Welcome to the Week 16 Waiver Wire. In this article, Wolf Trelles-Heard highlights the players you should prioritize on waivers as we head into Week 16. The targets are broken down into shallow, standard, and deeper league options. However, there will (typically) be the most options under the standard column, as that will be the most popular range of targets. Here are the top waiver pickups as we head into Week 16 and the fantasy football semifinals.
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Week 16 Shallow League Waiver Wire Targets
Note: This range will primarily apply to home leagues and those with shorter benches, with players available in at least 25% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterback
C.J. Stroud, Texans (61% rostered) | $3-5
Did you lose Patrick Mahomes last week? In need of an upside play at QB? If so, call 1-800-CJ-Stroud. Operators are standing by. In a smash spot against Arizona last week, Stroud looked sharp and delivered a QB1 performance with 260 yards and three TDs. It was his first QB1 finish since Week 8.
Next up, Stroud gets a layup in the form of the hapless Raiders, who just allowed 175 yards and three TDs through the air on only 15 pass attempts from Jalen Hurts. Stroud should have no issues dicing them up, making him an attractive streamer for those in need during the fantasy semifinals.
Other options: Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (55%)
Running Back
Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (70% rostered) | $ whatever you have left
The tide seems to have turned in this backfield. Believe it or not, Kenneth Gainwell has been an RB1 in four out of the last five games. No, that’s not a typo. Over that span, Gainwell is averaging 18 fantasy PPG. He’s become Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite target underneath, hauling in at least six receptions in four of those five contests. In fact, Gainwell ranks sixth among all RBs in catches with 57 on the year.
The Lions are on deck this week in a game that has sneaky shootout potential. Detroit can score with the best of them, so Pittsburgh could be playing catch-up at some point. If that’s the case, Gainwell has RB1 upside based on his receiving role alone. He’s no longer just a flex play; Gainwell has legit fantasy staying power heading into the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs.
Other options: Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (68% rostered), Kimani Vidal, Chargers (65%)
Wide Receiver
Troy Franklin, Broncos (53% rostered) | $ 3-5
The post-bye blues ended last week for Troy Franklin. After back-to-back games with only 4.1 fantasy points, the second-year man dropped his third 20-point outing of the season. He snagged all six targets for 85 yards and a score and even chipped in three yards on a rush.
It’s been an up-and-down season for Franklin, but he’s still putting up 11.5 PPG on average, good for WR34. Ranking in the top-10 in both deep and red zone targets, he has weekly upside. This week, Franklin has a showdown against the Jaguars, who are middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to WRs. If you’re in a bind and need a WR3/flex play, Franklin is a solid plug-and-play option for managers.
Other options: Cooper Kupp, Seahawks (60%), Josh Downs, Colts (55%)
Tight End
Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers (59% rostered) | $ 2-3
Remember Oronde Gadsden II? The rookie who terrorized defenses for a month earlier in the season. Yeah, that guy. I know it’s been a while, but we finally saw glimpses of that early-season menace last week against the Chiefs. After back-to-back one catch games, Gadsden reeled in four balls for 61 yards. Nothing crazy, but the usage was encouraging.
Gadsden ranks No. 1 on PlayerProfiler’s Explosive Rating among all TEs and is averaging 1.90 yards per route run (TE7). His big-play ability and efficiency are still elite. Up next, the Cowboys and their league-worst pass defense await Gadsden. He’s a priority add for anyone who needs help at the TE position in the semifinals. His ceiling is huge and could be the swing play that helps get you to the fantasy finals.
Other options: Dalton Schultz, Texans (50%), Hunter Henry, Patriots (67%)
Week 16 Standard League Waiver Wire Targets
Note: This range will primarily apply to most leagues with standard benches, with players available in at least 50% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterback
J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (30% rostered) | $2-3
Are our eyes deceiving us? Or did we really see back-to-back solid performances from J.J. McCarthy? Definitely the latter, as he hasn’t played like the “Nine” meme that’s been going around. After scoring 20.4 fantasy points against Washington, McCarthy’s encore against Dallas was the best game of his young career. He threw for a career-high 250 yards, with two scores through the air and one on the ground.
This week, McCarthy gets the Giants in another fantasy-friendly affair. Going into Week 16, the G-Men are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points (20.8) on average to QBs. “Nine” also has two-week streaming appeal, as he gets the Lions in Week 17. It might be hard to trust McCarthy given his early struggles, but he airs the ball out (QB3 in air yards per attempt) and has some rushing upside with three rushing TDs in eight games. He’s an inexpensive add if you’re hurting at the position for the semifinals.
Other options: Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (29%)
Running Back
Blake Corum, Rams (43% rostered) | $ 20-25
Hope you jumped on the Blake Corum train over the last two weeks to capture some of his recent production. For the third straight game, Corum scored double-digit fantasy points and found the end zone (four scores in three games). Against the Lions, he averaged 6.5 YPC and finished with 71 yards on 11 carries. Not bad for a guy who started the year as just a handcuff.
Can Corum keep this heater going? It’ll be tough against Seattle on Thursday night. That said, the Rams are likely to be down Davante Adams and could go to more 12 and 13-personnel, run-heavy looks. If they do, another dozen or so opportunities await Corum, and that gives him legit flex appeal.
