Waiver Wire Week 16: 2022 Fantasy Football Playoffs
If you are reading this, then hopefully you are in your league’s semifinal! Or in a dynasty or keeper league looking to stash someone. Also, keep in mind this, look at week 17, and add an extra defense that you would start. Quarterback Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy continued his winning ways on Thursday night against the Seahawks. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. He found George Kittle for two long scores and continues to provide fantasy value. Next up is a big matchup at home against Washington.
Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons While he didn’t put up the big flashy numbers, Demond Ridder did showcase he has fantasy value. Ridder completed only 13 of 26 passes for 97 yards, but he did rush six times for 38 yards. Ridder’s mobility makes him an intriguing option for fantasy, and he likely will be the 2023 starter. Atlanta goes to Baltimore next week, so not a great matchup, but mobile quarterbacks are great for fantasy football. Running Backs
Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts With the news of Jonathan Taylor likely out for the season (fantasy playoffs for certain), Zack Moss looks to be the top back in Indianapolis. Moss rushed 24 times for 81 yards and was only targeted once in the passing game. Moss came over from Buffalo and seems to have taken over the lead back. He should be the top waiver add this week.
Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts With Zack Moss looking like the lead back, let’s not forget Deon Jackson played very well when Jonathan Taylor missed time earlier this season. Jackson rushed 13 times for 55 yards and caught a one-yard touchdown pass. It seems as if Moss will have the lead, but this could very well be a split backfield.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons Desmond Ridder started for the Atlanta Falcons in his rookie debut, and it seems as if he has good chemistry with rookie running back Tyler Allgeier. Allgeier rushed 17 times for 139 yards and a touchdown. He was only targeted once in the passing game. Cordarrelle Patterson rushed 14 times for 52 yards and a touchdown, but it’s very notable that Allgeier was more effective, and could be earning more rushes down the stretch.
Royce Freeman, Houston Texans When Dameon Pierce went down, it was expected Rex Burkhead or Dare Ogunbowale would split the backfield. Newly elevated Royce Freeman carried 11 times for 51 yards. Burkhead did not record a carry, and Ogunbowale rushed eight times for 14 yards. Freeman caught a pass for five yards. This backfield is a mess to figure out for fantasy, but it seems as if Freeman has a chance here to be a deep league option.
Marlon Mack, Denver Broncos Marlon Mack has been a good under-the-radar fantasy option. Last week against the Chiefs, he rushed 3 times for 15 yards but caught two of three passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. On Sunday, he caught all four of his targets for 26 yards and rushed five times for 37 yards and a touchdown. Mack will play a Rams team that could be without Aaron Donald next week. He is an intriguing addition for deeper leagues.
Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers With only two games to go in the fantasy season, it may be wise to grab the backup for your starter. Joshua Kelley rushed ten times for 24 yards and a touchdown. The key here is he is the main backup to Austin Ekeler. If you roster Ekeler, it may be wise to roster Kelley as backup for the next two weeks.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers Like Joshua Kelley, Jaylen Warren is another high-value backup. Najee Harris is the main back in Pittsburgh, but Jaylen Warren has looked good running the ball. He rushed 11 times for 38 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Panthers. Adding Warren if you have Najee Harris is a very wise move this late in the season if you have the roster space.
Wide Receivers K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings K.J. Osborn was a big part of the biggest comeback in NFL history on Saturday. The Vikings trailed the Colts 33-0 and won. Osborn had a huge game, catching ten of 16 targets for 157 yards and a touchdown. Almost all video game numbers. The Vikings aired it out left and right in the second half, and Osborn was a huge factor in the comeback. The Vikings are set to play the Giants, then go to Green Bay for the next two games.
Marquise Goodwin, Seattle Seahawks With the news of Tyler Lockett’s finger injury, there is a chance he is out for the remainder of the fantasy playoffs. Goodwin has put up big numbers at times this season but now should see himself in a full-time role. On Thursday night, he caught only two of five targets for ten yards but was also coming off a 95-yard game the week before. Seattle plays the Chiefs and Jets for the next two games.
Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders Jahan Dotson is starting to hit a breakout. In week 13, Dotson caught five of nine passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. On Sunday night, Dotson caught four of six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. The rookie started the season off red hot but cooled off. It seems as if he is on the verge of a breakout and needs to be rostered.
Russell Gage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Russell Gage had a big game Sunday against the Bengals. He caught eight of 12 targets for 59 yards and two touchdowns. He has caught three touchdowns in the last two weeks and is operating as the WR3 right now for Tom Brady.
Tight End Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints Juwan Johnson has a ton of potential to be a top tight end. He has been very hot and cold this season. On Sunday, Johnson caught four of six passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns. In a full PPR league, Johnson has scored double-digit fantasy points in four of his last five games. Apart from his goose egg at San Francisco, Johnson has been in a very good stretch of late and should be rostered. The Saints go to Cleveland next week.
C.J. Uzomah, New York Jets It’s hard to trust a New York Jets tight end, but C.J. Uzomah had a big game with Zach Wilson. He caught both of his targets for 41 yards and two touchdowns. Uzomah hasn’t been putting up numbers all season, but with Zach Wilson back he found his stride. Uzomah should only be added in deep leagues.