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Essential Week 16 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Picks: Jerome Ford, Kendre Miller, and More!

2024-12-17

Author: Jia

As we dive into Week 16 of the fantasy football season, many league participants are gearing up for their playoff challenges. Whether you’re in a tight playoff race or looking to load up for a championship run, this week’s waiver wire could be crucial for your success. Let’s explore some promising additions that can help solidify your roster and boost your chances for victory!
Important Guidelines

- Target players who are under 60% rostered on platforms like Yahoo.

- Priority will be given to players with high upside potential.

- RB backups are analyzed separately, focusing on circumstances where the starter is sidelined.

- No specific budget advice is provided due to varying league dynamics.

Players to Keep an Eye On

**Worry Report (Scale 1-5: More ducks = More concern)**

1. **Brock Purdy, QB, SF — 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆**: Following a rough outing in rainy conditions, caution is advised. With the 49ers potentially falling out of playoff contention, Purdy's role could diminish.

2. **Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, NYG — 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆**: With a dysfunctional Giants offense, Tracy has been relegated to an ineffective RB3 despite any potential he may have.

3. **Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC — 🦆🦆🦆**: The injury to Patrick Mahomes could negatively impact Pacheco's production. Expect a divided workload with Kareem Hunt, which hampers any ceiling Pacheco might have.

4. **Adam Thielen, WR, CAR — 🦆**: Thielen remains a solid WR option. A missed touchdown opportunity last week doesn’t diminish his weekly value and potential.

5. **Amari Cooper, WR, BUF — 🚫🦆🦆**: Without any targets, Cooper is too risky for your playoff lineup even if the rest of the Bills roster is healthy.

Top Streaming Quarterbacks for Week 16

- **Anthony Richardson, IND (vs TEN)**

- **Jameis Winston, CLE (at CIN — potential starter uncertainty)**

- **Bo Nix, DEN (at LAC)**

- **Aaron Rodgers, NYJ (vs LAR)**

- **Matthew Stafford, LAR (at NYJ)**

Running Back Waiver Wire Rankings

1. **Kendre Miller, NO**: A strong candidate if Alvin Kamara is inactive. Miller could be a dependable RB2, even in a struggling offense.

2. **Jerome Ford, CLE**: Benefiting from Nick Chubb's absence, Ford remains a volatile RB2. Manage expectations with this risk-reward pick.

3. **Braelon Allen, NYJ**: Monitoring Breece Hall’s injury is key, as Allen could step into a significant role if Hall is sidelined.

4. **Tyjae Spears, TEN**: With a favorable schedule ahead, Spears could see increased usage down the stretch.

5. **Isaiah Davis, NYJ**: With multiple injuries in the Jets’ backfield, Davis could emerge as the top waiver wire pick if given the starting role.

Must-Watch Wide Receiver Rankings

1. **Adam Thielen, CAR**: Continues to get ample looks despite missed opportunities. At his floor, expect him to contribute around 5 catches for 51 yards.

2. **Jalen McMillan, TB**: Stepping into a role left by Chris Godwin, McMillan has shown flashes of deep-sleeper potential.

3. **Romeo Doubs, GB**: Struggling with consistency but remains a favored target in a tumultuous offense.

Streaming Tight Ends

- **Brenton Strange, JAX**

- **Hunter Henry, NE**

- **Cole Kmet, CHI**

Streaming Defense/Special Teams

- **Green Bay vs NO**

- **Los Angeles Chargers vs DEN**

This week’s waiver wire presents several opportunities to improve your roster. Keep an eye on injuries, usage trends, and favorable matchups as you prepare for the playoff battle ahead. Make sure to act fast—every point counts as you chase your fantasy championship! Don’t miss out on these valuable pickups!