Bye weeks are done and playoffs are starting! Or, if you’re like me, playoffs started last week and you’re already eliminated. At least I have a few more leagues that I’m still in. Let’s see what I can do to help you out. As always, I will try to give you at least one player at each position for my Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Free Agent Fill Ups for Week 15.
In general, these players will be injury replacements or those who I think have a chance to breakout. Remember, it’s unlikely that someone here will be this year’s James Robinson, but you should find some low-end RB2s, WR3s, and bye week starters with upside potential. Any players listed will be less than 50 percent owned according to fantasypros.com consensus roster percentage.
Once again, take a look at some of my past suggestions. Okay, I’m off the Tim Patrick train, he’s been abysmal the last few weeks, but don’t forget about Rhamondre Stevenson and Russell Gage, they’re still under-owned and Damien Harris is battling a hamstring injury which may limit his carries in favor of Stevenson.
Check out my previous suggestions below, who knows, those players may still be available:
Free Agent Fill Ups
Without further ado, here are players to consider claiming this week:
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo has been averaging 16.3 fantasy points per game this season, making him the QB18 and a serviceable QB2. This week, expect him to push QB1 territory facing an atrocious Atlanta Falcons defense that’s giving up 19.3 points per game to quarterbacks and last week gave up 21 points to the Cam Newton/P.J. Walker combo. Jimmy G is only 22.0% rostered, so give him a look, especially in 2-QB and Superflex leagues.
Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks
I want to mention Rashaad Penny because I’m sure many others will urge you to pick him up. Penny finally had a great game and it looks like Pete Carroll is finally starting to trust him. He’s had 10, then 16, carries the last two weeks. Unfortunately, he faces the Los Angles Rams and Chicago Bears over the next two weeks and those matchups aren’t favorable. If you are going to get him it should be either to deny others his use in case I’m wrong or to save him to use against the Detroit Lions in Week 17. He’s only 15.3% owned, so Rashaad is probably available but I would not start him, especially this week.
Running Backs, Los Angeles Chargers
Most likely, Austin Ekeler will be fine for Thursday’s game.
#Chargers coach Brandon Staley was optimistic about RB Austin Ekeler’s ankle on Sunday, tellign reporters he looked “fine.” Sounds like Ekeler reaggravated the ankle from last week that put him on the injury report. With a quick turnaround vs. the #Chiefs, it’s one to watch.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 13, 2021
If not, I do not recommend picking up any Los Angles Chargers running back to replace him. Larry Rountree, Justin Jackson, and Joshua Kelly have each all played more than 25% of the snaps in a game this season at various times. Last game, Jackson and Kelley got 28 and 27% of the snaps respectively. Most likely it’ll be an unpredictable timeshare.
J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington Football Team
Now that I’ve given you some running backs not to start, here’s one you can use as an RB2/flex. J.D. McKissic hasn’t scored less than six points since Week 5. In the six games since then, he’s been in double figures four times and had 17 or more points in three of those games, including 23 points a couple of weeks ago against the Seattle Seahawks. McKissic is coming off a concussion, but since he’s already missed two games, he should be fine for this week against the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s available in 52.9% of leagues, so you do have a chance to get him.
Ty Johnson, RB, New York Jets
Ty Johnson is someone to keep an eye on. Since Michael Carter went on IR, he has been the clear leader in the Jets backfield, logging 73% of snaps last week. However, Carter could come back this week, so monitor that. If he doesn’t, Johnson should be a decent flex play against the Miami Dolphins.
K.J. Osborn, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Since Adam Thielen went down with an ankle injury, K.J. Osborn has gotten 16 targets and 32 PPR fantasy points in the last two games. At 32.3% rostered, he’s an excellent flex option for this week against the Bears who have given up the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers.
Gerald Everett, TE, Seattle Seahawks
It’s not a great matchup this week (Los Angles Rams), but there aren’t a lot of tight ends to choose from. You could do worse than Gerald Everett who has been averaging 5.8 targets over the last five games. He is touchdown-dependent, but with that target volume, you aren’t going to find much better on the waiver wire.
Good luck in the playoffs!
May your waiver spot be high enough to get whomever you want to fill up your roster!
