Fantasy football playoffs mean it’s time to make some waiver wire moves. Week 16 is full of high upside players that can help you survive and advance, and notably, those at the quarterback, running back, receiver, tight end, and defense.
Quarterbacks
Jacoby Brissett (Arizona Cardinals) – 34% Rostered
Jacoby Brissett remains a league-winner with almost 9 starts of almost set-and-forget performance and six consecutive performances of 40-plus pass attempts, including 20.5 fantasy points at Week 15 against the Houston elite defense. He should be picked up off the waiver wire and in starting lineups with his next game against Atlanta, where he’ll be able to sling it.
Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville) – 45% Rostered
Trevor Lawrence somehow remains in abundance of leagues even after throwing 44.3 fantasy points on the Jets in Week 15, throwing five TDs and gaining even more rushing without a turnover in a third consecutive game. Although he has a more difficult match against Denver this week, his weekly floor since Week 10 qualifies him as a good QB1 add.
Mentionables: QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (Rostered: 9%)
Running backs
Michael Carter (Arizona) – 5% Rostered
When Bam Knight was injured, Michael Carter replaced him as the head of Arizona and received 14 carries for 56 yards and 4 catches for 38 yards. Carter is a scarcely found late-season plug-and-play RB2 with volume secured, given the absence of Trey Benson on IR and Knight being injured.
Blake Corum (Los Angeles) – 40% Rostered
Blake Corum has two consecutive games with 10-plus carries and four scores, and he is flourishing in a hot Rams offense, which can potentially rely on the backfield more without Davante Adams being injured. The games against Seattle, Atlanta, and Arizona make Corum a good waiver wire add who can creep into the RB2 territory.
Mentionables: RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (Rostered: 16%)
Wide receivers
Darius Slayton (New York) – 41% Rostered
The deep role of Darius Slayton has already given him three top-36 finishes since Week 5, and with more big-play opportunities remaining on a soft remaining schedule, he has a target share of 27.7% against Washington. As he and Jaxson Dart keep joining forces, Slayton gives WR3 value, with WR2 upside off the waiver wire.
No Christian Watson? Jayden Reed is our favorite Packers WR 👀 pic.twitter.com/ConvUekd19
— Underdog Fantasy – Josh & Hayden (@UDFootballShow) December 16, 2025
Jayden Reed (Green Bay) – 41% Rostered
After being injured with a collarbone, Jayden Reed has immediately returned to the plans of Green Bay with 65-70% shares of routes and became the team leader or tied with the leader in receiving yards in Weeks 14 and 15. In case the problem with Christian Watson does not clear up, Reed is a Flex PPR with WR2 potential.
Mentionables: WR Luther Burden III, Bears (Rostered: 3%)
Tight ends
Dalton Schultz (Houston) – 49% Rostered
Dalton Schultz is back to Week 3 stability TE1, targeting an 18 percent increase since Week 3 and registering eight catches in Week 15 vs. Arizona for 76 yards and a TD. He is a top-10 tight end into the end of the season as long as Houston continues giving him red-zone and intermediate looks.
Darren Waller (Miami) – 37% Rostered
Darren Waller has taken on the role of a red-zone target for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, scoring half a dozen TDs in seven games and attracting a share of first-read of 18.8 in Weeks 13 and 14. He is a waiver wire streamer with the best results later in the season since all his remaining opponents are in the top-12 in fantasy points allowed to TEs.
Mentionables: TE Colby Parkinson, Rams (Rostered: 1%)
Defenses
New Orleans – 3% Rostered
The New Orleans Saints receive an optimal Week 16 game against the Jets, whom Brady Cook has already suffered nine sacks and three interceptions in his previous two games, as the offense is ranked in the bottom three in yards and giveaways. Five of the last seven sacks in New Orleans, and it is a prime D/ST this week.
New York – 7% Rostered
Deep leaguers may consider the New York Giants, who draw turnover-prone J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings in Week 16 and the Raiders in Week 17. Their unit is itself unsteady, but the matchups themselves qualify them as a viable desperation waiver wire streamer.
Mentionables: Kansas City Chiefs (Rostered: 46%)
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