Week 16 Waiver Wire: 7 Pickups That Could Net You a Championship

Championships will be on the line this week, and whether you have an underperforming star or a newly injured starter, you’re probably headed to the waiver wire.

Most RBs who are going to produce are owned, so this list is thin (two) on RBs, but there are still players available that will add to your team’s production from other positions.

These players are available in over 70 percent of ESPN standard leagues as of Sunday, so if you’re truly searching the waiver wire, this should be worth your while.

There may be other options available specific to your league, but here are some widely available players who can put up big numbers in Week 16 and help get you the fantasy hardware.

Kahlil Bell, RB

Bell got a lot of action in Week 15 and just may have starter’s duties in Week 16 against the Packers. Marion Barber has certainly fallen out of favor after the Week 14 debacle that cost the Bears against the Broncos.

Still, I’d only start Bell if you were in a dire RB situation.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

Heyward-Bey has been Carson Palmer’s most targeted receiver as of late, and it’s really not that close.

In Week 15, he was targeted nine times and ended up with eight receptions for 155 yards with a TD.

He had 11 targets in Week 14, eight in Week 13 and 10 in Week 12,

There aren’t any true No. 1 receivers available on waivers: Heyward-Bey is the closest thing. 

Jeremy Shockey, TE

Shockey has been a risky option all year as QB Cam Newton has more often found fellow Panthers TE Greg Olsen. However, Shockey has been more involved as of late and is coming off a TD reception in Week 15.

Let’s face it, unless you have Gronkowski or Graham, eight or nine points from your TE is considered a good week.

Shockey can get that for you in Week 16.

Nate Burleson, WR

Burleson is coming off a TD in Week 15 against the Raiders. The Lions face the Chargers in their Week 16 matchup.

The Chargers have been good against the pass but, as always, the Lions’ opposition will be looking to shut down No. 1 receiver Calvin Johnson first.

Burleson has been getting plenty of opportunities, and the trend will continue.  He averaged 7.4 targets a game from Weeks 10-14 before getting a bump to 11 targets this past Sunday.

Dexter McCluster, WR/RB

McCluster has the most potential out of this waiver group for a big day, but he probably isn’t the safest play to add value to your fantasy championship performance.

The Raiders give up the sixth most points to RBs and the 10th most to WRs. If you think you need a home run from your flex spot, swinging for the fences with McCluster might be your best bet.

Rex Grossman, QB

Grossman gets another good matchup against the Vikings in Week 16. The Vikes are giving up the most fantasy points to QBs this season by a full one-point margin at 18.6 fantasy points per game.

He didn’t have a great game last week against the poor pass defense of the Giants, but a second straight week against a weak pass defense is promising.

Or if you prefer a more youthful solution at QB…

T.J. Yates, QB

Yates is going up against Indy in Week 16, a team that has given up the fourth-most points to fantasy QBs this season.

He had his first loss as a starter Week 15 in a less-than-stellar performance. He’s no guarantee for success, but hey, if you’re searching for a guarantee on the waiver wire you’re not going to find it.

Still, a bounce-back game seems likely for Yates, and two TDs would be reasonable against the Colts.