Waiver Wire Week 16: Jahan Dotson, Zack Moss, Juwan Johnson

Congratulations if you won your fantasy playoff game in Week 15 (or if you earned a first-round bye). For most leagues, this is the semifinal week, which means it is a must-win week. Take a look at your team and see where you can improve. If someone is injured and not likely to play for the next two weeks, drop them. If someone is struggling and you’re just waiting for the right time to play them… perhaps let someone else wait. If you are really concerned, drop them close to game time (remember, most games are on Saturday this week!) to ensure no one else will grab them.

Quarterbacks

Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia Eagles (1 percent rostered)

Fantasy managers need to keep an eye on Jalen Hurts’ status. He injured his shoulder in Week 15 and is very questionable for Week 16. If Hurts is out, Minshew would be the starting quarterback for the Eagles. It is extremely difficult to trust Minshew as he hasn’t exactly shown he is ready to lead a real-life or fantasy team to victory. But for those looking at thin waiver wires and are desperate, he’s likely out there.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (21 percent rostered)

Purdy faces the Washington Commanders in Week 16 (but then the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17). He’s the quarterback that is trying to lead the 49ers to the playoffs and beyond, and he has found a connection with George Kittle. Purdy isn’t going to necessarily win you the fantasy week, but he has enough weapons on that offense that he will get you enough points to not lose you the week.

Running Backs

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (37 percent rostered)

At the beginning of the season, it seemed that Allgeier was going to be the main running back for the Falcons and would have fantasy value. After not doing much of anything for a few weeks, he showed promise… only for it to be taken away the following week. In Week 15, he was given the most carries he’s had all season (17) and he turned it into not only a touchdown but the most yards all season: 139. Since the Falcons don’t actually have a quarterback, Allgeier should see plenty of work in Week 16 as well.

Zack Moss and Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts (3 percent and 7 percent rostered)

With Jonathan Taylor likely done for the season, Moss and Jackson will handle running back duties for the Colts. The downside here is that both backs are going to see work. In Week 15, it was all Moss: 24 carries for 81 yards. Jackson had 13 carries that he turned into 55 yards. His lone reception was a one-yard touchdown. The Colts face the Chargers in Week 16, and the Chargers don’t even try to stop the run, so both backs will have value. Jackson seems to be the better back to add, but both will likely be ranked as RB3s.

Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears (39 percent rostered)

Herbert hasn’t played since he injured his hip in Week 10. He’s been on injured reserve but the Bears have designated him to return. It is possible that he is back in Week 16, although he would be hard to trust. However, fantasy managers that are optimistically looking ahead to Week 17 should think about adding Herbert as someone that may help them out when the Bears face the Lions.

Wide Receivers

Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs (29 percent rostered)

Before going on injured reserve after Week 9, Hardman had scored a touchdown in the last three games he played in. In Week 9, he had a season-high nine targets and caught six of them for 76 yards. Since then, Kadarius Toney has been added to the roster. However, Toney has been dealing with a hamstring injury. He returned in Week 15 and had one catch. Hardman’s job is still there for him and on an offense with Patrick Mahomes throwing the ball, he should fare well.

Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders (17 percent rostered)

In Week 15, Dotson stepped up and had four receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. He had six targets, which is three fewer than in his last game. However, he now has touchdowns in the past two games he played in. The Commanders need pass catchers and Dotson may have a connection with Taylor Heinicke. He’s a WR3 for Week 16 against the 49ers.

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints (1 percent rostered)

Shaheed is an undrafted rookie, but he’s fast. He may not always get the ball downfield, but his yards after the catch make up for that. In Week 15, he had three receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. His previous touchdown was in Week 2 (stat line: 1/53/1). He doesn’t get a lot of receptions, but he garners plenty of yards with the reception he does get. Shaheed has WR2 potential each week, but it is risky.

Tight End

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (21 percent rostered)

Johnson is going to be hard to trust. He has scored touchdowns in five of the past seven games. However, in the two games he didn’t find the end zone, he gave fantasy owners a goose egg and had two receptions for 14 yards in the other. The Saints face the Browns in Week 16 and for fantasy managers desperate for a tight end, Johnson is available, but certainly a gamble.

Defense/Special Teams (DST)

Tennessee Titans (48 percent rostered)

For fantasy managers that have been streaming DSTs all season, they know that teams playing against the Texans is the way to fantasy points. The Titans are that team for Week 16. The Titans and Texans played each other in Week 8 and the Titans only allowed 10 points. They also added three sacks and an interception. Fantasy managers should expect more of the same in Week 16.

— Written by Sarah Lewis, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network and lives, eats, and breathes fantasy football. Have a fantasy football question? Send it to her on Twitter @Sarah_Lewis32.