Week 15 FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups: How Much To Spend On Brock Purdy, Desmond Ridder & More!
If you are still reading this column, you have likely reached the fantasy football postseason. Now is the time to take a look at some potential free agents on the waiver wire who can help get you to the promised land.
Quarterbacks
Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
After multiple weeks of watching Marcus Mariota unable to make passes downfield Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has finally decided to turn the team over to Ridder. Ridder has excellent mobility and a better throwing arm than Mariota and with the Falcons hanging by a thread in the playoff picture he could provide the spark the team needs if he can calm his nerves. FAAB: $20-25
Baker Mayfield, Los Angeles Rams
Just like a cat with nine lives Baker Mayfield gets another chance with the Rams. With Matthew Stafford most likely out for the rest of the season Mayfield should have an opportunity to play and even though the team is bereft of weapons he still be worth 200 yards passing and one touchdown per week. FAAB: $15-20
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Purdy looked excellent in the game against Tampa showing confidence in the pocket and an ability to find his receivers downfield. Considering the 49ers have some of the best play calling in the league I feel confident recommending him as someone that you can start in your fantasy playoffs. FAAB: $30-35
Mike White, New York Jets
I think he's probably the best quarterback available right now on the waiver wire and I'm more than happy to pick him up in leagues and start him if need be. The Jets schedule is one of the easier ones in the playoffs and it wouldn't shock me to see White have a couple of 300-yard games. FAAB: $40-50
Running Backs
J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
Dobbins is the number one running back for Baltimore and as soon as they activated him, they cut Mike Davis and relegated Kenyan Drake to the sidelines. Dobbins looked terrific in his first start and with Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley both dealing with injuries I can see the team relying on him and getting him 20 carries per game. FAAB: Whatever you have left
Travis Homer, Seattle Seahawks
Homer is most likely the RB2 in Seattle but he has some upside especially if Ken Walker remains on the sideline. With the Seahawks playing on Thursday there is a good chance that both Walker and Dallas miss this game giving Homer another opportunity to be a starter. FAAB: $120-150
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
I was pleasantly surprised at how good Hubbard looked against Seattle. He looked significantly faster than Foreman and he even got around the edge and had a couple of key first downs to seal the game for Carolina. I think his success in Week 14 might propel him to more snaps moving forward. FAAB: $190-200
Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
Mason is the clear RB2 for the 49ers and looks respectable running the ball as a change-of-pace back. It seems strange to think that the 49ers strength may have become a weakness, but Mason will be used and is worth picking up. FAAB: $80-100
Wide Receivers
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
Jarvis Landry feels like toast and Shaheed might be the WR2 right now in the Bayou. FAAB: $40-50
Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills
McKenzie had some ill-timed drops against the Jets but he still is getting targeted from Josh Allen a bunch giving him fantasy upside. FAAB: $50-60
Elijah Moore, New York Jets
Doesn't it seem like just a short time ago that we were talking about Moore as one of the top young receivers in the league? With Corey Davis injured in Week 14 it seems likely that Moore will see more targets from Mike White. A little confidence could go a long way here. FAAB: $80-100
Isaiah Hodgins, New York Giants
I like Hodgins’ size and hands and the more I see him play, the more I think he might be able to stick around for a while. FAAB: $20-30
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Williams finally scored his first TD of his career against Minnesota. It won’t be his last. His role will increase steadily but don’t overrate him for the fantasy playoffs. FAAB: $60-80
Trent Sherfield, Miami Dolphins
If Tyreek Hill is not 100% I would expect Sherfield to soak up most of his targets. FAAB: $50-60
Chris Moore/Philip Dorsett/Amari Rodgers, Houston Texans
I have severe doubts that Brandin cooks and Nico Collins will play again this season. Against Dallas Moore was the leading target as he is a solid route runner with good hands. Dorsett is more of the speed guy on the outside who needs plays to develop in order to make a big play downfield. Rogers is the former Packer slot receiver who was never really given an opportunity to succeed in Green Bay. None of them are world beaters but if you're desperate they are worth a shot. FAAB: Moore $60-80, Dorsett $20-30, Rodgers $20-30
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Tight Ends
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
The more I watch Okonkwo play the more impressed I am. A fourth-round pick out of Maryland, he has good speed and is improving each week. The team made a concerted effort to get him the ball against Jacksonville and it should continue so long as Treylon Burks remains sidelined. FAAB: $40-50
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I think it's clear that Otton has become the number one tight end for Tampa at this point replacing Cameron Brate who has been injured for the better part of the season. What I like most about Otton is that Tampa has a game against the Cardinals in Week 16 which is one of the best matchups that any tight end can have. FAAB: $50-60
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
I'm throwing Johnson's name out here as a speculative pickup because he has flashed a significant amount of talent, but he hasn't been able to stay off the trainer’s table. Assuming he comes back and plays I think he is a sneaky pick up as he has some good touchdown equity. FAAB: $50-60
