It’s semifinal week. This week isn’t about finding some player who may get hot. This is about filling holes and exploiting matchups.
There’s not much out there for the waiver wire, but here’s the best bets on the week 15 fantasy football waiver wire.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Full disclosure. If you read any of my preseason fantasy football work, you would have realized my No. 1 quarterback (for where I draft QBs) was Jameis Winston.
Before you laugh, both of my fantasy teams made it to the playoffs, with one earning a bye. Winston hasn’t been trustworthy, to say the least. So for my semifinal matchup, I’m siding with Garoppolo over Winston.
And if you are in the same dilemma, or have other quarterback challenges, you should take a hard look at the San Francisco signal-caller.
He almost went for more than 300 yards during his first start this season a week ago at Chicago. In week 14, he went for 334 yards and one touchdown against Houston. Most important, he stays in the pocket and moves the ball efficiency. He gets a decent matchup in week 15 against Tennessee, so if you’re having QB struggles, Garoppolo is the answer. And he can be found in 80 percent of leagues on Yahoo, so pounce on him.
Trey Burton, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia loves their tight ends. With Zach Ertz out in week 14, Burton didn’t miss a beat, registering five catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
This pickup is contingent on Ertz’s health. If Ertz misses week 15, Burton is a priority add based on the Eagles facing the New York Giants, which allow the most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
If Ertz is back, then Burton can be dropped back to the waiver wire. Ertz’s health likely won’t be known until after the waiver wire period, so pick up Burton just in case.
Mike Davis, RB, Seattle Seahawks
He’s only owned in 38 percent of Yahoo leagues, so I’m assuming some fantasy football owners will wake up this week to add Davis.
He’s the lead back on a Seattle team desperate to start running the football better. He has at least 15 carries per game in each of the past two games, so he should be added, at least to add depth just in case of injury in the final two weeks of the fantasy football season.
The Seahawks face the Rams in week 15, which allow the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Davis hasn’t scored yet, but his volume is enough that he can fill a gap if you’re in need of a running back.
Kerwynn Williams, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Running back depth is back on the waiver wire, just in time for the fantasy football playoffs. Williams and Davis are strong adds, but Peyton Barber, Rod Smith and Wayne Gallman also are intriguing if available.
However, as long as Adrian Peterson is out, Williams is going to be a safe pickup. In Peterson’s absence in the last two weeks, Williams has 36 combined carries for 170 yards rushing.
The Cardinals don’t score a ton of points, so Williams is limited. But his floor is high, so he’s safe in the Flex position if your lineup is in need of a conservative play.
Marquise Goodwin, WR, San Francisco 49ers
I hate to be all over the 49ers, but Goodwin is benefiting from having Garoppolo as his quarterback.
Goodwin has 20 combined targets since Garoppolo started. In week 14, he went for 106 yards receiving, giving him 205 yards receiving combined in the last two games.
He doesn’t have any touchdowns in those games, but he’s being productive to go with his increased volume. The 49ers don’t have any weapons at the wide receiver position, so expect Goodwin to see plenty of targets in the coming weeks.
He’s owned in 55 percent of leagues on Yahoo, so pick him up this week.
Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Once again, this is all about the injury status. If Joe Mixon plays, then Bernard won’t be a solid play in week 15.
If Mixon misses another week, then Bernard shoots up the running back value chart. He tallied more than 100 total yards from scrimmage in a lifeless Bengals effort in week 14 against the Bears.
I wouldn’t expect that same kind of effort against Minnesota in week 15, but his volume should be high enough that he would pay dividends, especially in the Flex position.
