NFL Waiver Wire Workout: Week 16

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Because league formats vary, one size doesn't fit all when it comes to your waiver wire. That's why I break possible free agent adds into three categories, all of whom are available in fewer than one-third of Yahoo! leagues. Follow me on Twitter for the latest on possible additions to your fantasy roster.

J.J. Nelson, WR, ARI (owned in 27% of Yahoo leagues). It's your fantasy championship. Now isn't the time to go crazy starting guys you add off the wire. But if you have no choice—if, for instance, you can't look at Allen Robinson's name for one more second—Nelson is the week's top add. He's a bad bet to catch a lot of passes, because his hands sometimes seem incapable, but with Jaron Brown gone with a torn ACL, John Brown's playing time limited by his sickle-cell trait, and Michael Floyd released, Nelson gets huge run. He's got four touchdowns in his past three games. That's because he's really, really fast. You'd need a lucky break and a big play Week 16 against the Seahawks, but it only takes one defensive breakdown for Nelson to make his nut.

Robby Anderson, WR, NYJ (7% owned). As nearly everything else in the Jets offense has taken the pipe, this skinny rookie from Temple has worked his way from the "Deep League" to the "Speculative" and now the "All Leagues" section of this list. Under normal circumstances, on a real NFL offense, Anderson would have no business being near your fantasy finalist. But he's been targeted 12, 11, and six times the past three weeks. And he could make a big play against New England's suspect ancillary cover guys.

Giants Defense (33% owned). I'd also be fine looking at the Chargers D/ST (30% owned), and if you're in a deeper league and need a flyer, maybe Washington (13% owned) against the Bears. But I'll take a shot on the Giants, a defense that along with Odell Beckham is responsible for the squad's 10-4 record. Thursday night in Philly, New York gets to face an Eagles offense that can't threaten anyone deep. Philly will get Lane Johnson back at right tackle, and that could help Ryan Mathews build on a surprisingly strong Week 15 outing, but it's time to take the Giants seriously.

Players listed in previous weeks who are still adds: none.

Darren McFadden, RB, DAL (2% owned). For three months I've proclaimed that Ezekiel Elliott owners should also roster Alfred Morris as Zeke's handcuff. That appears no longer to be the case. DMC is back from his broken elbow and was Elliott's backup Sunday night, while Alf was inactive. Make the switch.

Cameron Meredith, WR, CHI (33% owned). Matt Barkley isn't a starting-caliber NFL quarterback, but he's played a lot of catch-up over the past month and that's led to a whole bunch of yards. Meredith made one huge play down the seam in a comeback attempt versus the Packers Sunday, and could see work as a target behind returned star Alshon Jeffery.

Ryan Griffin, TE, HOU (2% owned). Fortunately for Griffin, Tom Savage (see below) also likes to check down to his tight ends. As long as C.J. Fiedorowicz is out with a concussion, Griffin probably gives you a pretty safe floor.

Colin Kaepernick, QB, SF (33% owned). Yeah, you probably shouldn't stream Kaep in your finals, if only to avoid upsetting the football gods. But you know the drill: because he runs, he doesn't have to throw well to give you fantasy points. And that's a good thing, because he almost certainly won't throw well.

Players listed in previous weeks who are still speculative adds: DeAngelo Williams, RB, PIT (20%); Mike Gillislee, RB, BUF (25%); Charles Sims, RB, TB (17%); Damien Williams, RB, MIA (3%); Alfred Blue, RB, HOU (2%); Justin Forsett, RB, DEN (19%); Chris Thompson, RB, WAS (22%); Paul Perkins, RB, NYG (13%); Dwayne Washington, RB, DET (12%); Jeremy Langford, RB, CHI (23%); Andre Ellington, RB, ARI (3%); Marqise Lee, WR, JAC (16%); Chris Hogan, WR, NE (19%); Phillip Dorsett, WR, IND (17%); Vernon Davis, TE, WAS (24%); Hunter Henry, TE, SD (20%); Jermaine Gresham, TE, ARI (10%).

Tom Savage, QB, HOU (0% owned). The Texans watched Brock Osweiler throw interceptions on back-to-back passes Sunday and had enough. They put in Savage—a third-year veteran who's rarely even been active on game days—and he did enough to engineer a comeback. If you're desperate in a two-QB league, he's your huckleberry.

Dion Sims, TE, MIA (0% owned). Sims has replaced Jordan Cameron as the Dolphins' starting tight end, though MarQueis Gray gets about one-third of team's positional snaps. Sims is working on four touchdowns in his past four games, all from inside the red zone, so at least he's got a hot hand.

Robert Turbin, RB, IND (1% owned). Turbin popped in a couple short touchdowns in the Colts' unexpected road win versus the Vikings, vulturing from Frank Gore, who otherwise had a solid fantasy day. I'm almost positive you missed Turbin's best game of 2016, but if you're desperate for a touchdown….

Deonte Thompson, WR, CHI (0% owned). Thompson is Chicago's primary kick returner, but he also graduated to No. 3 receiver Sunday, and among the trees (Alshon Jeffery and Cameron Meredith) he found some soft spots in Green Bay's zone and kept the sticks moving. It could happen again versus Washington. Maybe.

Charles Johnson, WR, MIN (0% owned). Adam Thielen took a nasty defenseless hit from Darius Butler and looked concussed, meaning the No. 2 receiving job behind Stefon Diggs could be up for grabs. Of course, with the Vikings offense looking like your high school's, that role might not be worth much.

Players listed in previous weeks who are still addable in deep leagues: Matt Barkley, QB, CHI (3%); Matt Moore, QB, MIA (1%); Rex Burkhead, RB, CIN (6%); Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, CAR (2%); Kenny Stills, WR, MIA (12%); Ted Ginn, WR, CAR (27%); Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, MIN (5%).

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