Fantasy Football Championship week. The trophy, the winner’s check and eight-plus months of bragging rights are within your grasp. Ready to go, slugger? You got this.
With luck, your core fantasy football lineup is all set for Week 17, and you won’t have to shop the waiver wire. But maybe you’re dealing with injuries or nightmare matchups and need reinforcements. Maybe you need to stream a defense or a kicker.
If you need to hit waivers, we have some suggestions. Let’s see what’s on the menu.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 17
Week 17 Waiver Grade: B
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings
Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues; Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
Running Backs
Michael Carter (RB – ARI): 42% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @CIN, LAR
- True Value: $10
- Desperate Need: $18
- Budget-Minded: $6
Analysis: It appears Michael Carter is going to be Arizona’s lead back the rest of the way. After Bam Knight was carted off with an ankle injury that he sustained on the Cardinals’ first offensive play of Week 15, Carter played 80% of the Cardinals’ offensive snaps and had 14-56-0 rushing and 4-38-0 receiving in Arizona’s 40-20 loss to Houston. In Week 16, Carter played 52.6% of Arizona’s offensive snaps and had 11-65-0 with zero targets in a 26-19 loss to the Falcons. Carter gets a favorable Week 17 matchup against a bad Bengals defense that has allowed a league-high 1,924 rushing yards to running backs. Just know that the Cardinals’ offensive line has been pretty banged up, which could limit the effectiveness of the running game.
Blake Corum (RB – LAR): 41% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @ATL, ARI
- True Value: $8
- Desperate Need: $14
- Budget-Minded: $5
Analysis: Blake Corum has been on a touchdown spree, with five scores in his last four games. He’s averaged 82 rushing yards per game and 7.5 yards per carry over that stretch. Corum has to score touchdowns and be efficient as a runner to make up for a lack of volume. Although he’s had double-digit carries in three consecutive games, Corum hasn’t had more than 14 rushing attempts in any game, and he’s caught only seven passes this season. Corum typically only plays about one-third of the Rams’ offensive snaps behind starter Kyren Williams. But the Rams’ offense is a machine, helping to give Corum far more value than your run-of-the-mill backup ball-carrier. Corum gets a neutral matchup this week against the Falcons.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB – WSH): 29% Rostered
- Next Opponents: DAL, @PHI
- True Value: $7
- Desperate Need: $13
- Budget-Minded: $4
Analysis: After missing Week 15 with a groin injury, Chris Rodriguez Jr. returned in Week 16 and served as the Commanders’ primary early-down back. He tied a season high with 15 carries, rushing for 63 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles. Rodriguez also had a six-yard catch, but it was just his second reception of the season. Rodriguez played 28 of Washington’s 54 offensive snaps in Week 16, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Jeremy McNichols played 15 naps, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 11 snaps. With double-digit carries in each of his last five games, Rodriguez offers a sturdy rushing floor this week against the Cowboys, though his effectiveness could depend on the status of Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who missed Week 16 with a concussion and neck issue. But with Rodriguez offering little as a pass-catcher, his value is lessened in full-point PPR leagues.
Raheim Sanders (RB – CLE): 0% Rostered
- Next Opponents: PIT, @CIN
- True Value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: With Quinshon Judkins sustaining a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula on Sunday, and with Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford sidelined by injuries of their own, the Browns turned to rookie Raheim Sanders, aka “Rocket.” After Judkins was injured, Sanders had 11 carries for 42 yards against the Bills, along with a four-yard catch. Ford is on injured reserve (IR). Sampson has been out with a hand injury, and it’s unclear whether he’ll return this week. If he can’t, Sanders could be in line for most of the early-down work against the Steelers. An undrafted free agent, Sanders had a 1,443-yard rushing season as a sophomore for Arkansas in 2022. He played only six games in 2023, then had a decent but unspectacular final college season after transferring to South Carolina. It’s worth monitoring Sampson’s status this week because if he’s able to come back, he would most likely serve as the lead back. And even if Sampson remains out and Sanders is a workhorse against Pittsburgh this week, the myriad injuries plaguing Cleveland’s offensive line could limit Sanders’ production.
