Hopefully, things are going well in your fantasy football playoff matchup and you're positioned to make it to next week. If that's the case, you're going to want to do your due diligence and scour the waiver wire for any way of upgrading your roster (or blocking your opponents) as you make the climb toward a championship. It's important to stay ahead of your competition and be prepared for anything. Below are some options off the wire going into Week 16 that could boost your roster even further. 

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Early Week 16 Pickups

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Commanders (48% rostered on Yahoo)

Washington's backfield has been a revolving door all season long. Just when we thought we had it figured out, Week 15 rolled around. Chris Rodriguez Jr. missed Sunday's matchup against the Giants and it moved the rookie JCM back to the head of the backfield committee. Croskey-Merritt got the bulk of the work on the ground, finishing with 18 carries for 96 yards and a score for 15.6 fantasy points.

C-Rod will have a chance to return on a short week against the Eagles on Saturday. If he misses that game, Croskey-Merritt will be on the RB3/flex radar if you endure any injury woes during your playoffs. 

Luther Burden III, WR, Bears (17% rostered)

It looked like Rome Odunze was set to return from a foot injury after missing last week, but the second-year wideout aggravated the injury during pre-game warmups and was a late scratch. That left the rookie Burden to step up in Odunze's stead. Over the past two games, Burden has led the Bears in receiving with 10 catches for 151 total yards. He's building solid chemistry with QB Caleb Williams and has been Chicago's most consistent option in the passing game lately. If Odunze remains out, Burden should continue to be a decent WR3/flex play in PPR formats for a big matchup against the Packers on Saturday in Week 16. Burden left the game early due to an ankle injury with the Bears up big, so be sure to monitor his status early in the week.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans (49% rostered)

Schultz and the Texans went into Week 15 with a great matchup against the Cardinals, who entered Sunday allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Schultz showed up when it mattered most if you started him in your playoff matchup, catching eight of nine targets for 76 yards and a touchdown, good for 17.6 fantasy points. He's tracking to finish as a top-five tight end on the week and is worth adding in shallower leagues if available. 

The matchup versus the Raiders in Week 16 shows red but it should be a positive environment for the Texans' passing game. Plus, the run game still lacks elite options with Nick Chubb missing time with a rib injury and Woody Marks getting hurt on Sunday. As the clear second option behind Nico Collins for QB CJ Stroud, Schultz has a decent floor moving forward in PPR. 

Jawhar Jordan, RB, Texans (0% rostered)

Here's a name you've probably never heard before. Jordan was elevated from the practice squad for Houston prior to Week 15. He was drafted in the sixth round in 2024 out of Louisville and had 1,374 scrimmage yards in his senior season in 2023. With Chubb banged up and inactive against Arizona, Jordan was active and got involved on Sunday once Marks left with an ankle injury. Jordan had a 50-yard scamper and led the Texans' backfield with 15 carries for 101 yards and two catches for 17 yards, finishing with 12.8 fantasy points.

Jordan is more of a deep-league add who makes for a good stash if he continues to get work with Chubb and Marks not 100%. Even Ogunbowale isn't a bad add in PPR in very deep formats, depending on how the injuries shake out prior to Week 16 vs. the Raiders.