We've put a bow on Week 14 of the 2022 NFL season and as head coach Bill Belichick would say, "We are on to Week 15."
Hopefully — with the help of Action Network's fantasy content — you are either preparing for the first week of playoffs or are cruising through with a bye. And even if you find yourself in the consolation bracket, you may be playing for pride or to avoid a last-place punishment.
Now it's time to gaze into the crystal ball and see which players we should target on the waiver wire now for a big-time payoff later.
Reminder: Bye weeks are over! Happy playoffs!
Week 16 Early Waiver Wire Targets
QB Mike White, Jets (29% rostered)
White made it past his most difficult hurdle thus far — though the effort did land him in the hospital after the game. He completed 27-of-44 attempts for 268 yards (no touchdowns or interceptions) against Buffalo and finished as the QB22.
The Bills rank seventh in pass DVOA and have allowed the seventh-fewest points in fantasy to quarterbacks this year, so his tepid performance is understandable. He was also banged up in the game as alluded to above, but the injury does not appear to be serious.
The Jets have an amazing schedule to finish out the year against four below-average pass defenses, starting with the Lions, whose defense has allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. After that, the Jets face the Jaguars, Seahawks and Dolphins — it does not get much better than that.
WR Elijah Moore, Jets (35%)
I like Moore for a lot of the same reasons I like White. For one, the offense looks a lot better with White, who has been a breath of fresh air after watching Zach Wilson flail under center.
Separate from White, it appears Moore has gotten past his early season drama, which involved requesting a trade due to low target volume. Last week, he caught six of a season-high 10 targets for 60 yards and was the WR36 in half-PPR scoring.
Hopefully he continues this trend against the Lions, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Moore could be a legitimate WR3/flex option in Week 16 against the Jaguars' 30th-ranked pass defense. You may want to scoop him up now before everyone else realizes that a late-season Year 2 mini-breakout could be upon us.
WR Jameson Williams, Lions (35%)
Williams has been used sparingly — expected given his injury history — since making his debut for the Lions.
He was targeted just once in Week 13 against the Jaguars, logging no catches and playing 11% of snaps. In Week 14, he played slightly more snaps (19%) and caught 1-of-2 targets for 41 yards and a touchdown, good enough to finish as the WR30 in half PPR.
There is little doubt in my mind that Williams is a superstar in the making. It may take until next year to see him fully develop into that — especially with D.J. Chark and Amon-Ra St. Brown playing at such a high level.
That said, his talent gives him sky-high upside and he could be a good late-season breakout candidate.
RB Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (38%)
Hubbard had his best fantasy game of the season in the Panthers’ upset win over the Seahawks in Week 14. He rushed 14 times for 74 yards and a touchdown and caught all three of his targets for 25 yards.
He was the RB10 for the week in half PPR and was more effective than D’Onta Foreman, who out-snapped Hubbard by a count of 34 to 23. Foreman had 21 carries for 74 yards with one reception for one yard and finished as the RB27.
Hubbard’s usage in the passing game intrigues me, especially on a team that plays from behind more often than not. This could be developing into an even time-share situation that could favor Hubbard in the right game scripts. He should be considered a RB3/flex play down the stretch.
TE Cade Otton, Buccaneers (9%)
Otton had a big game in Week 13, when he caught 6-of-10 targets for 28 yards and a touchdown. He came back down to Earth in a tough Week 14 matchup against the 49ers and was the TE15 opposite San Francisco's fifth-ranked pass defense, per DVOA.
Otton has another tougher obstacle on deck against the Bengals, who rank ninth in pass DVOA, though they have been middle-of-the-road against fantasy tight ends.
After that, the Buccaneers take on the Cardinals, who are downright atrocious against tight ends and have allowed the most fantasy points to the position. The talented rookie could definitely vault his way into the low-end TE1 streaming conversation in that mouthwatering matchup.