Emanuel Wilson (RB – GB): 37% Rostered
- Next Opponents: BAL, @MIN
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Emanuel Wilson could have stand-alone value against the Ravens this week, depending on Josh Jacobs‘ status. Jacobs was dealing with a knee injury going into the Packers’ Week 16 game against the Bears. He was able to start the game, but Jacobs was largely ineffective, carrying 12 times for 36 yards. He eventually gave way to Wilson, who finished with 14 carries for 82 yards. If Jacobs is out this week, Wilson will be a playable RB2 against Baltimore. If Jacobs plays, you won’t be able to comfortably start Wilson.
Devin Singletary (RB – NYG): 25% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @LV, DAL
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: As the 1B in the Giants’ backfield to Tyrone Tracy‘s 1A, Devin Singletary might be a desperation Flex option this week in deeper leagues thanks to a soft matchup with the Raiders. It’s not that the Raiders’ run defense is a complete pushover, but Las Vegas has given up 15 touchdown runs this season, and as punchless as the Raiders’ offense has been this season, their opponents typically have run-friendly game scripts. Singletary played 37.5% of the Giants’ offensive snaps on Sunday against the Vikings and had 11 carries for 47 yards.
Wide Receivers
Mack Hollins (WR – NE): 3% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYJ, MIA
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: As the Patriots’ possession receiver, Mack Hollins offers a sturdy floor but a somewhat limited ceiling. Hollins had seven catches for 69 yards on nine targets on Sunday night against the Ravens. Over his last eight games, Hollins has averaged 6.4 targets, 4.4 catches and 53.9 receiving yards. Alas, Hollins has scored only one touchdown this season. Perhaps a favorable matchup against a slumping Jets pass defense can raise Hollins’ ceiling for Week 17. The reeling Jets gave up 330 passing yards and five touchdown passes to Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars in Week 15, then yielded 346 passing yards and two touchdown passes (one by Tyler Shough, one by Taysom Hill) to the Saints in Week 16.
Josh Downs (WR – IND): 43% Rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, @HOU
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: With 44-year-old Philip Rivers now playing quarterback for the Colts following the season-ending injury to Daniel Jones, the Indianapolis passing game is constricted. Rivers is getting the ball out quickly and mostly throwing short passes. That formula could benefit Josh Downs, a short-area slot receiver with admirable catch-and-run skills. In Rivers’ first game for the Colts in Week 15, Downs was targeted five times — three catches for 13 yards and a touchdown. Downs could be a useful asset in a Week 17 matchup against a Jaguars defense that’s much better against the run than it is against the pass.
Parker Washington (WR – JAX): 23% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @IND, TEN
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: It’s probably not a good idea to overreact to Parker Washington’s huge Week 16 performance against a tough Denver defense. Washington had six catches for 145 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets against the Broncos. With Broncos shutdown cornerback Patrick Surtain II locking up with Brian Thomas Jr. for much of that game, Trevor Lawrence chose to go elsewhere with the ball, and Washington wound up being his top target. Washington has had some other nice performances this season, including an 8-90-0 game against the Raiders and a 5-71-1 game against the Cardinals. The Colts won’t be a particularly easy matchup for Washington in Week 17. But then again, neither were the Broncos, and Washington went bonkers against them. Washington has low-level Flex appeal in deeper leagues.
Tre Tucker (WR – LV): 41% Rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, KC
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Tre Tucker had four catches for 43 yards on five targets Sunday against a tough Houston defense. It was just the second time in Tucker’s last nine games that he’s topped 40 yards. While confidence in Tucker is by no means sky-high, he might be flexible in deep leagues this week against a shaky Giants pass defense that had given up the seventh-most receiving yards to wide receivers entering Week 16.
