Hopefully you are headed to the next round of the fantasy playoffs with a roster that doesn't require much waiver-wire work. Some managers might need to pick up a quarterback, though, with Patrick Mahomes suffering an ACL tear in a hugely consequential Chiefs loss. Also, Sean McVay didn’t sound optimistic about Davante Adams' chances of playing on Thursday night after he injured his hamstring on Sunday. Of course, those weren't the only injuries with fantasy ramifications in Week 15.
With that in mind, here are my suggestions for Week 16, starting with my top 15 players to prioritize on the waiver wire, regardless of position.
The only rule here: Players must be rostered in less than 60 percent of NFL.com leagues to be eligible for the list.
| Waiver Wire Priority Rankings | Next Opponent |
|---|---|
| 1) RB Michael Carter, Cardinals | vs. Falcons |
| 2) RB Blake Corum, Rams | at Seahawks |
| 3) QB Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals | vs. Falcons |
| 4) QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars | at Broncos |
| 5) RB Kyle Monangai, Bears | vs. Packers |
| 6) WR Luther Burden III, Bears | vs. Packers |
| 7) WR Jayden Reed, Packers | at Bears |
| 8) RB Tyler Allgeier, Falcons | at Cardinals |
| 9) QB J.J. McCarthy, Vikings | at Giants |
| 10) WR Jayden Higgins, Texans | vs. Raiders |
| 11) WR Adonai Mitchell, Jets | at Saints |
| 12) TE Colby Parkinson, Rams | at Seahawks |
| 13) WR Troy Franklin, Broncos | vs. Jaguars |
| 14) RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders | vs. Eagles |
| 15) RB Jawhar Jordan, Texans | vs. Raiders |
And now, here are my top five waiver priorities by position:
QUARTERBACKS
ROSTERED: 34%
ROSTERED: 45%
ROSTERED: 9%
ROSTERED: 24%
ROSTERED: 2%
Takeaways:
- After nine starts in 2025, Jacoby Brissett is basically a matchup-proof 20-point fantasy QB. He dropped 20.56 points against the Texans' air-tight defense on Sunday. I would continue to ride with him against a Falcons defense that has allowed a top-six fantasy QB in two of the past three weeks.
- Trevor Lawrence is having a moment. Sunday against the Jets, he became the first player in NFL history to post five or more touchdown passes, one or more rush TDs and 50-plus rush yards in a single game. He's thrown for two or more TDs in a career-high four consecutive games. I'm not sure the hot streak will continue with a much tougher matchup awaiting him in Denver, but the guy has been a top-five fantasy QB over the past month. He's the hot hand. Just don't overlook his floor against one of the league's best defenses.
- It wasn't long ago that people were calling for the Vikings to start over at quarterback after a brutal stretch of performances by J.J. McCarthy. Now, after two consecutive games with 20-plus fantasy points, he's one of the most enticing streamers available at his position. McCarthy has a great chance to stay hot with the porous Giants defense on deck.
RUNNING BACKS
ROSTERED: 3%
ROSTERED: 19%
ROSTERED: 52%
ROSTERED: 16%
ROSTERED: 49%
Takeaways:
- Michael Carter was the clear RB1 for the Cardinals after Bam Knight exited early in Sunday's game with an ankle injury. Carter saw bell-cow volume, logging 18 touches for 94 yards (13.4 fantasy points). Keep an eye on updates regarding Knight's ailment, especially with a favorable matchup awaiting Arizona's RBs. Carter should be one of the week's most sought-after pickups with the Falcons coming to town.
- Blake Corum would be No. 1 on my list if he wasn't running into a tough matchup. He's rushed for 70-plus yards and at least one touchdown in three straight games. Sure, he's the backup to Kyren Williams, but that is fantasy-starter production. Corum is averaging 17.8 fantasy PPG in the past three weeks and has double-digit carries in each of his last two games. Keeping the streak alive will be difficult against the Seahawks, who held him to 10 yards on eight carries when the Rams defeated Seattle a month ago.
- If you have a glaring need at running back, this is going to be a week where following injury news is critical. In addition to Knight, the Texans' Woody Marks (ankle), Saints' Devin Neal (hamstring) and Broncos' RJ Harvey (ribs) are dealing with injuries, although DeMeco Ryans did tell reporters that Marks could have returned to Sunday's game. Jawhar Jordan (Texans), Audric Estimé (Saints), Evan Hull (Saints) and Jaleel McLaughlin (Broncos) should at least be on your radar if you play in a deep league.
WIDE RECEIVERS
ROSTERED: 3%
ROSTERED: 33%
ROSTERED: 8%
ROSTERED: 5%
ROSTERED: 36%
Takeaways:
- Hopefully Luther Burden III is OK after leaving Sunday's win over the Browns with an ankle injury. Ben Johnson said the rookie receiver would need further evaluation on Monday. He's either led the Bears or tied for the team lead in targets in three straight games and averaged 12.7 fantasy PPG in his last two (with Rome Odunze sidelined). Also, it's not clear when Odunze will be able to return after aggravating his foot injury before Sunday's game. If Burden plays against the Packers -- who just lost the pulse of their defense -- he's arguably the top pass catcher to target on the waiver wire.
- In a familiar twist, sorting out the Packers' receiving corps is a little bit of a mess with Christian Watson exiting the loss to the Broncos with a chest injury. On the plus side, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that Watson did not suffer a major injury. If the WR misses time, Jayden Reed could be one of the biggest beneficiaries, although Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden should also be on your radar in that scenario. Reed led all Green Bay wide receivers in targets and catches versus Denver and is averaging nearly 10 fantasy PPG since returning from a broken collarbone in Week 14.
TIGHT ENDS
ROSTERED: 0.6%
ROSTERED: 41%
ROSTERED: 44%
ROSTERED: 24%
ROSTERED: 24%
Takeaways:
- Stay hot, Colby Parkinson. The Rams tight end now has six touchdowns in his last six games, averaging 13.5 fantasy PPG during that scorching stretch. Parkinson leads all tight ends in red-zone targets over that span, with 15. He had a season-high five catches for 75 yards and two TDs on seven targets in Los Angeles' win over the Lions on Sunday. I'm not expecting him to maintain that pace against the Seahawks' fierce defense in Week 16, but then again, with Davante Adams' status in question, perhaps Parkinson continues to see high volume. He's worth picking up if you have a hole to fill at tight end.
DEFENSES
ROSTERED: 46%
ROSTERED: 3%
ROSTERED: 21%
ROSTERED: 50%
ROSTERED: 1%
Takeaways:
- It feels risky to count on anyone from Kansas City this week, with the Chiefs coming off a loss that crushed their playoff hopes and ended their QB’s season. Despite the horrible vibes, K.C.'s defense has played well recently, allowing just 18 real-life points per game over the last two weeks. In Week 16, the Chiefs draw the Titans, who have been playing better of late but remain fully capable of laying an egg as one of the most generous teams to fantasy defenses this season.
- The Saints defense hasn't been particularly relevant in fantasy circles this season, but this is a good week to stream the unit. New Orleans will host the Jets, who have allowed a top-five fantasy defense in each of the last two weeks while leaning on third-string QB Brady Cook. If Tyrod Taylor or Justin Fields returns this week, that will knock the Saints D down a bit in my rankings.
