Justin Boone identifies the under-the-radar stashes to consider adding to your roster before they become top fantasy football waiver pickups in the coming weeks.
Although the bar may move from time to time, the general goal is to search among the pool of players registered in approximately 15% or less of Yahoo leagues.
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Note: This is the last edition of this season’s hideouts.
Audrick Estimated/Evan Hull, RB, Saints (7%/0% registered)
The Saints were one of the backfields I highlighted in Monday’s waiver wire column after Devin Neal suffered a hamstring injury over the weekend.
We now know that Neal has been ruled out for Week 16, clearing the way for someone else to step in in an extremely favorable matchup with the Jets.
New York has allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season, including a mind-boggling 14 touchdowns against RBs in their last five games.
Once Neal was removed from the lineup last week, Estimé saw the bulk of a nearly 55-45 split with Hull.
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Estimé gained 50 yards from scrimmage on six touches, with the majority of his production coming through the air. Hull had just 12 yards on four carries.
While either back could benefit from edge treatment, I view Estimé as the more attractive fantasy option given his role in the passing game.
Regardless, Estimé should be added as a startable RB3 this week and Hull as a riskier RB3/flex.
Honorable mention: Jawhar Jordan, Texans (7% on roster), Malik Davis, Cowboys (2% on roster), Isaiah Davis, Jets (3% on roster)
Jalen Coker, WR, Panthers (9% registered)
Coker is a regular on this column and it seems appropriate to salute him again given his recent increase in production.
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The 24-year-old has topped 50 receiving yards in three of his last four games and has found the end zone two weeks in a row.
In addition to becoming a reliable second option in the Panthers passing attack, he has become a fantasy WR4/flex with some upside.
We’ll also have to monitor the health of star Tetairoa McMillan, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a foot/ankle injury ahead of an intriguing matchup with a broken Buccaneers secondary.
Honorable mention: Chimere Dike, Titans (15% on roster), Tre’ Harris, Chargers (2% on roster), Jalen Nailor, Vikings (2% on roster)
Tyler Shough, QB, Saints (11% registered)
Shough has scored at least 18 fantasy points in three straight games as he gets more comfortable starting an NFL offense.
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While his recent increase in production won’t net you a fantastic playoff game, it does make him a useful streaming option for those who need it.
One notable reason for Shough’s improving fantasy stat lines is his rushing numbers, with seven carries for 55 yards and two touchdowns in Week 14 and eight carries for 32 in Week 15.
The rookie also has the benefit of facing a Jets defense that may already be thinking about the offseason. New York allows the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and simply lets Trevor Lawrence beat them for 330 passing yards and five passing touchdowns, along with 51 rushing yards and a score.
While I still have doubts that Shough can be the Saints’ long-term answer at center, he has developed into a decent QB2 fantasy streamer over time.
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Honorable mention: Kirk Cousins, Falcons (10% on roster), Marcus Mariota, Eagles (9% on roster)
Mike Gesicki, TE, Bengals (4% registered)
We’re going deeper into the tight end this week, so hopefully you’ll have better options to start with in the fantasy semifinals.
Gesicki has had a string of tough opponents over the past three weeks and has only one quality fantasy outing during that stretch – a six-catch, 86-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Bills.
However, he’ll get a much friendlier spot this week against a Dolphins defense allowing the third-most fantasy points to tight ends.
With Tee Higgins’ status uncertain as he attempts to clear concussion protocol and Noah Fant dealing with an ankle issue, Gesicki is expected to play a significant role in the passing attack in Week 16.
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Even so, he remains a risky streamer for desperate fantasy managers until we know for sure if Higgins and Fant will suit up.
Honorable mention: Isaiah Likely, Ravens (14% on roster), Gunnar Helm, Titans (0% on roster)
