The fantasy football regular season is coming to a close, so the waiver wire should be a high priority for fantasy managers over the next few weeks. Finding a high-upside option on waivers at this point in the season could be the difference between success in the fantasy football playoffs and a first-round exit.
The following players are owned in less than 50% of ESPN fantasy football leagues and should be considered by any managers who have a hole in their lineup as the fantasy playoffs draw nearer. The next few weeks are some of the most important of the entire season in fantasy football. Go secure that playoff spot!
Quarterbacks
Bryce Young - CAR
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has blossomed since returning as Carolina’s starter after a brief stint on the team’s bench. Young has looked more comfortable both inside and outside of the pocket and has looked far more confident when pushing the ball downfield.
His efforts in Week 13 were almost rewarded with an overtime win, but a costly fumble from star running back Chuba Hubbard unfortunately cost Carolina the game. Nonetheless, Bryce Young showed flashes of stardom in the clutch when his team needed him most, and his ascent is a testament to the perseverance of the young quarterback. He greatly outperformed his ranking of 24th on the Fantasy Trading Room Week 13 QB Rankings.
For fantasy purposes, Young isn’t a bad streaming option moving forward. He faces a difficult matchup in Week 14 against Philadelphia, but after that, Carolina’s schedule eases up significantly. It also helps that Young has seen a drastic increase in passing volume since being renamed the starter in Week 8. He’s averaged nearly 34 passing attempts per game since then.
In short, Bryce Young’s comeback culminated in a Week 13 performance in which he was given ample passing volume and logged a high yardage total as well as a passing score. This should give fantasy managers confidence in the young quarterback.
Aidan O’Connell - LV
Don’t get me wrong, this could definitely be an overreaction. That said, walking into Arrowhead Stadium and passing for 340 yards and two touchdowns is a feat for any quarterback, especially a quarterback who hasn’t made a start since Week 7.
Second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell did exactly that, slicing up a strong Chiefs defense on his way to nearly stealing an upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs that would’ve shaken up the AFC playoff picture.
340 passing yards is a career-high mark for O’Connell, and if he can continue similar production against a relatively soft schedule over the next three weeks, he is a definite streaming option in fantasy football.
If O’Connell manages to break out during the last few games of his sophomore campaign, we could be looking at a potentially viable option for fantasy rosters for the rest of the season.
HM: Russell Wilson - PIT
Running Backs
Isaac Guerendo - SF
On Monday, San Francisco running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason were both placed on IR, effectively ending their fantasy football seasons. Rookie running back Issaac Guerendo now assumes the starting role for the 49ers, which makes him an immediate starting option in fantasy football.
Guerendo, who has averaged nearly six yards per carry this season on 42 rushing attempts, has made a few explosive plays this season when given the chance, so his ceiling figures to be high. Finding a potential starting option this late in the fantasy season is a true rarity, so the rookie should undoubtedly be your top priority on the waiver wire.
The 49ers are averaging the ninth-most rushing attempts per game (28.3) in the NFL, according to the TeamRankings Offensive Stats. This means that Guerendo could see a lot of volume in the coming weeks.
If Guerendo can find a way to step up on an injury-riddled San Francisco offense over the next few weeks, he could end up being a league-winner in fantasy football.
Jonathon Brooks - CAR
Jonathon Brooks played his second career game on Sunday against Tampa Bay and played a significantly larger role than the previous week. He handled six carries and hauled in three passes, showing his ability as a threat on the ground and through the air.
Brooks also saw his snap percentage jump this week, meaning he’s getting closer to 100% health-wise. He certainly won’t supplant star running back Chuba Hubbard, but if he can stay active in the passing game, Brooks could be a sneaky flex option in PPR leagues.
One of the most important fantasy football lessons to be learned is to never underestimate the ceiling of a rookie running back. If Brooks can garner more touches, he could be a solid option in fantasy football.
HM: Antonio Gibson - NE
Wide Receivers
Adam Thielen - CAR
Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen put up a season-best performance on Sunday versus Tampa Bay. This included 10 targets, 8 receptions, 99 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown that elevated Thielen’s fantasy numbers to new heights.
There was even some meat left on the bone here. Thielen had another receiving score taken off the board that likely would've allowed Carolina to win the game. Nonetheless, Thielen received a season-high in targets in Week 13, crossing into the double-digits in that category for the first time since Week 11 of 2023.
Carolina is averaging the tenth-most passing attempts per game over the last three weeks, according to the TeamRankings Offensive Stats. This means he has plenty of volume to work with in fantasy. If quarterback Bryce Young continues to show improvement, Adam Thielen and the rest of Carolina’s skill position players should see a positive change in fantasy value.
Parker Washington - JAX
On Sunday, wideout Parker Washington had a monster performance in a near win against Houston. His receiving total in Week 13 (103) was greater than his yardage total from the first 12 weeks combined.
Jacksonville has lost wideouts Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis over the last few weeks for the season, which leaves space for Washington to receive this number of targets on a weekly basis. If you’re in need of a wide receiver who could receive a lot of volume, Washington could be a good option on the waiver wire.
HM: Brandin Cooks - DAL
Tight Ends
Austin Hooper - NE
Veteran tight end Austin Hooper has been one of the best tight ends in fantasy football over the last few weeks, posting over 40 receiving yards and a touchdown in each of his last two contests.
Hooper is also starting to see a more consistent number of targets, receiving 16 over the last four weeks. Hooper has caught 15 of those 16 targets, displaying his remarkable efficiency.
If rookie quarterback Drake Maye can continue to improve his ability in the intermediate passing game, Hooper may be a solid option at tight end in the fantasy playoffs in deeper leagues. The veteran tight end has been in the league for a long time and should not be slept on at a volatile position in fantasy football.
Dalton Schultz - HOU
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud’s struggles have been apparent this season due to a poor offensive line and regressed play. However, Dalton Schultz was still able to put up a season-best fantasy football performance in Week 13.
Schultz even caught his first touchdown of the 2024 NFL season, potentially marking a return to fantasy relevance for the veteran tight end. Schultz was unranked in the Fantasy Trading Room Week 13 TE Rankings, so he is still flying under the radar.
He’s a solid streaming option in deeper leagues and could emerge as the offense’s second receiving target behind wideout Nico Collins as the year comes to a close.
HM: Mike Gesicki - CIN