As the season comes to a close, the options on the waiver wire become thinner and fewer. Fortunately, there are still a handful of starting caliber players available for streaming in most leagues. Corey Coleman is set up to take advantage of a weakened Ravens secondary, while Robert Woods returns from injury after going through the best three weeks of his career based on advanced stats, metrics, and analytics player profiles.
Nick Foles, QB, Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles stellar season hit a brick wall when Carson Wentz suffered a torn ACL in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the LA Rams. Now under center steps Nick Foles, who is two years removed from his last time as a starter. Back in 2013, Foles led the NFL in touchdown rate, yards per attempt, and passer rating. Since the end of the Chip Kelly era, Foles has been one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks. In the years since, he averaged 150 yards per game, and totaled nine touchdowns to nine interceptions. The real Nick Foles lies somewhere between Philadelphia Foles and St. Louis Foles.
The best thing Nick Foles has going for him is the outstanding skill players on the Eagles. Philadelphia currently boasts a +6.98 (No. 7) Supporting Cast Efficiency. Bolstered by quality skill position talent and an efficient offensive line, Foles will be asked to be a game manager for the Eagles. While he won’t be putting up the MVP worthy numbers that Wentz did, he will be an attractive streaming option for each of the remaining weeks this season. Add him now if you need a quarterback for the final stretch.
Corey Coleman, WR, Browns
While it is difficult to look at an 0-13 team and see exciting late season fantasy potential, we’re doing just that with Corey Coleman this week. After getting shut out by the Chargers in week 13, Coleman turned in his best game of the season against the Green Bay Packers. Coleman recorded 5 receptions for 62 yards and a score to finish as a top 20 receiver for the first time since week one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJmAmxAVRCo&t=7s
This week, Coleman has a very exciting matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Since losing Jimmy Smith for the year to an Achilles’ injury in the first half of week 13, the Ravens have been allowing 40 points per game extrapolated. The pass defense problems are real now for Baltimore. They have allowed 5 pass plays of 30 yards or more in six quarters without Smith after allowing just 8 plays of that nature all season prior to his injury. The Browns offense may be one of the most lethargic in the league, but the Ravens defense is on its heels. Pick up Coleman this week.
Robert Woods, WR, Rams
Against Minnesota in week 11, Robert Woods suffered a knee sprain that ended what had been the hottest three week stretch of his career. In weeks 9-11, Woods produced a ridiculous 20 receptions for 322 yards and four touchdowns. First team All-Pro numbers, albeit for a short period of time. Woods now returns for the Rams’ most critical game of the season, the de facto NFC West championship in Seattle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hwxOmBJQb4
Robert Woods has a very favorable matchup in this game against newly returned Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell. Maxwell has been atrocious in his second stint in Seattle. Last week alone against Jacksonville, Maxwell allowed 8 receptions on 10 targets thrown his way. He allowed 186 yards and a ridiculous 38.6 fantasy points when targeted. If Maxwell is going to allow numbers like that when targeted by the Jaguars anemic air attack, then he is going to be absolutely shredded against Woods and one of the best offenses in the league. Pick up Woods today.
Rod Smith, RB, Cowboys
Rod Smith delivered a breakout game from thin air against the Giants this past week. Smith came up with 11 touches for 160 yards and two touchdowns on the road. Smith scored 33 points last week after scoring 40.7 in the first 13 weeks combined.
Smith is operating super efficiently as part of the Ezekiel Elliott replacement committee. He currently manages a +31.7 (No. 7) Production Premium and a 15.9-percent (No. 39) Dominator Rating. With one game remaining before Elliott’s week 16 return, there is still time to take advantage of Smith’s emergence before he is sent to the bench in favor of Elliott.
