If you’re reading this, chances are that you’ve secured a playoff berth in your league(s), so congratulations are in order. Well done, my friend.
Here’s hoping you and your fantasy team run pure over the next three weeks and bring home that trophy and winner’s check. But it’s not just about a good run of luck in the coming weeks. You need to do everything in your power to improve your title chances. The waiver wire is still open, so you can still fine-tune your roster. That’s why you’re here.
One note about this week’s waiver article: Throughout the season, we’ve been including stashes at every position, but we’re doing away with the stashes as of this week. Stash season is over. We no longer have the time to sit on players whose fantasy value could potentially spike at some point down the road. The season is nearly over. You need players who can produce for you now.
One more note: Jets RB Zonovan Knight isn’t included in this article because we only feature players with rostership of 50% or less in Yahoo leagues. If you’re in a shallow league where Knight is available, he could be very useful down the stretch, as he appears to have seized the lead role in the Jets’ backfield. A couple of Jaguars, TE Evan Engram and WR Zay Jones, are other potentially helpful players who don’t quite meet our threshold for inclusion.
Check out our Free Agent Finder to quickly find the top free agents in your league 
OK, let’s go waiver shopping …
Week 15 Waiver Wire Grade: C-
(Players chosen based on having early-week consensus rostership below 50%. Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
Week 15 Waiver Wire Rankings
Running Backs
Written by Bo McBrayer
Kevin Harris (NE): 1% rostered
- Next opponents: @LV, CIN, MIA
- True value: $14
- Desperate need: $25
- Budget-minded: $9
Analysis: Rhamondre Stevenson sustained an ankle injury on Monday night that could potentially keep him out of action for a week or more. Damien Harris has been out with a thigh injury, and it’s not clear when he’ll be ready to return. It’s possible Kevin Harris, a sixth-round rookie from South Carolina, starts for New England this Sunday vs. the Raiders. Las Vegas is giving up 23.1 fantasy points per game, so the matchup is good. Harris, who had a 14-yard TD run Monday night against the Cardinals, is a physical, no-frills runner who doesn’t waste much time with east-west maneuvering and is intent on getting upfield as quickly as possible, even if it means trying to go through a would-be tackler. The risk here is that Stevenson could be OK, Harris could return this week, or the Patriots could use rookie Pierre Strong more than they use Kevin Harris in Week 15, even though Harris out-snapped Strong 29-19 on Monday night.
Gus Edwards (BAL): 49% rostered
- Next opponents: @CLE, ATL, PIT
- True value: $12
- Desperate need: $19
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: The Ravens might have prevailed over their hated rivals from Pittsburgh on Sunday, but they also lost backup QB Tyler Huntley to an injury. Baltimore is already a run-heavy offense under OC Greg Roman, but now the Ravens might lean into that strategy even more with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards healthy and back in the fold. Edwards toted the rock 13 times for 66 yards in Week 14 – about even with the more productive Dobbins’ 15 carries. The Gus Bus has the ability to outperform Dobbins in a given week, so he is a worthy addition for the fantasy playoffs.
Jordan Mason (SF): 13% rostered
- Next opponents: @SEA, WAS, @LV
- True value: $10
- Desperate need: $17
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Everyone loves Christian McCaffrey, but don’t overlook their rookie special teams ace, Jordan Mason, as the change-of-pace hammer in this 49ers offense. Mason averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry in a tough matchup with the Buccaneers on Sunday, with 56 yards on the ground. Elijah Mitchell is still due to miss some more time with his MCL strain, and Deebo Samuel injured his ankle on Sunday, leaving more meat on the bone for the Georgia Tech product going into a sparkling matchup with the Seahawks in Week 15.
Kyren Williams (LAR): 36% rostered
- Next opponents: @GB, DEN, @LAC
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The Rams are still a mess despite their miraculous comeback win over the Raiders on Thursday. Cam Akers appears to be the preferred option on early downs for head coach Sean McVay, with Williams, the rookie from Notre Dame, seizing the third down and receiving work. Akers is not on steady ground as a reliable starter just yet, heading into a date with the RB-generous Packers. I’m gambling on the receiving upside and an effort to get the rookie more exposure while wrapping up a disastrous post-championship season.
