5 league winners still on your waiver wire

Welcome to the final week of meaningful fantasy football. (Sorry not sorry to all of you who play in a league that has their final game in Week 17. Come on people, that is not when you should be having the most important game of your fantasy season.)

Normally Mondays I have a waiver wire article for y’all with players from each position that could help your fantasy team. Well, as I was sitting down to write it I realized you the people aren’t looking for fringe players that could help you down the road, you’re looking for the final piece to your team for one week to bring you home the championship, or keep you from winning the toilet bowl.

So instead of telling you that Drew Lock isn’t a bad pickup (which he’s not mind you if you’ve made it this far and still find yourself with quarterback trouble), I’m broadening my 50% ownership range (in Yahoo leagues), and have got five players who are instant plug-and-play guys this week, sure to give you big production if you find yourself in a bind and needing a win.

WR Breshad Perriman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11% owned)

I say “non-fringe” players and then of course start the list with a guy rostered in less than 15% of leagues. But if there is a league winner still on your waiver wire, his name is Breshad Perriman. Not only did Perriman ball out against the Lions in place of Mike Evans—catching three touchdowns while going for 113 yards—Chris Godwin also left the game with a hamstring injury and things don’t sound promising. This thrusts Perriman into the number one receiver slot on a high flying passing attack set to play the Houston Texans this week. Yes, go add Perriman and start him in every dang league you got.

RB Mike Boone, Minnesota Vikings (2% owned)

Dalvin Cook re-injured his shoulder Sunday against the Chargers and in stepped Boone who put up a very solid stat line with 13 carries for 56 yards and two touchdowns in Cook’s stead. With Alexander Mattison also dealing with injuries, Boone seems to be in line for the starting back gig in Week 16 as the Vikings take on the Packers for NFC North supremacy. While they’ve been slightly better recently, the Packers defense still loves to surrender fantasy points to backs which makes Boone all the most valuable this week.

WR Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (62% owned)

I was all in on Darius Slayton last week as the Giants receiver to own and while he still performed well, it was Shepard who led the team in both receiving yards (111), targets (11) and catches (9). Even if Eli Manning is still under center this week, the Giants passing game from a fantasy perspective hasn’t really missed a beat. With a favorable matchup against. Washington looming, Shepard is well worth getting onto your team for the final week, especially if you’re in a PPR league.

RB Tarik Cohen, Chicago Bears (63% owned)

Putting your fantasy fate in the hands of the Bears offense may sound terrifying but sometimes you gotta risk it for the biscuit. Cohen hasn’t done much on the ground in recent weeks, but he has been heavily involved in the passing game, averaging six targets a game this season and he’s seen a whopping 16 targets over his last two games. This role in the passing game bodes well for him this week as the Bears take on the Chiefs who’ve allowed the fifth most receptions, second most receiving yards, and third most receiving touchdowns to backs this season. Cohen could be in for a big time performance in Week 16.

RB Adrian Peterson, Washington (53% owned)

Peterson has scored a touchdown in back-to-back-to-back games now and somehow looks as young and spry as ever. I swear man, what ever he and Tom Brady are on, I need to get me some of that. Peterson is the unquestioned workhorse in a run heavy offense and because of that is a must add for any team with some running back struggles. With a winnable matchup in the Giants next, Peterson is primed to give fantasy owners yet another RB2 worthy performance this week.