Welcome to the 2022 fantasy football playoffs! With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, player acquisitions now come only via the waiver wire. Thin FAAB balances do nothing but up the ante across multiple leagues. Below we discuss five players you should consider picking up off waivers this week if you are in a win-or-go-home situation.

1. Pierre Strong, RB, Patriots

Recommended FAAB to spend: $10

Rhamondre Stevenson is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. If Stevenson cannot play, we could see fellow rookies Strong and Kevin Harris lead the Patriots’ backfield for the second-straight week. Last week against Arizona, Strong received 32 percent of the offensive snaps to Harris’ 49 percent. However, Strong was far more productive with his opportunities as he took his five carries for 70 yards (one was a three-yard TD) and added two catches for 20 yards. At a minimum, Strong is New England’s “RB2b,” making him a stash to closely monitor as a potential starter. 

2. Rex Burkhead, RB, Texans

Recommended FAAB to spend: $5-$10

Burkhead in Dameon Pierce’s stead is far from an intriguing play against Kansas City, but he has a clear path to targets in a messy Texans’ offense. In Week 1, before Pierce became the established workhorse, Burkhead logged 14 carries and a whopping eight targets. The veteran has just one touchdown and 80 total rushing yards on the season (40 came in Week 1), so while he isn’t much of an upside play, Burkhead is a volume play.

3. Elijah Moore, WR, Jets

Recommended FAAB to spend: $10

Moore seemed primed for a sophomore breakout before he came to bad terms with the Jets’ coaching staff and front office. After registering eight straight games of under 70 percent offensive snap participation, Week 14 saw Moore play 82 percent — by far his highest since the fallout. Moore will benefit from the Detroit matchup, as they simply cannot stop the pass. The Lions’ defense has allowed nine top-24 opposing WR finishes in the past four games, making this a favorable matchup for Moore.

4. Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Giants

Recommended FAAB to spend: $5-$10

Thanks to the Giants’ abysmal receiver situation, Hodgins may have found himself a home in the Big Apple. Over the past two weeks, the second-year pro has put together 12 targets, two touchdowns, and at least 80 percent of the offensive snaps in both games. While Richie James and Darius Slayton are more flashy, Hodgins presents an alpha-like size, which is being employed in the red zone. Leaning on and testing Hodgins down the stretch does the Giants nothing but good things as they search for dependable receivers of the future.

5. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Titans

Recommended FAAB to spend: $10

Delanie Walker 2.0, anybody? Okonkwo, who athletically grades out wonderfully and similarly to the former Titans TE, has strung together two relatively impressive weeks in a murky Titans’ offense. Mike Vrabel and Co. would be wrong not to continue to utilize Okonkwo’s 4.52 speed as an injection of some much-needed juice. From Weeks 1-12, the rookie’s yards per reception average was a whopping 22.62. So now, with a more solidified role, Okonkwo will see some much-needed positive regression as a regular contributor.