NFL Waiver Wire: Week 16 Pickups

It's Championship Week in most leagues and there probably isn't much on the waiver wire this week to pick up and actually start in your lineup. However, there might be a few diamonds in the rough and practice or injury reports this week could put someone in a advantageous situation. I went over Breshad Perriman, Greg Ward and Ryan Tannehill last week; if there are questions about those players, hit up the comments.

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget.

QUARTERBACK

PRIMARY TARGET

Ryan Fitzpatrick, MIA - Back in August we all knew come Week 16 we should use Fitzmagic, right? Here we are and he's not only a top-10 option at the position, he's likely higher than that for this week. He has a home matchup against the hapless Bengals and has scored at least 16.2 fantasy points in his last nine games and has averaged 23.1 fantasy points over that span of games. The Bengals have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and are on the road in a lost season. Crazy as it sounds, if I'm putting money on a better fantasy game between Tom Brady and Ryan Fitzpatrick this week, it's on the latter. FAAB: Go nuts if he's a better option than your starter

HAIL MARY

Will Grier, CAR - Kyle Allen has been benched after throwing 15 interceptions in his last eight games and the Panthers probably want to see what they have in Grier, a 2019 third-round pick. To me, Grier profiles a lot like Ryan Fitzpatrick — he'll make some great throws and he'll make some not-so-great throws. This is only a consideration for leagues who start a super-flex position or two quarterbacks, as he's not recommended for most standard leagues. FAAB: Depends on your roster construction and if you're in a two-quarterback/super-flex league

RUNNING BACK

SECONDARY TARGETS

Mike Boone, Alexander Mattison, MIN - Coach Mike Zimmer said Monday that Dalvin Cook is expected to play through his shoulder injury against the Packers this week. However, that's the Monday night game, so we might not find out until Monday if Cook is actually playing. Alexander Mattison is Cook's backup but did not practice last week because of an ankle injury, pointing to another absence for him this week. Boone did well in relief of Cook on Sunday, finishing with 13 carries for 56 yards and two scores. If Mattison and Cook both miss this week's game, you can pencil in Boone for at least 15 touches, including work at the goal line. Watch to see the activity, if any, of Mattison this week to determine which running back to go after. FAAB:  Boone or Mattison — $20+ or break the bank, depending on practice reports

Wes Hills, DET - With Bo Scarbrough inactive Sunday it was Hills who got the majority of the work in the Lions' backfield with 10 carries, two of which were one-yard touchdown runs. There is no word on whether Scarbrough will return for this week's game, clouding the fantasy value of Hills. In a tough road matchup with the Broncos, Hills doesn't make for a confident play, even if Scarbrough is ruled out. Still, he'll have value in deeper leagues if he's the main back for Detroit. FAAB: $10-$20

WIDE RECEIVER

PRIMARY TARGETS

Anthony Miller, CHI - If Allen Robinson wasn't on the team, Miller would be the No. 1 wide receiver. He's come on as strong as A.J. Brown the last few weeks and the Bears appear to be in attack mode with the passing game. The Bears should be playing catch-up with the Chiefs this week, thus leading to a good passing game for Chicago. Just watch the weather (wind), considering the time of the season. FAAB: $15-$25

Justin Watson, TB - The injury bug first hit Mike Evans and then it hit Chris Godwin Sunday, who had to be carted off the field with a hamstring injury. It sounds as if we won't see either for the rest of the season, putting Breshad Perriman and Justin Watson in good spots. Jameis Winston is on pace for a ridiculous season of passing yards, and the Buccaneers cannot run the football at all. They'll continue to rely on the pass, and Watson should be the No. 2 target to Perriman. It's a great home matchup for Tampa Bay this week against the Texans. I don't want to tell you "I-told-you-so" about Perriman. I'll stay humble. FAAB: $15-$25

SECONDARY TARGETS

Danny Amendola, DET - Marvin Jones is done for the season, putting Amendola as the second receiving option to Kenny Golladay. He runs those short to intermediate routes that are safe and thus attractive to an inexperienced quarterback. As a result he has 13, eight and eight targets  the last three weeks and should continue to see that volume. Bump him up a little in PPR, but he's an option this week with Chris Harris likely shadowing Golladay. FAAB: $4-$8

HAIL MARY

Chris Conley, JAC - Someone in the comments is going to ask about him after his two-touchdown performance. He has never been a consistent player, and I'll trust Dede Westbrook much more this week. Just realize the floor if you have to use Conley, and watch to see DJ Chark Jr. is out again (he practiced Monday). FAAB: $1-$2 (You're desperate if you're using him here ...)

TIGHT END

SECONDARY TARGET

Jonnu Smith, TEN - He's scored 14.2 and 10.4 fantasy points his last two games. It's a good thing that Ryan Tannehill is at quarterback and using his tight end at a high target rate. Smith is another good play this week against a New Orleans defense that is on a short week, on the road and merely league-average against  tight ends. FAAB: $4-$8

DEFENSE

PRIMARY TARGETS

Denver Broncos D/ST - They are at home against a team with no running game and a backup quarterback. If I'm a Kenny Golladay owner, I think I'm looking elsewhere this week. This should be an easy win for the Broncos, and despite the defensive injuries they are probably still the most dominant side of the ball. FAAB: Depends on if you've been streaming, but they're a great option

Indianapolis Colts D/ST - I totally expect them to bounce back, and they're the second option to the Broncos given the Christian McCaffrey consideration. That said, expect multiple sacks and at least one turnover by Grier, making his first professional start on the road. FAAB: Depends on your FAAB and priorities. I do like the Colts a lot at home especially coming off a bad loss in prime time.