Fantasy Football: Week 15 Best Waiver-wire Pickups

DaeSean Hamilton, Denver Broncos
DaeSean Hamilton #17 of the Denver Broncos crosses the goal line to score a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 9 in Santa Clara, California. Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

The fantasy football playoff have entered the business end but that doesn't mean existing roster can't be tweaked and holes can't be plugged at the eleventh hour.

Here's who you should be looking for on the waiver wires this week to ensure your playoffs run extends for as long as possible.

Read more: NFL Playoff Picture 2019: Which teams secured a postseason spot in Week 14?

Wide Receiver

Curtis Samuel—Carolina Panthers (8.2 fantasy points on average, owned by 32.5 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Samuel featured in this list ahead of Week 14 and did not disappoint, recording four receptions for a team-high 80 receiving yards as the Panthers lost to Cleveland. That came after he hauled in six of 11 targets in Week 13 and he's a great option to have.

Kenny Stills—Miami Dolphins (9.3 fantasy points on average, owned by 25.7 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Mills erupted against New England, hauling in eight of nine targets for 135 yards and a touchdown. With the Dolphins still in the hunt for a playoff spot, he's worth adding.

DaeSean Hamilton—Denver Broncos (2.2 fantasy points on average, owned by 5.5 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

The rookie had seven catches and a touchdown on Sunday as he stepped up to replace the injured Emmanuel Sanders. He also played 69 snaps, the most of any Denver wideout and he's worth keeping into consideration ahead of Week 15.

Quarterback

Josh Allen—Buffalo Bills (10.5 fantasy points on average, owned by 16.9 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Allen made this list last week and accumulated 307 total yards and a rushing touchdown, which were worth 18.3 fantasy points. The rookie has had two consecutive games with at least 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards and remains an attractive option, despite an average completion rate.

Josh 👏 Allen 👏 touchdown 👏 run 👏#NYJvsBUF #GoBills pic.twitter.com/EDltVMxGpn

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 9, 2018

Lamar Jackson—Baltimore Ravens (7.6 fantasy points on average, owned by 49.6 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Jackson threw for two touchdowns in Week 14 but he's questionable for Week 15 with an injury. He's worth monitoring as the matchup against a porous Bucs' defense could play into his hands.

(7.7 fantasy points on average, owned by 39.9 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Running Back

Elijah McGuire—New York Jets (3.2 fantasy points on average, owned by 11.3 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

McGuire made the most of Isaiah Crowell's fitness issues in Week 14, rushing 17 times for 60 carries and a touchdown, while adding 23 yards on three receptions. With Crowell unlikely to be fit for Saturday's game against Houston, McGuire is a good flex option.

Damien Williams—Kansas City Chiefs (2.3 fantasy points on average, owned by 14 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

With Spencer Ware banged up in Week 14, Williams stole the show, scoring two touchdowns, despite accumulating just 30 total yards and 12 touches. His value could increase if Ware fails to play on Thursday night against the Chargers.

Damien Williams with his first touchdown of the season! 👏👏

We go up 7-0. #BALvsKC pic.twitter.com/whJBGBqrqW

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 9, 2018

Ito Smith—Atlanta Falcons (7.1 fantasy points on average, owned by 22.8 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

In Week 14 Smith continued to split the bulk of the Falcons' rushing offense with Tevin Coleman and had 74 total yards and 14 touches to his teammate's 11. With the Falcons facing the 3-10 Cardinals on Sunday, he's a good flex option.

Tight End

Vernon Davis—Washington Redskins (5.5 fantasy points on average, owned by 4.9 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

With four catches for 31 yards, Davis was one of the few positives for Washington in a dismal performance against the Giants. Jordan Reed's foot injury and a matchup against a mediocre Jaguars' defense should favor him on Sunday.

Ian Thomas—Carolina Panthers (3.5 fantasy points on average, owned by 25.5 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

We mentioned Thomas in this column last week because of Greg Olsen's season-ending injury and he did not disappoint, hauling in nine of his 11 targets for 77 yards. Thomas is an obvious choice going forward.

Chris Herndon—New York Jets (6.4 fantasy points on average, owned by 15.8 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

In a position lacking depth, Herndon is a decent enough option. The rookie has 17 receptions in his last five games for a total of 198 yards and an average of 7.4 fantasy points.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he ... Read more

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