The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the waiver wire this week. And also be sure to check out our full waiver wire article for the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Trey Sermon (RB – IND): 0% rostered

• Next Opponents: @ATL, LV, HOU
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Sermon has bounced around various practice squads since he washed out of San Francisco. RB attrition has been especially brutal for the Colts. Zack Moss left Sunday’s game, and it was Sermon who picked up the musket, chewing up 88 rushing yards on 17 carries. Jonathan Taylor‘s return from thumb surgery is looming, so this might be much ado about nothing. Sermon is not a strong receiver, nor does he endear himself to coaches in pass protection. Tyler Goodson was also effective in Week 15 and might squeeze Sermon out of the picture if Taylor returns for a matchup with the Falcons on Christmas Eve.

Dontayvion Wicks (WR – GB): 3% rostered

• Next Opponents: @CAR, @MIN, CHI
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Wicks entered last week with a questionable tag, as he is dealing with an ankle issue, but you would never know that from his Week 15 performance. He turned his 17.9% target share into a team-leading 97 receiving yards. Wicks has been productive when called upon this year to play the “Christian Watson role.” I doubt we will see Watson this week after he didn’t practice at all last week, so Wicks has at least one more week of flex viability. He finds himself on the low end of that spectrum this week against a Panthers secondary that, since Week 9, has allowed the ninth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).

Curtis Samuel (WR – WAS): 37% rostered

• Next Opponents: @NYJ, SF, DAL
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Samuel has been on a tear lately. In Week 15, he followed up two strong games with another fantastic outing. He had a 25% target share with 41 receiving yards and two scores. The sad thing is that Samuel’s hot streak will likely be put to a halt in Week 16. Over the next two weeks, he faces the Jets and 49ers, who have allowed the 10th-fewest and seventh-fewest PPR points per target, respectively (per Fantasy Points Data). Samuel will still get fed solid volume, but it’s questionable what he’ll be able to do with it. He’s a low-end flex for the next two weeks.

Cade Otton (TE – TB): 34% rostered

• Next Opponents: JAX, NO, @CAR
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Otton has been a regular denizen of this article. He has flashed TE1 upside in favorable matchups this season. Otton has four TE1 performances on his 2023 resume. Entering Week 15, he had seen eight red zone targets over his previous six games. That type of red zone usage gives him TE1 upside weekly. Jacksonville has bled out production to tight ends all season, giving up the ninth-most fantasy points per game and the second-most yards per reception. Otton could post his fifth TE1 week in Week 16.

Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management

Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:

Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.

Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.

Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.

Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.

Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.

Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.

Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.