The fantasy football semifinals are upon us. For those who have advanced, congratulations are in order! For certain, it is an accomplishment to be celebrated. Even so, those that have reached this level quite possibly can use some assistance filling out their team rosters. After all, injuries and COVID absences are taking their toll on players from sea to shining sea. Never fear, as this fantasy football semifinals waiver pickups article is here to help.

Remember there are games on Tuesday this week and there is a real possibility that waivers may be pushed back a day. Make sure to check with your league to find out when claims will be processed. As a reminder, all ownership percentages are taken from ESPN. And, of course, Belly Up and I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a wonderful and safe holiday season.

Running Backs

Jeff Wilson, San Fransisco 49ers, 32.9% Owned

Jeff Wilson was a forgotten man in fantasy circles for much of the year as he was out until week ten. Even when he did return, his stats were nearly invisible. That is no longer the case, however, as Wilson racked up 110 yards on 21 carries Sunday against Atlanta. His yards per carry was a robust 5.2 and Wilson scored his first TD of the season. All of the above stats were far and away his best of the season, as was his 22 fantasy points scored.

Wilson was in the starting lineup as Elijah Mitchell was absent because of a knee injury and concussion problems. The 49ers have a game Thursday night and the chance that Mitchell is out for that contest as well is high. Obviously, there is no relation between the Tennessee and Atlanta defenses. However, the wire is awfully bare this time of year. If a player that racked up over 100 yards rushing and scored a touchdown is available, don’t ask questions and simply make the claim.

Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks, 50% Owned

Truthfully, the recommendation of Rashaad Penny has nothing to do with anything he does against the Rams. In fact, this is being written before the game is even played. No, this has more to do with what Penny did to the Texans the week before and what he can reasonably be expected to do against Chicago, Seattle’s next opponent.

Getting his first start of the season against Houston, Penny rushed 16 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns. The Bears are not their usual dominate selves on defense this season, ranking in the middle of the NFL pack. Plus, the game is in Seattle, which always gives the Seahawks a major boost. Most importantly, during fantasy championship week, Seattle plays the Lions, also at home. That alone is enough reason for Penny’s name to appear on this fantasy football semifinals waiver pickups edition.

Other Running Back to Consider:

It is hard to imagine a player coming deeper from obscurity to starting on someone’s fantasy roster than Craig Reynolds. Yet, that is exactly where we find Reynolds after rushing for 112 yards against Arizona. No one knows for sure what to make out the other running backs on Detroit’s roster health wise, but with Atlanta up next, a player that rushes for over 100 yards can’t be ignored.

Wide Receivers

Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons, 50% Owned

Russell Gage has continuously appeared in this space as a wide receiver that needs to come off the wire and added to rosters across all formats. Actually, this will most likely be the last time it will happen as Gage should be well over the 50 percent level by the end of the week. Gage had another solid game against San Francisco, catching eight of 11 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown.

It was the second time in the last three weeks that Gage has been targeted at least 11 times. In addition, he has been a solid fantasy play in three of the last four games, finishing with 18, 24 and 23 points. Gage scored 10 points in the other game. Without question, Gage has a high floor and ceiling with the Lions up next. Detroit ranks 20th in pass defense and has to play the Falcons on the road. Without doubt, Gage is the top receiver to add this week on this fantasy football semifinals waiver pickups edition.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions, 22.7% Owned

There is no way that anyone could have possibly predicted that a player from Detroit would be a most waiver add this season, However, managers need to know that if Gage is not available, Amon-Ra St. Brown absolutely goes to the head of the receivers list. Anyone that hasn’t paid attention to Brown the last three weeks needs to get onboard quickly as he is sure to be gone any second now.

First, name another receiver that has 35 targets the past three weeks. Even if that were possible, there sure aren’t any that are owned in less than 25 percent of leagues. Second, name a receiver that has scored 24, 15 and 23 fantasy points the past three games. No doubt, those are few and far between. Third, the Lions are playing the Falcons this weekend. No other information should be needed, Add Brown today.

Other Wide Receiver to Consider:

Granted, A.J. Green and the rest of the Arizona offense largely disappeared against the Lions Sunday. Green caught just four passes for 64 yards in the stunning defeat. However, just one week earlier against the Rams, Green did catch seven of ten targets for 102 yards. With the regular season ending injury to DeAndre Hopkins, Green is the number one receiver for the Cardinals. Despite the stumble, Arizona still has a potentially potent offense and if a receiver is needed, Green fits the bill.

Tight Ends

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots, 47.6% Owned

Obviously, the tight end position is dry on the wire at this time of year every fantasy season. That is no less true now. Even so, there is a tight end available in roughly half of leagues that has scored nine touchdowns in his last 10 games. That player is Hunter Henry. The Patriots lost to the Colts on Saturday, but the loss certainly wasn’t Henry’s fault.

Henry caught six of eight targets for 77 yards and two touchdowns against Indianapolis. It was Henry’s second two touchdown game of the season. Henry is a streaky player and he may be headed for a stretch like earlier in the season when he scored a TD is six of seven games. Granted, Buffalo isn’t an easy defense to play, but New England has Jacksonville the next week. That coincides with when fantasy championships are being decided. If Henry is available, add him this week as he will certainly not be around long.

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, 29% Owned

Few, if any, players have taken a fantasy beating like Matt Ryan has this season. He went from a quarterback selected in the middle rounds to a player that is owned in less than 30 percent of leagues. The plunge in ownership was absolutely deserved as Ryan has completely disappeared since throwing two TDs against New Orleans in week nine.

Ryan has tried to resurrect himself the past few weeks with a touchdown in his last two games. Hopefully, managers in position to qualify for their league championship don’t have quarterback problems. With everything that has happened, namely injuries and COVID related absences, that may not be the case, however. Mangers that do find themselves in this position only need to look at the schedule and see Atlanta plays Detroit this week. If needed, make Ryan a one-week rental and then return him to the wire.

Justin Fields, Chicago Bears, 25.5% Owned

Much like Ryan above, Justin Fields is a pickup for managers having quarterback issues and don’t have anywhere else to turn this late in the season. The Bears are certainly not an offensive juggernaut, but Fields has thrown for three touchdowns in his last two games. Fields also had 285 yards through the air against Minnesota Monday night.

The best news concerning Fields is that Seattle is next on the Bears’ schedule and the Giants after that. The Seahawks rank 28th in overall defense and the Giants 17th. In 12 team and smaller leagues, Fields is about as good a QB as can be expected on the wire this late in the season. If needed, grab Fields and then hold on tight.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy football semifinals waiver pickups edition! As always, I welcome suggestions, questions and input from all of my readers. Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks for all the latest NFL, NBA, NHL and all the latest sports news!

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