Week 15 Waiver Wire: Favorable Schedules Make a Difference for Fantasy Playoffs

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At this point, the Titans have absolutely no need to get Hasselbeck back out on the field. Not only is Locker already more of a threat than Hasselbeck ever was, but the 36-year-old was merely adequate at best before his recent injury, so what would be the point?

Locker is a strong guy with more athleticism than most other QBs in the league, kinda like Vince Young...but better. Tennessee and Chris Johnson can only benefit by him playing, and so could you if you were depending on someone like Vick or Roethlisberger to lead you the rest of the way.

Pickup: QB Jake Locker (Tennessee Titans)

At this point, the Titans have absolutely no need to get Hasselbeck back out on the field. Not only is Locker already more of a threat than Hasselbeck ever was, but the 36-year-old was merely adequate at best before his recent injury, so what would be the point?

Locker is a strong guy with more athleticism than most other QBs in the league, kinda like Vince Young...but better. Tennessee and Chris Johnson can only benefit by him playing, and so could you if you were depending on someone like Vick or Roethlisberger to lead you the rest of the way.

Pickup: QB Kyle Orton (Kansas City Chiefs)

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This pickup has everything to do with whether or not Orton can play through his injury.

That said, Tyler Palko WILL be benched, so assuming his finger is healed, Orton will get to face three bottom-5 defenses over the next three weeks (Week 15 vs. Green Bay, Week 16 vs. Oakland and Week 17 at Denver).

The Chiefs actually have a nice receiving corps to throw to, so considering the competition he has in front of him, you might seriously want to think about grabbing the guy...or at least make the pickup to block your opposition.

Pickup: QB T.J. Yates (Houston Texans)

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The guy looked pretty darn good putting up 300 yards and two touchdowns against a solid Bengals defense last Sunday, and that was without Andre Johnson in the lineup.

With Carolina and Indianapolis up in Weeks 15 and 16, you might want to take a look here if you're nervous about either Vick or Big Ben.

 

Desperation Quarterback Pickups: 

Charlie Batch (Pit), John Skelton (Ari) and Joe Webb (Min)

Pickup: RB Felix Jones (Dallas Cowboys)

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With rookie sensation DeMarco Murray done for the season (fractured right foot), Felix will resume his early-season role as the main RB for the Cowboys and look to make both coaches and fans forget about the first-year phenom.

This is one of the more obvious pickups in the league right now, so you'll only get him if you sit atop the waiver wire list at this point.

Considering that the Cowboys face three of the league's 10 worst defenses against the run the rest of the way (TB, Phi and NYG), I certainly hope you do.

Pickup: RB Ryan Grant (Green Bay Packers)

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Grant showed some of his early-career skills against the Raiders in Week 14 rushing for 85 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. Considering those were his first TDs since 2009, you know he's gotta be flying high coming into Week 15.

With James Starks (ankle) and now Brandon Saine (concussion) both very questionable for this weekend's game against the Chiefs, Grant could be worth a flier at this point in the fantasy season.

 

Desperation Running Back Pickups: 

Kahlil Bell (Chi), Chris Ivory (NO), John Kuhn (GB) and Keiland Williams (Det)

Pickup: WR Jabar Gaffney (Washington Redskins)

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Gaffney has worked well with QB Rex Grossman the entire year now and just caught six balls on eight targets for 92 yards and a TD this past Sunday.

Looking forward, the Redskins happen to have a couple of lower-tier pass defenses coming up in Weeks 15 and 16 (Giants and Vikings), so Jabar could easily make for a decent WR3 or flex if needed.

Pickup: WR James Jones (Green Bay Packers)

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It turns out that Greg Jennings merely sprained his knee this past Sunday, but it's an injury that should keep him out for at least a couple of weeks, and most likely the rest of the season.

If so, Jones should be swiped up immediately as there's no doubt he'll be the one most directly in line for Jennings' prior production.

Don't hesitate on this one.

Pickup: WR Demaryius Thomas (Denver Broncos)

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I've been saying he was a pickup for a month now, but I'll say it again as Thomas had yet another big game this last weekend catching seven balls on 13 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown.

With Tim Tebow clearly becoming a more comfortable passer of late, nothing should hold you back from pulling the trigger at this point as your bag of skepticism can be turned in for a bowl of confidence concerning Thomas' weekly fantasy possibilities.

With New England and Buffalo up next for the Broncos, this is definitely a waiver wire add you don't want to miss out on.

 

Desperation Wide Receiver Pickups: 

Randall Cobb (GB), Donald Driver (GB), Kevin Walter (Hou), Kyle Williams (SF)

Pickup: TE Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins)

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He'll drive you nuts with his lack of consistency, but Anthony Fasano has seen a combined 14 targets over the last two weeks while catching seven of them for 122 yards.

Normally I would have a tough time recommending him, but with Miami playing a Bills team in Week 15 that has allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends this season, you might want to grab him if he's available.

Pickup: TE Evan Moore (Cleveland Browns)

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The Browns normal starting tight end, Ben Watson, will likely be sidelined this weekend against the Cardinals dealing with yet another concussion.

If you're desperate heading into your fantasy playoffs and looking for that one guy to snag you a TD, Moore just might be that guy. He's a big-time red-zone threat standing almost 6'7", so you might want to consider him if your luck at tight end has waned.

 

Desperation Tight End Pickup: 

Marcedes Lewis (Jax)

 

Check out the preliminary QB, RB, WR and TE Rankings

Also click here to see the Full List of Waiver Wire Pickups and Drops from every week of the season

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