Waiver Favors: 2018 Week 15 Fantasy Football Pickups

December 16, 2018

By Ha Kung Wong

As I do every week over the last 6 years, I’m back to help with some waiver wire adds via my weekly Waiver Favors article!

Hopefully you’re currently in your playoffs and vying for a championship, so here are a couple suggestions after Week 15 of the 2018 fantasy football season that might help you get that last win! You’re welcome.

As usual, all pickups are available in at least 50% of Yahoo standard fantasy football leagues (with some minor exceptions) as of Sunday evening.

Kalen Ballage

RB – Miami Dolphins – 1% Owned

After Frank Gore went down with an ankle injury, Kalen Ballage saw his first real work in the backfield and rushed 12 times for 123 yards and a TD, most of which was in an impressive 75-yard TD sprint in the second half. Kenyan Drake barely saw snaps with just 1 carry and 3 receptions, so if Gore misses time, Ballage could be an interesting pick up for those in 14-team leagues or deeper.

Jamaal Williams

RB – Green Bay Packers – 16% Owned

Looks like the injury bug was everywhere, as Aaron Jones also went down with what is suspected to be a knee sprain, and old starter Jamaal Williams got the backfield to himself the rest of the way rushing 12 times for 55 yards and a TD and adding 42 receiving yards on 4 receptions. With the Packers eliminated from the playoffs, there’s no reason for them to push Jones to return before he’s ready, meaning that Williams may get lead back duties for the rest of the season. He’s well worth a pickup, particularly with the lowly Jets on tap, in all 12-team leagues or deeper.

Mike Williams

WR – Los Angeles Chargers – 51% Owned

And the injury train keeps rolling in Los Angeles as Keenan Allen also went out with a hip injury early, leaving 2017 first round draft pick Mike Williams as the primary target for Philip Rivers. Williams caught 7 of his 9 targets for 76 yards and 2 TDs adding a game-winning two-point conversation as well as a carry for 19 yards and another TD. So, in short, he was a monster. If Allen misses time, Williams could be good in essentially every league, but until then, I’ll recommend he be at least stashed in all 12-team leagues or deeper. I know I cheated a bit on this one since Williams is over 50% owned, but he was only 49% after his outburst on Thursday, so I think I’m good including him here.

DaeSean Hamilton

WR – Denver Broncos – 22% Owned

It’s anyone’s guess who will be the primary beneficiary of Demaryius Thomas’ trade and Emmanuel Sanders placement on IR, but now, in addition to Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, we have another viable candidate in DaeSean Hamilton. Hamilton caught 7 of a whopping 12 targets for 46 receiving yards. Sure, the yardage output this week isn’t huge, but he’s coming off a 14 reception, 93 yard and a TD performance last week, totaling a team-leading 21 targets over the last two games. The lowly Raiders are on tap, so there’s potential here for those who need a WR3/Flex in 14-team standard leagues or deeper or 12-team PPR leagues or deeper.

Here are guys that I’ve mentioned before but are Moving Up this week:

Elijah McGuire (32% Owned)

Isaiah Crowell on IR. he could be useful, so I’m moving him up to 14-team leagues.

Wendall Smallwood

Josh Adams seems to be dinged up and no Corey Clement means more run for Smallwood, so I’m moving him up to 14-team leagues.

Also, since we’re in the fantasy playoffs, don’t forget to stash your RB handcuffs. That includes:

Rod Smith (2% Owned) – Dallas Cowboys (for owners of Ezekiel Elliott)
Rex Burkhead (19% Owned) – New England Patriots (for owners of Sony Michel and James White)
Chase Edmonds (2% Owned) – Arizona Cardinals (for owners of David Johnson)
Justin Jackson (66% Owned) – Los Angeles Chargers (for owners of Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler)

Stop back for UPDATES from Monday Night Football!

And here’s who I’ve recommended in previous weeks that I still think deserve a look:

10-Team Leagues

WRs – Tyler Boyd

12-Team Leagues

QBs – Baker Mayfield, Dak Prescott, Mitchell Trubisky

RBs – Josh Adams, Gus Edwards, Jaylen Samuels, Spencer Ware/Damien Williams

WRs – Kenny Golladay, Courtland Sutton

14-Team Leagues

QB – Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jameis Winston

RBs – LeGarrette Blount, Austin Ekeler (assuming he returns from injury), Elijah McGuire, Wendell Smallwood

WRs – Robby Anderson, Antonio Callaway, Taylor Gabriel, Chris Godwin, Robert Foster, Adam Humphries, Zay Jones, Christian Kirk, D.J. Moore, Tim Patrick, Dante Pettis, Josh Reynolds, Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu

TE – Cameron Brate, Chris Herndon, Ian Thomas, C.J. Uzomah (PPR)