Fantasy football playoffs are underway, and even though most owners’ rosters are set for the remainder of the season, injuries continue to create a need for the waiver wire.
There were several fantasy stars who suffered injuries in Week 14, including tight end Rob Gronkowski, wide receiver Wes Welker, and running backs Adrian Peterson and Reggie Bush. At this stage of the season, the only place to find a replacement for these stars is to go through the waiver wire.
Let’s look at some of the best waiver wire pickups for Week 15.
Jason Campbell, Cleveland Browns, QB
Campbell dominated the Patriots defense in Week 14 with 391 yards passing and three touchdowns. While it’s important not to overreact to one quality performance against a bad pass defense, it’s worth noting that Campbell is an accurate passer throwing to one of the league’s best receivers in Josh Gordon and a rising star in tight end Jordan Cameron. Campbell has also protected the football with nine touchdowns and only three interceptions in five starts. He’s thrown for at least 248 yards in four of his last five games, and has shown an ability to make plays down the field with one completion of at least 46 yards in four of his last five games.
Campbell is worth a pickup in fantasy leagues that start two quarterbacks each week.
Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings, RB
Adrian Peterson‘s status for Week 15 is unknown after picking up a foot injury against the Ravens on Sunday, which could result in Gerhart getting the start.
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The former Stanford running back ran for 89 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, which gives him three performances of 67 or more rush yards over the last four weeks. He’s proven to be a fantasy-relevant backup running back for the Vikings, and that shouldn’t change in a starting role. Gerhart is worth a pickup for anyone who owns Peterson, needs another flex starter or wants a good player for next season in a keeper league.
Da’Rick Rogers, Indianapolis Colts, WR
Rogers played in his second NFL game on Sunday and caught six passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns on nine targets. The 22-year-old rookie has impressive speed and size (6’3″, 208 pounds), and also runs routes well.
It’s unclear how much of a role he will have in the Colts offense for the remainder of the season, but Rogers did play 41 snaps (third-most among Colts receivers and tight ends) in Week 14, and quarterback Andrew Luck needs someone to step up in the absence of injured star Reggie Wayne. Rogers is a good pickup for Week 15 and is worth a start as a flex option in deep leagues.
Marlon Brown, Baltimore Ravens, WR
Brown has been inconsistent for the Ravens this season, but he gave his best performance as a pro in Sunday’s win over the Vikings with seven catches for 92 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets.
He leads Baltimore with six receiving touchdowns, and he’s also been targeted six or more times in a game six times. With the Ravens ranking 29th in rushing yards per game, expect quarterback Joe Flacco to throw early and often in the final weeks of the season. Brown has proven to be a reliable target for Flacco, especially as a down field threat opposite No. 1 receiver Torrey Smith.
Brown is worth a pickup in fantasy leagues with 12-16 teams and should be considered as a starting flex option.
Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens, TE
Given the lack of elite tights ends this season, Pitta is likely the best option left at the position on your league’s waiver wire. He made his season debut in Week 14 and immediately became an important part of the Ravens offense with six catches for 46 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets.
Pitta caught 61 passes last season and emerged as one of Flacco’s most trusted targets during the team’s Super Bowl run, especially as a red zone target. He’s worth picking up and starting in all fantasy leagues for Week 15.
