This is the final week for most fantasy leagues and if you survived with any running backs intact you are very lucky. This season has been a battle of attrition with more talent becoming unavailable in week 15. The waiver wire picks for week 16 are available for any owners scrambling for help. If you already have the players and just need help deciding who to play, then you are already in the right place.
Notable Injuries:
Andre Ellington ARI Questionable, T.J. Yeldon JAC Questionable, Lamar Miller MIA Questionable, Adrian Peterson MIN Questionable, Shaun Draughn SF Questionable, Matt Jones WSH Questionable
Week 16 Waiver Wire Picks: Quarterback And Tight End / Running Back / Wide Receiver
Elite Tier - Must Starts
1. Doug Martin TB vs. CHI
2. Adrian Peterson MIN vs. NYG Questionable
3. David Johnson ARI vs. GB
4. DeAngelo Williams PIT @BAL
5. Devonta Freeman ATL vs. CAR
Martin has been excellent this season and the Bears defense will allow that to continue in the championship matchup. Peterson is nursing an injury but reportedly should play. Even an injured Peterson should put up stud numbers against the Giants. David Johnson had a big week last week and that should carry over versus the Pack. DeAngelo Williams will be good for at least 80 yards and a score and probably better than that. Freeman has a tough matchup, but stud running backs are getting scarce.
Strong Plays - Reliable, But A Notch Below
6. Charcandrick West KC vs. CLE
7. Lamar Miller MIA vs. IND Questionable
8. Latavius Murray OAK vs. SD
9. Javorius Allen BAL vs. PIT
West should have a very good showing when the porous Browns defense comes to town. Miller may not see as much playing time as owners would like, but the Colts will not stop him if he is on the field. With Murray I am betting on a skill set, the Chargers tend to allow a lot of points as well. Javorius Allen stays involved in the passing game which makes him an attractive option most weeks.
Risk/Reward - Potentially Shaky
10. T.J. Yeldon JAC @NO Questionable
11. Tim Hightower NO vs. JAC
12. Karlos Williams BUF vs. DAL
13. Danny Woodhead SD @OAK
14. Ryan Mathews PHI vs. WSH
Yeldon gets the Saints, but they are at home which means they should put up points which could limit the running game if the Jags cannot keep up. Hightower is nothing special, but he has a starting gig with a decent offense. Williams gets a Cowboys defense that is a bit underrated but in the end he should have starter-worthy numbers. Woodhead was amazing last week as Rivers apparently remembered who his playmakers were. Mathews seems primed to get most of the rushing reps for the Eagles which should translate to solid production.
Question Marks - RB2 Upside
15. Darren McFadden DAL @BUF
16. Matt Forte CHI @TB
17. Frank Gore IND @MIA
18. Shaun Draughn SF @DET Questionable
19. Chris Ivory NYJ vs. NE
20. Christine Michael SEA vs. STL
McFadden has been surprisingly productive since taking the starting job and he should do enough to warrant a start in week 16. Matt Forte is not what he used to be but Tampa is no beast on defense. Gore gets a trip to Miami and a weak ‘Fins defense this week. Draughn gets a tasty matchup if he can make his way onto the field. Ivory has slowed down as the season wore on but he may have one more decent game in him. Christine Michael is FINALLY in a starting job but the Rams defense is a tough task.
Flex Appeal - Usable In A Pinch
21. Cameron Artis-Payne CAR @ATL
22. Darren Sproles PHI vs. WSH
23. Todd Gurley STL @SEA
24. Jeremy Langford CHI @TB
25. Eddie Lacy GB @ARI
26. Matt Jones WSH @PHI Questionable
27. Ameer Abdullah DET vs. SF
28. Spencer Ware KC vs. CLE
29. James White NE @NYJ
30. Giovani Bernard CIN @DEN
31. C.J. Spiller NO vs. JAC
32. Bilal Powell NYJ vs. NE
33. Jeremy Hill CIN @DEN
34. C.J. Anderson DEN vs. CIN
35. Mike Gillislee BUF vs. DAL
There are a lot of guys who I am not high on this week starting with Artis-Payne who is flex worthy on the strength of his getting a start. Sproles could break a big play but otherwise is PPR fodder. Gurley may have hit the rookie wall and the Seahawks will not remedy that. Langford is splitting reps now but he could be good for a score. Lacy in Arizona could spell disaster for owners. Matt Jones may not play, if he does he is a wild card as always. Abdullah could have a nice showing versus the ‘Niners, but he could also disappear as he tends to do. Ware does not get a ton of reps but the matchup with Cleveland makes him worth a look. White will see some passes which makes him the more attractive Patriots running back. Bernard and Hill both face the Denver defense and I would avoid them if possible. Spiller and Powell have similar appeal as guys who can take a short pass for a big gain. Anderson is unpredictable and still splitting carries. Gillislee has an unpredictable workload, but definitely some big play ability as well.
Tough Sledding - Let Them Be Someone Else’s Problem
36. Theo Riddick DET vs. SF
37. Charles Sims TB vs. CHI
38. Ronnie Hillman DEN vs. CIN
39. Shane Vereen NYG @MIN
40. Andre Ellington ARI vs. GB Questionable
41. Alfred Morris WSH @PHI
42. Rashad Jennings NYG @MIN
43. Alfred Blue HOU @TEN
44. Duke Johnson Jr. CLE @KC
45. James Starks GB @ARI
46. Mike Tolbert CAR @ATL
47. DeMarco Murray PHI vs. WSH
48. Isiah Crowell CLE @KC
49. Joique Bell DET vs. SF
50. Antonio Andrews TEN vs. HOU
