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Week 15 QB/TE Waiver Wire Targets: Matthew Stafford, Juwan Johnson, Aaron Rodgers, Pat Freiermuth, Bryce Young and More

Identifying some quarterback and tight end waiver wire targets as week 14 of the NFL season winds down.

Morgan Rode Dec 9th 10:59 AM EST.

Dec 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Dec 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

With week 14 of the NFL regular season winding down, it’s time to start identifying some waiver wire targets.

Here we’ll talk about quarterbacks and tight ends.

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Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, Jameis Winston, Anthony Richardson, Drake Maye and Bryce Young are the six quarterbacks we’ll discuss this week.

Stafford was 23-of-30 passing for 320 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against a tough Bills’ defense.

A lot of fantasy owners look to Stafford as a possible fantasy starter in the right defensive matchups. I think he deserves to be starting far more often.

He’s thrown multiple touchdowns in four straight games, and has no interceptions in that span. With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back on his side, Stafford can conquer any defense.

Rodgers turned back the clock in week 14, completing 27 of his 39 passes for 339 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.

It was his first time over 300 yards in a game this season, and marked his first time over 200 yards in the past four games. He has five touchdowns and just one pick over the past three games combined, but the yardage just hadn’t been there until week 14.

Winston was 24-of-41 passing for 212 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in week 14. He also rushed for 28 yards on four scrambles.

Winston has multiple touchdown passes in three of the past four games, but also has six picks over that span. He’s thrown for over 210 yards in all his starts, and volume passing numbers help Winston be a better fantasy option than a lot of quarterbacks.

Richardson and Maye were on byes in week 14.

Richardson has scored 13 or more fantasy points in all three games since he regained the starting job. He’s scored over 20 points in two of those contests.

Maye is pretty underrated, in my opinion. He has scored over 14 fantasy points in three straight, and has 12 or more dating back five games.

Young was just 19-of-34 passing for 191 yards against a tough Eagles’ defense. He had one touchdown pass and one interception, while rushing for 29 yards on seven carries.

Young is more here because of his defensive matchup in week 15, so let’s transition to who everyone is facing this week to determine the best streaming options.

Young takes on the Cowboys, who are one of the most favorable matchups for an opposing fantasy quarterback.

Stafford takes on the Niners on Thursday night. That’s a tougher matchup on paper, but Stafford scored 13 fantasy points against them in week 3, and that was without Nacua or Kupp active.

Winston goes against the Chiefs in week 15. It’s actually a more favorable matchup than you might think, and it might be a perfect game for him to throw 40+ times to keep up.

Rodgers takes on the Jaguars this coming week. There’s not many better defensive matchups for a quarterback.

Maye will face the Cardinals. It’s a pretty average matchup on paper.

Richardson battles the Broncos, who are a brutal matchup, but were torched by the Browns in their last game. Denver also had its bye last week.

Is it crazy to say Rodgers is the best streaming option among these quarterbacks, because that’s what I’m going to do. The matchup against the Jaguars is fantastic, and with Breece Hall banged up, Rodgers should be able to pass plenty.

I’d go with another veteran next in Stafford. The matchup is tough, but I really don’t care because Stafford has Nacua and Kupp to throw to. I’d trust Stafford over any of the remaining, younger quarterbacks.

Give me Young next. He’s played much better of late, and might have bought himself at least one more season in Carolina. The matchup is great, and I think Young delivers a good fantasy score.

I like Winston here. The Chiefs’ matchup is going to scare a lot of fantasy owners off him, but this is one of those games I think Winston could rack up a ton of garbage numbers, and it will result in a good fantasy showing.

I like Maye next. His matchup is fine, and I like how he’s been playing, so I’d have no issue starting Maye this week, especially in a bit deeper league.

A couple weeks ago, I would have completely been against playing Richardson against the Broncos. Richardson has looked better over the past couple games, and after Denver’s defense was torched in week 13, I think Richardson could still deliver a good fantasy score (especially if he can do some damage with his legs) this coming week.

As for the best options for the remainder of the season, Young has the most favorable matchups ahead. Maye has some of the toughest.

Each quarterback, besides Young, has at least one really tough matchup left. If you want to play matchups, Young is the guy you want down the stretch.

With every other quarterback having some tough matchups left, I’d just go in order of who I trust the most as a fantasy performer (thinking about fantasy floors and ceilings). My order would be: Stafford, Richardson, Winston, Maye and Rodgers.

Dec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) is tackled by New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Dec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) is tackled by New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Tight Ends

Juwan Johnson, Pat Freiermuth, Michael Mayer, Grant Calcaterra, Dalton Schultz and Austin Hooper are the tight ends I want to talk about.

Johnson finished week 14 with 50 yards and a score on four receptions and five targets. He had 36 yards on five grabs and seven targets last week.

With Taysom Hill out now, and with the Saints not having many pass catchers overall, Johnson has a pretty good opportunity to keep producing down the stretch. 

Freiermuth had 48 yards and a score on three catches and targets. He had 68 yards on six catches and seven targets last week and went for 59 yards on four grabs and targets the week before that,

He’s emerging as a good fantasy option despite not having any breakout games. The Steelers’ offense needs pass catchers to step up, and Freiermuth is delivering.

Mayer broke out in week 14, catching seven of his nine targets for 68 yards. His season high in catches coming into the game was two, and his season high in targets was three.

The Raiders also have Brock Bowers at tight end, but aside from him and Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas could use a few other pass catchers to step up down the stretch, and Mayer could be one of them.

Calcaterra had just 16 yards on three catches and targets, but also scored once in week 14. He’s going to get some extra looks going forward with Dallas Goedert out with an injury.

Schultz was off in week 14, but had 61 yards and a score on five catches and targets in week 13.

Hooper was also off in week 14. He’s been trending up over the past four games, with at least three catches and 35 yards in each contest. He caught two touchdowns in that span.

Schultz has a week 15 matchup against the Dolphins, which is a slightly above-average matchup for him. Johnson faces the Commanders, which is a slightly below-average matchup on paper.

Hooper plays against the Cardinals, who are one of the tougher teams to go against for a TE. Freiermuth and Calcaterra square off in the same game. Calcaterra has a bit better matchup.

Mayer plays on Monday night against the Falcons. That’s a below-average matchup for him.

For a week 15 streaming option, I like Schultz the most. I’d take Freiermuth next, followed by Johnson, Hooper, Calcaterra and Mayer.

In terms of the best remaining schedule, Schultz and Johnson have the best schedules ahead, while Hooper has the toughest.

I like Freiermuth as the best option for the remainder of the season, followed by Schultz. I’d take Johnson third.

I would take a chance on Hooper fourth, despite the tough schedule ahead. I’d give Calcaterra the edge over Mayer.

#waivers

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