Damien Harris (NE): 50% rostered
- Next opponents: @LV, CIN, MIA
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The love going to Rhamondre Stevenson this season is well-earned, but the inability of Damien Harris to stay healthy has contributed to those opportunities. Harris is more than capable of piling up yards and scoring touchdowns while complementing Stevenson’s role in the New England offense. Mac Jones has been lost this season without a steady running game or a competent offensive coordinator. Harris should be back for a wonderful matchup versus the Raiders and for decent matchups against the Bengals and Dolphins to wrap up the fantasy season.
Wide Receivers
Written by Derek Brown
D.J. Chark (DET): 40% rostered
- Next opponents:@NYJ, @CAR, CHI
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $10
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Over the last two weeks, Chark has been crushing as the Lions’ deep threat. He has a 16.2% target share, 2.46 yards per route run and at least 94 receiving yards in each of his last two games. Wake up! He should not still be below 50% rostership entering this week. That needs to change ASAP! This week’s matchup against the Jets isn’t fantastic, but Chark should still get enough volume to remain a low-end flex. Chark gets two cake matchups after the Jets, though. Since Week 8, Carolina has given up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to perimeter receivers. Over that same period, Chicago is 31st in yards per reception allowed to receivers.
Elijah Moore (NYJ): 27% rostered
- Next opponents: DET, JAC, @SEA
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Moore led the Jets in targets in Week 14 (21.2% target share) while playing 82.4% of the snaps. Moore’s playing time crept upwards in Week 13, and the trend continued in Week 14, as he ran a route on 100% of the Jets’ pass attempts on Sunday. Moore is a strong flex moving forward. His remaining matchups are all fantastic for a slot receiver. Since Week 8, the Lions have allowed the most fantasy points per game to slot receivers, and Jacksonville has permitted the third-most. Then, Moore faces the Seahawks, whose easiest corner to pick on is in the slot.
Guess how many fantasy points Elijah Moore will score this week for a chance to win weekly and season long prizes provided by our generous sponsor, No House Advantage.
Kadarius Toney (KC): 35% rostered
- Next opponents: @HOU, SEA, DEN
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Toney hasn’t played since Week 11, but he looks close to a return. Toney practiced on a limited basis all week before he was ruled out for Week 14. In Week 10, the team concentrated on getting him involved, as he saw a 14.7% target share with only a 43.6% route run rate but a nice 29% target per route run rate. With more time to digest the playbook since that game, Toney could easily roll into a full-time role upon his return. The talent is there for him to be a playoff difference-maker.
Parris Campbell (IND): 33% rostered
- Next opponents: @MIN, LAC, @NYG
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Since Week 6, with Matt Ryan under center, Campbell has a 20.8% target share and 22.2% end zone target share, with 1.5 yards per route run. Campbell has produced three WR1 weeks and a WR3 finish in that six-game sample. He’s a solid flex this week against the Vikings. Since Week 8, Minnesota is 27th in fantasy points per game allowed to slot receivers.
Alec Pierce (IND): 13% rostered
- Next opponents: @MIN, LAC, @NYG
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Pierce is a deeper-league plug-and-play flex target this week. Since Week 11, he has had an 18.2% target share (six targets per game) and a 72.4% route participation rate. The Vikings have not been able to slow down wide receivers at all this season. They have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game, the most receiving yards per game and the fifth-most yards per catch to wide receivers.
Tutu Atwell (LAR): 13% rostered
- Next opponents: @GB, DEN, @LAC
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Last week, Atwell managed a 63.4% route participation rate while exploding with a 25.7% target share and 1.92 yards per route run. The diminutive speedster has looked good this season whenever he has been given opportunities. Among all wide receivers with at least 20 targets, he is eighth in PFF receiving grade and third in yards per route run. While his upcoming matchups aren’t amazing, he could lead this passing attack in targets while avoiding top corner matchups by lining up inside (62% slot rate in Week 14, per PFF).
DeVante Parker (NE): 17% rostered
- Next opponents: @LV, CIN, MIA
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Parker is a matchup-based flex play in deeper leagues. Since Week 9, the Raiders have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers. Over that period, the Bengals are 32nd in yards per reception given up to wide receivers. The New England offense is gross outside of Rhamondre Stevenson, but the upcoming matchups put Parker on the flex radar.
