For most leagues, the semifinals are over, and there are only two teams left standing. If that’s you, congratulations. You should be proud—making a fantasy championship isn’t easy, let alone winning one. People say fantasy is luck, and that’s partially true. If you play in enough leagues, though, it’s usually the managers who stay on top of news, waivers, and trades who end up being the most successful. This is also the time of year when people win titles with QBs like Joe Burrow—and random RBs you’ve only heard mentioned a couple of times.
Week 16 brought some surprises, and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Injuries are going to play a massive role, as we saw several superstars go down and not return. For the sake of time, I’m just going to hit the major ones. Jordan Love, Lamar Jackson, J.J. McCarthy, and Marcus Mariota all exited their games and did not return. Josh Jacobs and TreVeyon Henderson both appear to have more serious injuries, and their status is up in the air for this week. Quinshon Judkins may not be seen again until Weeks 10–12 of next year after a gruesome leg injury. Jordan Mason was carted off after just three touches.
With that news out of the way, let’s jump into waivers.
Quarterbacks
Tyler Shough (13% rostered, Yahoo)
The Saints have found their guy and can now focus on building for the future. The 26-year-old just keeps getting it done no matter who he’s playing. Against a decent Jets defense, Shough went 32-of-49 for 308 yards and a score. The way he plays reminds me a lot of a young Tom Brady—which I know is a big statement—but it always feels like he’s making the right throws in the right situations.
This week he gets a Titans defense that ranks 31 out of 32 in almost every statistical category, narrowly beating out a minor-league Raiders team. If you lost a QB this week, Shough should be your top priority.
Cam Ward (8% rostered, Yahoo)
Ward looks like he’s truly turning a corner. This year has been rough, and that team and organization have offered him no help. The film, however, has consistently told a different story, with Ward making unbelievable throws to practice-squad receivers.
Last week, Ward went 21-of-28 for 228 yards and two scores against a Chiefs defense that has been solid against opposing QBs all year. Per PlayerProfiler, he ranks top-eight in both pace of play and pass attempts—usually a recipe for fantasy output as he continues to settle in week by week.
Most likely, if you’re in your championship, you have a better option. That said, you could do a lot worse than Cam Ward this week, and he clearly wants to put more good things on tape. Shough is still my top choice, but I wouldn't be scared to play Ward.
Running Backs
Emanuel Wilson (37% rostered, Yahoo)
Josh Jacobs keeps trying to fight through this knee injury, and it doesn’t seem to be working in his favor. Wilson picked up the slack this week, carrying the ball 14 times for 82 yards. If Jordan Love and Jacobs both miss, the Packers will have no choice but to lean on Wilson.
Green Bay gets a Ravens team that is badly coached and may, at this point, have already given up on the season. If Jacobs plays, I still think Wilson is a decent flex option. I’m also giving him my touchdown guarantee for Week 17.
Michael Carter (5% rostered, Yahoo)
Another week, another Michael Carter mention. I’m sorry it’s so gross, but at this point in the season most fantasy rosters just need volume—and Carter is going to give you that. Eleven carries for 65 yards isn’t terrible, and there’s more good news.
Arizona gets the Bengals this week, and that defense has allowed more fantasy points to opposing offenses than any other team. There’s also no one left in that backfield, as Bam Knight and Trey Benson have been shut down. I truly expect a big game from Carter, and he still looked like he had some juice, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Pick up Carter for your flex and let your championship hopes ride on his shoulders.
Wide Receivers
Tre Tucker (41% rostered, Yahoo)
In a game that I’m naming the Mendoza Bowl, I think Tucker is a viable fantasy option this week. I’m really not sure where else the ball can go besides Brock Bowers. Tucker has flashed this year, with three double-digit performances, including a 30-point explosion against the Commanders.
The Giants are one of the worst defenses in the league against opposing wide receivers, and I think Geno Smith is healthy again. He looked decent against a superstar Texans defense. If the Raiders can keep him upright, Tucker is going to eat this week. If you need a desperate flex with huge upside, start Tucker.
Parker Washington (23% rostered, Yahoo)
Washington has had an up-and-down year, but he’s a good football player, and the Jaguars look like one of the hottest teams heading down the stretch. Six catches for 145 yards and a score is a crazy performance for anyone who had to start him last week.
This week he gets the Colts, a defense you can throw on. As the Jaguars get healthier, a lot of experts are down on him, but I feel differently. Trevor Lawrence has always leaned heavily on his slot receivers, and I think this Colts game is going to be competitive. If Washington can settle into the six-to-eight target range, I think you’re going to be happy with his output. He’s a WR3 for me with high upside to score again. Sometimes in the playoffs you have to take risks and stay in the flames—this is one of those guys this year.
Tight Ends
Taysom Hill (1% rostered, Yahoo)
If you’re a huge underdog, this is your play. Hill is coming off a massive game as both a receiver and runner. With his skill set, I could even see him throwing one against this horrible Titans team.
The bottom line is this: if you’re an underdog, you’re most likely going to lose anyway. If Taysom scores two points, it probably wouldn’t have mattered. He could, however, go off for 30 with multiple touchdowns in different ways. This is the Hail Mary play of the week. There isn’t much analysis here because there isn’t much of a sample size—you roll the dice and go down with the ship.
Colston Loveland (43% rostered, Yahoo)
With Rome Odunze and Luther Burden’s status still up in the air, Loveland could be an X-factor. The Bears are going to have to throw to keep up with a surging 49ers team. Loveland has five games this year over five fantasy points. That doesn’t sound like much, but in this tight end economy, it’s a usable option off the wire.
He ranks sixth among all tight ends in deep targets according to PlayerProfiler, and Caleb Williams is getting more and more comfortable throwing them—cue the DJ Moore toss. Monitor the pass-catching room with injury updates throughout the week, then make your decision accordingly. If both of those guys do play, I would pivot to someone like Colby Parkinson.
