With the fantasy playoffs here, it's essential to stay alert when managing the waiver wire. NFL news and performances continually present new opportunities and challenges.
Staying updated with the fallout from each week's games can help you spot missed waiver-wire pickups, plus reading ahead on any possible ways to get ahead of the pickups crowd, giving you an edge for the week or even the remainder of the playoffs.
Keep scrolling for every player pickup suggestion in our Week 16 fantasy football waiver wire report.
Week 16 waiver wire: Best fantasy pickups
David Sills V, WR, Falcons (0% rostered in Yahoo Fantasy leagues)
It's incredibly apparent that, with Drake London out, Kirk Cousins likes throwing to David Sills. Sills had a career-best performance in the Falcons' Week 15 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The college quarterback-turned-wide-receiver from West Virginia saw 10 targets from Cousins. Sills hauled in six of these for 79 yards.
Unfortunately, Sills dropped a relatively easy pass that could have resulted in a long touchdown.
This would have made the fantasy stat line stand out. Still, his usage will be noticeable going forward, and Sills should be rostered until London returns at the very least. David Sills V FAAB: 10%
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Jawhar Jordan (0%) & Dare Ogunbowale (1%) RB, Texans
While Dare Ogunbowale did not do much in Week 15, the opportunity moving forward could be present. Nick Chubb missed Week 15, and Woody Marks injured his ankle.
Jawhar Jordan took advantage of his chance when Marks went down. The sixth-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft was elevated from the practice squad and balled out in Week 15 with 17 touches for 118 total yards.
If Chubb and/or Marks miss more time, Jordan (5-foot-10, 186 pounds) or Ogunbowale could find themselves as the lead backs in a favorable matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. They could at least be backup plans for flex problems. Jawhar Jordan / Dare Ogunbowale FAAB: 5%
Jalen McMillan, WR, Buccaneers (3%)
While the fantasy performance wasn't quite there, anyone who watched Thursday Night Football in Week 15 saw Jalen McMillan's impact on the game. McMillan made his long-awaited season debut after missing a majority of the season with a neck injury.
McMillan caught two passes from Baker Mayfield, both 19-yard receptions. One of them was initially called a 20-yard touchdown, before being reviewed and brought back to the 1-yard line.
McMillan is not the flashiest pickup, but at this point in the fantasy season, you need to take dart throws on the waiver wire. There is no rush to start him, but you never know when you might need to pivot fast in fantasy football. Jalen McMillan FAAB: 5%
MORE: Track our weekly fantasy rankings
Week 16 waiver wire streamers: Top sleepers to add before fantasy football playoffs
Consider spending a few of your FAB dollars on these one-week plays for your fantasy football playoffs.
QB Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Bryce Young, Panthers (17%)
Young gets a more than favorable matchup in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Many credit Todd Bowles as a defensive mastermind, but his unit has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. In Week 15, Kirk Cousins put up a season-best 26.9 against this Bucs defense. Young should have little problem producing a viable fantasy effort.
Tua Tagovailoa. Dolphins (18%)
There would be little comfort if anyone were to start Tagovailoa in their playoffs, but the matchup is there. In desperation, you could do worse than a QB that gets to face the Cincinnati Bengals, who have allowed the third most fantasy points per game to the position.
TE Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Evan Engram, Broncos (37%)
The consistency with Engram for fantasy football has never been there, but the upside always is. We've seen him draw north of seven targets on several occasions this season. In Week 16, he'll face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have allowed 16.3 FPPG to TEs.
Mike Gesicki, Bengals (5%)
In Week 14, Gesicki had a fantastic game for fantasy purposes. Now he'll get two of the bottom 10 defenses at defending the TE position (Miami and Arizona) in Weeks 16 and 17.
Team Defense Fantasy Streaming Pickups
New York Giants (4%)
There is a legit argument to start the Giants' defense in Week 16 with the hopes that "Nine" shows up for the Minnesota Vikings. Anyone who has been on social media knows that J.J. McCarthy isn't just being made into a meme for fun; he's been playing poorly for most of the season. The Giants D/ST offers a ton of upside in this game.
Atlanta Falcons (21%)
The Falcons D/ST has been all over the place this season, making it a headache to know when to start them in fantasy football. However, against the Bucs in Week 15, they were flying around. Now they'll face the Arizona Cardinals, who are less than threatening.
Kicker Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Eddy Pineiro, 49ers (16%)
Being that Pineiro is coming off an injury, he's still widely available in leagues. The 49ers' kicker was more than reliable before he went down with a hamstring injury. Now in Week 16, he gets an indoor matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Zane Gonzalez, Falcons (3%)
When you enter December, it's as simple as this: Gonzalez plays a below-average defense in a controlled environment. He's a better start than any other kicker who plays a tough defense outdoors.