With just one week left in most fantasy football seasons, there is only one question left when it comes to the Week 17 waiver wire: Can I trust them in the championship? I wrote this last article of the season with that thought in mind. We always give you our Top 5 waiver adds, regardless of position, but this week, I wanted to focus on every possible situation. So, for Week 17, the article is still a Top 5 but includes two RBs, two WRs, and one TE, and my bonus pick is a QB. If you have a need, these are the guys I would prioritize for each position. Good luck in your championships.
Week 17 Waiver Wire Additions
Audric Estime, RB, Denver Broncos
It has been tough to get a handle on how the Broncos will split their backfield work this season, but it appears they are finally deciding to lean on Estime. In Week 16, he carried the ball nine times, racking up 48 yards and a touchdown. That’s great efficiency for a team that has struggled running the ball this season. In Week 17, the Broncos face the Bengals, and they need to keep the ball out of Joe Burrow’s hands for as long as possible. They should be running a lot until they get down. The Bengals allow the fourth-most points to RBs over their last six games, so Estime should be able to find some more fantasy production in this one.
Gus Edwards. RB, Los Angeles Chargers
This is all about the matchup and touchdown upside. Edwards has been boom or bust as a runner this season but scored two TDs in the Chargers’ Week 16 game. The Patriots are one of the bottom-10 teams in the league against RBs this season, so Edwards should be able to fall into the endzone again this week. The game is in New England, so the weather might also limit the passing game for Justin Herbert and the Chargers. There is one concern: J.K. Dobbins is being activated from the IR. Keep an eye on practice reports this week, as Edwards would be unplayable if Dobbins is back.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The only reason McMillan is so available is that he waited until too late in the season to break out. The rookie has scored four TDs in the Buccaneer’s last three games and his style of play appears to be meshing with Baker Mayfield’s style. If Mike Evans is covered, Mayfield will throw the hero ball up to McMillan and let him make the play. In Week 17, Tampa Bay gets the Panthers, who have been pretty bad on defense. Their top CB should shadow Evans, so McMillan will have plenty of room to operate. This touchdown streak started the week after his last matchup with the Panthers, so we should expect much better from McMillan this go around.
Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots
Boutte has been the most active New England Patriots WR for months, but it hasn’t resulted in a ton of targets or great fantasy output. In Week 16, he had by far his best game as a pro, going for 95 yards and a TD. That’s good momentum heading into a Week 17 tilt with the Chargers. Los Angeles is fighting for a playoff spot, and New England’s young players are fighting for a 2025 roster spot. If Boutte has earned Drake Maye’s trust, he could be in for another big week to end the season.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans
As long as Mason Rudolph is the QB, Okonkwo is viable. Over the last two weeks, Rudolph has targeted the young TE 21 times. While Okonkwo hasn’t found the endzone, he has put up 17 receptions for 140 yards. The Titans play Jacksonville in Week 17, and they are one of the worst teams against the TE this season. They just got torched by Brock Bowers and allow the seventh-most points to TEs this season. They did shut Okonkwo down in Week 14, but that was with Will Levis. Things should improve with Rudolph.
**Bonus Pick**
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
I have to be honest here; I hope you don’t have to stream a QB in your championship. The low-rostered QBs have not done much as of late, and I am not sure I would trust any of them to win me a title. Young is the safest of a bad bunch. He has a passing TD in eight straight games and has added a rushing TD in three of his last four games. His yardage numbers still leave a lot to be desired, but at least he is scoring. His Week 17 tilt is against Tampa Bay, and their defense is still leaky. Back in Week 13, Young passed for 298 yards and scored two TDs against the Bucs. If he can repeat that performance this week, fantasy managers will be ecstatic.
A friendly reminder: This article gives you our Top 5 picks from the Week 17 waiver wire, but if you need more help, check out our YouTube channel every Tuesday morning to catch WireTapped. We break down all of the popular waivers and answer your questions live.
Be sure you’re following Ryan on Twitter! Also, you can find Club Fantasy’s Week 17 rankings here and the rest of our Week 17 content here!