4 hours Ago By Erik Beaston
Injuries to fantasy superstars have left managers looking to the waiver wire for potential replacements as they chase a playoff win and league championship. From a trusted backup to a potential breakout star for an NFC South squad, several players could prove to be league clinchers. Who are they and why should managers consider slotting them in their starting lineups? Find out with this preview of Week 16.
George Pickens is out for Pittsburgh Sunday against Baltimore, leaving fantasy owners with a desperate need for a wide receiver who can potentially slot into the starting lineup and produce. Jalen McMillan in Tampa Bay may be that receiver. McMillan has been a top-20 wideout over the last two weeks, with nine receptions for 134 yards and three touchdowns.
Since Week 14, he has had a 21.4 percent target share and a 24.3 percent first-read share.
Against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has yielded the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers over the last four weeks ( 40.60 per game ), McMillan will have an opportunity to be a big contributor to the Buccaneers passing game and a potential match-up clincher for fantasy managers who pick him up. With Alvin Kamara potentially out for the rest of the season with a groin injury, and David Montgomery out for Detroit at least in Week 16, managers relying on him to deliver them a championship will now have to explore the rest of their roster.
If the answer is not there, it may be in Cleveland. Jerome Ford showed out against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15, delivering 84 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries, good enough for a ninth-place finish at his position. He added two receptions for 20 yards.
Ford faces Cincinnati in Week 16, fantasy worst against opposing running backs. The Bengals have given up a league-leading 32.50 points to the position per game the last four weeks.
Add to that the Browns' decision to bench Jameis Winston for Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback and you have an offense that is likely to be run-heavy. Sure, the Bengals know that and will likely be ready to stop him. Managers concerned that their game plan will adversely affect Ford's production should take solace in knowing that they have allowed 100 yards or a touchdown to opposing running backs in all but one game since October 27 against Philadelphia.
That is a trend that should continue in this latest battle for Ohio. Jalen Waddle is out Sunday for Miami and Tyreek Hill was downgraded to questionable, leaving managers who still held out hope that the Dolphins would contribute to their playoff roster looking elsewhere for replacements. Green Bay's Romeo Doubs caught three balls for 40 yards and two touchdowns against Seattle in Week 16 and is a worthwhile option against a New Orleans Saints team ranked 23rd against opposing wide receivers and giving up 23.
71 points . The Saints also utilize a two-high defense that creates a favorable match-up for Doubs. Derek Brown of FantasyPros wrote: "Since Week 3, New Orleans has had the fourth-highest two high rate in the NFL (55%).
Since Week 7, against two-high, Doubs has led the team with a 26% TPRR and ranked second with a 25% first-read share while posting 1.96 YPRR. The Packers receivers have all been extremely efficient against two high, so it continues to be a roulette wheel.
" Taking that into consideration, and the Saints are essentially playing out the stretch against a Packers offense that has been hot of late, start Doubs and hope for a repeat of last week. All stats from FantasyPros unless otherwise noted..
