Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups: The Latest Buzz on Best Available Players

It is very late in the fantasy football season, but luckily, injuries have forced several players to have more prominent roles than their respective teams were probably planning on them having. This week, there are three guys who could be available and will definitely help you out down the stretch of your season. 

Here is the latest buzz on the three best available guys for Week 15.

Felix Jones

Jones lost his starting job to explosive rookie DeMarco Murray a few weeks ago, but now that the Oklahoma product is out for the season after breaking his ankle, Jones is back in the picture as the Dallas Cowboys' starting running back. The fourth-year back out of Arkansas rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries and added six catches for 31 yards after Murray left Sunday's 37-34 loss to the New York Giants.

This week, the Cowboys face a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that allowed 190 yards to Chris Johnson in Week 12 and four touchdowns to Maurice Jones-Drew this past Sunday. That makes Jones a legit No. 1 running back option. He is currently the only really healthy tailback on the team's roster and should see a workhorse-level of carries.

Get him, and start him if you can.

Jake Ballard

After a year on the practice squad, Jake Ballard has emerged as a real threat for Eli Manning and the New York Giants. He has quietly had a very solid season, catching 37 passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns. 

Against the Cowboys on Sunday, he had four catches for 52 yards and a score. Though he suffered a jammed wrist in the game, X-rays were negative, and he should be good to go in Week 15 against the Washington Redskins.

Tight ends who give you consistent points are incredibly hard to find. If Ballard is still available in your league, grab him. He is averaging 2.8 catches and 45.3 yards per game this season and has become a legitimate red zone threat.

Doug Baldwin

While many expected Golden Tate to be the guy who stepped up for the Seattle Seahawks with Sidney Rice out for the year, Baldwin had a big game on Monday night instead. The rookie out of Stanford had seven catches for 93 yards and a touchdown against the Rams this week and will face a Chicago Bears defense that ranks 28th against the pass in Week 15.

While Tate has been hyped by head coach Pete Carroll, Baldwin was clearly operating as the team's No. 1 receiver on Monday night. That's good news for you, since it means he'll likely get a ton of targets this week. 

On the season, Baldwin has 45 catches for 718 yards and three touchdowns. Without Rice in the lineup, those numbers should jump over the season's final few weeks. Grab him, and start him if you can.