Week 15 Waiver Wire: Early Pickups and Breakout Fantasy Football Candidates

Week 14 of the 2016 season is set to wrap up Monday night with an intriguing contest between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens. If you're a fantasy football enthusiast and your team happens to survive through that game, you'll likely be deep in a playoff run.

This is part of the reason why it's not too early to begin preparing for Week 15. Getting a jump on the competition is always nice. Getting a jump on the competition in a win-or-go-home game is a virtual necessity.

We're here to help you do exactly that with our picks for some early Week 15 waiver-wire targets to consider. We'll be looking at players who can help your fantasy team in a pinch—you know, in case a star player like Julio Jones fails to suit up for a week—and who realistically could be available on the waiver wire. Because of this, we'll only be considering players available in at least 50 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues.

All of our choices will be based on factors like past performances, projected roles, individual and team matchups and the players' health.

Week 15 Waiver-Wire Lineup

Position	Player	Opponent	% Owned
QB	Sam Bradford, MIN	IND	10.3
QB	Joe Flacco, BAL	PHI	26.2
RB	Matt Asiata, MIN	IND	44.0
RB	Ty Montgomery, GB	@ CHI	35.0
WR	Taylor Gabriel, ATL	SF	40.2
WR	Dontrelle Inman, SD	OAK	27.0
TE	Jack Doyle, IND	@ MIN	18.9
TE	Charles Clay, BUF	CLE	9.4

Players to Watch

Sam Bradford, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford has played the role of game manager more than the role of gunslinger this season. However, that doesn't mean he hasn't been capable of unleashing explosive plays—or occasionally being a quality fantasy starter.

Bradford did a little bit of both in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He averaged 8.6 yards per attempt against Jacksonville while throwing for 292 yards and a touchdown. While these don't translate to elite fantasy numbers, they are better than what we saw from some other potential streamer quarterbacks. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, for example, produced just 160 yards passing with a score.

Bradford was one of the biggest reasons for Minnesota's 25-16 victory.

In Week 15, Bradford will face the Indianapolis Colts, who are rated last in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus. This could potentially lead to one of Bradford's best games of the season.

Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota Vikings

So we know the Colts aren't particularly good against the pass. They happen to be rather poor against the run as well. Indianapolis is rated last in run defense by Pro Football Focus and allows an average of 115.4 yards per game on the ground.

It's not going to help that starting linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was recently suspended four games for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

With the Colts rolling into Minnesota for Week 15, it's time to consider Vikings back Matt Asiata.

Asiata has been a touchdown-dependent back for much of this season, but he is worth a flex start when he does find the end zone. Owners know that he has done that in two of his last three games. Asiata is coming off a decent game against the Jaguars—two receptions, 51 combined yards, one touchdown—and has a favorable matchup in Week 15.

Also, keep an eye on fellow Vikings back Adrian Peterson, who is owned in 43.5 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues. The star runner has kept open the possibility of returning for the final couple of weeks of the regular season.

"We're playing it by ear. ... We'll see how things play out," Peterson said, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (h/t the Winona Daily News). "I'm thinking that we're going to make the playoffs, so that's what I'm keeping my mind set on."

Peterson might be a sneaky add for your fantasy championship.

Taylor Gabriel, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons wideout Taylor Gabriel has emerged as one of the more explosive slot receivers in the NFL this season. He's also begun to establish himself as a legitimate fantasy option.

Gabriel racked up 75 yards and two touchdowns a couple of weeks ago against a good Arizona Cardinals defense. With Julio Jones out this week against the Los Angeles Rams, Gabriel again stepped up in a big way.

Gabriel caught three passes for 82 yards and a score against L.A.

It's time to pull Gabriel off the waiver pile and at least stash him on your bench for the coming week. Mohamed Sanu has been dealing with a groin injury, and if either he or Jones cannot go in Week 15, Gabriel's stock could again be high.

Charles Clay, TE, Buffalo Bills

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay returned from injury in Week 14 to produce a respectable game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished with three receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.

In Week 15, he'll face a terrific matchup against the winless Cleveland Browns. The Browns are rated 27th in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus and allow an average of 250.8 yards through the air per game.

There is some risk with Clay this week, as the Bills may potentially make a quarterback change.

"We'll see," Bills head coach Rex Ryan said when asked if Tyrod Taylor would remain starting quarterback, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.

It will be worth watching the quarterback situation in Buffalo over the next few days.