Whether you have a first-round bye or you’re in a must-win playoff matchup, you need to know the top Week 15 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds. Between a slew of big RB injuries last week and some surprise late-season breakouts, there are plenty of potential contributors who will be scooped up before and after waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings in most ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
Our full waivers list features a smorgasbord of potential starting RBs (Ty Chandler, D’Onta Foreman, Zamir White, Clyde Edwards-Helaire), as well as some boom-or-bust WRs who could pay off in the next few weeks (Odell Beckham Jr., Curtis Samuel, Jonathan Mingo, Noah Brown). We also have a bunch of Week 15 streamer suggestions at QB, TE, and D/ST, which can be found at the end of this list. Because streamers are so important this time of year, we’re highlighting the top choices for each position below.
You should always focus on your team first in the fantasy playoffs, and you shouldn’t hold back your high waiver claims if you have a pressing need. Normally, one of the handcuff RBs would be this week’s priority pickup, but if your team needs a WR or TE more, you can make a case for using a high claim on Beckham Jr. or Likely. If your lineup, you can look to play “defense” by picking up a player your opponent might need. You could also hold back your claim and have the top priority next week when more injury replacements are bound to be sought after.
No matter how you navigate waivers this week, you should also look to be active in free agency. While Week 15 takes precedence, planning ahead for Weeks 16 and 17 is smart, too. Grabbing a future D/ST streamer now gives you a leg up on your competition if you advance.
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups and streamers for Week 15
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.
Ty Chandler, RB, Vikings (@ Bengals). Chandler didn’t do much with his 15 touches in Week 14 (41 total yards), but he’s clearly going to dominate snaps if Alexander Mattison (ankle) is out. Against Cincinnati, that should equate to flex-worthy numbers. The Bengals did a good job against Zack Moss last week, but Devin Singletary (161 total yards, TD), Gus Edwards (70 total yards, two TDs), Najee Harris (99 total yards, TD), and Travis Etienne (79 total yards, TD) all produced big numbers against them in the previous four games.
WEEK 15 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Joe Flacco, QB, Browns (vs. Bears). It’s come to this — Joe Flacco is arguably the best QB streamer available in 12-team leagues in Week 15. He’s posted 565 yards and five TDs in his two starts against the Rams and Jaguars, and another favorable matchup awaits against Chicago’s 23rd-ranked pass defense. Guys like Drew Lock (vs. Eagles), Aidan O’Connell (vs. Chargers), Will Levis (vs. Texans), and Davis Mills (@ Titans) have better matchups if they all start, but we’d oddly trust Flacco the most given his solid group of playmakers.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Commanders (@ Rams). Samuel has been activated the past two weeks, posting 13 catches and 165 yards on 17 targets. The Rams pass defense struggled mightily last week, and the Commanders always seem to find themselves either playing from behind or in shootouts. Either way, we expect Samuel to get plenty of opportunities.
WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Isaiah Likely, TE, Ravens (@ Jaguars). Likely has filled in seamlessly for Mark Andrews (ankle), catching nine-of-13 targets for 123 yards and a TD in his two starts. Expect more of the same in Week 15 against a Jaguars’ defense that entered Week 14 allowing the 10th-most FPPG to TEs before giving up six catches, 91 yards, and two TDs to David Njoku. Likely is a borderline must-start.
Atlanta Falcons D/ST (@ Panthers). The Panthers entered Week 14 allowing the third-most FPPG to D/STs, then they proceeded to allow four sacks, three takeaways, a blocked punt, and a D/ST touchdown while scoring just six offensive points. The Falcons have shown they can take advantage of favorable matchups, and this definitely qualifies, even on the road.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including top pickups Chase Brown, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon, D’Onta Foreman, Zamir White, Odell Beckham Jr., and more, check out our full Week 15 list.