And just like that, the fantasy football playoffs are here. Whether you’re looking ahead to a Week-15 bye, preparing for a hard-earned playoff run, or simply trying to avoid embarrassment in the toilet bowl, these Week 15 waiver adds should help you on your way.
Note: The following players are rostered in fewer than 40% of ESPN leagues, per their website.
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Week 15 Waiver Adds
Patrick Taylor (49ers)
For the second week in a row, it’s a 49ers running back that will sit at the top of waiver wires after the team suffered yet another injury at the position. This week, the next man up is expected to be Patrick Taylor, who carried seven times for 25 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s demolition of the Bears.
It should be noted, that the team hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Isaac Guerendo playing in Week 15. But with the rookie missing practice to start the week, and the team playing on Thursday night, it’s more likely that Taylor will be stepping in.
If he does, he will face a Rams run defense that has allowed 5.2 yards/carry over their last five games, the third-most in the league.
Jaleel McLaughlin (Broncos)
Those who saw last week’s waiver article but didn’t have space to stash Jaleel McLaughlin, who was on bye this past weekend, are in luck. McLaughlin is still widely available and is perhaps the most likely league-winner of the three running backs on this list.
McLaughlin looks to have taken the Broncos starting role over the team’s last two games, after leaving both Javonte Williams and Audric Estime in the dust in terms of efficiency.
And the second-year back’s promotion to starter has come just in time to make a splash in the fantasy playoffs.
The Broncos face the Colts, Chargers, and Bengals over the next three weeks, who rank 4th, 6th and 11th (all tied) in yards allowed/carry over their last five games.
Sincere McCormick (Raiders)
Sunday saw Sincere McCormick follow up on the promise he showed in Week 13. The third-year back rushed for 78 yards on 15 carries, adding two catches for 11 yards. Whilst not mind-blowing numbers, it was enough to finish as the RB25 in half-ppr, and repay anyone that trusted him in a flex spot.
The only threat to McCormick’s steady fantasy value would be the return of Alexander Mattison. Mattison struggled for efficiency before his injury and is unlikely to threaten McCormick’s rushing work, but could potentially steal some pass-catching opportunity. That being said, Mattison is out of contract after this season and has given the Raiders little reason to keep him, and therefore little reason to favor him with no hope of making the playoffs.
Whilst McCormick isn’t the pick of the bunch on waivers this week, he has a very favorable schedule for the fantasy playoffs. The Raiders face Atlanta, Jacksonville, and New Orleans, who have allowed the the 11th, 8th, and 4th (all tied) most rushing yards/attempt over their last five games.
Adam Thielen (Panthers)
Whilst Patrick Taylor might get the most attention, Adam Thielen is the grand prize among the week 15 waiver adds.
Thielen now has double-digit targets in back-to-back games, as a rejuvenated Bryce Young looks to find him at every opportunity. On Sunday, Thielen made it 17 catches on 21 targets, for 201 yards and a touchdown over his last two games.
However gross it might feel to start a Carolina receiver in the fantasy playoffs, the offense has taken a huge step forward of late. The defense, on the other hand, remains awful, which only means continued work for Thielen and Co.
Ray-Ray McCloud (Falcons)
Perhaps a surprise inclusion in this week’s waiver article, Ray-Ray McCloud has caught 18 of 23 targets for 239 yards over his last three games. This past Sunday, the receiver caught eight of 11 targets for 98 yards as the Falcons were handily beaten by Minnesota.
Again, McCloud is not a name that anyone dreamed of starting in the fantasy playoffs, but he has now logged back-to-back games of 95+ receiving yards and double-digit half-ppr points.
Whilst McCloud is admittedly a hard sell, he is worthy a of a flex spot in full-ppr leagues at the very least.
Stone Smartt (Chargers)
Stone Smartt stepped up for the Chargers in a big way on Sunday, providing a big-bodied target for Justin Herbert after Will Dissly went down with an injury.
Smartt caught all three of his targets in the second half, totaling 54 receiving yards.
While previously a non-factor for fantasy purposes, Smartt’s presence was impossible to ignore after Dissly went down, with Herbert more than happy to look to him downfield for important chunk plays.
Dissly looks set to miss multiple weeks, so Smartt should be an option throughout the fantasy playoffs. If you only need a starter for week 15 though, he faces a Tampa Bay team that are tied for the fifth-most fantasy points allowed to tight ends this season.
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