NFL Fantasy Football Week 16 Waiver Wire

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson (84) catches the ball for a gain during a NFL game against the Detroit Lions on December 15, 2025 at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.

Greetings from San Diego! For most leagues, we’re now entering the second round of the fantasy playoffs. If you’re still in it, congratulations, you’ve earned this. If not, don’t worry, there’s always next year, and plenty of reasons to keep playing hard. This week’s waiver wire highlights the top must-add players who can give your roster the edge in another week of high-stakes fantasy action.

In no particular order, here are my top 18 waiver wire options to add for Week 16. My one rule that I have set for this is that a player must be rostered in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be eligible in my column.

Quarterbacks

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals (Rostered: 44.1%): It’s hard to believe Brissett, who owns an impressive 18-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio, is still available in more than 50% of leagues this late in the season. In a performance many doubted would come to fruition, he delivered 20 fantasy points after throwing for 249 yards and three touchdowns against the Texans. Brissett has tossed multiple touchdown passes in eight of his past nine games and will look to set a new career high in passing touchdowns this week against the Falcons.

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (Rostered: 47.4%): Has Lawrence finally turned the corner? Despite the matchup against the Jets, the former No. 1 overall pick erupted for 330 passing yards, added 51 yards rushing and accounted for six total touchdowns. While a repeat performance is unlikely next week against the Broncos, Lawrence appears to have moved past his early-season struggles. He has found consistent success through the air with Jakobi Meyers, the return of Brian Thomas Jr., Brenton Strange and the emergence of Travis Etienne as the team’s RB1. Over his past four games, Lawrence has thrown for more than 220 yards and at least two touchdowns, while also rushing for more than 15 yards in six of his past seven games.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) scores a touchdown on a keeper during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (Rostered: 30.5%): It’s wise to temper expectations for McCarthy, even after back-to-back 20-point fantasy performances against the Commanders and Cowboys. Since returning from a concussion in Week 14, the second-year quarterback has accounted for six touchdowns (five passing) despite not yet connecting for a score with Justin Jefferson. That connection should eventually come, particularly down the stretch. McCarthy, 22, draws favorable matchups in each of the next two weeks, facing the Giants this week and the Lions in Week 17. If you’re uneasy about your current quarterback’s matchup, McCarthy is a viable streaming option for the fantasy playoffs.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (Rostered: 6.9%): Shough is another streaming option worth consideration. He has thrown for at least 230 yards in four of his past five games and has finished with 17 or more fantasy points in each of those contests. Shough has totaled seven touchdowns (five passing) over that span and has rushed for more than 20 yards in three of his past four games. He draws a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Jets, who have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game and the fourth-most touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this season.

Dec 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) throws the ball during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome.

Running Backs

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (Rostered: 29.7%): Corum may be the most valuable handcuff running back in fantasy football right now. Even with Kyren Williams leading the backfield and producing at a high level, Corum has remained involved, posting double-digit fantasy points in three consecutive games. During that span, he has rushed for 280 yards and four touchdowns while handling roughly 30% of the carries. Despite a tough Week 16 matchup against the Seahawks, Corum should be stashed if available, and he somehow remains rostered in fewer than 30% of ESPN leagues.

Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals (Rostered: 9.1%): Carter entered early in Week 15 after Bam Knight was injured and went on to lead the Cardinals’ backfield. He finished with season highs in both rushing yards and scrimmage yards. Knight’s status remains uncertain, but if he is sidelined, Carter would be in line for another significant workload in Week 16. Carter also has appealing matchups down the stretch, facing the Falcons this week and the Bengals in Week 17. He should be viewed as one of the top waiver-wire adds of the week.

Dec 14, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter (22) runs for a gain past Houston Texans linebacker Azeez al-Shaair (0) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders (Rostered: 47.9%): Filling in for the injured Chris Rodriguez in Week 15, Croskey-Merritt led Washington’s backfield with a season-high 18 carries. He also paced the team in rushing with 96 yards and scored his first touchdown since Week 5. The performance strengthened his case for a larger role, even if Rodriguez returns in Week 16. Still, it remains unclear whether Washington will shift more carries to the rookie over its veteran backs. Ahead of an NFC East matchup against the Eagles, monitor the practice report to determine Rodriguez’s status.

