What a whirlwind of a week we have had. That applies to the NFL as well, as Week 15 included the first postponements of the season due to COVID-19 situations in Cleveland, Washington and Los Angeles, leading to three total games being moved and a pair of Tuesday night football games, a true rarity in the league.
What is most important to remember right now is that the health of all involved is the ultimate priority, something that should not ever be lost in the conversations surrounding the juggled football schedule. And specific to fantasy football, we must never lose sight of the fact that we are playing a game that is for fun and, in almost all cases, creates a unique bond between those who play in a league together.
So, a few thoughts/considerations as we navigate the rest of the season, hoping that the league can play all of its games safely and as currently scheduled:
1. Be nimble and flexible. This is especially true for commissioners, as ultimately, you have the ability to alter the rules of your league to accommodate last-minute changes and arrangements that may come about because of unforeseen circumstances.
2. Try to build depth. As best you can, try to use your bench wisely to build depth. Even if games are not moved, we may see players be unavailable to play in them. If you have a star running back on your roster and his backup is available, try to add that player.
3. Create certainty when possible/necessary. Few things are certain these days, but here's an example of how this may apply to fantasy: If you're debating between two players that are extremely close in terms of their projections but one plays Thursday and one plays Monday, playing the player on Thursday is a reasonable strategy because you know you'll have that player. If an issue arises later in the weekend and your player scheduled to play on Monday is unavailable, you'll be in a fantasy football pickle.
4. Have fun. Again, this is why we play fantasy football. The spirit of it all is to have fun and enjoy the football on the field. This isn't the time to be unreasonable about things that are out of our control. Let's have some fun and finish strong.
Here are the names you need to know for the Week 16 waiver wire.
Note: All players in this column are available in more than 50% of leagues on ESPN.com.
Ronald Jones II, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (23.2% rostered): The Bucs experienced a rash of injuries in Week 15, as Leonard Fournette, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin all left the game and did not return. Jones is a talented player who has been inconsistent over the past two seasons, but the opportunity he has on his hands is notable if Fournette misses time.
Giovani Bernard is also out right now, leaving the Bucs with Jones and Ke'Shawn Vaughn as the top available options in the backfield. Jones should see plenty of carries and passing-game work as well, making him a must-add who would have top-20-or-so running back value if Fournette is unavailable in Week 16.
Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, San Francisco 49ers (37.4%): Wilson has been the starter for the 49ers in recent weeks and, frankly, it's stunning that he is available in as many leagues as he is. Elijah Mitchell has not practiced in two weeks, and until he returns, Wilson is a great bet to remain as the starter in San Francisco. He's a hard-charging runner, and the 49ers' offense is humming along enough that scoring opportunities are going to present themselves. There's really not much more that needs to be said other than to add Wilson. Do it.
Justin Jackson, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (2.8%): At the time that this piece initially went up, multiple reports had stated that Austin Ekeler was going to be placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, though such a transaction has not taken place as of this moment and it is unclear whether it will. We are including this information in the event that Ekeler is. If Ekeler is out, the team is probably more likely to rely upon a committee than a single back to fill in for him, but Jackson is the back I believe would have the most value. He actually outrushed Ekeler in Week 15 with 13 carries for 86 yards to Ekeler's 12 for 59, as Jackson has enough burst to turn a routine run into a longer one. More info to come on Ekeler throughout the week, but for now, Jackson should be added.
Samaje Perine, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (8.7%): Joe Mixon got banged up late in the Bengals' win against the Broncos, though there's been little clarity as to whether it will cost him any time or not. But Perine is a good example that having the insurance policy to your top running backs is a smart use of your bench spots right now with just three weeks left. Rather than rostering a backup quarterback or tight end behind your star, grab a more valuable player in an insurance running back. Perine has the ability to handle a legitimate workload as a runner and is a solid pass-catcher, too. He's a must-add in the event that Mixon has to miss time.