Quarterbacks
Tyler Shough (QB – NO): 18% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, @ATL
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Tyler Shough has quietly scored at least 17 fantasy points in four straight games. He’s completing 66.7% of his passes this season and averaging a respectable 6.9 yards per pass attempt. He’s completed at least 65% of his throws in five consecutive starts. Shough adds value as a runner, too, with 135 rushing yards and two touchdown runs over his last five starts. Shough gets an appealing Week 17 matchup against the Titans, who had given up the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks entering Week 16.
Aaron Rodgers (QB – PIT): 29% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @CLE, BAL
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Aaron Rodgers has played well during the Steelers’ current three-game winning streak, averaging 258 passing yards, with four touchdown passes, zero interceptions and one rushing touchdown. He’s averaged 7.6 yards per pass attempt over his last three games while completing 71.6% of his throws. Rodgers gets a Week 17 date with the Browns, against whom he had 235 passing yards and two touchdown passes back in Week 6.
Cam Ward (QB – TE): 8% Rostered
- Next Opponents: NO, @JAX
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Cam Ward has been unplayable in 1-QB leagues for most of his rookie season. But Ward is starting to come on. He’s thrown two touchdown passes in three consecutive games. Against the Chiefs on Sunday, Ward threw for 228 yards and averaged 8.1 yards per attempt (YPA) — his highest YPA in any game this season. Ward plays the Saints this week. New Orleans has an underrated defense, but Ward could be playable in deep 1-QB leagues, and he’s certainly playable in Superflex leagues.
Tight Ends
Mike Gesicki (TE – CIN): 4% Rostered
- Next Opponents: ARI, CLE
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Mike Gesicki had three catches for 35 yards and a touchdown on four targets on Sunday against the Dolphins. It was his second touchdown in the last three weeks. (Gesicki had 6-86-1 against the Bills in Week 14.) Bengals tight end Noah Fant was sidelined by an ankle injury in Week 16, and his status for Week 17 is uncertain. Fant wasn’t playing a big role anyway, but his absence could mean a few extra snaps for Gesicki, and possibly an extra target or two. Gesicki has an attractive Week 17 matchup against the Cardinals, who had allowed the seventh-most fantasy points and eighth-most receiving yards to tight ends through Week 15, then gave up 7-51-1 to Kyle Pitts in Week 16.
Colston Loveland (TE – CHI): 43% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @SF, DET
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Colston Loveland has caught at least three passes in 10 straight games dating back to mid-October. He had a modest three catches for 30 yards on four targets in Saturday night’s win over the Packers — disappointing numbers considering that the Bears were playing without injured receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. If either or both remain out, Loveland should have an enhanced target outlook in the Bears’ Week 17 game against the 49ers.
Taysom Hill (TE – NO): 1% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, @ATL
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Is it Taysom Hill time again? (Checks watch) Apparently, it is. Hill had 12 carries for 42 yards, four catches for 36 yards and one completed pass for a 38-yard touchdown on Sunday against the Jets. Hill hadn’t done much this year after coming back from the major knee injury he sustained late last season, but his Week 16 performance was attention-grabbing. Granted, it was against the Jets, whose defense has fallen apart. But Hill’s Week 17 matchup against the Titans isn’t terrible. With running backs Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and Devin Neal all injured, it makes sense that Hill would play a bigger role in the New Orleans running game. He’ll be ranked as a TE2 this week, making him a viable tight end option in deeper leagues.
Colby Parkinson (TE – LAR): 32% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, @SF
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: After scoring six touchdowns over his previous six games, Colby Parkinson welcomed quite a few people aboard his bandwagon for Week 16 … right before that bandwagon crashed. Parkinson had two catches for 21 yards on four targets against Seattle — his lowest yardage output since Week 11. Parkinson’s Week 17 matchup against Carolina isn’t bad. Just realize that Parkinson’s fantasy value is heavily touchdown-dependent.
