Here we are…championship week! With most leagues wrapping up their playoffs this week, it is very important to make the right moves on the waiver wire, as well as adjusting your lineup. Even if you don’t necessarily need a player at a particular position, if you have a dead spot on your roster, you may want to add players to block your opponent from improving their team. Below are my favorite players that could be available in your league and hopefully, one or more of them can help you bring home the title. Good luck!!!
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Quarterback
One week for all the marbles! We are no longer thinking about picking a quarterback that may be able to help us the rest of the season. We are now thinking about finding a quarterback that can help us THIS WEEK! Hopefully you have a stud at the position, but if not, below are my top quarterbacks based on this week’s matchups who may be able to guide your team to victory and take home the championship!
Matt Barkley, Chicago Bears vs Washington Redskins.
Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers at LA Rams.
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tom Savage, Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals.
Sam Bradford, Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers.
Running Back
If I were a defender, I would honestly have nightmares about players like Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans. Last week we were spoiled with the likes of Bilal Powell topping our waiver list for running backs. This week we aren’t quite so lucky, as we have a few players who I really don’t feel confident at all plugging into my lineup for championship week. The best of the bunch would be Derrick Henry. The last two weeks he has become a larger part of the offense for the Titans, as he’s averaged over ten carries a game. He’s a punishing runner and can give fantasy owners the hope of a touchdown, as evidenced by his two scores in Week 15. He’s playing a bottom third, rush defense in Jacksonville in Week 16 and while I don’t love him, he makes for an interesting boom/bust flex play this week.
Dion Lewis, New England Patriots. While known for having a larger role in the Patriots passing game, Dion Lewis was used heavily in the rushing attack in a Week 15 victory over the Broncos. He tallied 18 rush attempts for 95 yards and while I don’t expect this type of volume every week from Lewis, it’s encouraging that the Pats are giving him a shot. New England plays the Jets this week, and while the Jets are good at stopping the run, that may encourage the Pats to look more at a receiving threat like Lewis, rather than a bruiser, like LeGarrette Blount. They may also carry a sizeable lead in this one with the Jets sucking so bad “sorry Howard Bender”, so that could mean more opportunity for him as well this week. Particularly if you are in a PPR league, Lewis should definitely find a way onto your roster.
Other Running Backs to Consider: Justin Forsett, Denver Broncos. Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills. Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys.
Wide Receiver
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks. Until Week 13, Seattle wide receiver, Tyler Lockett was looked at as a serious disappointment in terms of fantasy production. However, he has now became a bigger part of the offense as he has been targeted at least six times in each of the last three games and it was capped off with a Week 15 performance of seven receptions for 130 yards and a score against the Rams last Thursday night. He’s a fantastic athlete and has the potential to break any play into a large gain. Even though the Seahawks have a tough matchup against the Cardinals this week, the Saints showed us that Arizona’s secondary isn’t unstoppable, so I expect Seattle to try and feed him the ball early and often as they try to seal up a first round bye in the NFC.
Jesus, Robby Anderson is skinny!
Robbie Anderson, New York Jets. Apparently, someone forgot to tell Bryce Petty that Brandon Marshall was the Jets’ number one receiver, because that role now looks to belong to Robbie Anderson. Anderson has had three good weeks in a row as he’s scored at least 16 fantasy points in each of those games, and has become a favorite of Petty’s. Yes, Marshall had a whopping 11 targets this past week against the Dolphins, but he turned that into only one reception. How is that even possible??? Anderson has averaged almost ten targets per game since Petty took over and has shown much better chemistry with the quarterback than the veteran, and he should be a solid play in Week 16 as the Jets will likely be playing from behind against the Patriots.
Other Wide Receivers to Consider. Cameron Meredith, Chicago Bears. John Brown, Arizona Cardinals. Brandon LaFell, Cincinnati Bengals.
Tight End
Hunter Henry gets a great Week 16 matchup against the lowly, Cleveland Browns.
Hunter Henry, San Diego Chargers. For the second straight week, there is very little to be excited for, as far as players available in under 50% of leagues at the tight end position. Last week, we hit gold as we selected Ryan Griffin from the Texans, so let’s try our luck two weeks in a row! While Antonio Gates is stealing a majority of looks at the tight end position, Hunter Henry has been quietly, semi-effective. He doesn’t catch a ton of balls, but he’s been very good around the end zone as he’s now scored a touchdown in three of his last four games. Not only that, but in Week 16 the Chargers take on the Browns, who have given up the second most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. With a lack of good options available, Henry will likely be the best tight end available if you need help.
Other Tight Ends to Consider: Jesse James, Pittsburgh Steelers. Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills. Jared Cook, Green Bay Packers.
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