Other options: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (46%)
Wide Receiver
Jayden Reed, Packers (45% rostered) | $4-6
In only his second game back from multiple injuries, Jayden Reed led the Packers in route share and hit double-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 1. It wasn’t a huge outing — five catches on six targets for 55 yards — but Reed looks like his old, shifty self out there. The talent shines when the ball is in his hands.
Teammate Christian Watson left last week’s game with a chest injury and had a short stay in the hospital. Early reports indicate it’s not a serious issue, but it’s not hard to see Watson missing Saturday’s game vs. the Eagles — better to be safe than sorry. That would leave Reed as the primary weapon in the passing game. If Watson sits, Reed should be a solid WR3 or flex option in what could be a high-scoring game as these teams jockey for playoff spots.
Other options: Matthew Golden, Packers (32%), Adonai Mitchell, Jets (28%), Darius Slayton, Giants (30%)
Tight End
Darren Waller, Dolphins (31% rostered) | $ 4-6
Garbage time is a beautiful thing. In Monday’s loss to the Steelers, Darren Waller didn’t get going until the fourth quarter, when the Dolphins were down 28-3. But boy, did he help swing some fantasy matchups in those final 15 minutes. Waller exploded for his best game of 2025, catching seven passes for 66 yards and two TDs. His 25.6 PPR points made him TE3 in Week 15. Invisible for three quarters, still top-three production.
Now, he gets the matchup that every TE wants: the Cincinnati Bengals. They are far and away the worst defense against TEs, allowing a whopping 19.2 PPG to the position. Expect Waller to eat, and thanks to the matchup, he has top-five upside again this week. If you need a TE, Waller is your target.
Other options: Colston Loveland, Bears (44%), Theo Johnson, Giants (43%)
Week 15 Deep League Waiver Wire Targets
Note: This range will apply to leagues with deeper benches and more experienced managers, with players available in at least 75% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterback
Tyler Shough, Saints (12% rostered) | $2-3
It wasn’t the biggest stat-stuffing bonanza last week, but rookie Tyler Shough led a comeback against the Panthers and looked good doing it. He finished with 18.1 fantasy points, throwing for 272 yards and a score while rushing for 32 on the ground. Small sample size, sure, but Shough is now averaging 19.6 PPG over his last three games, good for QB8 in that span. Not bad, not-so-young Padawan.
Shough has two awesome matchups left: the Jets and Titans. The Jets just got massacred by the Jaguars and gave up six total TDs to Trevor Lawrence, while the Titans allowed 339 total yards and three scores to Brock Purdy last week. Based on how he’s been playing, Shough could flirt with QB1 numbers again for those managers in desperate need.
Other options: Bryce Young, Panthers (21%), Marcus Mariota, Commanders (17%)
Running Back
Michael Carter, Cardinals (8% rostered) | $ whatever you have left
Zonovan Knight was carted off the field very early into last week’s loss to the Texans, leaving Michael Carter as essentially the last man standing in the Cardinals’ backfield. Carter soaked up most of the RB work, logging 14 carries and four receptions for 94 scoreless yards. Not huge numbers, but you love the volume.
Reports indicate that Knight suffered a badly sprained ankle, so he’s unlikely to factor into Arizona’s offensive plans this week against the Falcons. After that, the Cardinals get the Bengals in Week 17 when most fantasy championships are decided. With only Emari Demercado (three touches for one yard last week) in his way, Carter is poised to be an RB2 over the final two weeks. In the fantasy playoffs, you just need to survive. Carter and his projected volume can help managers do that.
Other options: Sean Tucker, Buccaneers (16%), Isaiah Davis, Jets (5%)
Wide Receiver
Jalen Coker, Panthers (6% rostered) | $ 2-4
This is what the cokeheads have been waiting for. For the second straight week, Jalen Coker found the end zone on a deep throw and put up WR2 numbers. He now has eight receptions on 10 targets for 134 yards and two TDs over the last two games. You’ll take that all day from a deep-league waiver pickup.
A huge divisional contest against the Buccaneers is up next. Tampa Bay’s pass defense has struggled immensely as of late and just got torched by Kyle Pitts last week. Carolina will likely attack them through the air, and if Coker sees six to eight targets, he could flirt with WR2 numbers again. He’s a high-upside flex play that could pop off, just keep your expectations in check.
Other options: Luther Burden III, Bears (22%)
Tight End
Colby Parkinson, Rams (6% rostered) | $5-7
League-winner Colby Parkinson?!? It has a nice ring to it and might actually be a thing. Since Week 10, Parkinson is the TE4, sitting ahead of guys like Brock Bowers and Travis Kelce. He’s averaging 13.5 PPG in that span with six TDs scored, and he’s coming off his best game of the season, where he torched the Lions on seven targets, catching five for 75 yards and two scores.
This week, he draws the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. Their defense is strong overall, but Seattle bleeds fantasy points to TEs, allowing the sixth-most PPG (12.3) to the position. If Davante Adams is out this week due to his hamstring injury (very likely), then Parkinson will become a focal point in the passing game for Matthew Stafford. Ignore the name, scoop him up, and plug him into your lineup.
Other options: AJ Barner, Seahawks (18%), Gunnar Helm, Titans (1%)
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Wolf Trelles-Heard is a fantasy football contributor for PlayerProfiler. Find him on X at @DynastyFFWolf.
