Here are some players to consider picking up this week, if available, to get ahead of other managers in your league. If you are still reading this article, congratulations on making it to the second week of the playoffs! Matchups are of the utmost importance now, as fantasy managers no longer have the luxury to hold on to a player to see if they pop weeks later. As you evaluate players and their perceived value, make sure to consider weather in your matchups, team motivation (are they playoff-bound?), and players one injury away.
Welcome to the semifinals! Let’s go win a fantasy championship, shall we?
Beat the Waiver Wire: Week 16 Targets
QB Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals (58% rostered on Sleeper)
Brissett was mentioned last week, but I avoided recommending him against the Houston Texans in a horrible matchup. Little did I know, no matchup is apparently too hard for Jacoby Brissett, as he finished with 249 yards and three touchdowns. In Week 16, they play the Falcons, who have given up, on average, 20.1 fantasy points to quarterbacks over the past five weeks. They face the Bengals in Week 17, which is an equally good matchup.
QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (30% rostered on Sleeper)
McCarthy looked startable in Week 15 against Dallas and has posted two consecutive top-10 performances. The New York Giants are on the docket for Week 16, and they have given up the third-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this year. In Week 17, he faces Detroit, which has allowed the sixth-most. You know the Vikings would love to play spoiler to the Lions.
RB Nick Chubb, Houston Texans (34% rostered on Sleeper) or Jawhar Jordan (5% rostered on Sleeper)
Woody Marks tweaked his ankle in Week 15, so managers should keep an eye on his health, as well as on the other Houston running backs. The team has two nice running back matchups in Weeks 16 and 17, against the Raiders and Chargers, and the rookie Jordan took advantage in relief of Marks in Week 15.
WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (58% rostered on Sleeper)
Christian Watson is banged up, and Green Bay plays Chicago in Week 16. According to JJ Zachariason, the Bears are first in the NFL in adjusted fantasy points allowed to slot receivers this year. The over/under is nice at 46.5 as well.
New Orleans Saints (44% rostered)
The Saints get the New York Jets in Week 16 with Brady Cook under center, and they end the fantasy season against Cam Ward and the Titans. Enjoy.
Kansas City Chiefs (58% rostered)
They are playing the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. Enough said.
Cincinnati Bengals (4% rostered on Sleeper)
They are playing Miami this week, who just benched Tua Tagovailoa. It will be rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers' first NFL start.
The Handcuffs
RB Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens (7% rostered on Sleeper)
Not only a handcuff for Derrick Henry, but Mitchell has also been getting more play on his own as of late. His carries have gone up in each of the last three weeks, culminating with a 42% RB share in Week 15.
RB Isaiah Davis, New York Jets (10% rostered on Sleeper)
If the team decides to allow Breece Hall to hang it up early, Isaiah Davis would be the lead back for the Jets. I would try to avoid him in Week 17 against the Patriots, but if your league goes to Week 18, he has a nice matchup against the Bills.
