Week 16 QB and RB Pickups
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com

Well, this is it. Everything is on the line. Feel confident that we are going to come through for you, again.

Our top 5 Week 15 quarterback recommendations all registered double digit points and our top 4 guys averaged 27 fantasy points. We were some of the highest experts in the industry on Ryan Tannehill and Sam Bradford, who unleashed monsters during the semi-final round of the fantasy playoffs. This week we are going to stay the course, with the exception of replacing Brandon Weeden with another Senior Bowl quarterback that we were much more fond of, Kirk Cousins.

Hopefully, the weekly waiver article has helped you to a prosperous fantasy season. We invite you to keep up with our offseason and draft coverage. Also, look for the improvements and additions we make to our 2013 Fantasy Football content. Cheers and good luck in your final game!

Quarterbacks:

Russell Wilson (vs SF), QB Seattle Seahawks
He has the toughest matchup of the group, but at this point he deserves to be at the top of the list. He’s been an amazing story all year long. In 7 of his last 9 games, Wilson has scored at least 17 fantasy points and he’s averaged 24 ppg over the last month. One argument that can be made is that the Niners will be prepared for Wilson’s mobility because of Colin Kaepernick. In theory, if you eliminate Wilson’s mobility it drastically reduces his fantasy value. After scoring a whopping 39 fantasy points last week, I’m not putting anything past him. Remember, he flourished on the road against Chicago a month ago with 27 points in what was a tough matchup at the time.

Ryan Tannehill (vs BUF), QB Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins future has scored double digit points 4 games in a row. Last week he finally had a good matchup at home and he produced big with 23 points. Now he gets the team at home that just surrendered 39 fantasy points to Russell Wilson. The Bills present a nice #13 matchup for fantasy quarterbacks. Temper expectations a bit, just because this is a division game among familiar foes.

Sam Bradford (@ TB), QB St. Louis Rams
He’s averaging 15 ppg on the season and has 10 double digit fantasy performances in a row. It doesn’t get much more consistent than that. Bradford is a rock solid play on the road against the #1 fantasy matchup for quarterbacks. The Tampa defense can be opportunistic at home but you just can’t ask for any more than this.

Kirk Cousins (@ PHI), QB Washington Redskins
11 months ago to the day, I told you how much I loved Kirk Cousins as an NFL Prospect. I actually predicted the Redskins might draft him and I bet the Jets wish they had. He threw for more yards in Week 15 than RG3 has in any game this season and was masterful at distributing the ball amongst his receivers. Seven guys had at least two receptions. He also displayed the same athleticism we saw on his college film, as Shanahan rolled him out of the pocket on numerous occasions to pass and run. He had a respectable 22 yards on the ground. The end result was 23 fantasy points. Cousins gets the #3 fantasy QB matchup in Week 16.

Jake Locker (@ GB), QB Tennessee Titans
He’s scored double digit points in all eight games he has started and finished this year and he went for 15+ points on five of those occasions. I do not expect this to change against an average matchup. Green Bay will force the tempo.

Nick Foles (vs WAS), QB Philadelphia Eagles
It just seems plain crazy that four of these recommendations for your fantasy championship are rookies. It’s true though. Roll with it. Foles is another competent rookie passer that can sling it around against good matchups. He was awesome against Tampa Bay, which is the best matchup possible, and he came back to earth against a much tougher Bengals team last week. I like him for at least 15 points at home against a top 10 matchup for fantasy quarterbacks. This will be a Senior Bowl rematch.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (@ MIA), QB Buffalo Bills
I always put him on this list with trepidation. He wasn’t good against Miami earlier this year. Still, if you are desperate, the numbers say that FitzPeePee has scored double digit fantasy points 64% of the time this year. He’s scored 19+ points 43% of the time. Run him out there at your own risk against a tough Dolphins defense.

Running Backs:

Beanie Wells (vs CHI), RB Arizona Cardinals
By all calculations, he is the most unreliable running back in fantasy football over the last three seasons. Not to mention, he is extremely touchdown dependent. His upside is too big for him not to be owned. He scored 25 points last week and is an unbelievable flex play. Wells is only 45% owned and has a decent matchup at home in Week 16.

Mike Goodson (@ CAR), RB Oakland Raiders
McFadden is still the guy in Oakland, but Goodson almost looks better in their scheme. DMC was maxed out with 34 touches last week and Goodson picked up the slack with 14 touches of his own, for 103 yards. I expect more of the same this week and the Panthers are the #3 matchup for fantasy running backs on the season.

Mike Tolbert (vs OAK), RB Carolina Panthers
He scored 2 touchdowns last week and registered 19 fantasy points in Jonathan Stewart’s absence. Stewart is no lock to return this week and the lowly Raiders run defense is coming to town. Don’t be afraid to make this move. Everybody looks like Jim Brown against Oakland.

Danny Woodhead (@ JAC), RB New England Patriots
I feel like I don’t even have to say it, but we will start with the mandatory Bill Belichick warning. Woodhead led the backfield in rushing attempts while producing 84 yards and 2 touchdowns in Week 15. I expect a beating comes down the pipe for the Jaguars after the Pats SNF loss. This could mean increased opportunities for Woodhead and Shane Vereen, who is also worth a look.

Mark Ingram (@ DAL), RB New Orleans Saints
Ingram is less than 30% owned and he has averaged 10 ppg over the last three weeks. His 15 points in Week 15 was his best game of the season and the coaching staff continues to tilt the backfield in his favor. The Cowboys are the #23 matchup for fantasy running backs.

Joique Bell (vs ATL), RB Detroit Lions
His 5 points weren’t quite what we expected in Week 15 but nobody could have foreseen the strange course that one took. Bell is averaging 9 ppg over his last four games. The Lions always find a way to get him involved especially when playing from behind, which is a distinct possibility against Atlanta. This is a top 5 matchup for fantasy running backs.

Ronnie Hillman (vs CLE), RB Denver Broncos
It was only for 29 yards but he did get 14 carries last week. Denver had 45 rushing attempts in Week 15 while playing with the lead. We could see a lot more of that this week at home against the Browns who present a very average matchup for fantasy running backs. Hillman is a big-play/speed guy so it only takes one for him.

Bilal Powell (vs SD), RB New York Jets
After a good month, Powell’s touches were reduced in Week 15 and his production followed suit. 4 points to be exact. With Greg McElroy at the helm and a horrible set of receivers, I expect plenty of rushing attempts from the Jets against the uninspiring Chargers who are on a distant East coast tour with nothing to play for.

Chargers RBs (@ NYJ)
The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Ryan Mathews gets injured. If you are desperate, monitor this situation as the week progresses. Curtis Brinkley got the most work last week, while Jackie Battle saw a few carries. Ronnie Brown may also be set to return. The best bet is some really weird time-share that benefits nobody. The Jets present a decent matchup for fantasy running backs.