It’s officially the second week of the fantasy playoffs! If you’re reading this, congratulations on advancing. There are still two games to play tonight due to postponements involving COVID-19 protocols. This week was a weird week fantasy-wise, with normally consistent players posting very low numbers, potentially eliminating you from the playoffs. This is why you will need to work the fantasy football waiver wire to grab high-upside players to help fill these empty spots and reduce the Sunday morning pre-kickoff panic.
It is time to drop those guys you’ve been stashing for weeks that won’t make an impact and start considering other options that have upside to help your team advance to the next round of the playoffs. Here are some Week 16 fantasy football waiver wire pickups that could help secure the win.
Players must be owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be included in the Week 16 fantasy football waiver wire pickups column. All ownerships for waiver wire players will be provided and will reflect that of Monday evening.
QB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (25.5%)
As the season comes to a close, Justin Fields may be in store for an increased role to see what he can do. He’s posted double-digit fantasy points now in three of his last four starts, and he now faces SEA and NYG, two defenses that have been struggling. At this point in the season, quarterbacks shouldn’t be much of a priority on your fantasy football team. Still, Fields’ matchups warrant some consideration.
RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (23.4%)
With Leonard Fournette down with injury, Ronald Jones stepped in nicely and picked up 63 yards on only eight carries against one of the best run defenses in the league. Jones will operate at the lead back this week, with Fournette likely out. Considering how high-powered and good the Bucs offense is, Jones could be in store for a ton of work. The number of injuries the Bucs sustained last week could also play into his production if Tom Brady doesn’t have his normal targets to throw the ball to.
Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers (44.4%)
With multiple 49ers running backs on IR, Jeff Wilson Jr. could continue to see workhorse responsibilities moving forward. He posted an impressive game last week, carrying the ball 21 times for 110 yards and a touchdown. San Francisco faces TEN and HOU the next two weeks, which are quite bad against the run. As long as Elijah Mitchell misses more time, Wilson will be the lead back with no one around to poach his carries. It is very hard to trust 49ers running backs, but with so many injuries, he’s a solid fantasy football waiver wire add for the second round of the playoffs.
WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills (12.6%)
With Emmanuel Sanders out with injury last week, second-year receiver Gabriel Davis stepped in nicely, catching five of seven targets for 85 yards and two touchdowns. The 12 percent of fantasy managers that rostered him last week likely got a sweet exchange of fantasy points from a low projection. The AFC East is open again, as the Bills battle the Patriots next week, so the Bills will be in win-now mode and Davis will be a huge part of that. It’s clear Josh Allen likes him in the red zone and for chunk plays, and when he isn’t throwing to Stefon Diggs or Dawson Knox, Davis is next in line.
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons (54.6%)
Russell Gage has been on fire the last four weeks, catching 29 of his 36 targets for over 200 yards. He has posted double-digit fantasy points in five of his last seven games. With the Falcons lingering in the middle of the pack, have been winning and playing solid enough for Gage to see serious volume. Matt Ryan clearly values his presence on the field and it seems as if Gage is the acting Calvin Ridley as of now. He faces DET next week, which will be a prime matchup for him to possibly post his third 20-plus fantasy point performance in the last four weeks.
TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Evan Engram, New York Giants (28.1%)
Evan Engram has basically done nothing all season long. Still, the reason he’s intriguing here this week is his matchups. The Eagles have yet to play, but they are the worst team against opposing tight ends this season. He’s seen at least five targets in four of his last five games and, with the Giants basically out of contention, they may see what their tight end can do with more volume and production.
