running Back Targets | Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups
Michael Carter | Arizona Cardinals | 47% Rostership | 10% FAAB
Michael Carter took over the starting role in Arizona when Bam Knight was carted off the field early in the first quarter. Carter carried the ball 14 times for 56 yards and caught all four of his targets for 38 yards. While I expect Carter and Emari Demarcado to split the reps moving forward, Carter offers more as a pass catcher than Demarcado, making him my priority add at the running back position.
Audric Estime | New Orleans Saints | 28% Rostership | 10% FAAB
Audric Estime could have a larger role in the New Orleans Saints’ offense if Devin Neal is unable to go in Week 16 against a favorable New York Jets matchup. Neal left the Saints’ Week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers with a hamstring injury and did not return. I would monitor the early reports throughout the week, as Evan Hull is another name to watch for a potential increase in workload.
Evan Hull | New Orleans Saints | 5% Rostership | 7% FAAB
See Above
Ty Johnson | Buffalo Bills | 46% Rostership | 7% FAAB
We have talked in depth about how essential handcuffs are. Ty Johnson is the handcuff to James Cook while also offering standalone receiving value. Johnson has been a weekly staple in my waiver articles and needs to be rostered, especially by the James Cook manager.
Jawhar Jordan | Houston Texans | 2% Rostership | 10% FAAB
With Nick Chubb out of the lineup and Woody Marks injured early in the game, Jawhar Jordan exploded for the Texans, rushing 15 times for 101 yards in the Texans’ Week 15 win over the Arizona Cardinals. If Marks and Nick Chubb can’t be relied on next week, Jordan would figure to be a potential RB2 against the Raiders in Week 16.
Samaje Perine | Cincinnati Bengals | 49% Rostership | 7% FAAB
Ok, c’mon, we are so close to breaking the 50% threshold with Samaje Perine. Chase Brown managers need to be rostering Perine. Perine exited the game early in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his status ahead of a Week 16 matchup with Miami.
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Week 16 Wide Receiver Targets | Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups
Mack Hollins | New England Patriots | 48% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Mack Hollins has seen at least four targets in each of his last five games. In a Week 15 loss against the Buffalo Bills, Hollins finished the game catching 4-of-8 targets for 41 yards in the Patriots. Hollins remains a steady depth contributor.
Van Jefferson | Tennessee Titans | 15 % Rostership | 3% FAAB
It is hard to find something positive about the Titans’ offense this year, so let’s go with this. Van Jefferson has seen at least four targets in eight games.
David Sills | Atlanta Falcons | 7% Rostership | 2% FAAB
David Sills hauled in 6-of-10 targets for 78 yards in a Thursday Night Football win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sills’ production came with Drake London out of the lineup, so if London returns in Week 16, don’t expect this production to continue.
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Week 16 Tight End Targets | Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups
Dawson Knox | Buffalo Bills | 40% Rostership | 5% Rostership
Dawson Knox caught 3-of-4 targets for 37 yards and two touchdowns in the Bills’ Week 15 win over the Patriots. Knox has now had back-to-back 19 fantasy point games.
Luke Musgrave | Green Bay Packers | 48% Rosteship | 5% FAAB
I understand that the production with Luke Musgrave isn’t what was advertised. However, he is a starting tight end at a position where having a pulse makes you fantasy relevant. Let’s get him over the 50% rostered mark.
Colby Parkinson | Los Angeles Rams | 41% Rostership | 10% FAAB
Another name that I am not sure he is not rostered in over 50% of dynasty leagues: Colby Parkinson. Parkinson has caught a touchdown and had double-digit fantasy points in five of his last six games. In Week 15, Parkinson had a career day catching five passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Devantae Adams also left the game with a hamstring injury. If Adams is unable to go in Week 16, Parkinson should be the second option in the Rams’ passing attack behind Puka Nacua.
Over 50% Rostered Waiver Wire Players | Week 16 Fantasy Football
Other players who are great waiver wire additions but have over 50% rostership include: AJ Barner, Jack Bech, Tank Bigsby, Isaiah Bond, Jacoby Brissett, Jalen Coker, Kirk Cousins, Isaiah Davis, Ray Davis, Emari Demercado, Chimere Dike, Tre Harris, Gunnar Helm, Theo Johnson, Marcus Mariota, Jalen McMillan, John Metchie, Adonai Mitchell, Keaton Mitchell, Chig Okonkwo, Dalton Schultz, Tyler Shough, Devin Singletary, Ben Sinnott, Darius Slayton, Brashard Smith, Sean Tucker, Devaughn Vele and Parker Washington
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🧠 Week 16 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire FAQ
Who is the best quarterback to add for Week 16 Fantasy Football Playoff Semifinals?
A: Gardner Minshew stands out as a Week 16 Playoff Semifinals option in SuperFlex leagues because he is expected to start with Patrick Mahomes sidelined and should see enough volume to provide stability.
Is Brady Cook worth adding for Week 16 Fantasy Football Playoff Semifinals?
A: Brady Cook is a speculative Week 16 Playoff Semifinals add after flashing mobility and aggressiveness, but his turnover risk keeps him in the high-variance category.
Which running back pickup can help most in Week 16 Fantasy Football Playoff Semifinals with Michael Carter?
A: Michael Carter offers Week 16 Playoff Semifinals value thanks to his receiving role and potential for steady touches in Arizona’s backfield rotation.
Can Jawhar Jordan be trusted in Week 16 Fantasy Football Playoff Semifinals?
A: Jawhar Jordan has legitimate Week 16 Playoff Semifinals upside after erupting in Week 15 and could deliver RB2 production if Houston’s backfield injuries continue.
Is Mack Hollins playable in Week 16 Fantasy Football Playoff Semifinals?
A: Mack Hollins provides a modest but usable Week 16 Playoff Semifinals floor due to consistent target volume, making him a depth option in deeper dynasty leagues.
Which tight end is the top Week 16 Fantasy Football Playoff Semifinals waiver add with Colby Parkinson?
A: Colby Parkinson is the priority Week 16 Playoff Semifinals tight end add after sustained touchdown production and an expanded role if injuries impact the Rams’ receiving corps.
