This is the Waiver Wire Week 17! Which players should you be prioritizing as the march towards the fantasy football playoffs continues?
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Shallow League Adds
(Players Rostered in 30-40% of Leagues)
Hollywood Brown – WR, Kansas City (32%)
Brown had a solid debut game, finishing with five catches for 45 yards on eight targets. His target volume and role could grow this week even in a difficult matchup against Pittsburgh.
Tyler Allgeier – RB, Atlanta (31%)
Allgeier had minimal production but managed 12 touches in Atlanta’s dominant win over the Giants.
The Falcons could adopt a heavier-than-usual rushing approach on the road against Washington this week.
Wan’Dale Robinson – WR, New York Giants (31%)
Robinson delivered another game with a massive target total but minimal production. He finished with seven catches for 62 yards on 12 targets. It may be hard to trust him on the road against Indianapolis this week.
Standard Roster Size and Deep League Adds
(Players rostered in 30% of leagues or fewer)
Note: Every player is available in at least 70% of leagues. Each player has their roster percentage in parenthesis. For example, if a player has (25%) next to them, then they are available in 75% of leagues.
Quarterbacks
Drake Maye – QB, New England (13%)
Every week I write about Drake Maye, and I will continue to do so in the money-making Week 17. He finished Week 16 with 291 yards and two touchdown passes, ranking as QB16 for the week. Maye will be an upside QB2 at home against a Chargers defense that has allowed back-to-back big performances to Baker Mayfield and Bo Nix.
Bryce Young – QB, Carolina (7%)
Young had his best game of the season in Carolina’s win over Arizona, leading the way with three touchdowns and zero turnovers.
He is currently the QB2 overall heading into Monday Night Football. This week, he has a fantastic matchup against a Buccaneers defense that he passed for 298 yards against in Week 13.
Michael Penix Jr. – QB, Atlanta (14%)
Penix Jr. had a quiet outing in Week 16’s blowout win over the hapless Giants. Atlanta leaned on a conservative game plan as their defense overwhelmed New York. This week, Penix Jr. might have to air it out in a road game against Washington.
Running Backs
Ameer Abdullah – RB, Las Vegas (23%)
The Raiders may have taken themselves out of contention for the No. 1 overall pick with their win over Jacksonville. Abdullah has been an unexpected contributor this season, and the veteran back continues to make the most of his opportunities. He scored over 15 fantasy points for the third time in five games played. Abdullah finished with 13 touches, including six catches and a rushing touchdown. Expect similar usage this week in another favorable matchup on the road in New Orleans.
Trey Benson – RB, Arizona (18%) / Michael Carter – RB, Arizona (0%)
James Conner dominated touches and production for Arizona’s RB position before leaving Sunday’s game with a knee injury. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but if he misses a game (and he probably should), it could lead to a “next man up” scenario for Arizona.
Benson missed Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, but if he’s able to play, he could be in line for a high-volume, two-week ramp-up for 2025. If Benson misses another game, Michael Carter could see a sneaky opportunity for significant volume, with the potential for Abdullah-like production on the Waiver Wire Week 17.
Audric Estime – RB, Denver (7%)
Estime led Denver with nine carries for 48 yards and a touchdown. With Jaleel McLaughlin sidelined, the Broncos split RB responsibilities between Estime on the ground and Javonte Williams dominating the passing game work (11 targets). Estime has potential, and this could signal a larger role for him moving forward, but his volume may not be enough to make him more than a touchdown-dependent RB3 this week in a tough matchup against the Bengals. Denver may try to establish Estime early, but if the Bengals’ offense turns the game into a shootout, Estime would likely take a backseat to Williams.
Kenny McIntosh – RB, Seattle (7%)
Keep an eye on the Seattle backfield. Kenneth Walker exited Sunday’s game with an ankle injury and his Week 17 status is very much up in the air. Zach Charbonnet is already dealing with an oblique injury. There is a non zero chance that McIntosh leads the way this week as Seattle’s healthiest RB option on the Waiver Wire Week 17.
Wide Receivers
Rashod Bateman – WR, Baltimore (27%)
Bateman caught just one pass, but it was a touchdown. While his volume is difficult to trust, he continues to produce when called upon in one of the league’s top offenses. Bateman has scored five touchdowns in his last five games, including two in Week 16. This week, Baltimore faces a must-win Houston team on the road in what could be a high-scoring game. Keep an eye on Bateman’s practice participation as he is dealing with a foot injury.
Calvin Austin – WR, Pittsburgh (8%)
Austin has recorded back-to-back weeks with 65 receiving yards.
He tied for the team lead with five targets. While the Steelers’ passing game is difficult to trust this week against Kansas City, Austin could provide some big-play potential downfield if you’re desperate on the Waiver Wire Week 17.
Olamide Zaccheaus – WR, Washington (0%)
Zaccheaus stepped up in a big way during Washington’s comeback win over Philadelphia. He was targeted eight times, finishing with five catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns. With Dyami Brown banged up and Noah Brown on injured reserve, Zaccheaus could be in line for another significant role this week against Atlanta.
Jalen Coker – WR, Carolina (5%)
The Jalen Coker rollercoaster ride continues. He was spectacular in Week 15, racking up 110 yards and a touchdown, but he was completely invisible in Week 16. This week, he’s a dart-throw flex option against a vulnerable Buccaneers secondary.
Tight Ends
Chig Okonkwo – TE, Tennessee (6%)
Okonkwo is one of the top additions on the waiver wire, regardless of position. He has posted double-digit targets in back-to-back games, finishing with nine catches for 81 yards in Sunday’s loss to Indianapolis and eight catches for 59 yards the previous week. The late-season Okonkwo renaissance should continue against a very beatable Jacksonville defense. Consider him a low-end TE1 on a hot streak.
(NOTE: Check Waiver Wire for Ertz, Henry, Schultz in shallow formats)
Defenses
(Defenses rostered in 50% of leagues or fewer)
Indianapolis – (47%)
Stream every defense against the New York Giants.
Miami – (47%)
The Browns offense could not get out of it’s own way against Cincinnati, and now face off against a strong Dolphins defense.
LA Chargers – (44%)
The Chargers are on the road in New England against a Patriots defense that lacks weapons, has OL issues, and turns the ball over.
Overall Top 10
1- Trey Benson/Michael Carter RB Arizona
2- Chig Okonkwo TE Tennessee
3- Ameer Abdullah RB Las Vegas
4- Rashod Bateman WR Baltimore
5- Audric Estime RB Denver
6- Tyler Allgeier RB Atlanta
7- Marquise Brown WR Arizona
8- Bryce Young QB Carolina
9- Drake Maye QB New England
10- Wan’Dale Robinson WR New York Giants
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