If Eli Manning is available on the waiver wire in your fantasy league, he could be a strong pickup for Week 16. (Photo: Brad Penner — USA Today Sports)
BBD Contributor: Doug Moore
Waiver Wire Pickups
Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins (Owned in 31% of Yahoo! leagues): After Colt McCoy re-injured his neck, RGIII was called upon and did a serviceable job on Sunday against the New York Giants, throwing for 237 yards and a touchdown. He also had 46 rushing yards. Head coach Jay Gruden named Griffin the starting quarterback for Week 16. With Griffin’s ability to scramble and a rather easy matchup against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that got burned by Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, Griffin could be in for a good game. View him as a high-end QB2.
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants (Y!: 61%): Manning had a top five quarterback performance fantasy-wise this past weekend with 250 yards passing and three touchdowns (all to Odell Beckham Jr.). He had a great performance by Beckham in that game, who posted a stat line of 12 receptions, 143 yards and three touchdowns and was the go-to-guy for Manning. With OBJ, Manning has been able to put up better numbers as of late, despite losing Victor Cruz early on in the season. Manning has the St. Louis Rams in Week 16, who are known more for their pass-rush than pass defense. Especially with lead running back Rashad Jennings injured, Manning could be asked to throw more Sunday. He is a high-end QB2 this weekend.
Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota Vikings (Y!: 38%): With Jerick McKinnon on injured reserve and Adrian Peterson not coming back this season, the majority of duties at the running back position has been taken up by Asiata. He had a good game on Sunday, gaining 86 combined yards and a rushing touchdown against an extremely tough Detroit Lions defense. The Vikings continue to trust him far more than Ben Tate or Joe Banyard, so Asiata will continue to get the bulk of work going forward. Asiata has a matchup with the Dolphins in Week 16, who gave up 79 yards rushing and a touchdown to the Patriots on Sunday. Asiata is a mid-tier RB3/FLEX play.
Andre Williams, RB, New York Giants (Y!: 59%): Williams had 44 yards on 18 carries against the tough run defense of the Washington Redskins on Sunday. He came on to replace Rashad Jennings, who re-injured his ankle on his first play back in action. With the Giants firmly out of the playoff race and Jennings having suffered multiple injuries, it is wise to expect Jennings is not playing this weekend, if not the rest of the season. That leaves the bell-cow duties to Williams going up against a St. Louis Rams defense that gave up 136 yards between Arizona Cardinals fill-in running backs Kerwynn Williams and Stepfan Taylor last week. Williams is a low-end RB2 with some upside for this week.
Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders (Y!: 56%): Against a stout Kansas City Chiefs run defense, Murray had an efficient day with 59 yards rushing on 12 carries. He finished with 4.9 yards per carry and also had six targets in the passing game. Murray has taken over the starting running back duties in Oakland and will continue to in Week 16 as the Raiders tangle with a tough Buffalo Bills defense. He is a safe bet for 12-15 touches and should be viewed as a mid-tier RB3/FLEX play with upside.
Joseph Randle, RB, Dallas Cowboys (Y!: 8%): Dallas Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones revealed Monday that star running back DeMarco Murray is undergoing surgery on a broken bone in his hand. His status for Week 16 is unknown; if he can’t suit up, Randle is expected to receive the bulk of the work left behind. Facing an extremely weak run defense in the Indianapolis Colts, Randle would be an immediate mid-tier RB2 behind an incredible offensive line if Murray does not play.
Harry Douglas, WR, Atlanta Falcons (Y!: 25%): With Julio Jones out Sunday, Douglas started in his place and had a terrific game. He finished with 10 receptions for 134 yards on 14 targets. Due to the high amount that the Falcons throws on offense, any starting wide receiver in Atlanta would be worth looking at. Julio Jones’ status for Week 16 still isn’t known yet and the Falcons will actually be playing on Saturday this weekend, making it a shorter than usual week. If Jones can’t go, Douglas would be a low-end WR2 against a New Orleans Saints defense that has struggled this season.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins (Y!: 45%): Another efficient day for Landry occurred Sunday, when he finished with eight receptions for 99 yards on 11 targets against a tough New England Patriots secondary. In three of the past four games, Landry has received 11 targets and has continued to be the favorite target of Ryan Tannehill. Landry has a date with the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16 and will continue to be targeted and while he is a much more valuable PPR asset, Landry is still a mid-tier WR3 in standard leagues. In PPR leagues, ticket him as a low-end WR2.
