Few things are worse than big injuries during the final game of the week, and fantasy football owners were dealt a big blow when Rhamondre Stevenson and Kyler Murray exited early last Monday night. Murray’s injury won’t lead to any waiver-wire activity (at least not until Week 17 when Arizona plays Atlanta), but Stevenson’s exit paves the way for Patriots’ handcuffs Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris to be among the top Week 15 fantasy waiver pickups and free agent adds. If nothing else, Strong and Harris are worth adding after waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings in Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
Our full free agent list features more of last week’s top breakouts and injury replacements, including Chuba Hubbard, Travis Homer, Zamir White, Chris Moore, Jameson Williams, Chig Okonwko, and Rex Burkhead. However, the vast majority of the list consists of potential Week 15 streamers with favorable matchups, which you can find at the end of this list. We have several QBs and TEs, a ton of WRs and D/STs, and even the rare RB streamer.
There’s no tomorrow if you lose this week, so use as many waiver claims as you need to secure the best lineup (or prevent your opponent from getting a top player). Running backs still command the highest priority in general, but depending on your specific needs and matchup, you might prioritize another position. Pending injury updates that we likely won’t get until later in the week, Hubbard is the “safest” back for touches next week, but Strong, Harris, and either Burkhead or Dare Ogunbowale could easily find themselves getting double-digit carries.
WEEK 15 FANTASY: Full waiver list | FAAB planner
If you have a bye or a solid lineup this week, it’s probably best to avoid using a waiver claim. You should still be active on the free agent wire, looking ahead to Week 16’s matchups, but save your waiver position if you can. There will be plenty more injuries and sought-after backups over the next couple of weeks, so be ready for anything.
WEEK 15 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 15
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.
Pierre Strong Jr., RB, Patriots. Strong finally got an appreciable number of touches in Week 14, and he responded in a big way, rushing for 70 yards and a TD on just five carries and adding another 20 yards on two catches. With Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and Damien Harris (thigh) dinged up, it’s possible Strong is starting in Week 15 in a favorable matchup against the Raiders. Kevin Harris (eight carries, 26 yards, TD) would also be involved if both Stevenson and Damien Harris are out, but Strong has the higher ceiling. Even if one of New England’s normal committee backs is active, Strong could have flex value.
Kevin Harris, RB, Patriots. Harris operated as New England’s No. 2 back on Monday night, and he came through with 26 yards and a TD on eight carries after Rhamondre Stevenson’s ankle injury. Harris was outshined later in the game by rookie Pierre Strong Jr. (seven touches, 90 total yards, TD), but it’s clear that both backs will be involved if Stevenson and Damien Harris (thigh) continue to miss time. A favorable RB matchup awaits in Week 15 against Vegas, so Harris (and Strong) are both worth speculative adds.
WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Chris Moore, WR, Texans. Moore, who caught 10-of-15 targets for 124 yards in Week 14 with Brandin Cooks (calf) and Nico Collins (foot) out, will likely be Houston’s top receiver in a highly favorable Week 15 matchup against Kansas City if both are inactive. He still has upside in deep leagues if even just one is back, so grab him now and enjoy the production. The same applies to Collins if he’s expected back next week.
WEEK 15 FANTASY: Full waiver list | FAAB planner
Terrace Marshall, WR, Panthers. The second-year wide receiver has been inconsistent this season, but that’s partly due to the revolving door at QB for Carolina. However, Marshall has shown this season that he can be a WR3/flex in 12-team leagues and has a good opportunity to make some plays against the Steelers in Week 15, especially if D.J. Moore (ankle) is out. Entering Week 14, the Steelers had allowed the second-most FPPG and 15 touchdowns to WRs, so Marshall is a prime streaming candidate regardless.
Chig Okonkwo, TE, Titans. Okownkwo hauled in five targets for 68 yards in Week 13, seemingly replacing injured rookie wideout Treylon Burks (concussion) as Ryan Tannehill’s preferred deep threat. He kept up the momentum in Week 14, hauling in all six of his targets for 45 yards and a TD. He now has a favorable matchup in Week 15 against the Chargers, who serve up the 11th-most FPPG to TEs this season, so his big-play ways could really pay off even if Burks is back.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including top pickups Travis Homer, Chuba Hubbard, Jameson Williams, and more, check out our full Week 15 list.
