Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 16

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton, Bengals

You know there isn't a surefire streaming option this week when we're leading the quarterback section with Dalton. However, there are several passers with the potential for big performances in the fantasy championships. Dalton faces a Miami Dolphins defense that's been in the bottom five in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks all season and has given up an average of 289.2 passing yards and 2.6 touchdowns per game over its last five contests. You won't feel good about it, but even Dalton can produce against the Dolphins.

Drew Lock, Broncos

Prior to his disappointing snow-filled game in Kansas City, Lock impressed during his first two starts, which included a 309-yard, three-touchdown outing versus the Houston Texans. His next opponent, the Detroit Lions, have permitted at least three passing scores in six of their last nine contests and just got dusted for 458 yards and four touchdowns by Jameis Winston. Detroit's lack of a pass rush should make things easier on the rookie, and there's more than enough firepower in the Broncos' pass-catching corps for Lock to take advantage.

Other options: Mitch Trubisky vs. KC (23% owned), Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. CIN (25% owned), Gardner Minshew II at ATL (15% owned), Kyle Allen at IND (18% owned), Dwayne Haskins Jr. vs. NYG (37% owned)

Running backs

Mike Boone, Vikings

There's no need at this point to stash players for future weeks, so the running back list is much shorter with only a couple of ball-carriers who can make significant impacts.

Dalvin Cook continues to deal with a shoulder injury, which once again knocked him out of this week's game. With Alexander Mattison (39% owned) already sidelined, Boone was thrust into the lineup and delivered 56 yards and two scores on 13 touches. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer expressed optimism that Cook will be able to play through the ailment, but the backfield will need to be monitored all week. If Cook and Mattison sit out, Boone is poised to be a borderline RB1 for the fantasy championships. You should also make sure Mattison is rostered in your league in the case he's healthy enough to play against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.

Kerryon Johnson, Lions

Johnson has been practicing with the team for a couple of weeks, and all signs point to him taking the field Sunday in Denver. It's hard to imagine the Lions will give their star back a big workload in his first game after a two-month layoff, but anything's possible with Matt Patricia. Even as part of a committee, Johnson would be an RB3 with RB2 upside, making him a fringe fantasy starter for owners in need of help at the position.

Other options: Boston Scott vs. DAL (8% owned), Patrick Laird vs. CIN (45% owned), Myles Gaskin vs. CIN (0% owned)

Wide receivers

Breshad Perriman/Justin Watson, Buccaneers

Injuries have destroyed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' receiver depth chart, with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Scotty Miller sidelined. Perriman has been the main beneficiary during the last few weeks with stat lines of 5-87-0, 3-70-1, and a monster 5-113-3 in the Week 15 dismantling of the Lions. Now playing a near full-time role, Perriman can be viewed as a borderline fantasy WR2 for the rest of the season.

Watson took a backseat with Miller briefly returning to the lineup this week, but he's one game removed from a 5-59-1 line of his own. His target share will rise once more due to the injuries around him, making him an intriguing WR3 against the Texans.

Anthony Miller, Bears

Miller has occupied a spot on this list for too long. The sophomore has been a top-12 fantasy wideout across all formats during the last five weeks and is averaging double-digit targets on a per-game basis over that time. He's also eclipsed the 100-yard mark in two of his last three outings, leaving zero explanation for why he remains owned in just over one-quarter of leagues. Even if you don't plan to use him, scoop him up before your opponent starts him in the title game.

Other options: Danny Amendola at DEN (25% owned), James Washington at NYJ (32% owned), Diontae Johnson at NYJ (15% owned), Chris Conley at ATL (22% owned), Kenny Stills at TB (22% owned), Greg Ward vs. DAL (2% owned), Albert Wilson vs. CIN (1% owned), Keelan Cole at ATL (0% owned)

Tight ends

OJ Howard, Buccaneers

What a roller-coaster season it's been for Howard, who was one of my favorite fantasy tight ends heading into the campaign. Despite a truly awful first 12 weeks, the injuries to the Bucs' receiving corps have forced Tampa Bay to throw more balls Howard's way. The result has been his best three-week stretch of the year with stat lines of 5-61-0, 4-73-0, and 4-46-0 on 19 total targets. The Texans also represent a favorable matchup after allowing big days to Jonnu Smith and Noah Fant over the last two weeks. Howard may finally find his way back to the TE1 ranks in Week 16.

Noah Fant, Broncos

Though Fant is still struggling with consistency, the rookie is enjoying a bit of a breakout in the second half of the season with at least 56 yards in four of his last six contests. His diminishing snap counts are a bit concerning, but the production has still been there despite taking the field on less than half of the Broncos' plays during the last two weeks. Few tight ends offer 100-yard upside, so if you need that kind of big swing in the fantasy championship, Fant could be your guy.

Other options: Mike Gesicki vs. CIN (28% owned), Ian Thomas at IND (9% owned), Jonnu Smith vs. NO (13% owned)