Week 15 fantasy football waiver wire: Injuries pile up as playoffs kick off
See which players are worth adding to your fantasy football roster ahead of Week 15's action.
Week 15 is notable for several reasons. It’s the first round of the playoffs for many, and the bye weeks are officially over. But the wear and tear of the NFL season typically delivers a long injury report, and this season is no exception.
Daniel Jones (Achilles) is officially done for the year, and several key fantasy starters — including Jayden Daniels, Tee Higgins, CeeDee Lamb, Alvin Kamara, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Drake London all have unclear statuses heading into the weekend.
Unfortunately, the waiver wire isn’t especially deep for those of you looking to plug holes, but there are a few notable names to jump on that could help you out, if not this week, then in Week 16 and beyond. Below are the top players to target ahead of Week 15 — plus FAAB recommendations and matchup context for each position.
Current ownership percentage based on Yahoo fantasy football leagues at the time of publishing.
Week 15 waiver wire cheatsheet
🤕 Week 15 pain index
Quarterbacks to add in Week 15
J.J. McCarthy (MIN) — Streamer
30% owned
McCarthy bounced back in Week 14 with a fairly sharp performance that included three touchdowns and 19 rushing yards in a dominant win over Washington. His concussion concerns appear behind him, and he now enters a dream schedule — Dallas, the Giants, and Detroit, all of which rank in the bottom five in fantasy points allowed to QBs. He’s not a lock in 1-QB leagues, but the projected Week 15 shootout gives him legitimate streaming appeal in deeper formats. FAAB: 1%
Others to stream: C.J. Stroud (HOU); Shedeur Sanders (CLE); Tyler Shough (NO)
Running backs to add in Week 15
Blake Corum (LAR) — Streamer
33% owned
Corum has emerged as a legitimate standalone fantasy option, scoring 14+ fantasy points in back-to-back games, including a career-high 26.1 in Week 14. He has led the Rams in rushing for two straight weeks and outpaced Kyren Williams in red-zone carries (3 to 2) last Sunday. While matchups vs. Detroit and Seattle are tougher, the rookie has produced 131 yards and two TDs most recently and now profiles as a weekly RB3/Flex with contingent RB1 upside if Williams misses time. FAAB: 8–10%
Bam Knight (ARI) — Streamer
37% owned
Knight continues to operate as Arizona’s most reliable fantasy back with Trey Benson likely done for the season. He entered Week 14 having scored in three straight games, finishing as a top-20 RB in each. He remains the goal-line option and has caught 3+ passes in every game over the past month. The Week 15 matchup vs. Houston is tough, but Weeks 16–17 (ATL, CIN) are smash spots. Knight is a volume-based RB3 with RB2 upside while Benson remains sidelined. FAAB: 5–8%
Others to stream: Bhayshul Tuten (JAC); Tyler Allgeier (ATL)
Others to stash: Jalen Wright (MIA)
Wide receivers to add in Week 15
Luther Burden III (CHI) — Top priority
17% owned
With Rome Odunze out, Burden led the Bears in targets (6), receptions (4), and yards (67) in Week 14. He also logged a 21% target share and nearly 70% route participation. While his ceiling is capped until Odunze returns, Burden is clearly Chicago’s most dynamic receiving option and can be treated as a WR3/Flex while Odunze is sidelined — and a WR4/Flex thereafter. FAAB: 8–10%
Jayden Reed (GB) — Top Priority
40% owned
Reed looked sharp in his return from IR, reclaiming his role as Green Bay’s top slot weapon. He earned a 17% target share, catching all four passes and adding two designed runs for 22 yards. He’ll be limited to slot work — running a route on just 65% of dropbacks this week — but his efficiency and playmaking make him an enticing WR4 with WR3/Flex upside. Reed’s usage could grow over the next two weeks, even with a tough matchup against Denver looming. FAAB: 10–12%
Ryan Flournoy (DAL) — Streamer/Stash
1% owned
Flournoy erupted after CeeDee Lamb left Week 14 with a concussion, leading the team with nine receptions, 115 yards, and a touchdown on 13 targets — all career highs. If Lamb is ruled out for Week 15, Flournoy becomes a strong WR4/Flex play attached to Dak Prescott in a high-volume passing offense. If Lamb returns, Flournoy becomes a volatile depth stash with splash-play upside. FAAB: 5–8%
Others to stream: Chimere Dike (TEN); Devaughn Vele (NO); Darius Slayton (NYG)
Others to stash: Jalen Coker (CAR)
Tight ends to add in Week 15
Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) — Streamer
40% owned
Fannin is the TE11 in fantasy points per game this season, and with David Njoku battling injuries, his production has skyrocketed. Over the past three weeks, he ranks TE4 in FPPG, highlighted by an 8-catch, 114-yard, 1-TD performance in Week 14. With Shedeur Sanders heavily targeting him, Fannin is now a legitimate every-week TE1 — and this might be your last chance to grab him. FAAB: 5–8%
Others to stream: Coleston Loveland (CHI); Isaiah Likely (BAL)
D/STs to add in Week 15
Jaguars (JAC) — Streamer
37% owned
The Jaguars have scored at least seven fantasy points in five straight games and now face the Jets, who are allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing defenses. New York may be forced to start their third-string quarterback, making Jacksonville one of the safest D/ST streamers of Week 15. FAAB: 1–2%
Others to stream: Cowboys (DAL); Bears (CHI)
Others to stash (Week 16): Bills (BUF); Chiefs (KC); 49ers (SF)
Kickers to add in Week 15
Cairos Santos (CHI) — Streamer
23% owned
Santos has been one of the most consistent kickers in fantasy, converting 20 of 24 FGs and all 29 extra points this season. Since Week 4, he has averaged 10.6 fantasy points per game — third among all kickers. He returns home in Week 15, where he hasn’t missed a kick since Week 1. His safe weekly floor makes him one of the best streaming kickers available. FAAB: 1–2%
Others to stream: Eddy Pineiro (SF); Riley Patterson (MIA)