The sigh of relief that comes with making the playoffs is often quickly met by a tone shift of the season during the lead-up to round one; things just feel different during this week of preparation. The time has come to show off all of the work you have put in throughout the year and flex what your team is made of when it matters most. The last thing you want to do is make it to this point only to have your lineup crumble with injuries or COVID-related absences, so maintaining roster depth throughout the postseason is extremely important. Whether you need a lineup replacement for Week 15 or just a few names to target for depth, here are a few RB/WR/TE streamers that I feel can help move the needle for your squad.
* Players marked with an asterisk below can also be found in the priority waiver wire adds article referenced at the end. If anyone featured below is at risk of not playing or is relegated to a bench role late in the week, I will do my best to keep you all updated on Twitter (@BrandonMillerFB). All players below are under 65%-rostered as of 12/15/21.
Running Back
* Rashaad Penny (RB, Seattle Seahawks)
Pete Carroll might tell the media that the Seahawks do not have an undisputed RB1 right now, but Rashaad Penny‘s Week 14 stat line of 16 carries for 137 rushing yards and two TDs says otherwise. Seahawks fans and fantasy managers alike have been patiently waiting on Seattle’s 2018 first-round pick Penny to turn his potential into on-field production and are hopeful that moment has now arrived just in time for the fantasy playoffs. The Rams are a defense loaded with talent and the game script should not be nearly as good as Penny benefitted from against the Texans in Week 14, but LA’s issues with a COVID outbreak will likely lead to a few non-regulars in the lineup. Combine a short-handed defense with Penny’s fresh legs and you have a borderline RB2/RB3 that also has some nice matchups to finish the year.
D’Onta Foreman (RB, Tennessee Titans)
Now with double-digit carries in three-of-four games and fresh off his first score of the season, D’Onta Foreman will hope to step up for RB-needy fantasy teams as an RB3 until Derrick Henry returns. Although he has failed to get much work in the passing game, the Titans have opted to utilize a more conservative style by featuring their backfield instead of a depleted group of pass-catchers, so expect the volume to sustain even if it turns out to be a slightly negative game script. The Steelers defense is allowing the third-most rushing yards per game (139.5) to the opposition, so scoop up Foreman for Week 15 if you need a lineup boost this week or stash him if you could use RB depth.
RB Streamers (ranked): Rashaad Penny (38% ESPN), D’Onta Foreman, Rhamondre Stevenson, Darrel Williams, Devin Singletary (68% ESPN), Mike Davis, Dontrell Hilliard, J.D. McKissic, D’Ernest Johnson, Royce Freeman, Matt Breida, Jeremy McNichols, Ty Johnson, Ameer Abdullah, Jordan Howard, Mark Ingram II, Devontae Booker, Latavius Murray, Kenneth Gainwell, Nyheim Hines, Jeff Wilson Jr, Brandon Bolden, Ronald Jones II, Boston Scott, Samaje Perine, Carlos Hyde, Alex Collins, Craig Reynolds, Rex Burkhead, Tevin Coleman, Duke Johnson, JaMycal Hasty.
Wide Receiver
* DeVante Parker (WR, Miami Dolphins)
Since my Week 9 recommendation to start Parker as a reliable WR3 failed to materialize due to his placement on IR, it is time to go back to the well for the stretch run now that he is healthy enough to suit up. When active, Parker has come through with solid-to-good fantasy performances this season. He has seven-plus targets in five-of-six games in 2021 and caught all five of his targets for 62 yards in his first game back after a four-game absence. Now with an additional week of rest after a Week 14 bye, look for Parker to produce solid results against the exploitable Jets defense.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR, Cleveland Browns)
An unfortunate and unpredictable factor the past couple seasons, team COVID outbreaks have forced us to become hyper-flexible fantasy managers. The Browns are the latest to succumb to multiple positive tests and close contacts, so the de facto WR1 Peoples-Jones is a tenuous but solid fantasy play if designations stay as they currently are through Cleveland’s game on Saturday. Last week he came through with five catches on seven targets for 90 yards and his eight catches of 20+ yards this season are tied for the team lead with David Njoku. As long as Jarvis Landry and/or Austin Hooper are out, look for DPJ to post low-end WR3 numbers, at minimum. My wife will tell you that “hyphenated names make the best football names,” and while I agree, I also think that Peoples-Jones will get you more than just style points in your lineup.
WR Streamers (ranked): DeVante Parker, Russell Gage, Christian Kirk (51% ESPN), A.J. Green, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Cole Beasley (69-70%), Marvin Jones Jr, K.J. Osborn, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kendrick Bourne, Jamison Crowder, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Jakobi Meyers, Tyler Boyd, Gabriel Davis, Sterling Shepard, Josh Reynolds, Rashod Bateman, Allen Robinson II, Tim Patrick, Kenny Golladay, Allen Lazard, Tre’Quan Smith, Robby Anderson, Laviska Shenault Jr., Marquez Callaway, Nelson Agholor, T.Y. Hilton, Rondale Moore, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Tight End
Hunter Henry (TE, New England Patriots)
Although Henry will likely split snaps with Jonnu Smith among New England’s TEs, he has come through as a red zone option more weeks than not with a team-leading seven receiving scores this season. Although the yardage has not been there for Henry this season, he could benefit from facing a Colts defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing TEs in 2021. I am expecting the Colts defense to dial up the pressure and make rookie Mac Jones beat them through the air, which could lead to expanded opportunities for his trusted short-area target in Henry. He is a borderline TE1 for me in Week 15.
TE Streamers (ranked): Zach Ertz (65% ESPN), Pat Freiermuth (68% Yahoo), Hunter Henry, Tyler Conklin, Jared Cook, Ricky Seals-Jones, C.J. Uzomah, Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Evan Engram, Brevin Jordan, James O’Shaughnessy, Albert Okwuegbunam, Foster Moreau, Nick Vannett, Donald Parham Jr., Austin Hooper, Ryan Griffin, Cameron Brate.
Looking Back
Accountability is everything, so here’s a quick look back at last week’s recommendations
Rex Burkhead (RB, Houston Texans): Last week I discussed a boring, volume-driven profile for Burkhead and that is just what we got as he had 11 totes for 40 rushing yards and caught all four of his targets for 26 receiving yards. He would have added more to a decent PPR day if not for a hip injury that will also keep him out into Week 15.
Samaje Perine (RB, Cincinnati Bengals): Joe Mixon ended up being good to go on Sunday, so Perine should not have appeared in any fantasy lineups. Still, he would likely be in line for a large workload if Mixon is out at any time and should be stashed for the playoffs. Perine did out-target Mixon five-to-two and caught four balls for 22 yards along with four carries for 11 yards.
K.J. Osborn (WR, Minnesota Vikings): Osborn was inefficient with his targets, hauling in just three-of-nine, but he made those that connected count with 83 receiving yards and a score. He is a solid depth WR for the playoffs but should not be trusted in lineups once Adam Thielen is back.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR, Green Bay Packers): MVS saw just five targets and caught three for 20 receiving yards. He is an easy drop unless the Packers unexpectedly lose more receiving depth.
Gerald Everett (TE, Seattle Seahawks): My confidence level in Everett last week was not sky-high and you could see why as he totaled just two catches for 15 yards. Luckily, one of those catches barely crossed the goal line for a score. He is an easy drop unless you are desperate.
Make sure to check out AJ Passman’s priority waiver wire adds article every Tuesday for more insights on who you should be submitting claims for heading into each Wednesday. Good luck in Week 15!
(Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)