Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 16

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60 percent of leagues are considered.

Fantasy Podcast: Week 15 takeaways, early look at waiver wire

Quarterbacks

Josh Allen, Bills

The Lions were the first team in recent weeks to contain Allen on the ground, yet it wasn't enough to prevent him from posting another solid fantasy performance with 204 passing yards and 16 rushing yards, with a touchdown through the air and one on the ground. It's hard to believe, but Allen is the highest-producing fantasy quarterback in the entire league over the last month. Take a second to let that sink in. There's obvious risk involved with starting Allen this week, most notably Bill Belichick's record against rookie quarterbacks and the fact the Patriots will be extra motivated after a loss to the Steelers in Week 15. It's just hard to turn away from the hot hand, especially in a week with few good QB streaming options.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Jackson has become a regular on this list as he continues to flirt with QB1 numbers each week. The rookie has yet to top 200 passing yards in a game, but since taking over as starter, he's averaging 85 rushing yards per outing, which has propelled him to the seventh-most fantasy points among quarterbacks during that stretch. Even though the Chargers are a tough matchup, Jackson's rushing ability gives him a high floor and a high ceiling every time he takes the field.

Other options: Marcus Mariota vs. WAS (34 percent owned), Case Keenum at OAK (19 percent owned), Sam Darnold vs. GB (4 percent owned)

Running Backs

Jamaal Williams, Packers

With Aaron Jones suffering a knee injury that will likely sideline for the rest of the season, Williams steps into a potential workhorse role for the fantasy championship. Williams is not a special talent, but when he gets the backfield to himself, he's shown he can produce. During the 2017 season, when he was the starter from Week 9 to Week 16, Williams was the RB6 in standard and the RB7 in PPR. On Sunday, with Jones ruled out, Williams put up 97 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown against a tough Bears front. He'll be a volume-based RB2 in a nice matchup with the Jets.

Elijah McGuire, Jets

McGuire finds himself in a similar situation to Williams, as the last man standing in his backfield. He's topped 70 yards and scored a touchdown in each of his last two contests, including a battle with a strong Texans run defense Sunday. He won't see nearly as much resistance from the visiting Packers, who are sure to be demoralized after watching their playoff hopes evaporate this past weekend. McGuire will be a borderline RB2 in Week 16.

Kenneth Dixon, Ravens

Dixon didn't usurp Gus Edwards as the Ravens' lead back, though he has secured the No. 2 spot on the depth chart after Ty Montgomery was made a healthy scratch Sunday. This backfield has now evolved into a two-man committee. Edwards got 19 carries in the win over the Buccaneers, while Dixon saw 12 touches, turning them into 50 yards. He's now averaging 54 yards and half a touchdown per game since being activated four weeks ago. As 4.5-point road dogs versus the Chargers, Dixon could see more work if the team ends up trailing, which would increase his flex appeal.

Alfred Blue, Texans

With Lamar Miller forced from the game with an ankle injury, Blue amassed an embarrassing 15 yards on 11 touches. The team doesn't believe Miller's injury is serious, but fantasy owners need to be prepared in case they hold him out. Blue would see the bulk of the work in that scenario, with D'Onta Foreman (5 percent owned) possibly being active for the first time this season. If you're searching for value here, you can find hope from the Eagles' recent struggles against the run. Philadelphia has given up 98 yards or more to a single back in six straight games. Blue still wouldn't be more than a flex play, with Foreman being the ultimate dart throw.

John Kelly/Justin Davis, Rams

Todd Gurley missed some time during last week's game with a knee injury but was able to play through it. The team is sending him for tests, so there's a real possibility he might not be available for the fantasy championship, especially considering the Rams are double-digit favorites against the Cardinals. Kelly and Davis have combined for just four carries between them this year, but Kelly was a preseason star and someone I was high on in the summer. He could be a surprise starter and league-winner if Gurley sits this one out.

