Search
Redraft
Dynasty
Best Ball
In This Article
Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups: Use Your Remaining FAAB on This Group
This is the last waiver run that matters for most of you. So let’s keep it simple: what changed, what it means, and who can actually help in Week 17.
We’re not listing generic FAAB because your remaining budget and opponent context decide the right number. Use this list to prioritize the best waiver options and the smartest injury pivots.
Best of luck in your championship matchups.
TIP
For waiver-wire suggestions customized for YOUR fantasy team, check out the Free Agent Finder.
Contents
Quarterbacks
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
QB13 on
What Changed?
After scuffling through his first two NFL starts, Shough has been a reliable QB2. Since Week 10, he has averaged 248 passing yards and 22 rushing yards per game, with 8 total TDs and 3 INTs.
In Week 16, Shough produced his first 300-yard passing performance while completing a season-best 32 passes against the Jets.
What’s the Outlook?
The Saints have now reeled off three straight wins and opened as 2.5-point road favorites against the Titans.
This is a favorable matchup for Shough and the Saints. Tennessee enters Week 17 allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs.
Starting QBs have been thinning out over the last two weeks. If you’re forced to rely on a streamer or need an insurance QB2 for the championship, Shough’s in a good spot to post high-end QB2 numbers.
Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
QB18 on
What Changed?
Jordan Love suffered a concussion in Week 16 after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit. Willis came in and looked competent, completing nine of 11 passes for 121 yards and 1 TD while rushing 10 times for 44 yards.
However, Willis sustained a right shoulder injury that HC Matt LaFleur called "a legitimate deal” after the loss.
What’s the Outlook?
Love will have to clear the league’s concussion protocol before Saturday night’s matchup with the Ravens. Even if Love is unready, Willis will need to prove his shoulder can make it through a game.
Willis' rushing upside makes him worth a speculative add in superflex setups. In two starts last season, he completed 75.7% of his passes, averaged 57 rushing yards per game, and posted QB17 and QB6 finishes.
RB Josh Jacobs also re-injured his knee, which could result in more passes and designed QB runs if Willis gets the start.
Running Backs
Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers
RB45 on
What Changed?
Josh Jacobs did not play in the final quarter and a half of Green Bay’s Week 16 loss following a goal-line fumble. Even before that, he was playing less than usual -- and less effectively -- thanks to a nagging knee injury.
Jacobs has been limited to 12 carries in back-to-back games and could be in danger of missing his second start of the season.
When Jacobs sat out Week 12, Wilson drew the start and accumulated 125 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs on 30 touches -- overall RB3 numbers for the slate.
In Week 16, Wilson led Green Bay’s backfield in snaps (32), attempts (14), and rushing yards (82).
What’s the Outlook?
Wilson averaged 5.9 yards per carry against the Bears vs. just 3.0 for Jacobs. He’s also edging Jacobs 4.2 to 4.0 in that category for the season. That’s not a great measure on its own for RB success, but it at least shows that the Packers can afford to limit Jacobs for the sake of his knee without killing the run game.
We’ll see about Jacobs’ practice participation this week and reports on that knee’s health heading into Saturday’s game. Wilson seems likely to stay involved even if Jacobs plays, though.
If Green Bay decides to -- or needs to -- hold Jacobs out, Wilson could make for a strong Week 17 option. Baltimore’s been 10th-most friendly to RB scoring on the year, by our adjusted fantasy points allowed.
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals
RB24 on
What Changed?
After producing 94 scrimmage yards on 18 touches against the Texans in Week 15, Carter drew the Week 16 start vs. Atlanta.
He rushed for 65 yards on 11 totes. Carter failed to catch either of his two targets but led the backfield in routes (51.5% route rate).
Emari Demarcado saw a boost in playing time against Atlanta, jumping from an 11% snap share in Week 15 to 32%. Demercado got five carries and ran 10 routes to Carter’s 17 (a 30.3% rate)
What’s the Outlook?
Carter’s snap share declined in Week 16, but he remained the clear lead back.
Week 17 boosts his outlook by presenting a Bengals defense that surrenders the most fantasy points per game to RBs.
Carter is a good bet to receive 15-plus touches in an elite matchup against a defense that’s allowing 173.2 scrimmage yards and 1.3 TDs per game to opposing RBs.
Carter’s a potential RB2 for championship week.
