Final Waiver Wire Pickups

It’s CHAMPIONSHIP week in fantasy football. You may not need to add anyone to your championship-ready team, but it doesn’t hurt to look at who is available. The five players below could benefit your team and help you secure a championship victory. 

RB) Salvon Ahmed – Miami Dolphins (34 percent owned)

The rookie became the first Dolphins’ running back to top 100 yards since 2018. With Myles Gaskin out on the COVID-19 list, Ahmed took advantage of his opportunity by rushing for 122 yards on 23 attempts and one rushing touchdown. He also added one reception for five yards to bring his PPR-point total to 21.7 on the day. In three career starts, the rookie back is averaging 16.7 PPR points per game. Even if Gaskin comes back next week against the Raiders, expect Ahmed to have a huge role. Las Vegas is giving up the third most fantasy points to running backs this season. Anticipate a good day for Ahmed if Gaskin is in, but expect a huge game if Gaskin is out. 

QB) Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles (39 percent owned)

Philadelphia’s offense looks a whole lot better with Hurts under center instead of Carson Wentz. In two career starts, the rookie signal-caller has produced a total of 57.1 PPR points. In week 15, he was the top fantasy quarterback in the league as he produced a whopping 37.82 points. Not only has he been impressive through the air, he’s also been a productive quarterback with his legs. In the last two weeks, Hurts has rushed for 169 yards and one touchdown. If you have quarterback issues, place a claim for Hurts and ride him out in your championship game. He is that good right now. 

RB) Tony Pollard – Dallas Cowboys (46 percent owned)

Ezekiel Elliott surprisingly sat out this past week, and Pollard received his second start of the season. He turned this opportunity into a 31.2 PPR-point day. This was good enough to place the second-year-pro as the top fantasy running back in week 15. He turned 12 carries into 69 yards and two touchdowns while also catching six of his nine targets for 63 yards. Elliott is expected back in week 16, but with or without him, expect Pollard to touch the ball a lot. If Elliott does indeed sit out, Pollard should become a “must start” against Philadelphia next week. 

RB) Giovani Bernard – Cincinnati Bengals (52 percent owned)

Bernard scored more than 20 PPR points for the first time since week eight. With a potentially bad matchup against a stout Pittsburgh Steelers defense, there wasn’t a ton of optimism for the veteran back this past week. He proved doubters wrong as he poured in 22.7 PPR points. He scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown while producing a total of 97 offensive yards. Joe Mixon doesn’t look like he will come back this season, so expect Bernard to continue to touch the ball a lot. If Bernard is available in your free agency, he would be a good waiver claim addition as he takes on a horrible Texans run defense next week. Houston is allowing the second most fantasy points to running backs in this season. 

RB) Le’Veon Bell – Kansas City Chiefs (54 percent owned)

Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a high ankle sprain, and he will likely miss next week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. In fact, he looks as if he will miss the rest of the regular season. In his absence, Bell rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against the New Orleans Saints in week 15. New Orleans has the top rush defense in the league this year, so Bell’s production against the Saints was fairly impressive. With Edwards-Helaire out, Bell should have a huge role this weekend rushing and receiving. Expect about 20 touches for the veteran, and if he is available, he could be a “must start” in the championship round.