Ten best players for Week 15 waivers

This was a crazy week of football, with the pinnacle coming from two of the better defenses in the league, the Saints and 49ers, giving up a combined 94 points, the Texans getting blown out by Drew Lock and the Broncos, The Chargers putting up their biggest game on the east coast against the Jaguars, and Jason Sanders kicking seven field goals. The NFL can be a pretty fun league.

Now let’s take a look at some players who might be able to help you in your fantasy playoffs next week.

Raheem Mostert, RB, 49ers (24.1 percent)

It looks like Mostert is the new starting running back for the 49ers, as Tevin Coleman has been playing behind Mostert the last two games and even with Matt Breida back, Mostert stayed ahead of him this week. He didn’t have a huge workload, but he saw 10 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown and caught both of his targets for 40 yards and another touchdown. Breida had six carries for 54 yards and caught one target for four yards while Coleman had three carries for six yards.

A.J. Brown, WR, Titans (30.7 percent)

Brown went off in Oakland, catching 5-of-7 targets for 153 yards and two touchdowns. His seen targets led the team and he now has two huge games out of his last three. Ryan Tannehill is playing lights out and the Titans are hoot in pursuit of the Texans for the division title, so they will play all out next week against a poor Texans pass defense.

Cole Beasley, WR, Bills (30.8 percent)

Beasley has six touchdowns in his last eight games and three in his last three games. He’s connecting with Josh Allen right now and Allen isn’t throwing the deep ball very well, which hurts John Brown. The Bills are still in contention for the AFC East and will go all out. His schedule isn’t great, but he just caught a touchdown against the Ravens.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Washington (44.5 percent)

Derrius Guice sprained his MCL against the Packers and could miss some time. Washington should shut him down in a lost season, but that remains to be seen. Peterson is a much better non-PPR league player, so that’s where I would prioritize him now that likely has the lead role back to himself.

Justin Watson, (0 percent), Breshad Perriman (0.2 percent), WRs, Buccaneers

Both Watson and Perriman put up strong stat lines with Mike Evans out with a hamstring injury and Evans doesn’t look like he will be back in time to help you in the fantasy playoffs. Watson was second to Chris Godwin with eight targets, catching five for 59 yards and a touchdown while Perriman caught 3-of-5 for 70 yards and a touchdown. They may end up hurting each other’s value, but the Bucs face Detroit and Houston in their next two games and will need an Evans replacement in their strong passing attack.

Noah Fant, TE, Broncos (30.7 percent)

Fant and Drew Lock had a game against the Texans, as Fant caught all four of his targets for 114 yards and a touchdown. Fant had to leave the game with an injury but after the game Fant said the x-rays were negative and he just had his foot stepped on. Players are always more optimistic than coaches but the x0rays being negative is good. Next week the Broncos face the Chiefs and then Detroit. If Lock can continue his strong play, Fant will have value.

Patrick Laird, RB, Dolphins (10.1 percent)

Laird didn’t have a great game but was the lead back for Miami in a tough matchup with a good Jets run defense. He ended up with 15 carries for 48 yards and caught 4-of-5 targets for 38 yards. His workload and receiving opportunities keep him in the picture next week against the Giants and then Bengals.

Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers (47.5 percent)

Samuel caught 5-of-8 targets for 76 yards against the Saints. Only Emmanuel Sanders had more targets and yards. Samuel continues to play a big role in this offense and Jimmy Garoppolo continues to put up good numbers. The 49ers get a good matchup with the Falcons next week.

Hayden Hurst, TE, Ravens (0.7 percent)

Mark Andrews had to leave this week’s game with a contusion. It doesn’t appear to be a long-lasting injury but the Ravens do have a quick turnaround to play the Jets on Monday night. Hurst would be the primary tight end if Andrews can’t go.

Zach Pascal, WR, Colts (29.2 percent)

T.Y. Hilton doesn’t look like he will return this week but Pascal keeps playing well in his absence. Over the last two weeks he’s caught 12 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. The Saints will be a tough matchup next week unfortunately but he still has value as the No. 1 receiver.