Rahiem Sanders, Dylan Sampson, & Trayveon Williams, Cleveland Browns
What Changed?
Quinshon Judkins suffered a season-ending leg injury in Cleveland’s Week 16 loss.
From Weeks 2-15, Judkins accounted for 73% of Cleveland’s backfield carries and commanded an 8% target share.
After Judkins departed Sunday’s game, Rahiem Sandes dominated early-down work, holding an 11-3 edge in carries over Trayveon Williams, who led the team in catches (4) and receiving yards (38).
Sanders and Williams each played 20 snaps in relief of Judkins, with Williams running 11 routes.
Dylan Sampson has been Cleveland’s No. 2 RB for most of the season, but Sampson has missed the last two games with a hand injury.
What’s the Outlook?
Cleveland will likely resort to a committee backfield to close out another tumultuous season. Sampson wasn’t able to practice at all last week, which casts doubt on his ability to play in Week 17.
If ready, though, Sampson would likely get the start and potentially command a lead share of the backfield work. Sampson has proved especially effective in the passing game, leading Browns RBs and ranking fourth on the team in receptions.
If Sampson remains out, Sanders is the best bet to lead the Browns in carries, with Williams mixing in primarily on passing downs. We’ll keep an eye on Sampson’s progress.
The Week 17 matchup with the Steelers has proved fairly neutral for RB impact in recent weeks.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
RB34 on
What Changed?
The Titans employed a run-heavy approach in Week 16 against a Kansas City offense that couldn't get anything going. Tennessee rushed the ball 40 times, which resulted in a season-high 13 carries for Spears.
Spears remained behind Tony Pollard, but the Titans have employed a close, two-man committee since their Week 10 bye. In their last six games, Pollard holds a 53% to 45% lead in snap share.
While Spears’ increased involvement as a runner can be attributed to game script against a hobbled Chiefs squad, Spears has commanded 89% of Tennessee’s long-down and distance snaps and 74% of the 2-minute snaps since the bye.
What’s the Outlook?
The Titans probably aren’t going to be able to call 40 runs in Week 17. They’re home underdogs to a Saints’ team that has won three straight and ranks league-average at allowing fantasy points to RBs.
That game script should produce more passes, which favors Spears. He has commanded 4+ targets and hauled in 3+ receptions in Tennessee’s last three games and even punched in a short-yardage TD against Kansas City.
Spears is quietly averaging 9.2 PPR points per game, making him a potential flex option if you’re dealing with an injury or just need insurance.
Jawhar Jordan, Houston Texans
What Changed?
Woody Marks missed Week 16 with an ankle injury. Nick Chubb drew the “start,” but Jordan controlled Houston’s backfield.
He out-touched Chubb 20-7 and produced 70 yards of offense to Chubb’s 42.
We saw similar splits in Week 15 after Marks exited in the first half. If Marks misses another game, Jordan has clearly moved ahead of Chubb in Houston’s backfield rotation.
What’s the Outlook?
Marks was a surprise inactive last week after getting in a limited practice session on Friday. Because he was able to get on the field for that practice session, his injury is considered serious.
We'll keep an eye on Houston’s practice reports, but if you’ve been relying on Marks in your fantasy lineups, target Jordan as insurance. He rushed for 101 yards in relief of Marks in Week 15.
If Marks misses Week 17, Jordan would be in the flex discussion for Saturday’s tilt against a quality Chargers’ defense that plays the pass tougher than the run.
Wide Receivers
Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets
WR35 on
What Changed?
In a week with few desirable WRs available on the waiver wire, Mitchell remains unrostered in 66% of ESPN leagues.
Since debuting with the Jets in Week 11, Mitchell leads New York’s WR corps in route rate (87%), target share (25%), and PPR points per game (10.1).
In two games with QB Brady Cook starting, Mitchell has averaged 12.4 PPR points per game, but the production has been a little erratic. He managed 17.4 points in Jacksonville when the Jets scored 20 points, but then dropped to 7.3 in New Orleans as the Jets were held to 6.
What’s the Outlook?
HC Aaron Glenn named Cook as New York’s starter for Week 17.
The Jets are 12.5-point underdogs to the division-leading Patriots, so Cook, who has thrown 33 and 35 pass attempts in his two starts, will be busy on Sunday afternoon. Mitchell commanded 8 (27%) and 6 (19%) of Cook’s targets in those two games.
