Pick ‘Em Up: Week 17 Waiver Wire

This is it. The moment we have all been waiting for. We grinded for 16 weeks, sifted through countless articles, watched and listened to thousands of hours of podcasts and shows, and it’s brought us here – to your fantasy football championship matchup. This is for all the marbles. So spare no expense, as you can’t take that FAAB with you!

The selections below aren’t designed to help you win over the course of several weeks. These selections are for NOW. For Week 17. To fill in for injured or underperforming starters. There is no limit on how much FAAB must be spent to obtain these players. Championships aren’t won by being cheap. So, with that, below are the top Week 17 waiver wire targets.

Week 17 Waiver Wire

Quick Note: All players listed are available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues. While not everyone plays on ESPN, studies show most do. So, if they’re available there, they’re likely available on your Week 17 Waiver Wire. Pick ‘Em Up!

Quarterbacks

Joe Flacco (vs NYJ)

You’ve seen this guy throw the football this season, right? Since becoming the starter in Week 13, Flacco is the QB3 in fantasy. QB THREE! He also has thrown for the most passing yards in the league in the last two weeks. There is no matchup worth fading him. Yes, Thursday games bring out the worst in people. But hello! Revenge Game! Flacco should continue to ball against a defense that just surrendered 28 points to the freakin’ Washington Commanders.

Nick Mullens (vs GB)

Can you guess who is second in the league in passing yards over the last two weeks? Nick f’n Mullens. If we’re in the Upside Down, someone just tell me. Mullens just lost TJ Hockenson and may be without Jordan Addison in Week 17, but he still has Justin Jefferson. And against a Packers defense that has been a leaky faucet the last two weeks, Jefferson is probably all Mullens needs to be a viable fantasy QB for your championship roster.

Running Backs

Khalil Herbert (vs ATL)

After missing five games in the middle of the season, we all left Khalil Herbert for dead. In his first time playing 50% or more of the snaps, Herbert rushed for 112 yards. Coincidence? Atlanta is no slouch as a run defense, but Justin Fields’ legs open up running lanes. Herbert should still have a respectable day, especially if D’Onta Foreman remains out.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (vs CIN)

I just vomited a little. CEH is literally nothing special, but the Chiefs just put Jerick McKinnon on IR, and Isiah Pacheco left Monday’s game with a concussion. Cincinnati lost their best run stuffer, D.J. Reader, in Week 15. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren totaled 102 rushing yards against the Bengals in Week 16, and CEH catches passes. He has an RB2 upside this week.

Zamir White (at IND)

White is an add until we know whether or not Josh Jacobs will play in Week 17. While filling in for Jacobs the last two weeks, Zamir White is the RB9 in PPR. And the Colts have allowed the second most fantasy points per game to RBs since Week 13. They’ve also allowed the third most fantasy points to RBs on the season. So fire up White as an RB1 if Jacobs is out.

Chris Rodriquez Jr. (vs SF)

Much like Zamir White, Chris Rodriquez Jr. has value as long as the starter — Brian Robinson, in this case — is out. He totaled 58 rushing yards Sunday and fell into the end zone twice against the Jets. The 49ers defense has been leaky of late, allowing 5.6 yards per carry to RBs since Week 13. You can start a worse FLEX play this week.

If you missed our new Monday Hangxiety show, you missed a great time! Josh and special guest Kevin Coleman from Footballguys recapped the Week 16 action, and we will let you know whether it’s time to panic or Chill TF Out! We’ll be live every Monday at 11 AM EST. Check out this week’s episode now!

Wide Receivers

K.J. Osborn and Brandon Powell (vs GB)

With TJ Hockenson headed to IR with a torn ACL and MCL, someone else on the Vikings will have to pick up some of the slack. KJ Osborn is the next man up, while Powell is likely to see some added run if Jordan Addison misses this game. With Green Bay’s defense struggling of late, I look for both to make an impact.

Romeo Doubs (at MIN)

Will the only healthy Packers WR please stand up? He saw nine targets in the Packers’ first meeting against the Vikings and scored a TD. He also scored last week. He’s a WR3 with upside.

Demario Douglas (at BUF)

Who else is Bailey Zappe throwing to? If Hunter Henry remains out, Demario Douglas will continue to see additional targets. Douglas is more of a deeper league FLEX.

Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer (at DEN)

With Keenan Allen out, Palmer and Johnston have been forced to step into more prominent roles in the Chargers’ passing attack, with the inexperienced Easton Stick now at QB. Denver has played inconsistently on defense of late, and both Johnston and Palmer could easily post 10+ fantasy points this week.

DJ Chark (at JAX)

We’ve now entered the “DJ Chark is playing for a new one-year prove-it deal contract” portion of the season. After a WR5 showing in Week 16, Chark gets the Jaguars, one of his former teams. Tell me how his Week 17 DOESN’T end with at least one TD?

Jameson Williams (at DAL)

Williams has seen 13 targets in the last two games. And Miami just showed that you can beat Dallas’ pass defense with speed. And that’s something Williams possesses in spades. If Detroit wants to make a statement, look for them to try to get Williams involved early and often.

Marvin Mims Jr. (vs LAC)

Marvin Mims’ big play ability is undeniable. And with Courtland Sutton dealing with a concussion, we could see a bonafide Mims breakout against the abysmal pass defense of the Chargers.

Demarcus Robinson (at NYG)

Robinson has scored in four straight games and has been a reliable red zone option for Matthew Stafford and the Rams. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better FLEX option right off of waivers.

Tight Ends

Chigoziem Okonkwo (at HOU)

Now, 16 weeks later, we finally got that Chigoziem Okonkwo breakout game. Can he make it two weeks in a row? David Njoku just dominated them, and Okonkwo went 3-36 against them in Week 15. Add a TD, and he’s a top-10 option on the week. You can do worse in this landscape, especially if you just lost TJ Hockenson.

Gerald Everett (at DEN)

What incentive is there for the Chargers to bring Keenan Allen back? Everett has 16 targets over the last two games, and Denver has allowed the 9th most fantasy points per game to TEs since Week 13.

Juwan Johnson (at TB)

Every time I bet on Juwan Johnson having a good game, he disappoints me. And when I think he’ll struggle, he scores a TD. The good news? Tampa Bay has allowed an average of 6 catches and 63 yards to TEs since Week 13. He’s a desperation play. And let’s face it. If you’re reading this article, you’re probably desperate for a plug-and-play option!

Good luck in the playoffs! Hope our Week 17 Waiver Wire gets you that ‘ship!

---

Be sure you’re following Josh on Twitter! Also, you can find our Week 17 rankings here and the rest of our Week 17 content here!