Waiver Wire Targets For Week 16 – 2024 Waiver Wire Targets

Hello everyone, I usually get these out on Monday night.  Sorry to be a bit late, but I have this week’s playoff-focused list below.  If you are out of the playoffs and are playing in deep keepers/dynasty leagues, I did a little segment last week on my favorite additions to stash away in the hopes some of these players cash in during free agency or benefit by coaching/scheme changes.  About half of NFL offenses change play callers each season.  Look at the Bears for example, if they get a clever offensive coach who can help Caleb Williams get more comfortable in games early, every skill player on that team will benefit.  The latest episode can be listened to directly through the browser on this link: https://underdogpodcasts.com/category/sports/fantasy-sports/fantasy-football-almanac. 

As for what to do in week 16, here are my thoughts.  Good luck!

Quarterback:  

1. Russell Wilson (50% available) – I’ve seen other columnists invest in Cooper Rush before Wilson, but I disagree.
2. Michael Penix Jr (99%) – worth a flyer. The Falcons have a talented group of pass catchers. Atlanta still has a chance to make the playoffs so I don’t think they’d make this move if they didn’t think he was better today than Cousins.
3. Bryce Young (95%) – I think he’ll finish the year strong thanks to his favorable schedule.
4. Cooper Rush (94%) – he’s consistent and won’t kill you with a bad interception week unlike Anthony Richardson.
5. Anthony Richardson (48%) – for me, Richardson is fairly predictable.  He’s going to throw some bad INTs, but he’ll get you rushing yards.  He had a rough game against Denver, but would we expect otherwise?   

Running Back:

1. Tank Bigsby (51%) – Tank keeps on chugging and Jacksonville will ride him for the rest of the season.
2. Jerome Ford (68% available) – Chubb is out again and I’d argue Ford won the full time starting job for the rest of the year even prior to the injury anyway.
3. Kendre Miller (92%) – Kamara’s injury means Miller could end the year incredibly strong for the Saints.
4. Tyjae Spears (57%) – he’s scoring better.  He was a future star in the making until the Ttians signed Pollard and gave him the starting gig. 
5. Alexander Mattison (63%) – I was invested in Sincere McCormic and then he got hurt, so the Raiders will be back to Mattison and his 0.05 yards per carry average.

Wide Receiver:

1. Adam Thielen (44% available) – He looks good, but Coker definitely looked better in his return to the field.  I’ll keep Thielen up top this week because he’s always involved whereas Coker can be hit or miss.
2. Jalen McMillan (91%) – another week and another touchdown for Mcmillan.  I think the trend will continue.  Tampa’s last three games are vs Dallas, Carolina and New Orleans.  I like those matchups.
3. Keon Coleman (50%) – I was hoping for more from Coleman last week, but he has been up and down.  I still love his potential in this Bills offense the rest of the way.
4. Elijah Moore (78%) and/or Cedric Tillman (66%) – I like these guys better when they both play.  Jerry Jeudy has been on fire since Tillman has been out.  I think Tillman will secure a lot of targets if he can be back in the lineup this week.
5. Jalen Coker (98%) – I was very encouraged at his production with Adam Thielen also in the lineup.  The two haven’t been on the same field together too often this year.
6. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (61%) – He couldn’t find the end zone and thus, his numbers were bad last week.  That’s how it will continue to go with NWI.

Tight End:

1. Brenton Strange (98% available) – last week wasn’t a fluke.  Strange played excellently for Jacksonville when Engram was hurt earlier in the year.  With Engram sidelines for the rest of 2025, Strange will be a top-10 tight end.  He is my favorite pass catcher (including wide receivers) this week.
2. Noah Gray (87%) – I don’t know why everyone continues to sleep on Gray.  He has 5 touchdowns in his last 5 games.  The Chiefs are clearly getting him the ball more and while I assume Kelce will reassert himself in the NFL playoffs, I think Gray will continue to play well in in the fantasy football playoffs.
3. Pat Freiermuth (49%) – his output has boosted with George Pickens on the sidelines for Pittsburgh. 
4. Juwan Johnson (82%) – He’ll be better with David Carr back in the lineup
5. Zach Ertz (38%) –

Defense:

1. LA Chargers (48% available) – I’m not going to let a tough game vs the Bucs discourage me.  I like this team moving forward. 
2. Houston (53%) – I don’t mind the matchup vs Kansas City this week, but the matchup in week 17 vs Baltimore does give me some concern
3. Green Bay (59%) – their last three matchups are New Orleans, Minnesota and Chicago in that order.  Not bad.