Top 9 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Wide Receivers (Week 16)

We will have you covered throughout the 2023 fantasy football season with our bevy of tools, including our Waiver Wire Assistant. Find the top available players and get detailed analysis on how potential waiver wire adds will impact your team. Of course, our team of analysts will also have written advice each week. Check out some of our top waiver wire targets for the week below. And here’s all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 16.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

WIDE RECEIVERS

Written by Derek Brown

Tyler Boyd (CIN): 49% rostered

• Next Opponents: @PIT, @KC, CLE
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $6
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Boyd has been irrelevant for most of the season and only drew an 11.9% target share last week, but he’s primed to see more looks this week if Ja’Marr Chase is limited or out. Chase’s Week 16 status is unknown after he sustained a shoulder injury last week. If Boyd slides into the WR2 role for Cincinnati over the next two games, he’ll flirt with WR3 value against two secondaries that haven’t defended slot receivers well. Since Week 9, Pittsburgh and Kansas City, respectively, have allowed the fifth-most and the ninth-most PPR points per target to opposing slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).

Noah Brown (HOU): 40% rostered

• Next Opponents: CLE, TEN, @IND
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Brown came back to life in Week 15 after a few down games since his return from injury. Against the Titans on Sunday, Brown handled a 30.5% target share, finishing with 82 receiving yards and a score. He has a tough Week 16 matchup with the Browns, who since Week 9 have allowed the third-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data). His next two opponents after the Browns are more attractive, with a rematch engagement with Tennessee and then the Colts (ninth-most PPR points per target allowed since Week 9).

Joshua Palmer (LAC): 29% rostered

• Next Opponents: BUF, @DEN, KC
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Palmer returned to the lineup last week to finish with a 12.5% target share while playing 72% of the snaps. He made the most of his limited target volume, finishing with 113 receiving yards and a score. We should expect his snap count to grow in Week 16, assuming he escaped last week’s game without any setbacks. Palmer could be the Bolts’ WR1 this week if Keenan Allen misses a second straight game. The matchup on paper isn’t favorable this week. Since Week 9, Buffalo has allowed the eighth-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data). Palmer will have WR3/4 value this week.

Dontayvion Wicks (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 (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.

Jameson Williams (DET): 22% rostered

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

Analysis: Williams is coming off a season-high 68% snap share with a 20.5% target share. The Lions have been talking about getting Williams more involved for the last few weeks, so it’s nice to see it finally happen. His seven targets last week were also a season high. The Vikings’ secondary has been holding its own, but with the Lions likely to have difficulty running the ball in Week 16, Williams will be needed. Since Week 8, the Vikings have been 14th in receiving yards per game allowed to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).

Rashid Shaheed (NO): 47% rostered

• Next Opponents: @LAR, @TB, ATL
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Last week, Shaheed had the perfect setup for a possible smash game. Chris Olave was out with an ankle injury, leaving Shaheed as the team’s de facto WR1, but Derek Carr spread the ball around. Shaheed finished the game with a 14.2% target share and 36 receiving yards. That is a far cry from the spike weeks that we have seen from him earlier this season. Shaheed will have another chance to lead the way, possibly in Week 16 if Olave can’t go. The Rams’ defense has been tough, but their strength has been against the run. If New Orleans wants to move the ball with regularity in Week 16, it will have to be through the air. Hopefully, Shaheed’s volume bounces back. If it does, he could be a wonderful flex with upside.

Darius Slayton (NYG): 2% rostered

• Next Opponents: @PHI, LAR, PHI
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Slayton has been irrelevant for most of the season, but he could be flex-worthy in Week 16 if you’re in a pinch. Last week, Tommy Cutlets fed him a 21% target share, as Slayton tied for the team-lead in receptions and led the way with 63 receiving yards. Slayton has shown a propensity for big plays throughout his career, and in Week 16 he could be set for another strong performance. Philly’s secondary has been an eyesore this season, allowing the eighth-most PPR points per target and the 11th-most receiving yards per game since Week 8 (per Fantasy Points Data). “Big Play” Slayton could come through in Week 16 as a flex hero.

Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG): 12% rostered

• Next Opponents: @PHI, LAR, PHI
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Robinson is coming off a down game with only a 10.5% target share and 25 scoreless receiving yards, but he could easily bounce back in Week 16. In Week 4, he had a 33.3% target share and a 45.5% first-read share, so the upside is there for another big game. Tommy DeVito should look to pepper Robinson against an Eagles secondary that since Week 8 has allowed the third-most PPR points per target to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).