Fantasy Football: Top 5 Waiver-Wire Acquisitions of the 2016 Season

Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers

The expectations were very low for Davante Adams coming into this season. Jordy Nelson was healthy again and Randall Cobb, Green Bay's top receiver in 2015, were set as the starters. Tight end was also perceived to be a strength with Richard Rodgers fresh off an eight-touchdown performance and the team acquiring Jared Cook.

There was nothing to like about Adams' numbers, either. He only improved slightly in receptions and yards from his first year to his second, and he regressed in touchdowns with only one in 2015, compared to three in his rookie campaign.

Despite scoring three touchdowns in his first four games, he only had more than three catches in one of those games. He went largely unowned in fantasy leagues -- 84 percent available in Yahoo leagues -- until a breakout in Week 7 against Bears where he caught 13 passes for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.

That began a stretch where he averaged 17.2 PPR points through the end of the regular season.

Adams had only two games with double-digit receptions, so the volume still wasn't there, but he replaced Cobb as Aaron Rodgers' second favorite target, especially in the red zone. The result was a staggering 12 touchdowns and 997 yards on 75 catches, helping him finish as a top-10 fantasy receiver in both standard and PPR leagues.

The third year pass-catcher was the only wide receiver among the 10 most-owned players on ESPN fantasy finalist squads.