Top Players to Add in Week 16
It’s Round 2 of the playoffs, and it’s time to shut up or shine your way to a fantasy football championship. Even in the playoffs, it’s essential to pick up players who help your team or even block your opponents from taking them.
As a reminder, we’ll be covering Waivers every Tuesday morning right here on football.pitcherlist.com. You can also catch our Waiver Wire show with Brian Hartman (aka @TooMuch_Brian) on the Waiver podcast every Tuesday morning and the Start/Sit podcast every Thursday morning, wherever you listen to podcasts.
Here are my top five targets, as well as some honorable mentions, to help you win through the wire this week.
An important thing to consider: this article focuses on players who are rostered in 50% or fewer of leagues. There could be players rostered in over 50% of leagues that are available in your league. Be vigilant; watch your league’s Free Agency pool and look for players who were given up on too early.
1. Michael Carter – Our top waiver wire pickup this week is Cardinals running back Michael Carter. Carter stepped in for the injured Bam Knight and finished with 94 all-purpose yards. Knight is likely to miss time with a significant ankle injury, which opens the door for Carter to take on a larger role in the offense.
While Carter may split some work with Emari Demercado, he projects as the 1A option. He should handle the majority of the rushing workload while continuing to contribute in the passing game, where he’s averaged four receptions over the last five games. The last time Carter saw 15 touches, he turned that volume into 15 fantasy points.
Carter draws an average matchup against the Falcons in Week 16. While it’s not an ideal spot on paper, the projected volume gives him RB3/FLEX appeal for fantasy managers needing help at running back during the playoffs. With few true starting running backs available on waivers, Carter is worth the pickup—not only for lineup use, but also to prevent opponents from adding him.
2. J.J. McCarthy – This week, there’s a notable quarterback worth targeting on the waiver wire—especially for managers who may have lost Patrick Mahomes for the season. While McCarthy has been underwhelming for much of the year, he’s started to flash upside over the last two weeks. In that span, McCarthy has totaled 53 fantasy points in favorable matchups and now draws another plus spot against the Giants in Week 16.
Since Week 7, the Giants have allowed 20 or more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in every game except last week, when they limited backup Marcus Mariota in a positive game script for Washington. McCarthy has been efficient, finding the end zone while minimizing turnovers. If you require a quarterback to play in Week 16, McCarthy offers a steady floor with enough upside to help carry you to the fantasy finals.
3. Devaughn Vele – If you’re searching for a wide receiver to add for Week 16, DeVaughn Vele is a strong option to target. Vele has averaged nearly 10 fantasy points per game since rookie quarterback Tyler Shough took over, and the passing offense has looked noticeably more efficient during that stretch.
Over the last four games, Vele has seen consistent volume, ranking second on the team in targets, which has helped stabilize his weekly floor. That usage now sets up well against the New York Jets, a defense that can be beaten through the air. We saw Jaguars receivers put up solid fantasy production against this secondary in Week 15, and the matchup remains favorable. With Devin Neal potentially sidelined, the Saints could be forced to lean more heavily on the passing game, creating additional opportunities for Vele to capitalize. His role and target share should remain intact, making him a reliable option.
- Blake Corum – We’re going back to the well again with Blake Corum as a pickup you need to consider for Week 16. He’s still rostered in under 50% of leagues—our usual threshold—but after his Week 15 performance, that number shouldn’t stay low for long. Corum is coming off another double-digit fantasy outing in a matchup that was difficult for running backs, and the Rams have made it clear they want to keep Kyren Williams fresh for the playoffs. Corum has capitalized on his opportunities and shown he can produce when called upon.
Over the last three weeks, Corum has logged 30 carries for 280 yards and four touchdowns, making the most of limited but high-leverage touches. Now the Rams get a divisional matchup against the Seahawks, a defense that has allowed back-to-back 85-yard rushers. With Davante Adams potentially sidelined, the Rams could lean more heavily on the run game to support the offense. That opens the door for Corum to maintain his role and deliver again. Corum profiles as a high-upside, risk-reward RB2 for fantasy managers who’ve managed to advance without strong running back depth—and he’s exactly the type of player who can swing a playoff matchup if the touchdown streak continues.
5. Colby Parkinson – The veteran has stepped in as the TE1 with Tyler Higbee sidelined, and the results have been quietly strong. Since Week 10, Parkinson has averaged 12 fantasy points per game, fueled largely by his six receiving touchdowns over the past six weeks. While the scoring has carried his value, he’s also provided a usable floor, recording at least 40 receiving yards in half of those games.
Parkinson is coming off his best performance of the season, hauling in 75 yards and two touchdowns, and his role could continue to grow. With Davante Adams potentially dealing with an injury, additional targets may funnel toward the middle of the field—where Parkinson has been most effective. The matchup also works in his favor. While Seattle is considered an elite defense, they’ve had issues containing tight ends. Since Week 7, five of the eight opposing tight ends have scored 10 or more fantasy points against the Seahawks.
In an important divisional matchup with the season winding down, Parkinson could play a meaningful role in the Rams’ offensive game plan. If you’re struggling at tight end or looking for a streaming option with touchdown upside, Parkinson should be a priority add for Week 16.
Others Receiving Votes
Jalen Coker, CAR (4% ESPN, 5% Yahoo!) – Coming off the bye week, Coker led the Panthers in receiving yards and scored the only touchdown among the team’s pass catchers. He’s beginning to find his groove in the offense, recording back-to-back games with over 60 receiving yards and a touchdown. Now he draws a solid matchup against the Buccaneers in a critical NFC South contest that could help decide the division.
Jawhar Jordan, HOU (0% ESPN, 0% Yahoo!) – Woody Marks got banged up in the game against the Cardinals. While the coaching staff said he could have returned, the Texans held a sizable lead and chose to be cautious. We’ll need to monitor Marks’ practice reports this week, but Jordan becomes an intriguing option. Jordan flashed with 100 total yards and a touchdown after stepping in as the starter once Marks exited the game, making him a worthwhile stash.
Luther Burden, CHI (15% ESPN, 17% Yahoo!) – Burden turned in a solid performance against the Browns, catching six passes for 84 yards. He benefited from the absence of Rome Odunze, who was a late scratch in Week 15. While Burden played well, he did suffer an ankle injury that could put his Week 16 status in doubt. If he’s able to suit up, he’ll have a big matchup against the Packers in a game that could help decide the NFC North.
Defense Wins Championships
Miami Dolphins (20% owned) – Miami’s defense has quietly stepped up over the last month and a half. Meanwhile, the Bengals have shown they lack a true “killer instinct” right now, allowing defenses to generate pressure and force turnovers at key moments. On the surface, Miami looks like a cake matchup for Cincinnati, but that may be misleading. With the Dolphins’ defense playing at a dominant level, this could turn into a much tougher spot than most expect.
Minnesota Vikings (35% owned) –The Vikings may not be winning many games, but they just shut down the high-powered Cowboys offense on Sunday Night Football. Now they’ll face a Giants team led by rookie Jaxson Dart, a matchup that should allow Minnesota to generate consistent pressure on the young quarterback. With the Giants’ offense still finding its footing, the Vikings’ defense profiles as a strong streaming add this week.
New Orleans Saints (17% owned) – The Saints’ defense is a solid matchup in Week 16 against the Jets. If New York rolls with Brady Cook again, New Orleans should have a favorable home matchup with strong fantasy upside. Cook struggled with turnovers in Week 15, throwing three interceptions, and the Saints’ defense is well-positioned to capitalize on pressure and takeaway opportunities.
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurt_player02 on Instagram & Threads | @kuwasemiller.bksy.social on BlueSky)