Mitchell has averaged 7.5 targets per game in two starts with Cook and gets a positive matchup with a New England defense that has allowed the ninth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to WRs.
Tight Ends
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
TE21 on
What Changed?
Hill played a season-high 34 snaps in Week 16, leading the team in rushes (12) and yards (42). Hill also caught four of six targets for 36 yards and completed his only pass attempt for a 38-yard TD to WR Chris Olave.
Hill’s performance against the Jets could encourage HC Kellen Moore to keep Hill involved in the Saints’ backfield -- especially with the team down to its fourth-string RB.
Audric Estime and Evan Hull combined to average just 2.2 yards per carry against a Jets defense that entered Week 16 allowing 4.4 yards per tote, tied for 19th in the NFL.
What’s the Outlook?
Unfortunately, the Saints don’t draw another matchup with the hapless Jets. However, they do travel to Tennessee to face a Titans’ squad that has allowed the 14th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to RBs. The Titans have allowed a top-24 PPR weekly RB finish in four of their last five games.
Hill led New Orleans in carries last week, and Alvin Kamara did not participate in Tuesday's walk-through, making him unlikely to play this week. No other Saints' RB received more than 5 carries against the Jets, and Hill's playing time has been trending up.
Hill only averaged 8.6 snaps per game in the first half of the season, but jumped up to 21.8 per game since Week 10. His touches have been somewhat erratic, but last week's 17-touch outing was very encouraging.
View Hill as a risk/reward target on waivers, but the upside potential he showcased last week makes him worth a fairly aggressive waiver bid for TE-needy fantasy squads.
A.J. Barner, Seattle Seahawks
TE15 on
What Changed?
Since Elijah Arroyo (knee) was placed on IR after Week 14, Barner has seen a spike in his route rate.
From Weeks 1-14, Barner averaged 19.8 routes and 3.7 targets per game.
But in his last two outings, with Arroyo sidelined, Barner sports an 81% route rate and is up to 5.0 targets per game.
What’s the Outlook?
Barner quietly enters the final week of the fantasy season as a top-15 overall scorer but is still widely available on waivers.
Barner has caught three-plus balls in his last four and earned an end-zone target in three of the four. Among all TEs, Barner ranks 9th with 8 red-zone receptions and has also garnered three RZ rushing attempts, including a TD run.
In Week 17, Barner looks like a good streaming option against a Carolina Panthers’ defense that has ceded the 14th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to TEs. A starting TE has caught 4-plus passes in three of Carolina’s last four games. View Barner as a streaming option with a decent floor.
Injuries to Watch
- Lamar Jackson (back)
- Jordan Love (concussion)
- J.J. McCarthy (hand)
- TreVeyon Henderson (concussion)
- Rashee Rice (concussion)
- Woody Marks (ankle)
- Marcus Mariota (quad/hand)
- Pat Bryant (concussion)
- Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle)
- Kimani Vidal (neck)
RB Handcuff Top 10
| RANK | PLAYER | TEAM | LAST WEEK |
| 1 | Blake Corum | Rams | 1 |
| 2 | Zach Charbonnet | Seahawks | 2 |
| 3 | Kenneth Gainwell | Steelers | 3 |
| 4 | Kyle Monangai | Bars | 4 |
| 5 | Emanuel Wilson | Packers | 5 |
| 6 | Tyler Allgeier | Falcons | 6 |
| 7 | Tyjae Spears | Titans | - |
| 8 | Samaje Perine | Bengals | 7 |
| 9 | Rachaad White | Buccaneers | - |
| 10 | Devin Singletary | Giants | 9 |
Top Streaming Kickers
- Evan McPherson, Bengals
- Andres Borregales, Patriots
- Charlie Smyth, Saints
*TIP* Our Week 17 PK rankings have more streaming options and are continuously updated throughout the week.
Draft using the best dynamic tool in the industry. Our fantasy player valuations (3D Values) change during your draft in response to...
- Exact league settings - direct sync
- Opponent and Team Needs
- Positional scarcity & available players
- Ceiling, injury risk, ADP, and more!
You need a dynamic cheat sheet that easily live-syncs with your draft board and adapts throughout your draft using 17 crucial indicators.
Get your Draft War Room Today
