This article is part of our NFL Waiver Wire series.
This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based upon both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column is posted every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedule. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.
Week 15 marked the beginning of the fantasy playoffs for most leagues and saw interesting results across the board. A late, garbage-time touchdown from Alshon Jeffery and Jay Cutler might have turned the matchup for some leagues while Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning disappointed. Johnny Manziel looked like he might not be ready for the big time, and Jeremy Hill got the lion's share of carries and didn't disappoint. Odell Beckham Jr. looks like a top-5 receiver in the league -- and that may be a conservative estimation.
The waiver wire once again is thin this week, and the truth is in most leagues you already have on your roster the players you'll start this week. Still, someone like Joseph Randle might slide nicely into your flex spot or you may be in a deeper league making the following players more relevant.
Good luck this week!
QUARTERBACK
Secondary targets
Robert Griffin, WAS - There's talk in Washington that the Redskins are thinking about placing Colt McCoy on IR, thus ending his season. Griffin would once again be under center for the Redskins and be in play against the Eagles this week. There were times in relief of McCoy Sunday that Griffin resembled his 2012 version, and he had a controversial rushing touchdown taken off the board. Quarterbacks average more than 22 fantasy points per game against the Eagles, and the added rushing dimension makes Griffin more valuable than the average quarterback. He has weapons in Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, and the presence of Griffin should help open running lanes for Alfred Morris, as well. FAAB: $8-12
RUNNING BACK
Primary Targets
Joseph Randle, DAL - It's still early in the week but it appears DeMarco Murray could miss this weekend's game after undergoing surgery to repair his broken hand Monday. Randle and Lance Dunbar would pick up the slack in the Dallas backfield with Randle the better fantasy option. While Murray deserves a ton of credit, there's a strong argument that Dallas boasts one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in the NFL. In limited work this season Randle is averaging a ridiculous seven yards per carry and found the end zone twice. Dallas' matchup is good this week as it takes on Indianapolis (4.3 yards per carry against) in AT&T Stadium. Again, Dunbar will see an increased workload as well, but Randle is the more attractive option. Randle, FAAB: $40-50
Dunbar, FAAB: $10-$15
Secondary Targets
Toby Gerhart, JAC - The loss of Denard Robinson for the season means Gerhart returns to being the featured back, a role in which he struggled to produce earlier this season. Gerhart finished Sunday's game against the Ravens with 15 touches for 63 yards and has only scored once this season. Gerhart is Jacksonville's biggest back and should get any work at the goal line. What makes Gerhart a potential sleeper this week is his matchup against the Titans. Tennessee has been bad against the run this season, giving up 4.2 yards per carry and a league-worst 139.6 rushing yards per game. FAAB: $5-10
C.J. Spiller, BUF - The Bills will reinstate Spiller this week after he was sidelined the last several weeks with a collarbone injury. The touches for Bills running backs the last couple weeks have been dominated by Fred Jackson, who averages just 3.9 yards per carry. It's tough to imagine a scenario where Spiller somehow gets 15-plus touches this week as Bryce Brown and Boobie Dixon have carved out roles for themselves in Spiller's absence. However, its possible Spiller gets some touches this week before perhaps an expanded role Week 17 in New England. FAAB: $4-$8
Hail Mary
Alfonso Smith, SF - The backfield for the 49ers had a rough day with Frank Gore suffering a concussion and Carlos Hyde suffering both a back and ankle injury. Smith entered the game in the fourth quarter and only gained six yards on four carries against the Seahawks. He appeared to get shaken up on one play and doesn't have a ton of upside, but he could be interesting if he's the only healthy running back. It hasn't been determined if either Gore or Hyde will miss this weekend's game, and it's a decent matchup against the Chargers. Best-case scenario as far as the waiver wire goes is that Gore is held out and Hyde makes a miraculous recovery. Hyde is owned in 50-60 percent of most leagues, so he could be in play depending. Smith, FAAB: $2-4;
Hyde, FAAB: $10-15 as a speculative bid
WIDE RECEIVER
Secondary Targets
Harry Douglas, ATL - While Julio Jones is expected to return this week, it's hard to imagine he'll be anything close to 100 percent healthy. Douglas had a big game in his absence last week, collecting 10 catches for 132 yards. Douglas is dealing with a foot injury himself, something to monitor throughout the week. Douglas now has 100-yard games in two of his last three and gets an outstanding matchup against the Saints, who have been torched through the air all season. FAAB: $5-10