Charles Johnson, WR, Minnesota Vikings (Y!: 32%): On seven targets, Johnson had another solid game against a tough Detroit Lions defense, finishing with five receptions and 72 yards. Johnson continues to function as the No. 1 wide receiver in Minnesota and a favorite target of Teddy Bridgewater. Johnson has an easier matchup in Week 16 against the Miami Dolphins and is a lock to be a mid-tier WR3/FLEX play with a good amount of upside.
Charles Clay, TE, Miami Dolphins (Y!: 46%): Clay had another day at the office on Sunday and finished with six receptions and 59 yards on seven targets. Because of his short-yardage ability, Clay is a much more valuable PPR asset, but still puts up solid numbers even in standard leagues due to how porous the tight end position is in fantasy football. Even in a tough matchup with the Vikings this weekend, Clay is still a TE2 and will continue to get a healthy amount of targets.
Mychal Rivera, TE, Oakland Raiders (Y!: 26%): Over the past two games, Rivera has 14 receptions and 19 targets. Continuing to function as Derek Carr’s favorite target, Rivera has been putting up solid numbers as of late. Rivera and the Raiders are going up against the Buffalo Bills in Week 16 and will struggle for sure in that matchup, causing the Raiders to have to throw a lot, which bodes well for Rivera’s chances of having another solid game in championship week. View him as a high-end TE2 this weekend.
Key Fantasy Injuries
DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys: Going back to the injury discussed above, Murray underwent surgery on a broken bone in his hand on Monday. He has not been ruled out for this week’s game, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer, but considering this surgery of any kind, Murray owners should have a backup plan for if he is not cleared.
Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons: Jones was inactive on Sunday with a hip injury he suffered in Week 14. Jones’ ability to play in Week 16 could be affected by a short week, as the Falcons play Saturday instead of Sunday, but Falcons coach Mike Smith said Monday that he expects Jones to be able to play.
T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts: Hilton underwent an MRI Monday on his hamstring, which he apparently tweaked on Sunday at some point versus the Texans. The MRI came back clean, according to the team’s official website, and Hilton said he hopes to practice Wednesday. Hilton is tentatively expected to play this weekend, but monitor the situation throughout the week for any changes.
Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers: Newton was inactive on Sunday after suffering two fractures in his back in a car accident. Head coach Ron Rivera didn’t say Monday whether he expects Newton to be available for Week 16, according to ESPN.com’s David Newton. Considering the Panthers are somehow in the playoff mix still for the NFC South title, Newton is likely to suit up this weekend if he is healthy, but should be considered 50/50 and owners should be cautiously optimistic for him playing.
Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego Chargers: Allen suffered a broken collarbone as well as an ankle injury Sunday, according to the Chargers’ official website. Allen thinks it’s possible he can play again this year, but considering the Chargers play Saturday this week, Allen should be considered highly questionable to suit up.
Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans: Johnson was inactive on Sunday with a concussion he suffered in Week 14. Because of the risky nature of concussions, Johnson should not be considered a lock to return in Week 16 and should remain on the bench in fantasy leagues. The Texans play on Sunday, so Johnson still has a good amount of time to get cleared, but it’s far from a sure thing.
Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants: Discussed a little bit above, Jennings was forced from Sunday’s game when he re-injured his ankle. Andre Williams took up the bulk of the carries in his place and with the multiple injuries Jennings has suffered this season and the Giants not in the playoff race, it would be a surprise if Jennings returns in a significant capacity this year. Andre Williams (see above) would receive the bulk of carries in that scenario.
Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers: Gore was forced from Sunday’s game after suffering a concussion on a block attempt. Gore should be considered highly questionable at best for Week 16 and owners should put him on benches and find another option for championship week.
Jeremy Hill’s strong rookie season continued against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15. (Photo: Ken Blaze — USA Today Sports)
Stars of the Week (highlighting the best player at each position in terms of standard league scoring)
Quarterback: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears
375 yards passing, three touchdowns, no interceptions
Running Back: Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
148 yards rushing, two touchdowns
Wide Receiver: Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins
12 receptions, 143 yards receiving, three touchdowns
Tight End: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
Three receptions, 96 yards receiving, one touchdown