Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings & Pickups (Week 17)

Our analysts combine to provide rankings for weekly fantasy football waiver wire targets. We’ll help you prioritize your bids for the week ahead. Check out our full expert consensus fantasy football waiver wire rankings and all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings

Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

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.

Raheim Sanders (RB – CLE): 0% Rostered

• Next Opponents: PIT, @CIN
• True Value: $8
• Desperate Need: $14
• Budget-Minded: $5

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 a voluminous Week 17 workload 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 of injuries plaguing Cleveland’s offensive line could limit Sanders’ production.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB – WSH): 29% Rostered

• Next Opponents: DAL, @PHI
• True Value: $5
• Desperate Need: $8
• Budget-Minded: $2

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.

Blake Corum (RB – LAR): 41% Rostered

• Next Opponents: @ATL, ARI
• True Value: $5
• Desperate Need: $8
• Budget-Minded: $2

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.