Duke Johnson, RB, Miami Dolphins (0.7%): The Dolphins' running back room was severely slimmed down because of COVID-19 issues leading up to their Week 15 game against the Jets, leading to Johnson being elevated from the practice squad and serving as their starter. As a matter of fact, he was one of the best backs in fantasy for the week, carrying the ball 22 times for more than 100 yards and scoring twice on the ground. While it's plausible that the Dolphins could lean back on a committee in coming weeks, since Myles Gaskin was limited to just one practice in Week 15, Johnson is worthy of an add because he earned a chance to start again next week.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions (24.0%): The Lions deserve so much credit for the way in which they have competed this season, showing a resolve that bodes extremely well for the future. So, too, does the emergence of young players like St. Brown, who now has 26 catches over the past three games, including eight for a career-high 90 yards and a touchdown in Week 15. The talent is real and so is the opportunity. St. Brown should be added in leagues of any size. If you already had in him a dynasty or keeper league, you are thrilled with the prospects of what is ahead.
Mecole Hardman (26.8%) and Byron Pringle, WRs, Kansas City Chiefs (2.0%): The Chiefs face major uncertainty with both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, though it is not yet known whether they will be activated before Sunday's game. In the event that both are out, I'm not entirely sure which Chiefs wide receiver is most likely to be the central point of the passing game, so I'm including both Hardman and Pringle here because someone will need to step up. Perhaps both could. Good things happen to those who play with Patrick Mahomes, but there isn't a one-for-one replacement for Hill.
Tyler Johnson (1.2%) and Breshad Perriman, WRs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0.6%): The Bucs will be without Chris Godwin (ACL, out for season) and could be without Mike Evans in Week 16. The clear and preferred top targets in their passing game figure to be Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown, but others are going to have to step up in a major way, especially if Evans also misses extended time. We'll highlight Johnson and Perriman, with the edge to Johnson because he figures to have steadier volume (he had four catches on seven targets in Week 15). As things presently stand, Perriman is on the reserve/COVID-19 list but would seemingly have a chance to get back on the field by Sunday. Good things can happen when you have Tom Brady as your quarterback, but there is no clear and obvious top fill-in here who is a must-add. Each has potential value.
Gabriel Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills (12.7%): Davis was a smart add before Week 15, as he was set to take over for Emmanuel Sanders (knee) against Carolina. Davis made the most of the opportunity, scoring twice and catching five balls on seven targets for 85 yards. He's an excellent red zone option because of his size and catch radius and has earned the chance to continue to play more, with a touchdown catch in each of his past three games. If Sanders is out again in coming weeks, Davis has real appeal in a flex spot.
Tyler Huntley, QB, Baltimore Ravens (3.5%): What. A. Performance. Huntley, filling in for Lamar Jackson, is the leading scorer among quarterbacks in fantasy this week as of this writing, after a dazzling 35.9-point effort against Green Bay. Huntley had a pair of touchdowns as a thrower and two more as a runner, and while expecting another 30-point effort is asking a lot, he showed he's got some real ability and is a threat with his legs. If you had to fill in for Jackson this past week and chose a lesser option, pivoting to Huntley makes sense. He's a fun player to watch.
Craig Reynolds, RB, Detroit Lions (3.1%): While it's unclear whether we will see D'Andre Swift or Jamaal Williams in Week 16, it is clear who the man is for the Lions until they return: the player they call Netflix. Reynolds posted more than 100 rushing yards in Week 15, and the Lions' offense is improving by the week. He had 26 rushing attempts, 19 more than all other Lions running backs combined, as he's earned the interim starting gig. Should the Lions be without Swift and Williams next week, Reynolds will find his way back into lineups in deeper leagues.
Josh Reynolds, WR, Detroit Lions (3.1%): Let's keep up our very Detroit-themed column with a player who has been a steady presence for Detroit since being acquired off waivers earlier this season. Reynolds now has at least five targets and 52 receiving yards in four straight games, scoring a touchdown in two of them and double-digit fantasy points in three of them. Reynolds is averaging just four catches per game during that stretch, making teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown the clear waiver preference, but Reynolds is a deep-league (14-team or larger) name to consider for those looking for a potential flex option.