Fantasy football: Dante Pettis & 4 waiver-wire pickups for Week 15

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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 09: Ian Thomas #80 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball in front of Tanner Vallejo #54 of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Tight End Ian Thomas, Carolina Panthers

Week 15 Matchup: Home vs. New Orleans Saints (Monday)

This fantasy football waiver-wire grab might be one out of desperation than anything else. But that’s been the case with all the attrition at tight end this year. And unless you’ve got one of the top-tier guys, like George Kittle or the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, you’re probably scrambling for an emergency option.

The Carolina Panthers’ Ian Thomas has taken over starting duties ever since the veteran, Greg Olsen (foot) went on injured reserve. Last week on the road against the Cleveland Browns, Thomas settled in nicely with nine catches for 77 yards, giving the roughly 25.5 percent of ESPN owners a worthwhile 16.7 points in PPR leagues.

Carolina has fallen apart as of late, losing five games in a row and falling out of realistic contention for a playoff berth. But with a prime-time Monday Night Football matchup against its NFC South division rivals, the New Orleans Saints, one can bank on the hope the Panthers engage in some sort of shootout with the high-scoring Saints.

That’s good news for the relatively few Thomas owners, hoping the rookie can take advantage of a New Orleans defense allowing 7.0 yards per pass attempt — 28th in the league.