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 will 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 16.

Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements

All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues.

Cooper Rush (QB – DAL) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6.5% Rostered)

While everyone has written off the Cowboys since losing Dak Prescott to a season-ending injury in Week 9, they have won three of their past four games, including over a likely Washington Commanders playoff squad. Rush has played a meaningful role in the team’s recent success. He has averaged 1.8 passing touchdowns and 15.8 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, scoring 16.4 for more in 60% of the contests. Last week, the veteran had his best performance of the year in the win over the Carolina Panthers.

Rush completed 62.1% of his pass attempts for 214 yards, three touchdowns, and 19.1 fantasy points, setting season highs in touchdowns and fantasy points. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have surrendered 20.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the second-most in the NFL. They have given up 2.2 passing touchdowns and 21.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the past 11 weeks, allowing 23.6 or more in 60% of the contests. This Sunday night matchup has the highest over/under total in Week 16. Therefore, expect strong fantasy performances from both offenses.

Patrick Taylor Jr. (RB – SF) vs. Miami Dolphins (26.4% Rostered)

Playing running back for the 49ers has become one of the most dangerous jobs. San Francisco has placed Christian McCaffrey (knee), Elijah Mitchell (hamstring), and Jordan Mason (ankle) on season-ending injured reserve this year. Unfortunately, Isaac Guerendo will miss the Week 16 contest because of foot and hamstring injuries. While Israel Abanikanda and Ke’Shawn Vaughn will mix in, Taylor should be the lead guy in the backfield for San Francisco. The veteran running back has limited production in the NFL. However, he has been solid when given a chance.

A few weeks ago, Taylor had seven rushing attempts for 25 yards, a touchdown, and 8.5 half-point PPR fantasy points after Guerendo left the game with a foot injury. More importantly, he has an appealing matchup on Sunday against the Dolphins. Miami has surrendered 20.8 fantasy points per game to running backs, slightly above the league average. However, they’ve had issues with slowing down opposing backfields lately. The Dolphins have allowed 20.5 fantasy points per game to running backs over the past three weeks, giving up 24.3 or more twice.

Ameer Abdullah (RB – LV) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (22.9% Rostered)

Unfortunately, the Raiders placed Sincere McCormick on injured reserve with an ankle injury, ending his season. Therefore, Las Vegas will turn to Alexander Mattison and Abdullah in the backfield for the rest of the year. While Mattison was the starter earlier this season, Abdullah has played well lately. The veteran has averaged 9.3 touches for 45.5 scrimmage yards, 0.5 touchdowns, and 9.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the past month, scoring 15 or more twice, including a season-high 16.1 in the loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week.

Meanwhile, Abdullah has an outstanding matchup against the Jaguars on Sunday. Jacksonville has surrendered 24.2 fantasy points per game to running backs, the third-most in the NFL. They have given up 131 rushing yards per game to running backs over their past seven contests, allowing 100 or more in all but one outing. Furthermore, the Jaguars have struggled with running backs in the passing game, surrendering the second-most receiving yards and fourth-most touchdowns to the position. Abdullah is prime for another double-digit fantasy point performance for the second consecutive game.

Jalen McMillan (WR – TB) vs. Dallas Cowboys (30.5% Rostered)

Many had high hopes for McMillan earlier this season after the rookie wide receiver had a solid NFL debut, scoring a touchdown and 9.7 half-point PPR fantasy points in the win over the Washington Commanders. Unfortunately, he didn’t find the end zone once while averaging 2.9 fantasy points per game over the next 12 weeks. However, McMillan has been on fire lately. The former Washington star has averaged 4.5 receptions on 6.5 targets for 67 receiving yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 18 fantasy points per game over the past two contests.

Furthermore, he has had at least one receiving touchdown and 16 fantasy points in both games despite facing two solid defenses. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have surrendered 28.6 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the 10th-most in the NFL. Furthermore, they have struggled to slow down opposing passing attacks lately, giving up 15.5 receptions for 182.5 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 32.9 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the past month. Fantasy players should expect McMillan to keep up his recent hot play against a struggling Dallas defense.

Calvin Austin III (WR – PIT) vs. Baltimore Ravens (3.4% Rostered)

The Steelers won’t have George Pickens on Saturday for the third consecutive game because of a hamstring injury. While Pat Freiermuth has been Russell Wilson’s go-to target with the star wide receiver out of the lineup, Austin has played well lately. The second-year pro is the WR59 for the year, averaging 6.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, ranking as the second-highest Steelers wide receiver. However, he has averaged 2.8 receptions on 3.5 targets for 44 receiving yards, 0.5 touchdowns, and 8.8 fantasy points per game over the past month.

Austin scored nine or more fantasy points in all but one of those games, including last week in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Thankfully, the former Memphis star has a far more appealing matchup this week. The Ravens have surrendered 32.4 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the second-most in the NFL. They have allowed 17 receiving touchdowns to wide receivers, the third-most in the league. Furthermore, Baltimore has given up 48.3 or more fantasy points to wide receivers in three of their past 10 matchups.

Brenton Strange (TE – JAX) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (13.8% Rostered)

Unfortunately, the Jaguars placed Evan Engram on season-ending injured reserve after the Week 14 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, making Strange the team’s new starting tight end. The second-year pro was outstanding last week, totaling 11 receptions on 12 targets for 73 receiving yards and 12.8 half-point PPR fantasy points against the New York Jets. Furthermore, he has averaged six targets, 38.6 receiving yards, and 8.6 fantasy points per game in the five contests Engram has missed this year, scoring eight or more in all but one outing.

More importantly, Strange has an excellent matchup against the Raiders. They have surrendered 12.5 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the fourth-most in the NFL. Furthermore, Las Vegas has severely struggled to stop tight ends lately. The Raiders have given up 90.1 receiving yards and 18.2 fantasy points per game to tight ends in their past seven matchups, allowing over 110 receiving yards and 18.1 fantasy points in over half the contests. Strange should see double-digit targets for the second consecutive game, leading to another strong fantasy performance.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.