Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups: WRs That Will Rescue Your Playoff Hopes

There are wide receivers dangling on the waiver wire destined to make a Week 15 impact. The following three people all are solid No. 2 or flex options if you are not content with what you have. Take your pick.

Kevin Walter, Houston Texans

Opponent: Panthers

Kevin Walter is benefiting from the injury virus circulating around the Texans. With the backup's backup taking over QB duties and Andre Johnson on the sideline, Walter's production is taking off.

He caught six passes for 76 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals in Week 13. He was targeted 14 times in that game.

Walter is a good fit for T.J. Yates. The rookie QB throws a nice intermediate pass, and Walter is a sure-handed receiver who runs good routes and has a knack for finding holes in zones.

That production will continue this week, with the notable exception being if Johnson is able to play. Here is an update of Johnson's progress on Wednesday.

The Texans are not going to take any chances with Johnson. You can't push hamstring injuries. My guess is that he will not play. And if he doesn't play Walter is set for a solid outing.

The Texans will be playing a Panthers team that is struggling mightily to stop the pass. They have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to receivers, and Football Outsiders ranks them 28th guarding opposing No. 1 receivers and 21st against No. 2s.

What is also going to help Walter's production is that the Panthers have made some changes on the defensive line and they are improving their run defense. Carolina is 24th on the season allowing 4.5 yards per rush, however, in their last three games they are giving up just 3.4 yards per carry.

That means Yates is going to have to make some throws in this one, and when he does, Walter is going to be one of his primary targets.

You definitely want to monitor Johnson's status, but as long as he is not playing Walter is worth a start.

Prediction: 6 catches, 85 yards, 1 touchdown

Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints

Opponent: Vikings

Moore is an inconsistent and risky play. While he does not get on the field for a ton of snaps, Drew Brees does like to look for him near the end zone.

Moore has five touchdowns in his last six games. That kind of reliable touchdown production always makes a player worth a look.

What seals Moore's worth this week is that he is going against the completely terrible Vikings pass defense.

The Vikings fail at stopping all aspects of the pass game, but they are particularly bad at stopping Moore's slot position. Football Outsiders ranks them 30th in stopping slot receivers. That means when Moore is on the field, he will be open.

Moore carries a real boom or bust value. In this matchup though, he is guaranteed to get his share of looks in the offense.

Prediction: 5 catches, 47 yards, 1 touchdown

James Jones, Green Bay Packers

Opponent: Chiefs

Jones is going to see an increased role with the Packers while Greg Jennings recovers from his knee sprain. That is good news for Jones, who has been buried on the Packers' depth chart.

The Packers' inconsistent receiver has shown flashes this year, as he has 479 yards and five touchdowns. However, he has six games where he has had zero or one catch.

With Jennings out, Jones is assured to get more targets, and on the Packers that is a very valuable thing. Jones will be starting on the outside with Jordy Nelson, who will assume No. 1 wide out duties while Jennings recovers.

What is also going to help Jones get looks in this game is that the Packers will be playing the Brandon Flowers and the Chiefs.

Flowers has been excellent all season, and he is the reason the Chiefs are ranked No. 3 by Football Outsiders against No. 1 WRs.

That means a big day is ahead for Jones. The Packer' offense knows only style of play, and that is an all out attack. With Flowers blanketing Nelson on one side of the field the best deep threat option is going to be James Jones. 

Jones has an opportunity to go big this week, and that is exactly what he is going to do.

Prediction: 6 catches, 116 yards, 2 touchdowns