It's Tuesday, and this is the place where you'll find out about under-owned players and the week's hottest pickups. I've included 26 players in this article for you to consider, and if you're juggling defenses based on the matchups, I have three D/ST recommendations for you. In fact, my number one defense of the week is available in 67% of leagues.
My recommended FAAB values have slowly been rising over the past couple of weeks as we near the end of the season. You'll notice a significant jump this week. For most leagues, you'll only need money for one more waiver period after today. Don't hesitate to throw all your remaining money at one player. It's time to go big or go home.
Notes: Scoring is standard non-PPR. Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues as of Tuesday morning at 12:05 AM Eastern Time. FAAB values are listed as a percentage of your season budget and are based on a standard, 12-team league with 15 roster spots. Use my values as a starting point and adjust them to fit your league size and the tendencies of your competitors. If a player does not have a FAAB value, it means that I'm recommending that you pick him up as a free agent after waivers clear. Within each section the players are listed in the order that I'd pick them up.
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Under-Owned
These players are already on most fantasy radars, but they need to be owned in significantly more leagues. Either due to impressive performances or increased opportunities, the values of these players are on the rise. If your league is small, has shallow benches, or is filled with checked-out managers who have given up on the season, then you might be lucky enough to stumble across one of these guys on your waiver wire.
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Danario Alexander (SD – WR): 53% Owned, 100% of FAAB
Alexander just scored two touchdowns and caught seven passes for 88 yards against the league's best pass defense. Over the last five weeks, he has averaged six catches, 99 yards, and a touchdown per game. Only Calvin Johnson and Dez Bryant have been better over that stretch.
Alexander faces the Jets' Antonio Cromartie in week 16, and you know what? I don't care. Pick Alexander up, start him, and win. It doesn't get any simpler.
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Kenny Britt (TEN – WR): 49% Owned, 35% of FAAB
I patiently held Britt on my bench all year. I even used him as a bye week fill-in a couple of times, hoping I'd guess right on his breakout week. I finally gave up on him and dropped him. That's when he decided to notch an eight-catch, 143-yard game on nine targets.
The chemistry between Britt and Jake Locker seems to be improving, but I'm still reluctant to trust it. Britt's upside is tremendous, but you never know which Titans receiver will stand out from week to week. Regardless, if you're in a jam and you're feeling lucky, grab Britt and throw him into your lineup as a WR3.
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Tony Scheffler (DET – TE): 2% Owned, 17% of FAAB
I mentioned Scheffler last week as the player who was most likely to step up in Ryan Broyles absence, and he was targeted 10 times, second to only Calvin Johnson. He turned those opportunities into a modest eight fantasy points, but he should continue to be a key part of the Lions' offense going forward now that fellow tight end Brandon Pettigrew is dealing with an ankle injury.
Mike Thomas only played 18 snaps, and practice squad phenom, Kris Durham, made some mental errors that you would expect from someone playing in their second NFL game. Johnson and Scheffler are the only healthy, reliable targets for Matthew Stafford going forward, and their numbers will be a strong reflection of that.
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If you need a desperation play for week 16, I'll be back next week for the final Waiver Wire Pickups column of the season. Thanks for reading and best of luck this week.
Share your thoughts and chat with Austin on Twitter @AustinNFL.
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