For fantasy football owners in most seasonal leagues, Week 17 marks the championship game. For some leagues, it's still the semifinal round of the playoffs. Regardless, with more injuries and the usual array of bad matchups affecting start-sit decisions, finding potential streamers and backups via the waiver wire is a must.
Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Raiders running back Zamir White, Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn, and Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark are among those players who rose with more opportunities in Week 16, making them viable potential plug-and-play pickups for Week 17.
Whether you're thinking about just this week or also the final week how should you prioritize the pickups, either through the running of waivers or allocation of your now almost depleted free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB)? Here's your advice and buying guide for the latest week of the fantasy open market:
WEEK 17 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups
Week 17 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
1. Derek Carr, Saints (Yahoo league availability: 61%). The Saints' passing game has heated up the past two weeks with Carr playing his best -- too little too late in reality but at the perfect time in fantasy. He should need to chuck it up again vs. the Buccaneers' giving secondary, and there's a fair chance for a negative game script with limited rushing success. Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
2. Nick Mullens, Vikings (Yahoo league availability: 87%). Mullens has been a turnover machine with six interceptions in his two starts, but he's also throwing a ton and looking aggressively downfield with Justin Jefferson as the main man. It's not ideal that Jordan Addison (ankle) and T.J. Hockenson (knee) are hurting ahead of the key Packers' matchup, but then again, Joe Barry's defense has been ripped by Tommy DeVito, Baker Mayfield, and Bryce Young in the past three games, so it tracks well. Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
3. Sam Darnold, 49ers (Yahoo league availability: 100%). Darnold may need to start on a short week as Brock Purdy struggled and then suffered a stinger late against the Ravens that knocked him out of the game. If Purdy can't go, Darnold will get a shot in the primo passing matchup at Washington and will be a juicy streamer even if left tackle Trent Williams (groin) can't return to action in a Commanders' revenge game. Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
4. Mason Rudolph, Steelers (Yahoo league availability: 99%). Rudolph might get another shot starting as the hot hand, as the Steelers have some extra motivation to be judicious about Kenny Pickett's ankle injury. The Seahawks' matchup is average, but he has the weapons to put up more pleasing stats in Seattle. Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
5. Tyrod Taylor, Giants (Yahoo league availability: 100%). The eventual Tommy DeVito benching happened against the Eagles on Monday, opening the door for the wily, athletic, and big-armed veteran to get a home start vs. a shaky Rams pass D. Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
6. Will Levis, Titans (Yahoo league availability: 82%). Levis has a good shot to return from his ankle injury after the offense looked terrible with Ryan Tannehill against the Seahawks, as Derrick Henry needed to throw a TD pass in a losing cause. The Texans were just ripped to shreds by the similarly limited Browns' offense. Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
Week 17 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
1. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs (Yahoo league availability: 64%). Jerick McKinnon (groin) was put on IR before the Raiders' game, then Isiah Pacheco suffered a concussion in the second half. That gives CEH a shot for big backfield touches to help spark a sputtering offense in a fine matchup vs. the Bengals. Projected FAAB bid: 10-12% of total budget
2. Zamir White, Raiders (Yahoo league availability: 70%). Josh Jacobs (quad) missed another game, and after another his dominant rushing performance against the Chiefs, White may have earned a shot to stay featured as a preview for 2024 when Jacobs is looking certain to leave as a free agent. White looks like the latest special NFL back from Georgia with his power and explosiveness. The Colts are definitely a solid spot for him in Week 17, even on the road again. Projected FAAB bid: 10-12% of total budget
3. Chris Rodriguez Jr. Commanders (Yahoo league availability: 97%). The Commanders were eager to see what he could do, and Brian Robinson Jr.'s hamstring injury opened the door for him vs. the Jets. C-Rod produced in his first prominent role with 58 rushing yards and two TDs on just 10 carries. The matchup gets much worse vs. the 49ers next week, but the outing should have earned him more high-leverage touches complementing Antonio Gibson should Robinson miss another game. Projected FAAB bid: 7-8% of total budget
4. Khalil Herbert, Bears (Yahoo league availability: 55%). They were without D'Onta Foreman (personal) against the Cardinals and turned to Herbert again as the front-running back while keeping rookie Roschon Johnson in his complementary role. Herbert took advantage of the plum positive game-script matchup with 112 yards and a TD on 20 carries. The Falcons and Packers are good closing spots should the Bears come full circle with the hot-hand committee approach. Projected FAAB bid: 7-8% of total budget
5. Tyjae Spears, Titans (Yahoo league availability: 55%). Spears had nine rushes for 40 yards behind Derrick Henry vs. Seattle and also added five catches for 27 yards, providing pretty good flex volume in a plus spot. Spears will be the key guy next year, but there's still the late sentiment Henry is finishing his time as a Titan this season. The Texans' matchup makes him somewhat viable in the flex capacity again in deep leagues. Projected FAAB bid: 7-8% of total budget
6. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (Yahoo league availability: 53%). Arthur Smith kept Allgeier involved for a second straight week, but at least it didn't come at the expense of Bijan Robinson, whose usage was overcorrected big-time at home vs. the Colts. There's good reason to think the Falcons will stick to the strong 1-2 punch with the Bears next. Projected FAAB bid: 7-8% of total budget
Week 17 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
1. Romeo Doubs, Packers (Yahoo league availability: 43%). Doubs is locked in now as the healthiest, most reliable young wideout open for Jordan Love, and that shouldn't change much vs. the Vikings on the road in a must-win game. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
2. K.J. Osborn, Vikings (Yahoo league availability: 84%). Osborn has streaming appeal with both Jordan Addison (ankle) and T.J. Hockenson (knee) ailing after the Lions game. He clicked well in a big fill-in game with Nick Mullens, and the Packers tend to have a lot of coverage breakdowns vs. wideouts Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
3. Darius Slayton, Giants (Yahoo league availability: 98%). With Tyrod Taylor likely to start vs. the Rams, Slayton's big-play ability downfield lines up well with that team's weakness, so you could take a shot on him as a WR3, especially after he caught all three targets for 90 yards and a TD on the Eagles. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
4. DJ Chark, Panthers (Yahoo league availability: 93%). There was a surprise Chark attack against the Packers with six catches for 98 yards on six targets. He made them count big-time with two TDs from Bryce Young. Jonathan Mingo previously had some appeal outside for the Jaguars matchup, but we're now pivoting to the veteran. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
5. Marvin Mims, Broncos (Yahoo league availability: 92%). Courtland Sutton's concussion vs. the Patriots puts his status in doubt for the good passing game matchup at home vs. the Chargers. Mims got more run with Brandon Johnson and could be in for regular snaps working off Jerry Jeudy. With the playoffs fading, Denver is overdue for a closer look at Mims. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
6. Dontayvion Wicks, Packers (Yahoo league availability: 87%). Consider first if Wicks can play through his new injury (chest), then whether Christian Watson (hamstring) and Jayden Reed (toe) can go behind Doubs. If not, Wicks would have another key role in the receiving rotation for Jordan Love in a decent spot. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
7. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (Yahoo league availability: 56%). Shaheed scored on shot play from Derek Carr against the Rams, and he should get some good run playing off Chris Olave against a shaky Buccaneers secondary. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
8. Demarcus Robinson, Rams (Yahoo league availability: 90%). He's on a heater as their third WR behind Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, now working ahead of Tutu Atwell. Robinson has been a revelation as the passing game hums, and the Giants are beatable. Projected FAAB bid: 4-5% of total budget
9. Greg Dortch, Cardinals (Yahoo league availability: 95%). With Marquise Brown (heel) on the shelf and Trey McBride being the best option for Kyler Murray at tight end, Dortch once again resurfaced as a key target through the red zone ahead of the Eagles. Projected FAAB bid: 4-5% of total budget
Week 17 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
1. Juwan Johnson, Saints (Yahoo league availability: 88%). Johnson looks good; he just needs more chances in key spots. The Buccaneers' matchup calls for him to get more involved with another shot at a TD. Projected FAAB bid: 4-5% of total budget
2. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans (Yahoo league availability: 68%). Okonkwo found the end zone on a pass from Henry in Week 16, and the Texans matchup is plum for his athleticism to exploit in the middle of the field. Projected FAAB bid: 4-5% of total budget
3. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (Yahoo league availability: 68%). Otton can be like Johnson on the other side of the Saints' matchup, as they have been more vulnerable to the position than usual. Projected FAAB bid: 2-3% of total budget
4. Gerald Everett, Chargers (Yahoo league availability: 58%). The Chargers need more pop anywhere in the passing game with Easton Stick, and Everett has some appeal in the terrific matchup against the Broncos. Projected FAAB bid: 2-3% of total budget
5. Jonnu Smith, Falcons (Yahoo league availability: 86%). Smith is still working with Kyle Pitts as a different style of tight end, and the Bears are a favorable coverage team for his position. Projected FAAB bid: 2-3% of total budget
Week 17 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire D/ST pickups, streamers
(Note: Do not spend any of FAAB budget on D/ST! Get them for $0 after waivers run!)
1. Indianapolis Colts (Yahoo league availability: 51%). The Colts draw Aidan O'Connell at home, where they tend to make bigger plays on defense and special teams.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (Yahoo league availability: 59%). The Jaguars' defense has been bad of late and the Panthers played well last week, but Jacksonville tends to make a lot of big plays and Bryce Young can yield some.
3. Seattle Seahawks (Yahoo league availability: 76%). The Steelers' offense revived a lot with Mason Rudolph, but there can be some sacks and mistakes in the offing with his aggressive passing on the road in Seattle.
4. Chicago Bears (Yahoo league availability: 67%). The Bears' defense is feeling with Matt Eberflus, and they can rip into Taylor Heinicke a bit at home.
5. Houston Texans (Yahoo league availability: 61%). The Texans were terrible at home vs. the Browns defensively, but the Titans' anemic offense behind a shaky line is a different story.
6. Atlanta Falcons (Yahoo league availability: 67%). The Falcons rocked the Colts at home, giving them more appeal for the mistake-prone Bears.
7. Los Angeles Rams (Yahoo league availability: 81%). The Rams are less appealing now with Tyrod Taylor looking like he'll start over Tommy DeVito, but their pass rush is pretty good with potential for takeaways.
