NFL Waiver Wire: Week 15 Pickups

It seems like this season has flown by and it's tough to believe Week 15 is upon us. For some, the playoffs may have sent us home this week, and many leagues saw two-thirds of their teams eliminated before Week 14. It's hard to imagine picking someone up off the waiver wire and plugging them over a starter who's gotten you to this point of the season — but who knows. Let's see if there's anyone out there who fits that profile.

This columns is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.

Quarterback

PRIMARY TARGET

Jalen Hurts, PHI - If you followed last week's recommendation, you picked up Hurts before his price significantly increased this week. Hurts had a monster debut with 23 fantasy points, mostly gained on the ground with 106 rushing yards and a touchdown. Obviously, a more reasonable number of rushing yards per week (40-60) should be expected, but his throwing ability could improve as well. Think Lamar Jackson-lite here. FAAB: $10-$25

Running Back

SECONDARY TARGETS

Jeff Wilson, SF - It's been maddening trying to figure out Kyle Shanahan's backfield this season and reading the tea leaves as to who will get the touches week in and week out. Raheem Mostert appears to be the lead back (as he should be), but Wilson has gotten nine and 12 touches in his last two games. He's being used in the passing game and got the goal-line carry in the first quarter Sunday. He has a great matchup this week against the Cowboys, who have been terrible against the run this season. FAAB: $3-$6

Trayveon Williams, CIN - Williams took over for Giovani Bernard after he fumbled and promptly ... fumbled himself. However, the Bengals appeared to basically bench Gio and ran with Williams and Samaje Perine instead. Williams finished with a mediocre 16 touches for 63 yards and part of that was as a receiver (3-3-14). Williams could be in line for more work this week after Sunday's performance, though Perine is better suited to handle the goal-line work. This week's game is against the Steelers, so it's not a good matchup. FAAB: $2-$4

Wide Receiver

PRIMARY TARGETS

Lynn Bowden, MIA - Bowden took advantage of the DeVante Parker injury, tying with Mack Hollins with a team-high nine targets. For what it's worth, Bowden "passed the eye test" Sunday, making multiple defenders miss using his agility and quick feet.  A third-round pick this year, Bowden played some quarterback at Kentucky, so the Dolphins could use his arm on trick plays at some point. Watch for updates on Parker's injury, but it seems Bowden may have carved out a role even if Parker is fine. FAAB: $10-$20

Russell Gage, ATL - This could be a great selection if Julio Jones misses another week. It seems like a 50-50 proposition if Jones returns this week, but wise money would back Julio missing more time  the next few weeks. This is a pass-first offense and while we likely won't see anymore touchdown passes by Gage, we should still see plenty of production in the receiving game. Gage has 14.2 and 11.1 fantasy points in his last two games. He's flex-worthy, even with two tough matchups ahead (Tampa 2X), especially in PPR leagues. FAAB: $5-$10

SECONDARY TARGETS

Chad Hansen, HOU - I should have mentioned Hansen last week but was unsure if his one-week outburst was an anomaly or not. Not related to Chris, Chad has now scored 15.1 and 12.6 fantasy points in his last two games (PPR) and appears to have the trust of Deshaun Watson. While Brandin Cooks should be back this week, Hansen is a bigger wide receiver than Cooks or even Keke Coutee. Now on his sixth NFL team, Hansen faces a Colts defense this week that he just put up a 7-5-101 line against two weeks ago. FAAB: $3-$6

KJ Hamler, DEN - Hamler gets a mention after two touchdowns Sunday, which led to 20.6 fantasy points. The problem is it's tough trust him this week. The preferred target in Denver is Tim Patrick, and there's a good argument that Jerry Jeudy has the most upside (not to take away from Hamler's ability). This week is a tough matchup against the surging Bills. FAAB: $2-$4

Tight End

SECONDARY TARGETS

Dan Arnold, ARI - Arnold has become one of Kyler Murray's favorite targets the last few weeks, scoring four touchdowns in his last four games. Unfortunately, that's where the good news stops. Arnold has never had more than four targets in any game this season, and until this stretch had a season high of only 5.7 points despite playing in every game this season except one. That said, it's been a tough season for the position, and he has a favorable matchup this week against the Eagles. FAAB: $2-$4