Week 16 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Waiver Targets: Adonai Mitchell, Mack Hollins, Luther Burden and More and More

If you're reading this, congrats on still being alive heading into Week 16, aka the fantasy football semifinals. Although it's never too late in the year to improve your roster with a clutch waiver wire pickup, at this time of year, there's no such thing as a long-term stash. 

Consider a player's profile and matchups, and ask yourself whether they can realistically make your lineup in one of the next two weeks — if the answer is no, leave them on waivers. Keep that in mind as we dive into the top wide receiver waiver options of the week. 

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Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets (28% Rostered)

Mitchell's breakout took a bit of a speed bump in Week 14, as he finished with just one catch for 24 yards in a game where Tyrod Taylor exited early and the Jets' offense imploded. But he got back on track this Sunday, even with Taylor still out and UDFA rookie Brady Cook under center. The former Colt caught six of a team-leading nine targets for 58 yards, his second career TD, and 14.4 half-PPR points. 

Over the last four weeks (all but his first game in a Jets' uniform), Mitchell has averaged a solid 10.7 half-PPR points per game. His underlying usage has been even stronger than that, with a 27% target share and 51% air yards share on an 84% route participation rate.

The Jets face the Saints and Patriots over the next two weeks to finish the fantasy season. Neither matchup is ideal, but neither is terrible, either. Especially if Taylor is able to return, Mitchell could be a savior for managers looking for some upside at the WR position … but don't be shocked if he drops a dud in at least one of those two games, given the Jets' overall ineptitude. 

Darius Slayton, New York Giants (31% Rostered)

Slayton's actual fantasy finish — four catches for 53 scoreless yards and 7.3 half-PPR points — was nothing to write home about. But the veteran receiver earned 10 targets for a 27% target share and a 44% air yards share. That usage shouldn't be ignored.

Looking ahead, Slayton and the Giants have a tough matchup with Brian Flores' Vikings defense next week. He will be a very risky flex option in that one, as Minnesota allows the second-fewest points per game to opposing WRs. 

But if Slayton has a good game (or at least more good usage) again next week, he suddenly becomes a very intriguing option against the hapless Raiders in Week 17. If that sounds a player your roster could use, scoop him up.

Mack Hollins, New England Patriots (3% Rostered)

Hollins saw absolutely elite usage as the Patriots lost to the Bills on Sunday. His eight targets translated into a 35% target share and a 65% air yards share. He also ranked second among New England WRs witha  76% route participation rate — behind Kayshon Boutte (90%) but well ahead of Stefon Diggs (59%).

With how well Drake Maye has played this season, the guy who genuinely has an argument to be his WR1 should be rostered in more than 3% of leagues. Hollins is still undeniably a risky option. His role could disappear at any moment if the Patriots give Diggs (their most efficient WR on a per-route basis) a full-time snap share. Just as importantly, we have no real reason to believe that he is anything more than a replacement-level NFL player. 

But replacement-level NFL players are still absolutely elite athletes, capable of putting up numbers in good situations. Right now, Hollins is in a good situation, and deep-league managers would be wise to take notice. 

Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers (4% Rostered)

Christian Watson unfortunately suffered a chest injury in the third quarter of the Packers' loss to the Broncos. Reportedly, he avoided major injury and could return as soon as this Sunday, but my guess is that he misses at least one week. 

In Watson's absence, Wicks was the big winner. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed played their usual roles as a full-time X and part-time slot playmaker respectively, and Wicks stepped into Watson's shoes. After posting just a 12% route participation rate last week and a 29% rate in the first half of this week's contest, he jumped up to a 73% rate in the fourth quarter.

Of course, Wicks still finished this game with just one catch for six yards on two targets. But he has a solid history of earning targets (if not always catching them) when given a chance. In super deep leagues, he might be worth a dart throw if Watson is out for Week 15 against the Bears. 

Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears (22% Rostered)

Burden looked to be finally breaking out on Sunday, catching six of a team-leading seven targets for 84 yards. With Rome Odunze sidelined for the second straight week, Burden's 79% route participation rate in the first half was on track to be easily a new career high. Unfortunately, the rookie exited his career day early with an ankle injury.

Going forward, Burden is reportedly day-to-day, with a chance of missing Week 15. Unfortunately, given how few weeks are left in the season, this injury is a huge blow to his theoretical fantasy value. 

In a best-case scenario, Burden plays this week and has another big game, leaving managers capable of confidently starting him against the 49ers in Week 17. In a lot of more likely outcomes, Burden either misses this week or finds himself back in a limited role, making him a hugely risky option to trust in fantasy championships.

He's still worth adding in case he has a quick recovery, but the terribly timed injury plus his lackluster usage even when healthy all season means his path to actually helping fantasy managers is thin.