Jawhar Jordan, Houston Texans (Rostered: 0%): The Texans announced Monday that Jordan was reverted to the practice squad following his 101-yard rushing performance in Week 15. Coach DeMeco Ryans said Woody Marks could have returned to the game but the team opted to play it safe. With Marks and Nick Chubb sidelined, Jordan carried the ball 15 times, averaged 6.7 yards per carry and outsnapped Dare Ogunbowale 28-21. If Marks or Chubb misses Week 16, Jordan would be in line to serve as Houston’s lead back against the Raiders.

Dec 14, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Jawhar Jordan (26) breaks the tackle of Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium.

Wide Receivers

Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (Rostered: 45.9%): Reed is coming off one of his strongest performances of the season, posting a season-high 55 receiving yards while catching five of six targets in Week 15 against the Broncos. If Christian Watson is inactive in Week 16, Reed would be in line for a WR1-level workload against a favorable Bears secondary. Chicago has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game and is surrendering 9.1 yards per target to wide receivers this season.

Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets (Rostered: 29.6%): Since being traded to the Jets, Mitchell has shown notable growth despite inconsistent quarterback play. He draws a tougher matchup this week against the Saints, but his volume remains encouraging. Mitchell has seen at least six targets in every game since arriving in New York, including a 12-target outing. In the Jets’ Week 15 loss to the Jaguars, he caught six of nine targets for 58 yards and a touchdown.

Dec 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (15) dives for the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at MetLife Stadium.

Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears (Rostered: 15.1%): Burden enters Week 16 dealing with an ankle injury sustained in last week’s game against the Browns. Coach Ben Johnson labeled him day to day and has not ruled him out. If active, the rookie could be in line for a productive outing against a Packers secondary that has allowed 15 touchdowns to wide receivers. With Rome Odunze also managing an injury that could impact his availability, Burden could operate as Chicago’s WR2 behind DJ Moore. He should be viewed as a viable flex option, with WR2 upside in deeper formats.

Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers (Rostered: 3.5%): Coker has heated up over his past two games. Before the Panthers’ bye, he posted four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown, then followed with a 4-60-1 line in Week 15. The second-year wide receiver has recorded at least 50 receiving yards in three of his past four games and has seen at least four targets in five consecutive contests. Even with Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette in the mix, Coker continues to carve out a role and draws a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Buccaneers, who have been average against opposing receivers.

Dec 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome.

Tight Ends

Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams (Rostered: 10.5%): Parkinson has emerged as a reliable fantasy option at tight end and has been productive for the Rams of late. He is coming off his best performance of the season, catching five passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Over his past six games, Parkinson has scored six touchdowns and has seen at least four targets in five of those contests. He draws a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Seahawks, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. With Davante Adams unlikely to play, Parkinson could see an uptick in volume.

Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins (Rostered: 19.4%): Waller is coming off a season-high 25.6 fantasy points in Monday night’s win over the Steelers. He looks to carry that momentum into Week 16 against the Bengals, who have allowed the most fantasy points, receptions, yards and touchdowns to opposing tight ends this season. Miami’s passing game can be difficult to trust, but the matchup is too favorable to ignore, putting Waller firmly in TE1 consideration this week.

Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (83) catches the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (Rostered: 54.7%): After scoring just 5.2 fantasy points against Kansas City in Week 14, Schultz rebounded with a strong performance against the Cardinals, catching eight passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. He draws a tougher matchup this week against the Raiders, who have been vulnerable to running backs and wide receivers but more effective against tight ends, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points and yards at the position. Even so, Schultz remains a viable option, supported by his season-long production. He is one of four tight ends with at least 70 receptions and ranks sixth in receiving yards at the position.

Theo Johnson, New York Giants (Rostered: 46.9%): Johnson has gone five straight games without a touchdown but has topped 70 receiving yards in three of those contests. He led the Giants in receiving during their Week 15 loss to the Commanders and continues to see steady volume. The rookie has recorded at least four targets in 12 of 14 games this season. He faces a challenging Week 16 matchup against the Vikings, but Johnson’s consistent involvement keeps him in play for fantasy lineups.

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84) catches a ball by Washington Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (6), Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Defenses

Kansas City Chiefs Defense @ Tennessee Titans; Rostered - 30.3%

New Orleans Saints Defense vs. New York Jets; Rostered - 9.8%