NFL Waiver Wire: Week 15 Pickups

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.

QUARTERBACK

Secondary Targets

Colin Kaepernick, SF - Kaepernick has been mentioned multiple times in this column the last few weeks and winds up here again for good reason. This week he'll travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons, who allow the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Kaepernick's value lies in his ability not only accrue points from passing but from using his legs, as well. At home and against one of the worst defenses in the league the Falcons should have no trouble putting up points and forcing Kaepernick to throw a lot playing from behind. Kaepernick is in play if your usual quarterback faces a tough matchup this week. FAAB: $4-$8

Hail Mary

Matt Moore, MIA - While it was good news that Ryan Tannehill only sprained his ACL it's more than likely he's taken his last snap this season. Moore is in line to start Sunday and will get a solid week to work with the starters. He has good weapons at his disposal who should have no problem beating a Jets secondary that's looked terrible this season. Moore probably isn't someone you want to lean on in most standard formats but in two-quarterback or super-flex leagues he has value. FAAB: $2-$4

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Bilal Powell, NYJ - Powell barely makes the cut this week as his ownership level on Yahoo is 45 percent. He could be the difference maker in the fantasy playoffs, especially in a PPR format. It doesn't look like Matt Forte will play this weekend, and Jets probably should have used Powell more than they have. Granted, Powell's big game came against a historically bad run defense in San Francisco, but he should be in line for about 20 touches while Forte is out. This should be the No. 1 target on the waiver wire this week. FAAB: Blow your budget

Kenneth Farrow, SD - The injury to Melvin Gordon was a huge blow to fantasy owners in the first round of the playoffs. The irony was that most of Gordon's owners were in the playoffs because they were smart enough to draft him in the middle rounds. There's really no reason for the Chargers to bring back Gordon this season with no hope of the playoffs. That means the bulk of the workload will fall on the shoulders of Farrow, who had 22 touches for 78 yards after Gordon left the game. Farrow was a workhorse throughout his college career and is a good receiver, as well. Farrow should be in line to lead the Chargers' backfield the rest of the season. In deeper leagues, teammate Ronnie Hillman is worth considering as he's likely to spell Farrow from time to time. FAAB: $25-$50

Secondary Targets

Dwayne Washington, DET - Theo Riddick being ruled out early Sunday morning came as a surprise, and perhaps the bigger surprise was Washington's return to the field a week after being carted off. He filled the role as the main ball carrier for the Lions with 16 carries and finished with 74 yards from scrimmage. It's uncertain if Riddick will miss more time, but Washington got carries between the tackles on early downs the last few games anyway. FAAB: $4-$8

Hail Mary

Ty Montgomery, GB - It appears that Montgomery is heading up the committee in the Packers' backfield and is the player to own out of that group. He played more than half the snaps Sunday, getting the goal-line work as well and scoring a touchdown. Obviously he's a capable receiver. Although he should continue to get double-digit touches every week it doesn't appear that he'll get a heavy workload (i.e. 20 touches). FAAB: $2-$4

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Target

Taylor Gabriel, ATL - Gabriel was mentioned a few weeks ago in this column and deserves another given the status of the Falcons' wide receivers. With both Mohammed Sanu and Julio Jones out Sunday, Gabriel finished with three catches for 82 yards and a score. While Gabriel only got six targets in the passing game, the Falcons played the whole game safely ahead of the Rams and didn't need to throw as much (Ryan attempted 28 passes, tying a season low). It's unclear if or how much time Jones and Sanu will miss but if they continue to be out, the schedule (vs. SF, at CAR, vs. NO) sets up nicely for Gabriel. Just be aware he's 48 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. FAAB: $20-$30

Secondary Targets

Robby Anderson, NYJ - One week can be an anomaly but with two solid games under his belt with Bryce Petty, Anderson is firmly on the fantasy radar. Anderson came just short of the 100-yard receiving mark with 99 and is an example of a backup quarterback trusting the backup wide receiver he's used to working with in practice. The notable stats for Anderson are his 12 and 11 targets the last two games, showing how much Petty is leaning on him. Anderson is still considered the third wide receiver for the Jets, but they're running enough three-wide receiver sets to make him relevant. This production from Anderson seems to be legit; he's 6-foot-3 and has been clocked running a 4.36 40. FAAB: $4-$8