Fantasy Football Week 16 Waiver-Wire Pickups, Rankings, Box Score Stat Projections

Injuries dominated the headlines in Week 15, with Patrick Mahomes, Davante Adams, and Micah Parsons among the superstars to be bitten by the injury bug. That means there will be several holes on fantasy teams that need filling, especially in the midst of league playoffs.

Who are two waiver wire additions who can step in and benefit teams right now and which star players should managers start to maximize their point totals?

Find it with this preview of the fantasy week to come.

All stats via FantasyPros.com unless otherwise noted.

Week 16 Flex Rankings

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The rankings for flex players in Week 16 are:

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts

2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams

3. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks

4. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons

5. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals

6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

7. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers

8. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins

9. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

10. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals

11. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns

12. AJ Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders

13. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins

14. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans vs. Las Vegas Raiders

15. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers

Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals

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The injury suffered by Bam Knight during Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans opened the door for Carter to become the lead back for the team the rest of the way. He seized the opportunity, tallying 94 total yards on 14 carries and four receptions.

It was not a blockbuster performance, but it did indicate that Carter is likely to be the primary back moving forward. With Emari Demercado as the only other back on the roster, Carter should be the starter the rest of the season, which makes him an intriguing add for managers seeking running back depth as they advance through their league's playoffs.

Currently available in well over 90 percent of leagues, he is someone certain to get touches and could be a legitimate starter for some managers, depending on the competition.

Projected Stats vs. Atlanta: 65 yards rushing, TD, four receptions, 45 yards

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

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The former No. 1 overall pick showed out Sunday, producing the best performance of his career against a hapless New York Jets defense. Lawrence tossed five touchdowns, ran for another, and was the driving force behind a Jaguars offense that put up 438 total yards.

With Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. suddenly heating up at wide receiver, and the Jaguars marching toward a relatively high seed in the upcoming playoffs, it seems rather likely that Lawrence will get more opportunity to sling the ball around the field and prove why the organization was so comfortable making him the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.

Lawrence has an unenviable match-up in Week 16 against a Denver Broncos team giving up the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, but he is still worth grabbing and stashing, if nothing else, especially in leagues with greater depth and for managers who may not be thrilled with their current starter's play.

Projected Stats vs. Denver: 21-34, 240 yards, TD, rushing TD