With only two weeks left in the fantasy football season there are still plenty of players on the waiver-wire that not only need to be picked up but need to be started. Thanks to injuries, some of these waiver-wire players have big opportunities ahead of them.
For these purposes, we will being using Yahoo! Fantasy Football as a guideline. Any player that is 50 percent owned or less is eligible.
Here are the players you should be targeting on the fantasy football waiver-wire for Week 15.
Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Ty Montgomery (88) tries to break a tackle by Seattle Seahawks safety Steven Terrell (23) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
5. Ty Montgomery, RB/WR – Green Bay Packers (37% Owned)
Over the last month, Montgomery has been toying with fantasy owners. He was a nobody in fantasy land before bursting onto the scene after Eddie Lacy and James Starks went down with injuries. Then after a few good games, he went back to being irrelevant mostly due to a sickle cell issue. Well, now he’s back to being relevant.
In Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, Montgomery had nine rushing attempts for, 41 yards. His nine attempts was the most he’s had since Week 7. In that game, he also managed a rushing touchdown and three receptions for 45 yards.
Montgomery appears to be getting back to 100 percent healthy from the sickle cell issue that plagued him earlier in the season. He also has the nifty “RB/WR” label giving owners some flexibility as they set their lineups.
Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) scores on a 64-yard catch in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
4. Taylor Gabriel, WR – Atlanta Falcons (47% Owned)
Last week, Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu were both inactive for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. As a result, Gabriel saw an increase in playing time and targets. He finished the game with three receptions, 82 yards and one touchdown. This week Gabriel could be a a WR3/FLEX option, but it’s not yet a sure thing.
As mentioned before, Jones and Sanu both missed last weeks game. If they both return to the starting lineup this week against the San Francisco 49ers, it would be difficult to recommend putting Gabriel in starting lineups. Gabriel does have the speed and playmaking ability to score anytime his hands are on the ball. After all, we’ve he has six total touchdowns over the team’s last six games. Yet, in that span he’s only averaging slightly over four offensive touches per game.
Owners should be willing to pick up Gabriel on waivers this week and wait for the Falcons practice/injury reports. If Jones and Sanu both miss Week 15’s game, Gabriel should find himself in plenty of lineups. With the Falcons taking on the 1-12 49ers this week, there’s a chance the coaching staff will be extra cautious with their No. 1 and No. 2 wide receivers.
Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
3. Kenneth Dixon, RB – Baltimore Ravens (45% Owned)
The Ravens backfield has been a committee as of late between Dixon and Terrance West. After Monday’s game against the New England Patriots, that might not be the case anymore. Dixon finished the game with 19 touches, 81 yards and one touchdown. His 19 touches and eight receptions were both season (and career) highs for the rookie. His touchdown was also the first of the season.
As a result, West was basically nonexistent in the Ravens backfield. He finished the game with two carries for two yards and four receptions for 24 yards. He set a season-low in carries, touches and rushing yards.
From the eye test, it’s been obvious Dixon is the better running back between the two. He’s a more natural pass-catcher and he has better playmaking abilities. The fact that he out-touched West in Monday’s game shouldn’t come as a shock. With that said, I don’t expect Dixon to out-touch West 19-6 in Week 15 like he did in Monday’s game. That was more about game script as the Ravens were playing from behind and needed the better pass-catching running back. Yet, the touches in the Ravens backfield should now lean in favor of Dixon.
Dec 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Kenneth Farrow (27) runs after losing his helmet in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Chargers 28-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
2. Running backs Kenneth Farrow (5% Owned) and Ronnie Hillman (1% Owned) – San Diego Chargers
When Melvin Gordon went down with a injury in Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers a lot of owners were devastated. One of the best fantasy running backs was gone in a blink of an eye and many lost their playoff matchup because of it. Well, one person’s misery is another person’s joy.
When Gordon went down, running back Kenneth Farrow took over as the team’s lead running back. He finished the game with 22 touches for 78 yards. He was a semi-effective bell cow for the Chargers. If Gordon is forced to miss Week 15, it’s assumed Farrow would start as the team’s running back.
Keep in mind Ronnie Hillman didn’t see a single touch in Sunday’s game. However, that was because he was inactive and not because the coaching staff refused to give him touches. When/if Hillman is activated for Week 15 (assuming Gordon misses Week 15) he will undoubtedly see some touches. How many touches he will see is yet to be determined.
If I’m using a wavier-claim on a player it’s 100 percent Farrow. If you aren’t able to scoop him up (or the No.1 waiver-wire pickup), Hillman makes for a reasonable stash.
Nov 13, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) scores on a four-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
1. Bilal Powell, RB – New York Jets (47% Owned)
This scenario should look familiar because you just read it. A starting running back (we will call him Matt Forte) went down with an injury and did not return. As a result, a backup running back (we will call him Bilal Powell) came in a took over as the team’s starting running back. The difference here compared to the Chargers situation is the backup running back played well. I mean, really well.
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Powell finished last week’s game with 34 touches, 179 total yards and two touchdowns. He was Week 14’s No.2 fantasy running back only behind Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell.
The Jets are playing on Saturday against the Miami Dolphins, which means Matt Forte will have one less day for his 31-year-old knee to get healthy enough to play. If I’m a guessing man, I’m saying Forte sits out this game. With the Jets out of the playoff picture why rush him back for a meaningless game when he would be less than 100 percent healthy?
If Forte misses this game, Powell should work as the team’s premiere running back just as we saw on Sunday. The Jets are starting a rookie quarterback in Bryce Petty so they should protect him with a running game and easy dump-off passes. Will Powell get 30+ touches on Saturday like he did on Sunday? Probably not, but 20+ is more than likely.
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) stiff arms New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) as he runs with the ball during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Other Receiving Votes
Here are a few more names you want to consider when you go through your fantasy football waiver wire.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (19% Owned) – In his first game back on Sunday, Sims finished with seven touches for 50 yards. The passing-down running back had three receptions on the day and he is a good pickup in PPR leagues.
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (46% Owned) – Last week, we saw Melvin Gordon and Matt Forte go down with injuries. Do DeMarco Murray owners really need to be told to get this guy on their bench? After all, he’s already averaging 10+ touches over the team’s last two games. If Murray were to go down, he would be a workhorse.
Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (37% Owned) – He finished Sunday’s game with five receptions, 59 yards and one touchdown. He now has 78 receiving yards and/or a touchdown in four out of the last five games.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (21% Owned) – Come on Le’Veon Bell owners. Don’t risk it. Get him on your bench.
Dallas Cowboys running back Alfred Morris (14% Owned) – At this point, I feel like a father yelling at his child to do his homework. Get your handcuff on your bench, Ezekiel Elliott owners, and stop screwing around.
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