This is it! Week 17 brings championships and this article series to a close. I wish I had better news. The only major injury last week appears to have been Quinshon Judkins, so this week’s options are heavily focused on running backs. And yes, it’s not pretty.
If you’ve made your championship, waivers are more of a “use in case of emergency” tool than a lineup upgrade. That’s not what you want to read in an intro, but honesty matters this time of year.
Hopefully, your bench is strong. But if you need an emergency fill-in, here are my top waiver wire picks with interesting paths to relevance in Week 17.
A few quick notes: I use ESPN as my baseline, so players must be available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues to be included on the list. I’m also a proponent of streaming QB, TE, K, and DEF, so you’ll rarely see those positions on my list; there are usually quality players readily available for free after the waiver period. Save your FAAB! Now, let’s hit the Top 5.
Week 17 Fantasy Football Waivers
Tyjae Spears (69% Available on ESPN, 61% on Sleeper)
I got to see more of Spears this week than I have in a while, and he looks FAST! Over the last few weeks, the Titans have put together a semblance of an offense, and as the season winds down, I won’t be surprised if they lean on their younger back. Against Kansas City, Spears ran 13 times for 52 yards and found the endzone. Perhaps more importantly, he caught the ball five times for 53 yards. Touchdowns are hard to predict, but receiving work could make Spears a fringe RB2 against the Saints.
Chris Rodriguez (70% Available on ESPN, 48% on Sleeper)
After a week off due to injury, it wasn’t clear if Rodriguez would get his job back. He ended the game against Philly with 15 carries to Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s eight, so it appears he is still the lead back. Both runners found the endzone, and neither was used in the passing game. Still, Rodriguez’s volume keeps him the RB3/Flex conversation against Dallas, especially if Quinnen Williams misses the game again.
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Mack Hollins (95% Available on ESPN, 81% on Sleeper)
Things are bleak on WR waivers, so we are scoping for injuries here, too. Kayshon Boutte left the game with a head injury and, as he has done in the past, Hollins stepped right into his spot. With Drake Maye leading a comeback, Hollins finished with seven catches for 69 yards. We have seen good from Hollins while standing in for Boutte, and the matchup couldn’t be better. The Patriots get the Jets, and if Boutte is out, Hollins can fill your Flex spot if needed.
Raheim Sanders (99% Available on ESPN, 100% on Sleeper)
Who? Sanders is an undrafted rookie out of South Carolina who couldn’t latch on with the Chargers but has stuck with Cleveland’s practice squad most of this season. With Dylan Sampson also missing time, Sanders was elevated recently and filled in for Judkins after the leg injury. The Browns are a mess, but that also means they are in audition season. If both Judkins and Sampson miss Week 17, Sanders could end up an unlikely bell-cow back, and that puts him in Flex conversation regardless of how bad that Cleveland offense plays.
Chimere Dike (80% Available on ESPN, 75% on Sleeper)
Dike has been on this list a few times this season, but he has been far too hit-or-miss to trust. Week 17 isn’t much different. As mentioned in the Spears section, the Titans’ offense has played better lately, and Dike has at least three receptions in four of his last five games. He’s also scored four times in those games, three receiving and one in the return game. That additional weapon, his special team’s ability, makes Dike a boom-or-bust Flex play in your championship game. Just cross those fingers and toes that he can take one back to end your season!
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