Best Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups Fantasy Football 2024
The fantasy football playoffs are in full swing as we head into Week 16 of the 2024 fantasy football season. This week, it will be crucial to work the waiver wire and make sure you don’t leave any FAAB left unspent. Today, we’ll be breaking down the best waiver wire pickups for Week 16 of the 2024 fantasy football season.
This week’s waiver wire offers a variety of options. Today, we’ll break down the top Week 16 waiver wire pickups which will help you strengthen your roster through the semifinals of the fantasy football playoffs. Let’s get to it.
Best Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Football 2024
At this point in the fantasy football season, every waiver wire pickup and start or sit decision is extremely important. One wrong move could end your season. Also, a botched Jonathan Taylor fumble in the end zone could end your season. Continue reading to find out who the top waiver wire pickups are for Week 16 of the 2024 fantasy football season.
Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups – Quarterbacks
Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars – 6% rostered on Sleeper
While the “team” may not be looking for another win this week in hopes of a higher draft pick, Jones will be looking to pad his resume for 2025. He threw for a season-high 295 yards against the Jets last week, adding 29 rushing yards and two passing touchdowns.
The Raiders are a great fantasy matchup for quarterbacks, giving up the sixth most passing scores (25) this year. They also gave up 290.5 passing yards and 2.25 passing touchdowns in their last four games. Jones is basically applying for a job in 2025 and will look to impress potential suitors with his Week 16 performance.
Carson Wentz, Kansas City Chiefs – 0% rostered everywhere
Patrick Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 15, putting his future availability in jeopardy. Wentz is the backup and will get the nod if the team decides to rest their franchise quarterback. With a two-game lead in the AFC, the Chiefs can afford to give their star a week to recuperate. Wentz should be a smash add in any 2QB or Superflex leagues. He could also warrant a pickup in single QB leagues.
Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups – Running Backs
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns – 42% rostered on Sleeper
With another early end to the season for Nick Chubb as he broke his foot, Ford will step into the primary role in the Browns’ backfield. Just as he did back in 2023. This year, he is averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
This week, Ford and the Browns will attempt to play spoiler to the Bengals, who still have a puncher’s chance of making the postseason. Cincinnati allowed 5.5 yards per attempt to running backs from Weeks 12 through 14 and surrendered seven rushing scores to the position in their last four games. Grabbing a ‘bell cow’ runner is rare this last in the season and you shouldn’t let this opportunity pass you by.
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints – 8% rostered on ESPN
Alvin Kamara’s status is currently up in the air with a groin injury. Should he be unable to perform, Miller will get the starting nod for New Orleans.
Furthermore, Miller takes a respectable 4.6 yards per carry into Green Bay this week. The Seahawks running backs, without Kenneth Walker, averaged 5.2 yards per carry this past week. Miller is another potential ‘bell cow’ running back that you can pick up at this late point in the year.
Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups – Wide Receivers
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers – 41% rostered on Yahoo
Five of Johnston’s eight touchdowns have come in his last seven games, at a clip of one score per every four receptions. That may be unsustainable, but if you’re looking for a player who can make his fantasy day with one catch, Johnston is a great candidate.
Furthermore, divisional matchups tend to bring out the best in players. In his career against Denver, Johnston has averaged 15.8 yards per reception on nine catches. Remember, he just needs one big catch for a good fantasy football output.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens – 19% rostered on ESPN
Bateman generated his first career multi-score game this past week while leading the team with 80 receiving yards. He has now scored four times in his last five games. Bateman has also averaged a staggering 17.2 yards per reception this year as a deep threat. He’s the kind of player you pick up to use if you need to make up a big, early deficit.
Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 9% rostered on Yahoo
McMillan has seen an increase in targets these last two weeks with seven and six. He also averaged 14.9 yards per catch in those games. As the Buccaneers look to hold onto their lead in the division, they get a juicy matchup with Dallas in Week 16. Opposing wide receivers have averaged 12.97 yards per catch in the last two weeks against the Cowboys, who have also allowed the fifth most yards per reception (11.8) on the season.
Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups – Tight Ends
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars – 7% rostered on Sleeper
With Evan Engram on season-ending IR, Strange becomes the primary tight end for Jacksonville. He was a huge part of the offense in Week 15, catching 11 or 12 passes for 73 yards. He looks like a tight end who could give consistent value for the rest of the season.
Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks – 18% rostered on Yahoo
What you get from Fant is consistency. He has caught three or more passes in seven straight games played. While the yardage production has been lacking in recent weeks, his season-high seven targets last week is encouraging with Sam Howell likely taking the reins for the next game.
This former first-round pick will get to face a Minnesota defense that has allowed more than 60 receiving yards to tight ends in three of their last six games. Fant, himself, totaled 60 yards on four catches in his one prior meeting with the Vikings. If you’re in absolute need at the position, give Fant a shot.
Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups – DSTs
Carolina Panthers – 2% rostered on Yahoo
The Panthers have quietly woken up on both sides of the ball in the last few weeks. They’ve accumulated 14 sacks in their last four games, more than Philadelphia (11) and Baltimore (13) have in that span. Even mobile quarterbacks have not been safe, with Mahomes taking five sacks and Hurts taking four by Carolina.
Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups – Kickers
Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos – 24% rostered on ESPN
Lutz hasn’t missed a PAT attempt all season. In his last four games, he’s converted all nine of his field goal attempts with five of them being from at least 40 yards out.
In a divisional matchup against the Chargers, who sport a tough, balanced defense, Luts could be called upon multiple times when the offense just can’t close in on the end zone.
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