Jameson Williams (DET): 36% rostered
- Next opponents: @NYJ, @CAR, CHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Williams is slowly trending toward full-time status. In Week 14, his snap count increased to 18% as he ran six routes and turned one of his two targets into a 41-yard touchdown. He would only be a desperation flex play in a deeper format in Week 15, but Williams could help bring home the bacon in Weeks 16-17 as a possible full-time receiver in one of the league’s most explosive offenses.
Quarterbacks
Written by Bo McBrayer
Mike White (NYJ): 20% rostered
- Next opponents: DET, JAX, @SEA
- True value: $8
- Desperate need: $14
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: It wasn’t pretty, but Mike White‘s performance Sunday in snowy Buffalo was gutsy. White passed for 268 yards and did not commit a turnover in the Jets’ loss to the first-place Bills. I will wholeheartedly stand by my previous stance that Mike White‘s fantasy playoff schedule puts him in prime league-winning territory for streaming QBs. He could feasibly wrap up the 2022 season with a QB1 performance in every game but one.
Mac Jones (NE): 18% rostered
- Next opponents: @LV, CIN, MIA
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: If you’re worried about Mac Jones‘ development being stunted by New England’s appalling allegiance to Matt Patricia as the OC, at least you can get one good fantasy game out of Jones in Week 15 at Las Vegas. Jones has struggled all season, but the Patriots have gone more pass-heavy this season than in years past. It might be all screens and hitches, but volume pays the bills. Mac is a sneaky rental streamer to help you reach the fantasy semifinals.
Russell Wilson (DEN): 47% rostered
- Next opponents: ARI, @LAR, @KC
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $10
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: This addition to your fantasy roster hinges on Wilson clearing the concussion protocol in time for Sunday’s game versus the Cardinals. After a dreadful start against Kansas City in Week 14, Wilson found his stride. He connected with Jerry Jeudy on two touchdown passes and threw a third on a screen that Marlon Mack took 66 yards to the house. For the poor souls who drafted Russ as their QB1, it might be too late. I see him as a high-upside streaming QB with a favorable playoff schedule who can be had for a little bit of FAAB. Think about how fun it would be to tell that championship story.
Brock Purdy (SF): 10% rostered
- Next opponents: @SEA, WAS, @LV
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $9
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Is Brock Purdy a good QB? Not really, but he sure has looked solid in his two games in relief of the injured Jimmy Garoppolo. It goes to show just how perfectly this 49ers offense insulates its QBs from the treachery and pitfalls that can plague young or talent-challenged players. Purdy is smart and plays with good rhythm – something that will show up well in the stat sheet on a consistent basis under Kyle Shanahan. The remaining schedule for the fantasy playoffs is incredibly favorable, even if 49ers WR Deebo Samuel misses time with an ankle injury.
Tight Ends
Written by Derek Brown
Tyler Conklin (NYJ): 26% rostered
- Next opponents: DET, JAC, @SEA
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Conklin is a priority pickup at the TE position, especially if you’ve been streaming tight ends all season. His next three matchups are eye-popping. At this point in the season, if you’re looking for a tight end on the wire, it’s all about matchups. The Lions, Jaguars and Seahawks are 28th, 21st and 31st in fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends. This schedule is beautiful for Conklin
Robert Tonyan (GB): 27% rostered
- Next opponents: LAR, @MIA, MIN
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Tonyan is a hold-your-nose-and-trust-the-matchup TE streaming target. Tonyan hasn’t recorded a top-12 TE finish since Week 6, so there’s risk here. Since Week 8, the Rams and Dolphins are 30th and 29th, respectively, in fantasy points per game permitted to tight ends. The Vikings have conceded the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position.
Chigoziem Okonkwo (TEN): 14% rostered
- Next opponents: @LAC, HOU, DAL
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Okonkwo has landed on the TE streaming radar as an efficiency monster and emerging receiving talent. The rookie has surpassed 40 receiving yards in four of his last six games. Entering Week 14, he was fifth in PFF receiving grade, first in yards per route run, and first in YAC per reception (per PFF, minimum 20 targets). Okonkwo saw a 15.7% target share in Week 14 and got into the end zone. Those are all the pluses for picking him up, but we have to consider the risk and why he is this low on the list. In Week 13, Okonkwo only ran a route on 63.1% of Ryan Tannehill‘s pass attempts while playing 49.2% of snaps (per PFF). Austin Hooper out-snapped him and ran more routes while drawing one less target. Okonkwo could see his role grow, but it’s equally possible that he doesn’t, so he’ll have to continue to run hot in order to pay off for fantasy managers.
