Fantasy Football Week 15: Weekly Fantasy Trends Report

It seems like yesterday the 2016 fantasy football season began, but here we are at Week 15—or, as many know it as, the semifinals.

Week 14 came and went and racked up myriad injuries, most of which may have cost you your season.

If you're still alive despite these injuries, the waiver wire was an exceptionally useful tool this week, highlighted by San Diego Chargers running back Kenneth Farrow.

Here we will examine Yahoo leagues and the trends that are developing as we approach Week 15.

Before we get to Farrow, let's touch on a veteran running back who's making his return really soon.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson at 50 Percent Owned

Andy Clayton-King/Associated Press

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson returned to practice Wednesday.

Even with that news, Peterson saw a mere 5 percent ownership increase, bringing his ownership to 50 percent in Yahoo leagues.

Although AP may not play in Week 15, Week 16 is always a possibility.

If he does suit up in Week 15, he'll draw a matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, who rank 30th in Football Outsiders' DVOA against the run. But if Week 16 is the magic week, he'll face the Green Bay Packers in the fantasy football championship round, and they rank ninth in the same department—a bit tough on paper, but hey, AP is AP.

He could be the fill-in you need—especially if you're an owner of Chargers running back Melvin Gordon.

AP is still available in 50 percent of leagues.

Change that!

Chargers RB Kenneth Farrow Top Add

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Gordon is unlikely to play in Week 15 against the Oakland Raiders.

As a result, Chargers backup running back Kenneth Farrow is the top waiver claim in Yahoo leagues, seeing a 27 percent spike in ownership.

The Raiders have been a great offensive unit this year, but their defense has left a lot to be desired—this includes their 26th-rated DVOA against the run.

It's not every day that you get a running back off waivers who should see, at minimum, 15 touches.

Still available in 69 percent of Yahoo leagues, go get Farrow.

Bears WR Alshon Jeffery Back from Suspension, Available in 24 Percent of Leagues

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Don't look now, but Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery's four-game suspension is officially over.

If you're among one of the leagues that make up the 24 percent in which Jeffery is available, I'd make the move to pick up Jeffery, and do it quickly.

Even if you want to take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to Week 15, Week 16 still offers a solid matchup for Jeffery, even with Matt Barkley at quarterback.

In Week 16, the Bears will host the Washington Redskins, who rank 22nd and 28th in DVOA against the pass and opposing teams' No. 1 wide receivers, respectively.

Jeffery should get a plethora of targets moving forward.

The only real competition for targets is fellow wide receiver Cameron Meredith.

Packers WR/RB Ty Montgomery Added in 120,000 Leagues

Jeffrey Phelps/Associated Press

Despite a report from ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky about Packers wide receiver/running back Ty Montgomery being listed as the No. 2 running back on the team's "unofficial" depth chart, Montgomery has seen a 9 percent ownership uptick this week.

Regardless of where he is on the depth chart, Montgomery is the best running back the Packers have.

Over the past two weeks, Montgomery has out-snapped fellow running backs Christine Michael and James Starks considerably.

In that same stretch, Montgomery is averaging three targets per game.

What helps Montgomery's value is that he has a fairly high floor when it comes to touches and has dual-position eligibility, allowing for extra flexibility.

Montgomery will draw the Bears in Week 15, who rank 20th in DVOA against the run. He's still available in 55 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Bills Top D/ST Add

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Even with Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III returning in Week 14, the Buffalo Bills are the top defense/special teams add heading into Week 15.

In his triumphant return, RG3 completed 42.9 percent of his passes for 104 yards and a gaudy interception. To add insult to injury, Pro Football Focus ranked RG3 as the 26th overall passer in Week 14.

The Bills are available in over 30 percent of Yahoo leagues and have a fairly safe floor this week.

If the Bills defense/special teams is available in your league, play them.

Chargers WR Dontrelle Inman Sees Modest Ownership Increase

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Hmm.

Am I missing something? Why has Chargers wide receiver Dontrelle Inman been added in just 5 percent more leagues on Yahoo?

Over the past three weeks, Inman is averaging six targets per game and has topped 70 receiving yards in two of those three.

Yeah, those numbers sound great, but I prefer this one: three straight games with a touchdown.

In Week 15, Inman should draw a matchup with Raiders cornerback TJ Carrie, who hasn't played all that much this year (30 percent of the team's total snaps).

And this needs no further analysis: Inman gets the Browns in Week 16.

Seventy-two percent of Yahoo leagues need to check him out.

Get on it.

Top TE Add: Cardinals' Jermaine Gresham

David Goldman/Associated Press

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Arizona Cardinals have released wide receiver Michael Floyd.

In 2016, Floyd has amassed 67 targets in 12 games (5.5 per game) and has played in 70 percent of the team's snaps this season. However, Floyd has played in over 95 percent of the team's snaps the past two weeks.

What I'm getting at is this: There's some leftover production, and tight end Jermaine Gresham could reap some of the benefits.

Since Week 10, Gresham has seen at least six targets in every game except one and has also averaged five catches per game over his last three.

He's owned in a measly 5 percent of Yahoo leagues.

At this point in the season, you may not be in need of a tight end such as Gresham, but he's worth a look, nonetheless.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Football Outsiders. All ownership references courtesy of Yahoo.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.