Fantasy Football Today Express - EARLY Week 16 Waiver Wire Targets

Release Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer (Host), Jamey Eisenberg (Analyst)

Episode Overview

This FFT Express episode tackles the critical early waiver wire targets for Week 16—championship semifinals in most fantasy leagues. With a slew of injuries hitting key NFL players, notably Patrick Mahomes and Devonte Adams, the Fantasy Football Today team provides swift yet comprehensive guidance on which emerging and replacement players can help save your season. Jamey Eisenberg joins Adam Aizer to break down the best pickups at every position, giving special insights for both desperate and deep-league managers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Fantasy Playoff Chaos: Injury Fallout

• Injuries have left a gaping hole in fantasy rosters as Week 16 approaches:
  • Notable losses: Patrick Mahomes, Devonte Adams.
  • Many RBs with uncertain status, making backups suddenly valuable.
  • Jamey Eisenberg notes:

    "When you lose Patrick Mahomes, you lose, most likely, Devonte Adams... Not ideal for the fantasy semifinals, but here we are." (02:19)

Running Back Targets

• Top Priority:
  • Michael Carter (Washington)
    • Preferred over Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Denver) due to a better matchup vs. Falcons.
  • Quote:

    "I'm going to lean Carter over Croskey Merritt... Atlanta defense... has really been bad against running back." (02:44)

  • Denver:
    • Jalil McLaughlin (if R.J. Harvey sits).
  • New Orleans:
    • Audric Estime over Evan Hull.
  • Other Considerations:
    • Keaton Mitchell (steady PPR floor), Sean Tucker (TD potential in Tampa), stashes like Malik Davis in case of late-week injury news.
  • Quote:

    "Keaton Mitchell's gotten you at least 6.6 PPR points for more in three straight games." (06:51)

Quarterback Streamers

• Gardner Minshew (Indianapolis)
  • Top streamer against a soft Tennessee defense.

    "Minshew taking on the Titans, it's been seven of eight quarterbacks, 21.6 fantasy points or more... going to give Minshew a slight edge over Bryce Young and Tyler Shuck." (04:24)

• Kirk Cousins (Minnesota) at Arizona
  • Viable but unpredictable.

    "Cousins on the list but we never know which Kirk Cousin is going to show up." (05:01)

• Other Desperation Plays:
  • Bryce Young (Car vs. TB), Tyler Shuck (NO vs. NYJ), Marcus Mariota (PHI)—for those in deep trouble.

    "You are talking about desperate situations." (04:53)

  • On Trevor Lawrence:

    "I have Lawrence still ranked ahead of those guys, but it's close." (05:20)

Wide Receiver Adds

• Top Tier:
  • Jaden Reed (Green Bay)
    • High upside if Christian Watson (injury) sits.

      "Jaden Reed... has just as much upside as Matthew Golden. I think Reed could be a starter in three receiver leagues." (07:37)

• Notables:
  • Matthew Golden (value depends on Watson’s status), Jalen Coker (solid in 3-WR leagues), Adonai Mitchell (another score, nine targets), Rashid Shaheed (deep leagues).
• Monitor:
  • Luther Burden (possible add if playing; monitor injury updates), Alamiade Zaccheaus if Burden and Romo Odunze are out.

    "Jalen Coker has now played—had two solid games in a row—taking on Tampa Bay, I think he's worth a look." (08:17)

Tight End Streamers

• Colson Loveland (Michigan)
  • "Misses the cut at 66% rostered, but someone to add in shallower leagues."
• Dalton Schultz (Houston)
  • "Just been awesome, available in some leagues."
• Kyle Pitts (Atlanta)
  • If Drake London is OUT, Pitts jumps to TE3 for the week.

    "Right now Kyle Pitts without Drake London in my rankings is the number three tight end." (09:19)

• Kobie Parkinson (Rams)
  • Top streamer under the wire.

    "Had five catches, scored two touchdowns... Seattle struggles against tight ends." (09:50)

• Other deep options: Theo Johnson (Penn State, 65% rostered), T.J. Hockenson (finally hot again at 50%).

Defensive & Kicker Streamers

• DSTs:
  1. Saints (vs. Jets: great matchup regardless of QB)
  2. Vikings (vs. Giants)
  3. Lions (potential good game script vs. Steelers)
• Kickers:
  • Eddie Pinero, Zane Gonzalez, Andres Boregales (good matchups, Pinero steady when healthy).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On playoff injury luck:

  "It's. It's Interesting... A lot of injuries. We'll see if these injury replacements can step up." – Jamey Eisenberg (02:19)

• On QB waivers:

  "None of these guys are in my top 12. So you are talking about desperate situations." – Jamey (04:53)

• On chaotic late-season adds:

  “Please just put Brian Robinson Jr. on your bench.” – Jamey (06:53)

• On tight end landscape:

  "Right now Kyle Pitts without Drake London in my rankings is the number three tight end." – Jamey (09:19)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Content/Highlights | |--------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:19 | Injury Fallout | Key injuries impacting Week 16 waiver wire. | | 02:44-03:43 | RB Add Rankings | Top pickups: Michael Carter, Croskey-Merritt, McLaughlin, Estime, and others. | | 04:24-05:20 | Quarterback Streamers | Minshew vs. Titans tops the list, deep-league desperation picks. | | 06:13-06:59 | More RB Streamers | Further breakdown--deep-league and “just-in-case” stashes. | | 07:37-08:17 | Top WR Adds | Jaden Reed, Matthew Golden, others; injury monitoring for picks. | | 09:01-10:43 | Tight End Additions | Loveland, Dalton Schultz, Colby Parkinson, Hockenson, Pitts. Stats and reasoning. | | 11:00-11:29 | Defense and Kicker Streamers | Week 16 streamer picks across DST and kickers. |

Final Thoughts

Emergencies create opportunity—this week’s waiver wire episode arms fantasy managers with strategic, position-specific targets to keep that title run alive. Injuries are rampant, but so are replacement options—and understanding the matchups is essential. The FFT team recommends prioritizing upside backs (Michael Carter), trustworthy receivers (Jaden Reed), stream-friendly QBs (Minshew), and tight ends riding recent hot streaks. Watch injury reports closely and take advantage of streamer defenses facing the league’s worst offenses.

For a comprehensive dive, tune in to tomorrow’s extended waiver episode!