Guess how many fantasy points Chigoziem Okonkwo will score this week for a chance to win weekly and season long prizes provided by our generous sponsor, No House Advantage.
Defenses
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Denver Broncos: 43% rostered
- Next opponents: ARI, @LAR, KC
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The fierce Denver defense intercepted Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes three times on Sunday and now has 16 takeaways on the year to go along with 38 sacks. The Broncos’ defense is good enough to be appealing this week in a neutral matchup against the Cardinals, and Denver gets a spectacular Week 16 matchup against the Rams, who entered Week 14 having given up the most fantasy points to opposing defenses.
New York Jets: 38% rostered
- Next opponents: DET, JAC, @SEA
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Jets’ remaining matchups aren’t all that appealing: Detroit’s offense has been humming, and young QB Trevor Lawrence has taken a big step forward for the Jaguars. However, the Jets’ defense is absolutely vicious. Gang Green limited Bills QB Josh Allen to 147 passing yards and 5.4 yards per attempt on Sunday, sacking him three times. The Jets have 39 sacks on the year and are among the leaders in pressure rate. But before you go all in on the Jets, check the status of stud DT Quinnen Williams, who sustained a leg injury on Sunday. Without Williams, that outstanding Jets defense would be slightly less outstanding.
Minnesota Vikings: 41% rostered
- Next opponents: IND, NYG, @GB
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Minnesota defense isn’t all that good – and it certainly wasn’t sharp in a Week 14 loss to Detroit – but it’s an opportunistic unit. The Vikings have forced 20 turnovers this season, and they entered Week 14 ranked 13th in defensive fantasy scoring. The Vikes get an attractive Week 15 matchup against the Colts, who have yielded 11.6 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. Colts QB Matt Ryan has thrown 13 interceptions and taken 35 sacks in 11 games.
Green Bay Packers: 33% rostered
- Next opponents: LAR, @MIA, MIN
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Rams’ offense is a good one to target with streaming defenses. The Green Bay defense has been mediocre in both fantasy and real life, but the Packers get a Week 15 home game against those injury-ravaged Rams. In Week 14, Baker Mayfield engineered a come-from-behind win in his Rams’ debut, but make no mistake: It’s usually lucrative to start a defense against Mayfield.
Washington Commanders: 26% rostered
- Next opponents: NYG, @SF, CLE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Commanders have a top-10 fantasy defense, and this unit will be well-rested after a Week 14 bye. Washington has allowed an average of 16.6 points over its last nine games, and it has a Week 15 date against a Giants offense that has struggled in recent weeks.
Carolina Panthers: 6% rostered
- Next opponents: PIT, DET, @TB
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Panthers’ defense entered Week 14 tied for eighth in fantasy scoring, then proceeded to intercept Seahawks QB Geno Smith twice and sack him three times Sunday in Seattle. Carolina gets an attractive Week 15 matchup against the Steelers. Rookie QB Kenny Pickett sustained a concussion on Sunday, so it’s unclear whether the Panthers will face Pickett or backup Mitchell Trubisky. Either way, it’s a friendly matchup.
New Orleans Saints: 25% rostered
- Next opponents: ATL, @CLE, @PHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Saints haven’t been an especially lucrative fantasy defense this season. The allure here is a Week 15 matchup against the falcons and rookie QB Desmond Ridder, who’ll be making his first NFL start. But the Falcons have been run-heavy all season and will probably continue to tilt toward the run even without Marcus Mariota at quarterback, limiting the Saints’ chances for sacks and interceptions.
Kickers
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Cameron Dicker (LAC): 48% rostered
- Next opponents: TEN, @ IND, LAR
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: In six games with the Chargers, Dicker is 13-of-14 on field goals and 12-of-12 on extra points. He’s kicked multiple field goals in all but one of those games. Dicker gets a warm-weather Week 15 matchup against the Titans in Los Angeles.
Michael Badgley (DET): 45% rostered
- Next opponents: @NYJ, @CAR, CHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Lions have averaged 32.2 points over their last five games, and Badgley has booted nine field goals and 18 extra points over that span. The Lions run into an excellent Jets defense this weekend, however, and the weather conditions in the Meadowlands in December can be unpredictable. It’s not a great matchup, but nor is it a skull-and-crossbones matchup for a high-scoring kicker backed by a high-revving offense.
