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.

Rostered percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts, Eagles

It's rare that a player gets to be the featured image on our waiver wire article two weeks in a row. However, after being our top recommended add prior to Week 15, Hurts exceeded all expectations against the Cardinals with 338 passing yards and three scores through the air, adding another 63 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Now he gets his easiest matchup yet in a date with a Cowboys defense that ranks among the top 10 in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.

Not only is Hurts locked in as a QB1 for managers fortunate enough to have him on their roster, but there's also a chance he could be the catalyst behind your fantasy title in 2020.

Mitch Trubisky, Bears

Trubisky has shown an ability to take advantage of weaker matchups since retaking the starting role in Chicago.

It doesn't get much easier than a Jaguars defense giving up the third-most fantasy points to opposing passers, including multiple touchdowns to eight straight QBs.

Though Trubisky will always be a risky fantasy option, he's firmly on the streaming radar for championship week.

Streamer options: Baker Mayfield at NYJ (47% rostered), Matthew Stafford vs. TB (54% rostered), Tua Tagovailoa at LV (21% rostered), Drew Lock at LAC (1% rostered), Marcus Mariota vs. MIA (1% rostered), Andy Dalton vs. PHI (13% rostered)

Running backs

Le'Veon Bell, Chiefs

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire sidelined for at least the rest of the regular season due to ankle and hip injuries, Bell will be thrust into a starring role down the stretch in one of the league's best offenses.

Bell delivered 76 yards from scrimmage and a score on 16 carries Sunday and should continue to operate with a positive game script in Week 16's meeting with the Falcons. While Atlanta's defense has been better overall at slowing down running backs, the unit has begun to diminish in recent weeks with quality performances from Alvin Kamara (97 total yards, TD), Austin Ekeler (146 total yards), and Leonard Fournette (65 total yards, 2 TDs).

As the new starter in Kansas City, Bell will be an RB2 option in the most important week of the fantasy season. Just remember, Darrel Williams will remain involved - especially as a pass-catcher - limiting Bell's ceiling.

Tony Pollard, Cowboys

Pollard was one of the brightest stars on the Week 15 slate after Ezekiel Elliott was a late scratch due to a calf injury.

In his absence, the sophomore runner amassed 69 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards, and a pair of touchdowns to help the Cowboys (and his fantasy managers) to victory.

The only problem is Elliott's availability. Pollard would be a borderline RB1 and the top add in this section if Zeke were ruled out for a second time. However, we won't know his status until later in the week.

For now, Pollard needs to be rostered in all leagues just in case he has the backfield again.

Darrell Henderson is around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in all leagues.

Flex options: Jeff Wilson Jr. at ARI (56% rostered), Salvon Ahmed at LV (34% rostered), Devine Ozigbo vs. CHI (0% rostered), Gus Edwards vs. NYG (44% rostered), Sony Michel vs. BUF (19% rostered), Peyton Barber vs. CAR (7% rostered), Giovani Bernard at HOU (52% rostered), Lynn Bowden at LV (27% rostered)

Risky flex options: Zack Moss at NE (51% rostered), Carlos Hyde vs. LAR (25% rostered), James White vs. BUF (53% rostered), Kalen Ballage vs. DEN (17% rostered), Phillip Lindsay at LAC (43% rostered), Matt Breida at LV (17% rostered)

Wide receivers

Emmanuel Sanders, Saints

With Michael Thomas on injured reserve and Tre'Quan Smith dealing with an ankle issue, Sanders is the clear top option in the Saints' passing attack.

Following a couple of quiet outings in the first two weeks of the season as the duo built chemistry, here are Sanders' stat lines over the last five full games with Drew Brees under center:

• 4-56-1
• 6-93-0
• 12-122-0
• 4-38-1
• 4-76-0

Sanders is a strong WR2 play in a plus matchup against the Vikings, who are one of the five most friendly units to fantasy wideouts.

Russell Gage, Falcons

Gage has emerged as a WR3/flex in fantasy with at least 50 yards and/or a touchdown in four of his past five appearances.

His numbers have continued to rise with Julio Jones out of the lineup the last two weeks, resulting in 10 receptions, 150 yards, and a touchdown.

If Matt Ryan continues to perform the way he did on Sunday, Gage will be a worthy fantasy starter in a potential high-scoring affair (53.5 projected point total) versus the Chiefs.

Flex options: Keke Coutee vs. CIN (41% rostered), Tim Patrick at LAC (31% rostered), Sammy Watkins vs. ATL (51% rostered), Allen Lazard vs. TEN (32% rostered), Nelson Agholor vs. MIA (51% rostered), Rashard Higgins at NYJ (25% rostered), Chad Hansen vs. CIN (2% rostered), Jakobi Meyers vs. BUF (31% rostered)

Risky flex options: Darnell Mooney at JAX (10% rostered), Tyron Johnson vs. DEN (7% rostered), Mecole Hardman vs. ATL (23% rostered), Greg Ward at DAL (3% rostered), Gabriel Davis at NE (9% rostered), Kendrick Bourne at ARI (7% rostered)

Flex options (if healthy): John Brown at NE (40% rostered), Jalen Reagor at DAL (21% rostered)

Tight ends

Tyler Higbee, Rams

There's no obvious tight end pick up this week, so we're left with the usual mixed bag of streaming options.

Higbee is coming off a four-catch, 67-yard, one-touchdown outing against the Jets and has a solid track record when facing the Seahawks - his next opponent.

Higbee's last four encounters with Seattle have resulted in lines of 3-25-1, 3-47-0, 7-116-0, and most recently 3-60-0 on a season-high six targets in Week 10.

Cole Kmet, Bears

Kmet disappointed in Week 15 with just two catches for 12 yards, but he continued to play a full complement of snaps and remains the lead tight end in Chicago's offense.

Remember, in the previous two games before Sunday, Kmet saw 14 targets and turned that into 9 grabs, 78 yards, and a score.

Next up is a Jaguars defense in the top 10 for fantasy points allowed to the position. The unit has also given up at least one touchdown to tight ends in nine of their 14 games this season.

Streamer options: Jordan Reed at ARI (21% rostered), Austin Hooper at NYJ (48% rostered), Dalton Schultz vs. PHI (19% rostered), Irv Smith Jr. at NO (20% rostered), Jordan Akins vs. CIN (4% rostered), Dawson Knox at NE (2% rostered)

Defenses

Week 16 streamers