Week 16 RB Waiver Pickups & Adds: Kerryon Johnson Making a Return?

The 2020 fantasy football season is quickly approaching which means it’s time to get a start on your research. We have you covered with our fantasy football rankings as well as projections for the upcoming season. If you are interested in the defensive side of the ball we have you covered there as well. Leave no stone unturned and check out everything we have to offer.

Raheem Mostert

Mostert has seen a lot more use over the last four weeks. He’s posted scores of 13.7, 23.4, 24.9, and 10.9 over the past four weeks. Before that, he only had two games over 10 points. He’s been declared a starting back for the 49ers, and while he’s still splitting carries, he’s obviously been seeing a lot more action. He’s been pretty efficient with the chances he’s gotten. The 49ers are one of the best offenses in the league and with their increased use of Mostert, he is almost a no-brainer pickup. I’m expecting him to see more use over the next two weeks if the 49ers decide to use Breida less to keep him healthy for the playoffs. The 49ers are up against the Rams, who have been tougher to run against this season. I still think the 49ers are going to pick up a fair amount of yards on the ground, so I think Mostert remains a good pickup.

Alexander Mattison

Dalvin Cook left the Vikings’ game against the Chargers in the third quarter yesterday due to his pesky shoulder problem that keeps popping up. Mattison was also out that game with an ankle injury, so the workload fell on Mike Boone and Ameer Abdullah. Mattison is questionable to return for week 16 but I have him on this list because if he does return, he’ll be a weapon. The Vikings are a great rushing offense and Mattison is a great back. Even if Cook returns next week, I’m expecting them to take it easy on him. They need Cook healthy for the playoffs so I’m expecting a decreased workload for him, which means more work for Mattison. The Vikings are up against the Packers in what is looking to be a great game. The Packers are a bottom-ten rushing defense, so I’m expecting big yards for Mattison if he plays.

Mike Boone

If Mattison is out for the Vikings matchup against the Packers, Boone might be your guy instead. Boone took most of the carries after Cook left the game on Sunday, taking his 13 carries 56 yards for an average 4.3 yards per carry. He also scored two touchdowns, bringing his fantasy score up to 17.6 points in PPR leagues. The Vikings are a great rushing offense. Their offensive line has been super strong this season, and most running backs are going to have success running behind a line like that. Therefore, almost any back who has proven himself would be a good pickup if they’re running for the Vikings, and prove himself is exactly what Boone did with his two touchdowns on Sunday. If Mattison is declared out for week 16, Boone might have a big game.

Fantasy Football Strategy Podcast Week 16 (Free)

Patrick Laird

Laird performed a little worse than expected in week 15. He had 12 carries for 46 yards and 2 receptions for 8 yards bringing his fantasy total up to 7.4 points in PPR leagues. I still have hope that Laird can have a big game especially in a softer matchup against the Bengals. The Bengals just allowed the Patriots to rush for 175 yards last week. The Bengals have one of the worst rushing defenses in the league, allowing an average 158.0 rushing yards per game, the most in the league. If Laird is to have a big game, I think it’ll be against this Bengals offense. He got two receptions as well, and the week prior had four. His reception rate makes him more valuable in PPR leagues, and I think he’s a strong pickup for week 16.

Kerryon Johnson

Kerryon Johnson is expected to be back for the Lions, and I think he’ll be seeing a fair amount of play. He will probably be splitting carries with Bo Scarbrough (if he’s back from the injury that kept him out in week 15), but I think he’ll be getting the ball a lot regardless. The Lions haven’t been running the ball a lot, but I’m expecting them to run it more with Johnson’s return. They’re down to their third string quarterback and I’m sure they would like to run it more, but they simply haven’t found a running back to rely on in Johnson’s absence. They settled with Scarbrough who was giving them pretty consistent production, but he’s injured now as well. If Johnson is playing in week 16 I think he’ll see a fair amount of carries and be a good pickup. The Lions have an easier ground matchup against the Broncos who have a defense ranked in the bottom half of the league, so I think Johnson has the potential for a very productive game.

Deandre Washington

Fantasy owners who have one or both of Dalvin Cook and Josh Jacobs might be very tired of hearing the phrase “shoulder injury.” Josh Jacobs played on Sunday against Jacksonville, but was limited. Whether that was by the defense or his injury is hard to say, but I’m sure his shoulder injury has impacted his game. The Radiers have lost their chance to get into the postseason this season, which brings into question whether they’ll play Jacobs or not for the rest of the season if they want to keep him healthy. Washington would start in his place. The Raiders have a tougher matchup against the Chargers, but I don’t think that would stop him from seeing any production. If he plays I think he’d most likely put up low to mid-teens in PPR leagues. He might not be the best choice on this list but could still make an impact.

Boston Scott

Boston Scott, whose season high fantasy game was a 4.7 in week 7, came out and had a huge game in week 14 against the Giants, putting up 24.8 points in PPR leagues. He continued to see the ball in week 15 where he had 6 carries for 26 yards and 7 receptions for 39 yards. He had 6 receptions in week 14, and this high reception rate makes him very valuable in PPR leagues. If he continues seeing a place in this offense over the next couple of weeks I would highly recommend checking him out, as that many receptions gives him potential for huge games, which could very well happen against the Cowboys and especially the Giants, their next two matchups.