Dynasty Waiver Wire: Week 15

Addison Hayes

I feel like my intros over the past couple of weeks have mentioned, to some degree, the amount of difficulty I am having finding good names for this article. All season, I have tried to find players of meaning who can ACTUALLY be found on waivers in leagues that can offer you value on your rosters. The problems I run into now are either everyone worth adding is already on a roster, or a player had a splash in the pan game that won’t be repeated and therefore has no value to you as a competing playoff team or a team already looking to 2021.

Additionally, this week seemed really rough for a majority of players. If you weren’t Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, DeAndre Hopkins, Travis Kelce, or Stefon Diggs, you probably had an average-to-subpar week for fantasy, at least that what it feels like looking at box scores. I could also be sour as I am typing this while watching my Steelers losing in the fourth quarter and coming to terms this team is not a real contender. I also got bounced in the first round of the playoffs in two of my favorite leagues. Oh well, enough about me, and you are not even reading this, I know.

In case you are reading this, there is one bit of information to know before you start reading names. New to this year’s series and the DLF site is player rostership percentages, courtesy of dynasty rosters from SafeLeagues and the great Scott Fish. Using that data, I developed an app to view rostership data from over 400 SafeLeagues dynasty leagues, all using the same format and scoring (2 PPR tight end premium). While this may not be entirely accurate for every individual league, it is very reflective of how managers view who is worthy or not of a roster spot. Now that that is covered, let’s dive into the waiver wire after week 14!

Players to double-check availability and immediately add:

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Jeremy McNichols, RB TEN

A couple of weeks ago, I recommended adding D’Onta Foreman as the primary backup to Derrick Henry. Apparently, that was not the right call, as the Titans have been giving McNichols more run as Henry’s backup as a change of pace back. More known for his pass-catching in the NFL, McNichols has 22 carries over the last three weeks, including 11 carries this week. While the efficiency isn’t there, McNichols could be a Giovani Bernard type back (which I realize isn’t a fantastic comp) who takes over the backfield if anything were to happen to Henry.

Trayveon Williams, RB CIN and Samaje Perine, RB CIN

Speaking of Bernard, he has not been great at all the past few weeks, averaging just under 35 rushing yards per game with two touchdowns over the last five weeks. Gio then proceeded to begin the game this week with a fumble, which resulted in his benching and only three carries. In came Trayveon Williams and Samaje Perine who split the remaining 22 running back carries 12-10.

Williams showed a bit more with his carries and even added three receptions on three targets. Bernard’s struggles could lead to the Bengals finally seeing what they have in Williams or Perine, since it seems like Joe Mixon will not return at all this season. Both could be fine stashes heading into 2021, while also being easy cuts anytime during the off-season.

Chad Hansen, WR HOU

I noted Hansen as a player to keep an eye on last week, and he followed up his breakout production from last week with another seven receptions and 56 yards on seven targets. Granted, the Texans were missing Will Fuller the last two weeks and Brandin Cooks this week, but Hansen is sliding in nicely to an outside role in Fuller’s absence. Deshaun Watson is putting this team on his back, and Hansen is just along for the ride rest of the season.

Lynn Bowden, RB/WR MIA

I also highlighted Bowden as a deep stash last week. Basically a forgotten rookie from this class until last week, Bowden has quietly produced respectable numbers over the past two weeks, including 7-82 on nine targets this week. Like Hansen, Bowden is benefitting from the absence of Preston Williams and DeVante Parker, but he has seemed to find a solid rapport with fellow rookie Tua Tagovailoa.

Bowden came into the 2020 NFL Draft as a high potential swiss army knife, but an injury prevented him from competing at the Scouting Combine or holding a pro day. He might finally be figuring it out after a couple of months, like many rookies do, and could be a new weapon on the Dolphins’ offense. Oh, and Bowden gets his #revengegame against the Raiders the day after Christmas. Will you be starting Lynn Bowden in your championship rosters like Ryan McDowell will be?

Deep stashes:

  • Tyron Johnson, WR LAC
addison hayes