Week 15 Waiver Wire Targets

One of NFL’s least predictable and most shocking weeks of the 2014 season was saved for the first round of the Fantasy Football playoffs. “Who dat” walking into New Orleans and thumping the Saints 41-10 in what was a must-win game for the home team? Well, just the 17th Y! ranked quarterback of the year to date in Cam Newton and the 28th ranked fantasy defense of the Carolina Panthers. You’re welcome, the Atlanta Falcons.

The Arizona Cardinals overcame the loss of RB Andre Ellington with the help of unknown replacement Kerwynn Williams and remain in the NFC West driver’s seat. After making his feelings known to the Minnesota Vikings in his revenge game, Percy Harvin was forced from the game and didn’t return for an overtime loss; representing what was just one of several key injuries in Week 14. His replacement and another player with an upcoming revenge game of his own can be found among the Week 15 Waiver Wire Targets…

For anyone who believes in “Revenge Games”, Chris Johnson‘s Week 15 return to Tennessee represents one of the week’s top storylines and is a performance owners should be looking forward to (Photo: Chris Stewart/Getty Images).

Wondering which available players you should target? FantasyPros’ My Playbook tool allows you to import your league, and get custom advice from Expert Consensus on who to add and drop each week.

Week 15 Waiver Wire Targets: Quarterbacks

Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns, Next Up: vs Bengals, @ Panthers, @ Ravens, Y! Owned: 22%

For the duration of Sunday’s game vs Indianapolis, Brian Hoyer supporters were watching reasons why he should remain the Browns’ starter ahead of their much talked about rookie fly into the arms of Colts defenders and the ground. There was seemingly no way Manziel wasn’t about to be announced the Week 15 starter vs Cincinnati. Until:

Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel got into a fist fight after today’s game. Fight was started when Manziel put clip board in Hoyer’s locker.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamnSchefter) December 7, 2014

Ok… so, that’s a fake twitter account, but, even being a jerk probably couldn’t cost Manziel the chance to start at this stage. With a 0:7 TD:INT ratio over the last three weeks, the era of Manziel should finally begin. He’ll have a favorable matchup in the Fantasy Football championship week against a Panthers team that’s giving up the 7th most fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Houston Texans, Next Up: @ Colts, vs Ravens, vs Jaguars, Y! Owned: 17%

Probably the most surprising statistic to come out of Week 14 was that Fitz-Magic now has more rushing touchdowns this season than Colin Kaepernick. Against the odds, Fitzpatrick has returned to be more relevant than ever, and has his Texans on the brink of playoff contention.

All three upcoming opponents rank in the bottom-half of the league against fantasy QBs making Fitz an intriguing option if Andre Johnson is able to return to the lineup.

Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders, Next Up: @ Chiefs, vs Bills, @ Broncos, Y! Owned: 7%

While he doesn’t have any favorable matchups remaining in 2014 – not that he’s had any on paper – Carr is worthy of a roster spot for those in keeper leagues looking ahead to next year.

Derek Carr has attempted 473 passes as a rookie. Record for rookie QB is held by Peyton Manning (575). — Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) December 8, 2014

Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings, Next Up: @ Lions, @ Dolphins, vs Bears, Y! Owned: 9%

Teddy Bridgewater‘s last two starts: 34-of-48 [71%], 4 TDs, INT #Vikings

— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) December 7, 2014

For those in silly leagues with Week 17 championships, Bridgewater’s date against the Bears in Minnesota will be a top stream matchup. Go out and grab him in advance and carry two QBs to a Fantasy Football title.

Week 15 Waiver Wire Targets: Running Backs

Chris Johnson, New York Jets, Next Up: @ Titans, Y! Owned: 48%

While the majority of his first year in New York has been a write-off, Johnson has had an increased workload over the last two weeks with 17 and 16 carries in Weeks 13 and 14 respectively. With head coach Rex Ryan trying to ignore quarterback Geno Smith, and the Jets having nothing left to play for this season, Johnson’s revenge game against his former team is likely to be the team’s focal point.

Factor in that the Titans are the second-worst team against fantasy running backs, and CJ2K is once again a must-start in Week 15.

Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders, Next Up: @ Chiefs, vs Bills, @ Broncos, Y! Owned: 48%

While we were all told that Murray wouldn’t be the Raiders workhorse upon his return, and we were all told he would be eased back from a concussion; he wasn’t. Murray racked up an impressive 23 carries in Oakland’s Week 14 win versus San Francisco. While he did only amass 76 yards on the ground and only added two receptions for nine yards, the amount of work is the impressive thing. He’ll get to face a Chiefs defense that’s been giving up all sorts of yardage in the last few weeks, and the same defense that Murray scorched for 112 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries in Week 12.

Start him with confidence in Week 15.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers, Next Up: vs Buccaneers, vs Browns, @ Falcons, Y! Owned: 39%

Several factors in play that affect Stewart’s value going forward:

1. He had 155 yards and a score off of 20 rushing attempts in Week 14.

2. The Saints defense sucks.

3. The next three run defenses he’s about to face also suck.

4. Cam Newton finally had an effective game at quarterback.

5. DeAngelo Williams could return for Week 15.

That last fact is the most important to waiver hungry owners. The two mediocre Panthers RBs will always cap each others value when both in the lineup. While Stewart deserves the bulk of the load going forward this season with each and every game counting as a must-win for Carolina, it remains a mystery as to what head coach Ron Rivera will decide.

