Week 15 Waiver Wire: Top Pickups and Drops

Most owners still alive in the fantasy playoffs don't have many holes in their roster. You didn't get this far by mindlessly plugging in scrubs at various positions throughout the year. Your lineup is strong. Your depth is good. You've got this.

But this is fantasy football, and, well, stuff happens. Like injuries. Or demotions. Or a player just not playing that well for stretches. A good fantasy owner never rests on his or her laurels. A good fantasy owner hopes for the best but prepares for the worst.

And that means remaining active on the waiver wire. Sure, the cupboard is a bit bare this week, but there are still some tasty options if you know where to look. Let's break down the top waiver options for Week 15.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Owned in just 47.4 percent of ESPN leagues, Jonathan Stewart has now tallied 10 or more fantasy points in three of his last four games after rushing 20 times for 155 yards and a score against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. 

With a favorable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on deck, Stewart is absolutely a flex consideration for your team this week and a must-add player if you are hurting at running back.

Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders

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Finally, mercifully, Latavius Murray has taken over as the lead back in Oakland over the plodding Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew.

Murray's 23 carries for 76 yards on Sunday wasn't exactly anything to write home about, but he was facing a tough San Francisco run defense. Plus, it was better than the alternative—McFadden rushed four times for five yards. Ugh.

It's high time Murray was given a long look as the lead back. That makes him a must-own player in all formats.

Kerwynn Williams, RB, Arizona Cardinals

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Who?

That's what more than a few folks were saying on Sunday as Kerwynn Williams—and not Stepfan Taylor or Marion Grice—rushed 19 times for 100 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in place of Andre Ellington, who has been placed on injured reserve and is done for the season.

While coach Bruce Arians has resisted naming Williams the starter, he also left open the possibility that Williams could keep the lead back role if he continues to produce, per Kent Somers of AZCentral.com:

I'm guessing that's code for, "We don't want to name the guy that was on the practice squad until Friday the starter, but let's be honest, he's going to be the guy that gets the majority of the touches." Williams is absolutely a player that should be added across the board for your playoff push.

Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers

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Owned in just 27.7 percent of ESPN leagues, Malcom Floyd has posted seven or more fantasy points in three of his last four games and eight times in total this year. He's just sort of floated under the fantasy radar for much of the year.

It's not hard to see why—there is just nothing sexy about Floyd as a player. He doesn't have the talent of Keenan Allen. He doesn't have the occasional bursts of production like Eddie Royal. He doesn't have the trust of Philip Rivers like Antonio Gates. 

But if you need seven points or so from your flex in a deeper league where that might make a difference, Floyd is worth your time this week. Hardly an exciting choice, but potentially one you'll be glad you made.

Charles Johnson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

It would seem Teddy Bridgewater has a favorite wide receiver, and it's somewhat surprisingly Charles Johnson, who is coming off a four-catch, 103-yard, one-touchdown performance on Sunday. Johnson now has eight or more fantasy points in three of his last four games and two touchdowns in his last three contests.

Sure, he's a bit of a deep dive—and Johnson is pretty reliant on touchdowns to have fantasy value, always a dangerous game to play with wideouts—but for owners in deeper leagues desperate to find a flex on waivers this week, Johnson is a solid choice.

Tavon Austin, WR, St. Louis Rams

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Sometimes it is rushing scores. Sometimes it is punt returns. But at some point, we can't ignore the fact that Tavon Austin has 29 fantasy points in the past three weeks and is finally being utilized in creative ways by the St. Louis Rams.

Austin's production doesn't seem sustainable since he's an afterthought in St. Louis' passing game, but it's also hard to ignore three straight weeks of production. St. Louis will probably have to get a bit creative on offense against a tough Arizona defense this week, so Austin could end up being an important part of the game plan.

At your flex in deeper leagues, he's worth a gamble. 

Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers

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You can put Heath Miller in the "unsexy but productive" column alongside of Floyd.

With Ben Roethlisberger trending back upwards in the past two games, Miller has seen an uptick in production himself, seven or more fantasy points in three straight games. He's not just touchdown reliant, either, as he's scored just once in those three contests. 

With Atlanta's shaky defense up next, Miller should have another solid outing next week. In deeper leagues, he's worth a look in your tight end slot.

All ownership percentages, point totals and points-against statistics via ESPN standard-scoring leagues. Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and tweet some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than a Colin Kaepernick press conference.