FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

"Fantasy Football Week 16 Waiver Wire: Must-Have Players to Add to Your Roster"

Episode 1901 | December 15, 2025 | Hosted by Joey P. Zepia with Derrick Brown (“Dbro”) & Pat Fitzmorris (“Fitzy”)

Episode Overview

This week’s episode zeroes in on must-add waiver wire targets for Week 16, designed to help listeners survive injuries, make savvy pickups, and push for a fantasy football championship. The crew—Joey P., Dbro, and Fitzy—dives into crucial replacements for injured stars (notably Patrick Mahomes), runs through streamable quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, and provides actionable analysis and rankings for league-winning waiver moves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Panic: Mahomes Injury & Waiver Solutions

• Patrick Mahomes’ ACL Tear Reaction
  • “This is the sign from the football gods…take a step back now, Kansas City…this is where you remake the team.”
    — Joey P., 01:44
  • Chiefs’ roster needs: An “X” receiver and reliable running back required to reignite the offense.
• Waiver Streamers for QB
  • Jacoby Brissett (Washington): Overlooked after a bad matchup, but still delivering as a QB1. Facing Atlanta next.
    • “He finishes a QB1 again. It doesn’t matter who he’s playing against.” —Joey P., 05:35
  • J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota):
    • “QB6 right now…250 and 2, got a rushing score on the ground…he looks like a totally different quarterback.” —Dbro, 05:58
    • Great streamer versus the Giants.
  • C.J. Stroud (Houston):
    • “I don’t think the issue was ever really with C.J. Stroud… his O-line has stabilized… really nice game against the Cardinals (22-29, 260 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT).” —Fitzy, 07:20
    • Raiders matchup up next.
  • Bryce Young (Carolina - longshot): Good matchup with Bucs, but lower passing volume due to team’s tendencies.

2. Running Back Recommendations

• Blake Corum (LA Rams)

  • Still available in about 60% of leagues.
  • “93.3 rushing yards per game, 9.3 yards per carry, four touchdowns over last three”—Fitzy, 09:24
  • Volume limited (⅓ snaps, no passing game usage).

• Michael Carter (Arizona)

  • Elevated to lead back after Bam Knight injury.
    • “Played 53 of 66 snaps, 18 touches, 94 total yards. If he’s the bell cow, he’s an RB2.” —Dbro, 10:41

• Washington Backfield Sheer Madness: Jacory Crosky-Merritt & Jerrick McNichols

  • JCM viable IF Chris Rodriguez remains out.
    • “12 to 17 touches…If he scores a touchdown, he’s an RB2” —Dbro, 11:41
    • “I do think Crosky Merritt would be the play. McNichols just doesn’t get the sort of target numbers you would hope for.” —Fitzy, 13:27

• Joar Jordan (Houston)

  • Next up with Woody Marks injured:
    • “17 touches, 118 total yards…if Marks misses the next two games, he gets the Raiders and Chargers, who can’t stop anybody on the ground.” —Dbro, 15:18

3. Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Focus

• Darius Slayton (NY Giants)

  • “27.7% target share…definitely more meat on the bone here. He gets the Vikings and the Raiders.” —Dbro, 20:50

• Jaden Reed (Green Bay Packers)

  • “I think Reed can maybe be their possession guy, higher volume guy…he might flirt with wide receiver two upside.” —Dbro, 22:59
  • Bears matchup looks favorable; slot matchup with Kyler Gordon out.

• Jaden Higgins (Houston)

  • Recent usage drop; Texans’ WR rotation makes him volatile.
    • “Over-under on targets this week might be three and a half, unfortunately.” —Fitzy, 24:49
    • “Wide range of outcomes…still think he’s a pickup, flex play, depends on options.” —Dbro, 25:06

• Devon Vele (NO Saints)

  • “Schedule is glorious—Jets, Titans, and Falcons. Plug him in, probably gets you 4 for 60, 5 for 50.” —Dbro, 26:27

4. Streaming Options: Tight End, Defense, Kicker

• Tight Ends

  • Darren Waller (MIA): “Bengals defense is not good…Waller probably involved, especially in the red zone.” —Fitzy, 27:58
  • Colby Parkinson (LA Rams):
    • “Full time routes, multiple TDs last week. Gets Seahawks, Falcons, Cardinals—all juicy TE matchups for rest of season.” —Dbro, 28:58

• Defenses

  • Saints Defense vs. Jets: “An improving Saints defense vs the Jets? Yes, sign me up.” —Dbro, 30:05
  • Cowboys Defense vs. Chargers: “Since Joe Alt went on IR, Chargers’ OL is Swiss cheese…Dallas is in play this week.” —Fitzy, 30:58

• Kickers

  • Eddy Pinero (Carolina): “Averaging 10.6 fantasy points, gets an indoor matchup vs Colts.” —Fitzy, 31:31
  • Will Lutz (Denver): “Field goal opportunities against the Jaguars.” —Dbro, 32:11

5. Top 5 Waiver Priorities for Week 16

Dbro:

1. Michael Carter
2. Jacory Crosky-Merritt (“Bill”)
3. Joar Jordan
4. Blake Corum
5. Darius Slayton
   Fitzy:
6. Michael Carter
7. Jacory Crosky-Merritt (adjust down if Chris Rodriguez plays)
8. Jaden Reed
9. Blake Corum
10. Darren Waller
    (32:40–33:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You know how many times Cher has reinvented herself? I’m pretty sure the Kansas City Chiefs can do it.”
  —Joey P., 03:11

• “If Marks is less healthy than we think and isn’t able to suit up, I mean, Jordan is probably a guy I’ll be ranking in the top 20 next week.”
  —Fitzy, 16:53

• “Brady Cook played way better than I thought…I’ve seen too much Brady Cook in college to believe in Brady Cook.”
  —Dbro, 30:37

• “Pinero is averaging 10.6 fantasy points…indoors against the Colts—it’s attractive.”
  —Fitzy, 31:31

Important Timestamps

• Mahomes Injury & Chiefs Future: 01:44 – 03:30
• QB Waiver/Streamer Chat: 05:35 – 08:14
• RB Waivers—Corum, Carter, Washington Backs: 09:24 – 14:34
• RB Injury Watch—Houston’s Joar Jordan: 15:18 – 17:04
• WR Recommendations: 20:43 – 27:47
• TE Streamers: 27:58 – 29:32
• Defense/Kicker Streamers: 30:05 – 32:22
• Top Waiver Rankings: 32:40 – 33:08

Episode Tone & Style

The hosts balance sharp, evidence-based fantasy guidance with humor and camaraderie. They maintain a conversational, lively pace—even during minor debates, keeping the advice accessible and actionable for all fantasy players. The banter (e.g., “Cher has reinvented herself, so can Andy Reid!”) and real-game references blend entertainment with expertise.

For listeners in playoff contention or scrambling to replace key injured starters, this episode serves up a comprehensive, practical roadmap for waiver wire success in Week 16.