Fantasy football flex flyers: Jalen McMillan and Patrick Taylor Jr. could deliver in Week 16

Most fantasy football leagues are in the semifinals, with only four teams remaining. While the bye weeks are over, injury issues continue to create roster issues. For those who survived and progressed, there is less competition for players available in free agency. However, there may be overlooked players who remain available after waivers end for the week.

If you still have streaming needs, the following players can be added and started in a snap. Maybe you already have one on your list, and this information may influence whether you start them this week.

Players are listed in order of preference for roster usage, and analysis is based on PPR score. Percentages listed are from CBSSports.com.

Jalen McMillan, WR, TB (49 percent enrolled): The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie is breaking out at the biggest time of the season, and you can add him and start him immediately as a Fantasy WR3. In each of the last two games, he has recorded more than 18 fantasy points, fueled by three total touchdowns. Over the past four weeks, the Dallas Cowboys rank 29th in fantasy points per game allowed to wide receivers. McMillan plants his flag as the undisputed No. 2 WR for a Buccaneers offense that is thriving right now.

Patrick Taylor Jr., RB, SF (48%): The 49ers must count on Taylor as a likely starter. Three Niners running backs are already on injured reserve, and Isaac Guerendo is unlikely to play this week due to injury. San Francisco’s offense could bounce back in Miami, and any RB that starts for them has the potential to post decent fantasy totals. Taylor profiles as a physical runner who should be a finisher for the 49ers. Miami has allowed 12 rushing touchdowns to RBs, tied for fourth in the league.

Brenton Strange, TE, JAX (33%): Strange briefly appeared on the fantasy radar earlier this season with two double-digit PPR performances before officially bursting onto the scene last week with an 11-reception outing. The Las Vegas Raiders rank 29th in receptions allowed to TEs, so Strange can be confidently released in Week 16. He is dealing with a shoulder injury, but reports indicate Strange is expected to play this week.

Jalen Coker, WR, RCA (14 percent): Xavier Legette (hip) is not expected to play this week, pushing Coker to play a prominent role in Carolina’s passing game alongside Adam Thielen. Coker is dealing with a quad injury, but his limited practice status suggests availability against the Arizona Cardinals. Coker finished with 110 receiving yards – including an 83-yard touchdown – last week against Dallas. Coker has been targeted more than six times in three of his previous four games. He has a 70.3 WR/CB grade on Pro Football Focus for Week 16 against Cardinals cornerbacks, which qualifies as “good.” He also gets a pretty good draw against Tampa Bay’s pass defense in Week 17.

Chig Okonkwo, TE, TEN (6 percent): Although he’s already known as a sleeper candidate who never delivered on his promises, Okonkwo is at least temporarily back on the fantasy card based on last week’s outing and a good matchup of the week 16. He caught eight of 10 targets last week, and the Colts rank 30th in FPPG allowed to tight ends. With Mason Rudolph taking over as the Tennessee Titans’ starting QB, Okonkwo is in position to provide at least adequate fantasy production this week.

Calvin Austin III, WR, PIT (9%): With George Pickens out and Russell Wilson still able to throw an accurate deep ball, Austin has statistical promise against the Ravens. He finished with double digits in PPR points in three of the last four games, with long receptions of 30+ yards in two outings. Baltimore’s pass defense has been less leaky in recent weeks, but still ranks 29th in receiving yards allowed to WRs this season.

Tim Patrick, WR, DET (5 percent): Apparently, many Fantasy players believe that Patrick’s three receptions in the last two games are not a reason to roster him. Sure, the TD production doesn’t seem sustainable, but Patrick has been targeted 15 times in the last two games. The Detroit Lions also have many defensive injuries and may need to pass the ball often on offense to win games.

Marquise Brown, WR, KC (24 percent): Starting Hollywood Brown carries a high level of risk, considering he has yet to play a single game in a Chiefs uniform. But he looks set to make his debut against the Texans this week and can potentially make an instant impact with his playmaking abilities downfield. Houston has allowed an AFC-high 19 touchdown passes to WRs, and Patrick Mahomes could benefit from the late-season addition of a big-play weapon.

Mahomes is averaging career lows in yards per game (239.1), per completion (10.0) and intended air yards per attempt (6.3), so he probably wants to welcome Brown into the mix quickly . Any player coming off such a long layoff has a limited ceiling. But you can add Brown now, and if he performs well, start him in Week 17 while keeping him off an opponent’s roster during the fantasy playoffs.

(Photo by Jalen McMillan: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)