Other options: Kalen Ballage vs. JAX (1 percent owned), Zach Zenner vs. MIN (1 percent owned), Jalen Richard vs. DEN (42 percent owned), Latavius Murray at DET (49 percent owned), Ito Smith at CAR (32 percent owned), Darren Sproles vs. HOU (8 percent owned), Rex Burkhead vs BUF (19 percent owned)

Wide Receivers

Robby Anderson, Jets

Anderson, who was a top-20 fantasy receiver in 2017, didn't find the same level of success earlier this season due to injuries and changes at quarterback. Now that he's healthy and developing chemistry with rookie Sam Darnold, we're seeing Anderson finally produce. His targets have risen the last few weeks and it's resulted in two of his best games of the year, a four-catch, 76-yard, one-touchdown effort against the Bills and a seven-catch, 96-yard, one-touchdown performance versus the Texans. With an even easier matchup awaiting him this week, Anderson can once again be viewed as a WR2 in fantasy.

Curtis Samuel, Panthers

Samuel plays on Monday night, so things could change with a big performance or an injury. As it stands, he's a WR3 with WR2 upside after eclipsing 80 yards in back-to-back weeks and seeing more targets than teammate DJ Moore during that time. Samuel is also well ahead of Devin Funchess on the depth chart, locking him in as a top-three option for Cam Newton, behind only Moore and Christian McCaffrey.

Dante Pettis, 49ers

The 49ers are committed to getting Pettis valuable experience down the stretch, increasing his playing time into the 90 percent range. The second-rounder has delivered with stat lines of 4-77-1, 5-129-2, 3-49-1, and 5-83-0. Not only is Pettis an exciting WR3 the rest of the way; he's also a valuable dynasty and keeper asset as the new top target in Kyle Shanahan's offense.

Mike Williams/Tyrell Williams, Chargers

Keenan Allen was diagnosed with a hip pointer, putting his status in doubt for next week. Allen's early exit allowed Mike Williams to go off for 76 receiving yards, 19 rushing yards, and three touchdowns in the Chargers' win over the Chiefs. it was the kind of performance that the sophomore wideout needed to help with his development. Next up is the normally stingy Ravens defense that just gave up 121 yards to Mike Evans and isn't as fear-inducing outside of Baltimore. If Allen is on the shelf for this one, Mike Williams will be a borderline WR2. Tyrell Williams would also see a bump in targets, making him a WR3 with a lower floor and less touchdown upside than his teammate of the same name.

Robert Foster, Bills

Foster was dismissed as a flash in the pan, but with four games of 94 yards or more in his last five outings, it's impossible to write him off any longer. The Bills knew what they had in the rookie receiver, leading the team to release veterans Kelvin Benjamin and Andre Holmes. Since then, Foster's snaps have doubled, which will be the underlying variable that helps him maintain his production moving forward. Foster is still more volatile than the names above him on this list, but he can be used as an upside WR3 in your title games.

Other options: DaeSean Hamilton at OAK (22 percent owned), Antonio Callaway vs. CIN (16 percent owned), Josh Reynolds at ARI (53 percent owned), Tim Patrick at OAK (3 percent owned), Dede Westbrook at MIA (41 percent owned), Keke Coutee at PHI (29 percent owned), Jordy Nelson vs. DEN (47 percent owned), Isaiah McKenzie at NE (1 percent owned)

Tight Ends

Chris Herndon, Jets

Since Week 6, Herndon has been a TE1 in fantasy, despite being owned in just a fraction of leagues. Herndon has 50 yards or a touchdown in six of his last nine games. The Packers haven't given up many touchdowns to tight ends, but they're a team to attack a week after being eliminated from playoff contention.

Matt LaCosse, Broncos

If Ian Thomas puts up a big game against the Saints, who are tough on tight ends, then he would move to the top of this list. For now, LaCosse gets the nod coming off an improved performance against the Browns. He's set up to crush in the fantasy championship with a perfect matchup against the Raiders.

Other options: Ian Thomas vs. ATL (42 percent owned), Blake Jarwin vs. TB (1 percent owned), CJ Uzomah at CLE (34 percent owned), Gerald Everett at ARI (19 percent owned)