Here are players to consider stashing ahead of this weekend’s slate of games. Please note that this is the final installment of Weekend Waiver Wire Stashes for the 2021 season.
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QUARTERBACKS
Jimmy Garoppolo at Titans in Week 16
Handsome Jimmy G. has a handsome matchup this week against a pass-funnel Tennessee defense. Opponents are throwing against the Titans on 64% of their offensive snaps. (The league average is 58%.) Tennessee is giving up 19.1 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, the 13th-highest total in the league. Garoppolo has been quietly effective for much of the season, and he’s been playing his best football since the start of November. He’s thrown multiple TD passes in five of his last six games and has averaged 252.5 passing yards over that stretch. Garoppolo is averaging 8.4 yards per pass attempt this season, which ties him with Joe Burrow for second in that category behind only Kyler Murray.
Ben Roethlisberger at Chiefs in Week 16
The Steelers simply can’t run the ball. They rank 28th in rushing yardage and are averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Pittsburgh’s inability to run has forced its 39-year-old quarterback to take to the air, and Roethlisberger has been on a roll. He’s thrown 11 TD passes over his last five games, averaging 257.0 passing yards over that span. Big Ben is averaging 37.9 pass attempts per game, and he’s thrown 40 of more passes in 7 of 12 starts. The Kansas City defense has gotten much better over the course of the season, but a matchup against the Chiefs has all sorts of shootout potential. The Chiefs have faced 502 pass attempts this season, the fourth-highest total in the league.
RUNNING BACKS
Craig Reynolds at Falcons in Week 16
Let’s face it: The running backs widely available on waivers at the moment are a pretty unappealing group. We’re looking for someone who could be valuable in Weeks 16-17 if things break right. If you have a roster spot to spare, Reynolds is a worthwhile flier. The Lions may be on the verge of shutting down D’Andre Swift for the season with a shoulder injury. The No. 2 man on the Lions’ depth chart, Jamaal Williams, has dealt with thigh and hip issues this season. Reynolds is a former undrafted free agent from Kutztown University who had 11-83-0 rushing and 2-16-0 receiving against the Broncos in Week 14. He’s playing on a one-year deal, and it’s possible the Lions will want to take a longer look at him before the end of the season. The Lions have favorable run-game matchups against the Falcons and Seahawks in Weeks 16-17.
Jordan Howard vs. Giants in Week 16
It’s not entirely clear how the Eagles will deploy their running backs the rest of the way, but Howard is the leading candidate for goal-line duty, and the Eagles have been so run-heavy of late that there should be plenty of carries to go around. Since Week 8, Philadelphia has run the ball on 64% of its snaps – a crazy-high percentage in the modern NFL. In four games this season, Howard has 51-274-3 rushing. He’s not at all helpful in the passing game, so he’s not recommended for PPR leagues, but Howard has a reasonably decent chance to score a Week 16 touchdown against the Giants in a game where the Eagles are likely to get a very run-friendly game script.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Amon-Ra St. Brown at Falcons in Week 16
St. Brown is on a tear, but he’s still unrostered in a lot of leagues. Over his last two games, the rookie from USC has had 18-159-1 on 24 targets. Lions’ tight end T.J. Hockenson is out for the rest of the season with a hand injury, so St. Brown figures to see a lot of targets down the stretch. Playing most of his snaps from the slot, St. Brown will have a juicy Week 16 matchup against Falcons slot corner Darren Hall, who’s allowed a 78% catch rate on throws into his coverage.
Kadarius Toney at Eagles in Week 16
This is a serious long shot, but if you have a roster space to spare, Toney might be worth tucking away as a Week 17 option. He’s been dealing with an oblique injury, and he’s on the COVID-19 list for Week 15, but Toney is the only widely available waiver wire receiver who’s flashed superstar potential this season, with 16-267-0 receiving over an eye-opening two-game stretch in Weeks 4-5. The Giants get a WR-friendly Week 17 matchup against a Washington defense that’s giving up 180.9 receiving yards and 1.2 TD catches per game to opposing wide receivers.
TIGHT ENDS
Ricky Seals-Jones at Cowboys in Week 16
RSJ is Washington’s top tight end now that Logan Thomas is out for the season. When Thomas was sidelined by a hamstring injury earlier in the year, Seals-Jones had 20-192-1 in a five-game stint as a starter. Seals-Jones gets a decent matchup against the Cowboys in Week 16 and a terrific matchup against the Eagles in Week 17. Philadelphia is giving up 11.2 fantasy points per game (0.5) to tight ends this season, giving Seals-Jones some streamer appeal for fantasy championship week.
DEFENSES
Seattle Seahawks vs. Bears in Week 16
Among the defenses available in more than 60% of leagues, the Seahawks have the best schedule over Weeks 16-17. Seattle hosts Chicago in Week 16, then hosts the Lions in Week 17. Both are top-10 opponents in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing defenses. The Seahawks have gotten their act together defensively. Since Week 7, they’ve allowed 16.1 points per game and have ranked 15th in defensive fantasy scoring.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Jets in Week 16
Jacksonville only ranks 30th in defensive fantasy scoring, but this isn’t a terrible defense. The Jaguars have a Week 16 date with the Jets, an inviting offense to target if you’re looking to stream a defense. Jets rookie Zach Wilson has thrown 11 interceptions and taken 28 sacks in his nine games this season.
Chicago Bears at Seahawks in Week 16
You won’t want to play the Bears’ defense against Seattle in Week 16, but if you’re in a league where decent waiver wire defenses are scarce and you’re trying to come up with a plan for Week 17, the Bears will face the Jets that week. Defenses facing the Jets are averaging 8.2 fantasy points per game this season, the eighth-highest total in the league.
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