Habanero Half Backs
Once again congratulations, if you are reading this that means you are in the Fantasy Football championship. With that being said, that also means that you feel confident in the team that got you here making the wire a place for defenses and quarterbacks to stream. If you are looking for streamers, take a look at Lindellions’ “Islands to Stream,” after you read this article of course. Here, we are all about the scoring positions and that is exactly what I intend on bringing to you. Good luck in the finals and here are my waiver wire picks for Week 16.
Tony Pollard- The Cowboys were met with a challenge on Sunday after Ezekiel Elliot was ruled out before the game. Turns out Tony Pollard did not find it all that challenging.
Pollard rushed 69 yards on 12 carries to go along with six catches for 63 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. Zeke’s reason for missing the game against the 49ers was a calf injury and with Pollard looking like the all-around better back, he is a must start next week if Zeke misses again.
Scoville Units: Infinity Pepper- 1,067,286
Jeff Wilson- Another week another injury for the 49ers, this week it was in the form of an ankle injury for Raheem Mostert. Mostert has battled injuries all season that leaves the backfield in the hands of Jeff Wilson and Jerick McKinnon. Most recently, Wilson has been the lead beneficiary. Wilson took 16 carries to the tune of 60 yards and a score if Mostert Wilson should serve as a reliable FLEX play.
Scoville Units: Pequin Pepper- 50,000
Ito Smith- The Falcons Interim Head Coach Raheem Morris came out and said on Monday that Ito Smith was the lead rusher on the roster. This is difficult for me to wrap my head around with Smith rushing for 24 yards on six carries on Sunday and a season-high of 65 yards in Week 12. The Falcons claimed that this decision was because of Smith’s recent play and not Gurley’s bad knee, but that is difficult to believe. No matter who the lead back for the Falcons is I am staying far away.
Scoville Units: Sweet Bell Pepper- 0
Benny Snell- James Conner was held out of Monday’s contest against the Bengals with a quad injury, this looks to be precautionary. With that being said Snell took full advantage of the uptick in volume rushing taking 18 touches for 84 and a touchdown, to go with three catches for 23. Snell looks to be the lead back if Conner misses again, but that probably will not be the case.
Scoville Units: Aleppo Pepper- 10,000
Salvon Ahmed- The only thing for sure in the Dolphins backfield is uncertainty. Myles Gaskin led the attack in Weeks 1-8 but had his rookie campaign derailed by an injury and a positive COVID-19 test. Ahmed was also injured this year, but returning to an empty backfield in Week 15 bode well for him. Ahmed punished the Patriots defense rushing for 122 yards on 23 carries and a score. Gaskin may be activated from the COVID-19 list by Sunday, but if he is not Ahmed is more than a viable option.
Scoville Units: Manzano Pepper- 30,000
Malcolm Brown/Darrell Henderson- The Rams seemed to have finally found their future bell cow in Week 14 against the Patriots when Cam Akers had a career day. This week, against the Jets, Akers was a popular play among owners, unfortunately, he was met with an injury. Akers suffered a high ankle sprain known to keep players out for multiple weeks. This leaves the backfield in the hands of Henderson and Brown who both instantly become touchdown-dependent backs. If you are really in a pinch, they are worth a look, but it would be better to look for more reliable options.
Scoville Units: Hatch Pepper- 6,500
Rashard Higgins- The Browns offense has been one of the more pleasant surprises in the past few weeks. For the first time since 2018, I actually considered putting Baker Mayfield into my lineup, in the semi-finals no less. What this means is that they seemed to have found a winning formula and Rashard Higgins is on that ingredient list. Higgins has eclipsed 65 receiving yards in each of the last two games and caught a touchdown pass in two of them. Higgins is a favorable target for Baker and should see a continuation of this streak against the Jets.
Scoville Units: Black Cobra- 40,000
