Every week, Nate Hamilton will cover Week 16 Waiver Wire tips and Week 16 fantasy pickups. Read his Week 16 Waiver Wire and FAAB tips (Free-Agent Acquisition Budget) for fantasy football.
DomiNate the Waiver Wire for Week 16
If you’ve made it to your fantasy football championship, congratulations! Hopefully, the waiver wire suggestions I’ve given you all season have guided you in the right direction.
Even if you are not in the championship, maybe you still have a chance at a cash prize? Regardless of your situation, it’s important to finish the season out strong! Let’s get you ready to go into battle in Week 16.
For those that are in your championship game, let’s get you that title with some final waiver wire adds!
(Note: Roster % is as listed for Yahoo! leagues. FAAB bid range is based on a $100 budget.)
Week 16 Waiver Wire Fantasy Football Pickups
Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys (45%)
Tony Pollard has seen an increased workload over the last three weeks. With Ezekiel Elliott playing well below his pay grade, Pollard has stepped up.
He has double-digit touches in each of his last two weeks. Pollard has three touchdowns in that span (2 rush, 1 receiving).
He was finally granted an opportunity in Week 15 with Elliott sidelined, and Tony Pollard did not disappoint. He averaged 5.8 yards-per-carry, scored twice on the ground, and caught six of his nine targets for 63 yards.
Regardless if Ezekiel Elliott returns in Week 16, you can bet Tony Pollard will get his fair share of touches in an important divisional matchup.
➕ Tony Pollard FAAB bid range: $15-$20 ➕
Chad Hansen, WR, Houston Texans (2%)
Since being called up from the practice squad, Chad Hansen has been a consistent contributor in the Texans offense. He’s totaled 14 receptions on 17 targets for 212 receiving yards and a touchdown in three games.
Chad Hansen has double-digit fantasy points in all three of his games. Regardless of his tought defensive matchups, he’s proven to be a viable target for one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
If you need help at wide receiver in Week 16, Hansen is a safe bet to get you decent floor at the position.
➕ Chad Hansen FAAB bid range: $6-$10➕
Rashard Higgins, WR, Cleveland Browns (25% rostered)
Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield has been playing at a different level recently, and Rashard Higgins has contributed to that success.
In his last three games, Higgins has 60+ yards in each and has scored a pair of touchdowns. He now has 239 yards in the last three weeks. He’s performed at this level with some difficult matchups, but that will not be the case in Week 16.
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Luckily for Rashard Higgins, he’ll face the New York Jets defense who have allowed the 5th most points to wide receivers this season. If you pick him up, I’d only be able to come up with a short list of wideouts to start over him in your championship game.
➕ Rashard Higgins FAAB bid range: $6-$10 ➕
Jordan Akins, TE, Houston Texans (4%)
It’s not easy to find a tight end that you’ll be confident in starting, but you have to play a tight end.
Give Jordan Akins a shot in Week 16. He’s been getting decent volume in the last two games. Deshaun Watson has targeted Akins 12 times across Weeks 14 and 15. Akins had five receptions last week and will likely be heavily involved in Week 16.
Jordan Akins will find himself against the Cincinnati Bengals defense. They have given up the 4th-most fantasy points to the tight end position. If you combine his recent volume and plus matchup next week, it should add up to a productive day for Akins in Week 16.
➕Jordan Akins FAAB bid range: $4-$8 ➕
Week 15 Waiver Wire: Pickups for Deep Leagues ($1-$6 FAAB)
Kendrick Bourne, WR, San Francisco 49ers (7%)
Kendrick Bourne is coming off his best game of the season. He caught all four of his targets for 86 yards and a touchdown. Nick Mullens has been looking Bourne’s way a bunch as Kendrick Bourne has 22 targets in the last four games.
I’d expect Bourne to have 5+ targets in Week 16 in a game where the 49ers will have to throw a ton to keep up with the Cardinals.
Danny Amendola, WR, Detroit Lions (2%)
Since returning to the field in Week 13, Danny Amendola has been a reliable target for Matthew Stafford. He had five or more targets and 60+ yards in his first two games back.
Amendola did have a down game in Week 15, but his Week 16 matchup should provide a comfortable floor.
The Lions will look to keep pace with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. You can expect Matthew Stafford to throw the ball often against a defense that has given up the 11th-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
Houston Texans DST (17%)
That’s right, a defense! It is championship week so you may be in a league with a DST slot. Time to pick up the Houston Texans.
The Texans DST has a very low roster percentage and their Week 16 matchup is a layup. They get the Cincinnati Bengals who give up the 8th most fantasy points to opposing defenses.
The Bengals do not have a reliable quarterback to play and that spells defensive domination in your championship!
Nate Hamilton is a regular contributor to the fantasy football industry and brings his nearly two decades of experience as a fantasy football player to The Game Day. He also writes The Game Day’s weekly DFS tips article.
He provides advice & analysis on a daily basis via Twitter (@DomiNateFF). He has previously written content for FantasyPros, The Fantasy Footballers, and Fantrax. He is a co-author of Amazon’s #1 Best Selling “The Fantasy Football Black Book” with Joe Pisapia. Nate hosts his solo podcast “The DomiNate Fantasy Football Show" and performs weekly AMA live streams on Twitter/Periscope. He is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association (FSWA).
Prepare for your Week 16 fantasy football and betting
After researching Week 16 Waiver Wire additions and deciding on your Week 16 fantasy pickups:
- Read our latest NFL news, analysis, tips, predictions and betting tips.
- Learn how to bet on sports, including strategies, key terms, and betting process.
- Watch videos of our latest NFL analysis and predictions from experts.
- Choose the sportsbook and betting offer that fits your budget and strategy.
