Pickups of the Week: Derrick Henry, Cameron Meredith are priority adds for title week

Each week throughout the NFL season, we identify six players to target on fantasy waiver wires, plus a lightly owned D/ST. All are available in a majority of Yahoo leagues. Add as needed.

Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans, 44%

If you’re a fantasy owner with DeMarco Murray on your roster, Henry is the enemy. The rookie poached a pair of short touchdown runs in Sunday’s win at KC, finishing with nine carries for 58 yards. Henry has found the end-zone three times in his last three games, carrying the ball 29 times for 160 yards during that stretch, and the man is averaging 4.5 YPC on the season. He’s not someone who gets a PPR bump, as he’s caught just one ball in his last five games, but the Heisman winner has emerged as a reasonable flex option in standard formats.

Henry is a 250-pound bruiser with uncommon speed for his size, an almost unfair ball-carrier at the goal-line. He should continue to see plenty of opportunities inside-the-5. There’s no reason to shy away from his Week 16 matchup at Jacksonville; he produced his largest yards-from-scrimmage total of the season (97) against the Jaguars back in Week 8.

Rest of season schedule: at Jax, Hou.

FAAB bid: All of it. Spend every dollar. You can’t carry it over to 2017, guys.

Justin Forsett, RB, Denver Broncos, 19%

Let’s hope you don’t actually need to rely on Forsett in title week, because that seems, um … less than ideal. You shouldn’t need an expert to tell you that Forsett, at this stage, is not a bankable fantasy asset. He is, however, the undeniable lead back for the Broncos, having out-touched Devontae Booker in consecutive games. Forsett accounted for 53 yards on 14 touches in Sunday’s loss to New England, which is as much as anyone could have expected. He should be able to deliver a somewhat greater yardage total in Week 16 at Kansas City, facing a defense that’s allowed 124.7 rushing yards per game and 4.4 per carry. If you’re desperate in a deep league, we’re willing to look the other way while you add Forsett.

Rest of season schedule: at KC, Oak

FAAB bid: $8

Eli Rogers, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, 9% owned

This isn’t Rogers’ first appearance in Pickups of the Week, and it may not be his last. He remains an under-owned fantasy commodity. Pittsburgh’s shifty slot receiver snagged five balls for 75 yards on six targets at Cincinnati on Sunday, with the go-ahead fourth quarter touchdown included. Check the subtle move he made to separate from coverage on his 24-yard score. Rogers is a technician, and he’s earned Big Ben’s total trust. The Steelers return home next week (which means we get the best version of Roethlisberger) to face a Ravens defense that allowed six catches and 103 yards to Rogers just six weeks ago.

Rest of season schedule: Bal, Cle.

FAAB bid: $10

Cameron Meredith, WR, Chicago Bears, 33%

Meredith hauled in nine passes for 104 yards on a team-high 13 targets in Sunday’s loss to Green Bay, producing a triple-digit yardage total for the third time this season. He’s a big receiver (6-foot-3) with terrific athleticism (39-inch vertical), and his quarterback has been looking his way early and often. Meredith has totaled 243 receiving yards over his last three games. There’s simply no reason for him to be available in two-thirds of fantasy leagues. Chicago is nearing the end of a dreadful season, obviously, but the team’s offense hasn’t flatlined. Next week, the Bears host a vulnerable Washington defense playing on a short week.

Rest of season schedule: Was, at Min.

FAAB bid: Whatever you’ve got.

Matt Barkley, QB, Chicago Bears, 3%

If you play in a standard-issue 10 or 12-person league with only one active QB slot to fill, then no, you probably aren’t going to mess around with Barkley. He’s usually good for a few head-scratching throws that sail over their intended targets. But Barkley certainly had his moments in arctic conditions at Soldier Field on Sunday, completing 30 of 43 throws for 362 yards and two scores (and three picks). He’s topped 300 passing yards in two of his last four games, and he has another friendly matchup on deck. Chicago will host Washington in Week 16, which means Barkley gets a date with a defense that allows 7.4 yards per attempt and 257.8 passing yards per game. No one should be surprised if he tosses another two TD passes and delivers 270-plus yards. For anyone playing in a 14-team league or a superflex format, he’d definitely on the radar as a starter.

Rest of season schedule: Was, at Min.

FAAB bid: $5

Hunter Henry, TE, San Diego, 19%

As we’ve surely made clear by this point in the season, you want to pick on the poor winless Browns whenever and wherever you can. Charles Clay was an obvious play last week, facing Cleveland, and of course he came through (7-72-1). Opposing tight ends have visited the end-zone 12 times against the Browns defense this season, the most TDs allowed to the position by any team. Henry has delivered seven spikes this season and four in his last five games. He’s basically a guaranteed 10-12 fantasy points this week. Make the add.

Rest of season schedule: at Cle, KC.

FAAB bid: $5

San Diego Chargers, 29%

While we’re attacking the Browns, you might also consider scooping up the Bolts defense. Hopefully RGIII keeps the Cleveland QB gig for another week, because he’s a gift for anyone who streams fantasy defenses. Griffin was sacked five times on Sunday, he hasn’t yet thrown at touchdown pass (or reached 200 passing yards) this season, and he’s turned the ball over four times in three games this year. And of course the rest of the names on Cleveland’s QB depth chart aren’t much better. You’ll want Joey Bosa & Co. in the week ahead.

Rest of season schedule: at Cle, KC.

FAAB bid: $3

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