Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups: Moves That Will Make You Look Smart

Whether it was made possible by the eye test, your gut or doing some savvy research, adding a specific player can really boost your confidence and the odds of winning.

Thing is, it definitely becomes more difficult later in the year as the list has significantly dwindled down. Nonetheless, because of matchups, recent surges and injuries, the following players are great adds in fantasy football.

T.J. Yates: QB, Texans

At this point, T.J. Yates is a solid fantasy backup QB or maybe the No. 2 starter in a two-QB league, because he needs to develop and prove himself.

That said, Yates has answered the call by leading and maintaining the Texans' lead atop the AFC South. He's also done it without a healthy Andre Johnson which is only more impressive.

As for this week, Yates plays a weak defense in Carolina that ranks No. 20 against the pass and No. 24 against the rush. So, expect the Texans to establish the ground game early, however, thereafter they will take shots downfield.

Yates has proven he's more than just a game manager, and Houston needs him to become a legitimate passing threat anyway. Therefore, he will get the green light more this week and after because the game-winning drive over the Bengals in Cincinnati was very impressive.

This man has confidence and is rolling with the punches right now.

Arizona Defense

The Arizona defense is a great addition because they get the Cleveland Browns at home this week. And no matter how healthy or unhealthy the Browns are, they always fail to score and move the ball consistently.

Arizona on the other hand, has been playing excellent defense as of late and even shutdown a stout Dallas Cowboys offense two weeks ago. They have a lot more swag and confidence heading into this game, not to mention CB Patrick Peterson as a return specialist.

If your leagues doles out points for kick/punt returns, the Cardinals are a great choice because that dynamic only increases the odds of them racking up points.

They're also beginning to learn how to play up to their superior opponents' level as well as remain above the inferior opponents. This is one scary defense right now, and any team facing them has a big challenge in scoring.

Just ask Dallas, San Francisco and Philadelphia (as of late) since all three are considered to have rather solid offenses to say the least.

Matt Prater: Kicker, Broncos

Sure Matt Prater is just a kicker, but why pass up a kicker who's booming from 50-plus yards on what seems to be a consistent basis?

Prater's leg is almost as strong as Sebastian Janikowski's in Oakland, and Prater gets just as many opportunities. The Broncos offense doesn't put up a lot of points, however, they can move the ball.

That being said, Prater is put in many scoring situations and for fantasy football—that's exactly what you want. Whoever your kicker is, it's much better if they're kicking FGs as opposed to extra points.

Now, as obvious as that is, most fantasy players look for kickers of part of a high-scoring offense. Well, the trick is finding a kicker who's on an offense that struggles once near or inside the red zone.

That's how you rack up points, and with Denver seemingly winning every game by virtue of a FG, adding Prater is going to earn you some solid points.

Matt Moore: QB, Dolphins

According to Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald, Dolphins QB Matt Moore may suit up this week:

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"[Todd] Bowles said Moore 'looked pretty good' Thursday but plans to watch him closely over the next couple days to see how he feels."

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To that end, Moore is a good pickup this week.

The man has just thrown one interception in the last four games compared to six TDs. He's easily rejuvenated the Miami offense since being under center and is making a case to be the starter in 2012.

As for the remainder of this season, Miami plays at Buffalo, who Moore shredded a few weeks ago, this week, then at New England (NFL's worst pass defense) and the Jets at home in Week 17.

So as you can see, three rather favorable matchups to say the least from an all-encompassed perspective. And with a stud WR like Brandon Marshall out wide to go with the versatile Reggie Bush, Moore has the tools around him to continue developing.

At the same time, he'll get you some nice fantasy points and increased odds at winning your league.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27