Welcome to the 2019 Fantasy Football Week 16 Waiver Wire, where if you’re still reading, you had a better season than I did!

Congratulations to everyone who made it to the finals, and shame on those playing in leagues where Week 17 matters.

Many semi-final games were decided on final plays this week, whether it be laterals being taken back for a touchdown. Or Julio Jones scoring as time expired. There was definitely a lot of heartbreak in Week 15.

Robinson was screaming for it bro pic.twitter.com/xI71PFrMYg — Ahmed/Terry McGinnis fan account (@big_business_) December 15, 2019

How many matchups swing if Robinson gets the ball and walks into the endzone?

For all other happenings from this past weekend, check out Noah Spurlock’s Week 15 Trends article.

The 2019 Fantasy Football Week 16 Waiver Wire will try to focus on players owned in under 35% of Yahoo leagues. Players listed in the “other options” section are up to 50 percent owned.

2019 Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire

Quarterbacks

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Brissett has cooled off since his hot start to the season but has the chance to rebound in a soft Week 16 matchup.

The Panthers‘ defense has cratered since their BYE week, allowing just over 32 points per game, a massive jump from the 26.6 they were allowing prior.

Much of that has to do with Kyle Allen‘s struggling and putting the defense in bad positions. This week, Will Grier will start for the Panthers as they evaluate their personnel for next season.

Like Allen, having an inexperienced, third-round rookie should afford Brissett plenty of opportunities with the ball.

Saints game aside, potential opportunity makes him a low-end QB streamer.

Fitzpatrick managed a solid 20 FPTS in last week’s loss to the Giants and should produce similar numbers this week against Cincinnati.

While the matchup with the 1-13 Bengals would normally trend towards the runs game, the Dolphins don’t have a running back (sorry Patrick Laird) that can consistently gain chunk yardage, forcing Fitzpatrick to throw more often.

Devante Parker returned fully healthy for Week 15, so there’s no reason to think the veteran won’t air it out early and often to his breakout receiver.

Fitzpatrick is a decent 2QB and deep league starter.

Other Options: Mitch Trubisky (23% owned)

Running Backs

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Boone took full advantage of the injuries to Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. With the pair of running backs dealing with injuries, the second-year back handled the load against the Chargers, carrying the ball 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns.

Cook aggravated the shoulder injury he suffered in Week 13 and will likely miss next week’s key game against the Packers. Mattison’s status is unclear, as he said he would be ready for Week 15 but did not practice leading up to the game.

If neither running back suits up, Boone will be in a great spot to produce, as PFF grades the Packers’ run defense as the fifth-worst in the league.

If you need a running back, Boone is the undisputed pickup for championship week.

Finding a viable running back owned in under 35 percent of leagues is very, very difficult. Guys like Benny Snell, DeAndre Washington, and Jonathan Williams have faded back to irrelevance, leaving most wires completely bare.

Bo Scarborough is dealing with a rib injury and Johnson has been practicing without any setbacks. If he remains on track to be activated from IR in Week 16, he will likely move right into the starter’s role.

Starting Johnson off an extended absence would be a very bold move. However, he could be the only available option in line for a starting role for owners who miss out on Boone.

Othe Options: Patrick Laird (45% owned), Alexander Mattison (39% owned)

Wide Receivers

Breshad Perriman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11% owned)

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Even before Chris Godwin left with a hamstring injury, Perriman was having a great game. The former-Raven finished the day with 113 yards and three touchdowns.

Perriman has caught four touchdowns in his last two games and will be Jameis Winston‘s No.1 target against the Texans. Houston’s secondary ranks 24th in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus, right between the Redskins and Bengals.

With Winston playing the way he is, Perriman will have every opportunity to produce like a top-flight option this week.

Miller makes another appearance on the list because people aren’t getting the message. The second-year pro has put together a string of good-to-great games, capping it with his nine catch, 118-yard performance against the Packers.

Sunday’s game was also his second straight game with a touchdown. Mitch Trubisky clearly trusts Miller as one the 1B to Allen Robinson‘s 1A, peppering him with 15 targets in the loss.

The Bears will be facing another tough-test in Week 16 when they welcome the Chiefs to Chicago. Trubisky will likely be forced to throw once again, making Miller a very enticing option against the Chiefs 20th ranked coverage unit.

Other Options: James Washington (32% owned), Danny Amendola (25% owned)

Tight Ends

Smith was the latest beneficiary of Ryan Tannehill lifting the Titans’ offense. Smith has been a viable streamer for two weeks straight, putting up at least 10 points in 0.5 PPR in that span.

In Week 16 Smith caught all five of his targets for 60 yards and took his only carry for 57. A.J. Brown has established himself as the main receiving threat in Tennessee but Smith will continue to have a role.

Jonnu Smith is also fast ⚡️⚡️🌬️ #TENvsHOU pic.twitter.com/WMBSqgH6TD — Titans Film Room (@titansfilmroom) December 15, 2019

Any tight end that can move like that will find ways to get the ball.

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Tampa Bay will be forced to lean on their depth with Evans and Godwin doubtful for Week 16. While Perriman got all the headlines, the tight end duo saw plenty of action.

Howard caught 4-of-8 targets for 46 yards while Brate caught 3-of-7 targets for 33 yards. The eight looks were a season-high for Howard who has been somewhat consistent over the last three weeks, hauling in at least four catches in each game.

Brate is very inconsistent but could be used more as a receiver if Howard is kept in to block. His seven targets were the second-most he’s seen this season.

Both tight ends should expect to see a similar workload in Week 16 against the Texans questionable secondary.

Deep League Special

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Ward is essentially the last man standings for the Eagles. With Nelson Agholor and Alshon Jeffery out, Ward has soaked up nine targets in back-to-back games.

No other Eagles’ receiver made a catch against the Redskins, giving Ward all the opportunity he needed. The rookie capitalized, catching seven passes for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert will soak up most of the targets, but Ward is the only WR that Carson Wentz is throwing to.

Even if Agholor returns, Ward should have a big enough role to provide a boost to owners in deeper leagues.