Defenses
New England Patriots: 48% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYJ, MIA
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: The New England defense will be a superb option in Week 17 if Brady Cook makes another start for the Jets. If Tyrod Taylor returns from a groin injury and starts for the Jets against the Patriots, the New England defense will be a viable but less attractive Week 17 option. The Pats have a top-10 fantasy defense after all. But a matchup against Cook would be absolutely delicious. The rookie from Missouri has started the last two games, throwing four interceptions and taking 11 sacks. Taylor was healthy enough to serve as Cook’s backup in Week 16, so it’s possible he is back this week. But the Jets have nothing to play for other than draft position, so they might elect to keep Taylor sidelined as they play out the string.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 40% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIA, CAR
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: The Tampa Bay defense has been kind of a mess ever since the Buccaneers emerged from their Week 9 bye. The Bucs have given up an average of 28.4 points and 368.4 yards over their last seven games. But with NFL interception leader Tua Tagovailoa seemingly benched for the remainder of the regular season, the Dolphins figure to start either rookie Quinn Ewers or veteran Zach Wilson against the Buccaneers this week. Ewers threw a pair of interceptions against the Bengals in his first NFL start. Wilson has been sack- and interception-prone throughout his star-crossed career. Despite Tampa Bay’s defensive flaws, the promise of bad quarterbacking puts the Bucs squarely in play as a Week 17 streaming option.
Dallas Cowboys: 25% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @WSH, NYG
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Cowboys aren’t worth pursuing if Marcus Mariota can return from the hand injury that knocked him out of the Commanders’ Week 16 game against the Eagles. Mariota was also evaluated for a concussion in that contest. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is out for the season, so if Mariota can’t go this week, Washington will turn to third-stringer Josh Johnson, who threw one interception and took one sack after subbing for Mariota late in the third quarter. Johnson would be a quarterback well worth targeting with a streaming defense.
New York Giants: 10% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @LV, DAL
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Something’s gotta give when the Giants face the Raiders this week in a matchup of 2-13 teams. The Giants have the lowest-scoring fantasy defense in the league, but the Raiders have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing defenses this season. After missing Week 15 with shoulder and back injuries, Geno Smith returned to action for the Raiders in Week 16 and promptly threw a first-quarter pick-six against the Texans. Picking a fantasy defense is generally more about the opposing offense than the defense itself, making the Giants an intriguing possibility for Week 17 thanks to the fantastic matchup.
Los Angeles Chargers: 41% Rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, @DEN
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: There are some defenses of dubious quality in this section. If you prefer a defense that’s actually good, then maybe the Chargers are for you. The Chargers entered Week 16 ranked ninth in defensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) and 12th in defensive fantasy scoring, and they’ve held each of their last four opponents to fewer than 20 points. A Week 17 matchup against the Texans isn’t especially appealing since Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has done a good job of limiting sacks and interceptions this year. But the Chargers are capable of getting the better of Houston’s so-so offensive line.
Kickers
Andy Borregales (K – NE): 15% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYJ, MIA
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Andy Borregales has been a top-10 fantasy kicker, and he’s been on a roll lately, with 58 fantasy points in his last five games. Borregales gets a juicy Week 17 matchup against the Jets, who are allowing a league-high 12.8 fantasy points per game to kickers.
Eddy Pineiro (K – SF): 30% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, SEA
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Eddy Pineiro returned from a hamstring injury in Week 15 and immediately went 3-of-3 on field goals and 4-of-4 on extra points in the 49ers’ 37-24 win over the Titans. Entering the 49ers’ Monday-night game against the Colts, Pineiro was averaging 10.6 fantasy points per game this season and had gone 25-of-25 on field goals (although he’s missed four extra points). Pineiro gets a home date against the Bears on Sunday.
Harrison Mevis (K – LAR): 13% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @ATL, ARI
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: In the Rams’ wild Week 16 overtime loss to the Seahawks, Mevis missed the first kick of his seven-game stint with the Rams, steering a 48-yard try wide late in the fourth quarter. It proved to be a costly miss, but Mevis had been 8-of-8 on field goals and 31-of-31 on extra points to that point, with three field goals earlier in the game against Seattle. Tied to a high-scoring offense and kicking in a dome against the Falcons this week, Mevis should have a sturdy floor. The only drawback is that the Rams score a lot of touchdowns but don’t kick a lot of field goals.
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