Fantasy football can be an extremely fun game to play. It can also be highly frustrating at times. Nothing is more annoying than needing to make a last-minute waiver-wire move because someone in your starting lineup is out for the week.
Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it. However, I’m going to try to help.
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Every week, I have six players you can grab off the waiver wire at the last minute and throw into your lineup. Some will succeed, while others will fail. Unfortunately, that’s how the game of fantasy football is played. Let’s dive into my six last-minute waiver wire targets for Week 15.
Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements
All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues.
Jameis Winston (QB – CLE) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (20.5% Rostered)
Winston has averaged two passing touchdowns and 20.3 fantasy points per game in his six starts this season. However, he is the ultimate boom-or-bust quarterback, making massive throws downfield while throwing a pick-six on the next play. Unfortunately, Winston has a similar boom-or-bust weekly fantasy outcome. The former No. 1 NFL Draft pick had 33 fantasy points against the Denver Broncos in Week 13 despite having three interceptions, totaling 497 passing yards and four touchdowns. By comparison, he had 212 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 15.3 fantasy points last week.
However, the veteran is the perfect streaming option in Week 15 for fantasy players who need to chase upside in the first round of the playoffs. Last week, the Chiefs surrendered 13.7 fantasy points to Justin Herbert despite missing Ladd McConkey. Furthermore, Kansas City has given up 1.5 passing touchdowns and 18.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the past six weeks. The Browns will likely have to chase points in the second half, which could lead to a massive fantasy performance from Winston despite some likely interceptions.
Sincere McCormick (RB – LV) vs. Atlanta Falcons (29.8% Rostered)
While Alexander Mattison will play this week after missing the past three games with an ankle injury, head coach Antonio Pierce named McCormick the team’s starting running back. He has played well with Mattison and Zamir White (quad) out of the lineup, averaging 5.5 yards per rushing attempt. More importantly, McCormick has averaged 13.5 rushing attempts for 71 yards and 8.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the past two weeks despite facing two of the NFL’s top run defenses. Thankfully, he has a fantasy-friendly matchup on Monday night.
The Falcons have held running backs to 17.6 fantasy points per game, the seventh-fewest in the NFL. However, they’ve had issues slowing down opposing rushing attacks lately. Last week, Atlanta surrendered 110 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 19.1 fantasy points to the Minnesota Vikings backfield despite Sam Darnold throwing for five touchdowns in the victory. Furthermore, the Falcons have given up over 95 rushing yards and a touchdown to running backs in two of their past three outings. Don’t be surprised if McCormick has his first career 100-yard performance.
Antonio Gibson (RB – NE) vs. Arizona Cardinals (15.4% Rostered)
New England had their bye in Week 14. However, Gibson was playing well before the bye, averaging 6.2 yards per rushing attempt over the past four contests. More importantly, he was outstanding in the team’s last game before the bye week, totaling seven rushing attempts for 62 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. The former Memphis star finished Week 13 as the RB20, scoring a season-high 12.2 half-point PPR fantasy points despite playing only 24% of the snaps. Yet, Gibson could be even more productive on Sunday.
Fantasy players shouldn’t be surprised if the veteran running back earns more work on Sunday after the bye week after seeing more rushing attempts in consecutive games. More importantly, the Cardinals have surrendered 22.2 fantasy points per game to running backs, the ninth-most in the NFL. They have given up 36 or more fantasy points to running backs in 30.8% of their games, including in Week 14. Last week, the Seattle Seahawks backfield without Kenneth Walker III had 172 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and 40.7 fantasy points against Arizona.
Elijah Moore (WR – CLE) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (21.9% Rostered)
Unfortunately, Cedric Tillman will miss his third consecutive game with a concussion. While Jerry Jeudy has been on fire lately, Moore has played well since the change at quarterback. The veteran is the WR38 over the past seven weeks, averaging 8.7 targets and 9.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 12.5 or more in half of the contests. Furthermore, Moore’s fantasy success is tied to Jameis Winston’s massive performances. He has averaged 14.4 fantasy points per game in the three contests where Winston had over 240 passing yards.
Hopefully, anyone who needs to chase upside in the first round of the fantasy playoffs can stack Winston and Moore in their lineup. The Chiefs will likely win this game running away, leading to plenty of pass volume for the Browns. More importantly, Kansas City has struggled to slow down wide receivers lately. They have surrendered 178.2 receiving yards, 1.2 touchdowns, and 32.9 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the past five weeks, allowing 34.7 or more in 60% of the matchups despite facing several limited passing attacks.
Tre Tucker (WR – LV) vs. Atlanta Falcons (8.9% Rostered)
While Desmond Ridder will likely start in Week 15 for the Raiders, that shouldn’t keep fantasy players from using Tucker as a last-minute flex option. The second-year pro is the WR59 for the season, averaging 6.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He has seen an uptick in work since the bye week, averaging 3.3 receptions on 4.7 targets for 49 receiving yards and 8.9 fantasy points per game over his past three contests, totaling 11.7 or more twice. Unfortunately, the former Cincinnati star was a fantasy bust last week.
Yet, fantasy players should chalk that up to bad luck and start Tucker on Monday night. The Falcons have surrendered 32.8 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the third-most in the NFL. More importantly, they’ve had no answers for opposing wide receivers lately, allowing 15.7 receptions for 222.7 receiving yards, 2.7 touchdowns, and 47 fantasy points per game over their past three contests, including 53.9 or more twice. Last week, Atlanta gave up a season-high 265 receiving yards and 64 fantasy points to the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver core.
Stone Smartt (TE – LAC) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1.7% Rostered)
Los Angeles will have a new starting tight end in Week 15 with Hayden Hurst on injured reserve because of a hip injury and Will Dissly out a few weeks because of a shoulder injury. However, Smartt is one of my favorite streaming tight end options this week because of the matchup against an awful Tampa Bay secondary. Last week, the former Old Dominion quarterback played well in the second half after Dissly left the game, catching all three targets for 54 receiving yards and 6.9 half-point PPR fantasy points.
Smartt finished second on the team in receiving yards in Week 14 despite ranking fourth in targets. More importantly, the Buccaneers have surrendered 12.2 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the sixth-most in the NFL. They have given up double-digit fantasy points to tight ends in nine of their past 10 contests, allowing 16.4 or more in four of their past seven outings. Don’t be surprised if Smartt is a mid-range TE1 this week, especially if Ladd McConkey misses his second consecutive game with knee and shoulder injuries.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.