Roster Stewart, but leave him on the bench unless a full workload is announced by the Panthers coaching staff.

Kerwynn Williams, Arizona Cardinals, Next Up: @ Rams, vs Seahawks, @ 49ers, Y! Owned: 1%

Kerwynn Williams was elevated from practice squad Friday; was Jamaal Charles on scout team during wk & outrushed him 100-91 today — MarkDalton (@CardsMarkD) December 8, 2014

As impressive as his Week 14 performance was against the Chiefs, Cards’ head coach Bruce Arians insists that Stepfan Taylor will remain the team’s starting RB. Arians said in the same interview that the team will also continue to use a committee at running back, but with unfavorable matchups ahead, it’s tough to trust the “out of nowhere” Week 14 star.

Juwan Thompson, Denver Broncos, Next Up: @ Chargers, @ Bengals, vs Raiders, Y! Owned: 5%

As displayed on Sunday versus Buffalo, C.J. Anderson needs to be handcuffed. While Anderson’s been very effective, he’s not immune to injury and Thompson has had success all year with minimal work.

Stash him in the event of a Week 15 catastrophe for Denver.

Week 15 Waiver Wire Targets: Wide Receivers

One of the stars of the 2014 preseason, second-year receiver Marquess Wilson will replace Brandon Marshall opposite Alshon Jeffery (Photo: Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune).

Marquess Wilson, Chicago Bears, Next Up: vs Saints, vs Lions, @ Vikings, Y! Owned: 1%

A greatly hyped preseason performer, Wilson will be charged with trying to replace Brandon Marshall. While it’s safe to assume that Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett receive the biggest boosts with Marshall’s season-ending injury, Wilson will have an excellent opportunity to make an impact against the Saints non-existent defense. He’ll make for an adequate flex play in Week 15 and is a borderline must-start in DFS play at the minimum price tag.

Marqise Lee, Jacksonville Jaguars, Next Up: @ Ravens, vs Titans, @ Texans, Y! Owned: 4%

If you weren’t a believer in Lee prior to this week, his Week 14 numbers were unlikely to change your opinion. It’s important to note however, that he received eight targets for the second consecutive week and exceeded 50 yards for the third straight game. All three of his remaining games come against flimsy secondaries, making Blake Bortles‘ current favorite option a reliable start with upside.

Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts, Next Up:vs Texans, @ Cowboys, @ Titans, Y! Owned: 28%

With Reggie Wayne banged up with torn triceps among several other minor injuries, the road is paved to a strong finish with the Colts rookie receiver. While it seems that Wayne will retire at season’s end – making it unlikely that the Colts choose to shut him down early – at 37 years old, he’s not as capable of playing through injury as he once was. Moncrief’s had the more impressive performances this year and can provide gambling owners with a massive home run.

Charles Johnson, Minnesota Vikings, Next Up: @ Lions, @ Dolphins, vs Bears, Y! Owned: 19%

Johnson now has 30 targets in the Vikings’ four games since their bye and has established himself as the #1 receiving threat in Teddy Bridgewater‘s offense. Owners with a Week 17 matchup need to grab him in preparation.

Chris Hogan, Buffalo Bills, Next Up: vs Packers, @ Raiders, @ Patriots, Y! Owned: 1%

With TDs in back-to-back weeks and three of the past five games for the Bills, Hogan is a clear favorite of Kyle Orton. While that’s not worth a whole lot, the Bills will likely be forced to pass frequently against the Packers, and have a nice matchup against the Raiders secondary in Week 16.

Week 15 Waiver Wire Targets: Tight Ends

Mychal Rivera, Oakland Raiders, Next Up: @ Chiefs, vs Bills, @ Broncos, Y! Owned: 24%

There are likely two types of Fantasy Football owners still in the 2014 playoffs heading into Week 15. Those who own Rob Gronkowski and those who have been streaming tight ends. The latter group likely has their next option lined up and that is the Raiders TE. Rivera recorded the most yardage of his 2014 season in Week 14 with 109 yards and added a score. He’s been averaging over seven targets a week over the last seven matchups and is a proven contributor in the unpredictable Raiders offense.

Jared Cook, St. Louis Rams, Next Up: vs Cardinals, vs Giants, @ Seahawks, Y! Owned: 28%

Coming off of a two score week, Cook’s next two matchups come against two bottom nine teams against fantasy tight ends. While typically unreliable, owners can start Cook with confidence when it matters most in the 2014 Fantasy Football season.

Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills, Next Up: vs Packers, @ Raiders, @ Patriots, Y! Owned: 8%

The Bills greatest weakness could be a luxury for fantasy owners in Week 15. Kyle Orton‘s inability to throw the ball down field led to season high’s in targets and receptions for Chandler in Week 14. The Packers and Raiders rank in the bottom 17 teams against TEs, making Chandler worth desperate consideration.