Greg Zuerlein (NYJ): 18% rostered
- Next opponents: DET, JAC, @SEA
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Zuerlein ranks sixth in kicker scoring, averaging 9.0 fantasy points per game. Although his Week 15 opponent, Detroit, hasn’t been especially generous toward opposing kickers, the Jets figure to be home favorites this week and should have an implied Vegas point total in the low 20s. It’s not a bad setup for Greg the Leg.
Younghoe Koo (ATL): 38% rostered
- Next opponents: @NO, @BAL, ARI
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Koo has a Week 15 matchup against the Saints, who are generously giving up 9.8 fantasy points per game to kickers. It will also be a weather-proof matchup in the Caesars Superdome. The question is whether the Falcons will be able to give Koo enough scoring opportunities in rookie QB Desmond Ridder‘s first start.
Ryan Succop (TB): 34% rostered
- Next opponents: CIN, @ARI, CAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Succop is averaging a respectable 7.9 fantasy points per game. The Buccaneers’ offense has been struggling, and Succop hasn’t kicked multiple field goals in a game since Week 9. But the Bucs have a Week 15 matchup against the Bengals, who entered Week 14 having allowed the second-most fantasy points to kickers, and Succop will likely get agreeable weather Sunday in Tampa.
Fool’s Gold
Marquise Goodwin had a team-high 95 yards and a touchdown for the Seahawks on Sunday, but there’s no Seattle pass catcher worth rostering aside from WRs D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Chuba Hubbard has had 31 carries for 139 yards and a touchdown over Carolina’s last two games. The Panthers were exceedingly run-heavy in those two games (both wins, not coincidentally), giving their running backs 80 carries while capitalizing on favorable game scripts and trying to take the pressure off QB Sam Darnold. Hubbard is No. 2 in the Panthers’ backfield behind D’Onta Foreman, and Raheem Blackshear gets work, too. We can’t expect the Panthers to continue to be this run-heavy, and we can’t trust Hubbard in our starting lineup in the most important weeks of the fantasy season.
The wild fourth-quarter comeback that Baker Mayfield directed last Thursday night just a couple of days after joining the Rams was a great story, but Mayfield won’t be fantasy-viable down the stretch in this injury-ravaged Rams offense.
Drop recommendations
Droppable
Corey Davis sustained a head injury in the first quarter of the Jets’ Week 14 loss to the Bills. It’s possible Davis won’t miss any time, but Garrett Wilson is clearly the Jets’ No. 1 receiver, and WR Elijah Moore, TE Tyler Conklin and others are prominently involved in the Jets’ passing game, too. Davis isn’t likely to be ranked as a top-40 receiver in any of the next three weeks.
With Darren Waller close to returning from a hamstring injury, Foster Moreau can be dropped. Moreau hasn’t been particularly useful to fantasy managers even while Waller has been sidelined, and Moreau figures to lose any fantasy value he had upon Waller’s return.
Droppable with a chance of regret
Tyler Boyd has a finger injury that could keep him out in Week 15. Even if Boyd plays this week, he hasn’t produced more than 60 receiving yards in a game since Week 7, and he hasn’t scored a touchdown since Halloween night. Ja’Marr Chase‘s hip injury didn’t make Tyler Boyd any more valuable to fantasy managers. Chase is back, and even if Tee Higgins misses Week 15 with a hamstring injury, Boyd wouldn’t be a particularly appealing option against the Buccaneers.
Over his last three games, Tyler Higbee has four catches for 25 yards. The Rams’ offense is a sinkhole. Higbee hasn’t scored a touchdown all season. It’s possible Higbee quickly establishes a rapport with Baker Mayfield, but don’t count on it.
Don’t drop yet
The chemistry between D.J. Moore and Sam Darnold wasn’t evident in Week 14, as Moore was held without a catch against the Seahawks and had only three targets. Despite being shot out on Sunday, Moore is still playable the next two weeks in favorable matchups against the Steelers and Lions.
George Pickens has drawn only five targets the last two weeks. After a lone 2-yard catch in Week 13, Pickens caught all three of his Week 14 targets for 78 yards against the Ravens. The Pittsburgh passing game is sort of a mess these days, but Pickens’ big-play potential still makes him potentially playable against a porous Raiders pass defense in Week 16.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
