For those still competing in your fantasy football playoffs, we're here to help you identify the top waiver wire pickups, free agents, and streamers ahead of the Week 17 championship round. Of course, you could be eliminated by this time next week, but plan ahead like you're going to emerge victorious. Carson Wentz and Robby Anderson look to be solid streaming options for next week, and Samaje Perine (as well as every handcuff RB) could all become potentially hot adds on waivers after Week 16 thanks to an injury or COVID complications. If you can get them for free now, it could be a big move for the fantasy Super Bowl. Since Week 17 will mark the conclusion of the majority of leagues, we're obviously not looking for more than one-week solutions anymore, so this will be an "all streamer addition" of our watchlist (outside of the group of RB handcuffs).
The waiver wire is obviously thin at this point, but as injuries mount and concerning matchups arrive, we must prepare for all scenarios. COVID-19 started surging through NFL locker rooms in the lead-up to Week 14 and we're probably going to deal with it in Weeks 16 and 17, so make sure you're adding depth to your roster, even if you think you're fully set.
WEEK 16 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Since we're headed to the final week of the season, it's now crucial to handcuff your RBs (and in some cases, WRs) because you no longer need players who once had the potential to be late-season lotto tickets but ultimately didn't pan out. You don't want to risk a player like David Montgomery or Saquon Barkely getting hurt in Week 16 because Khalil Herbert and Devontae Booker would instantly become difficult to acquire. Grab handcuffs now so they'll be ready to enter your lineup right away with no stress. In two-QB/superflex leagues, the same notion applies to QBs. It might feel pointless to add Sam Darnold or Mitchell Trubisky, but if you own Cam Newton or Josh Allen, and they suffer an injury, you could be heading into next week without two starting QBs.
At the very least, it's good to have a list of names of players to watch on Sunday so you can monitor snap share and targets/touches, and it's always smart to claim matchup-based streamers at positions like TE or D/ST before there's competition for them.
WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Watchlist
Reminder: This list was put together in the lead-in to Week 16, looking forward to the players who could be popular waiver-wire targets ahead of Week 16. If you have a roster spot to play with, these are free-agent options you could grab early to beat the waiver buzz.
All these players are below 50-percent ownership on Yahoo unless otherwise specified.
WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Week 17 Waiver Wire Watchlist: QB
Week 17 matchups listed
Carson Wentz, Colts (48) vs. LV
Wentz has cooled off mightily lately, but the Raiders have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to QBs heading into Week 16, so his ceiling is high for the fantasy championship.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (42) @ TEN
The Dolphins have struggled to run the ball overall this season, and the Titans' are one of the fiercest defenses against the run. What does this all set up for? Expect 35-plus pass attempts against the Titans defense that has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (39) vs. HOU
This matchup could ultimately set up for a ground-and-pound game plan for the 49ers, but there's no doubt a lot of points should be scored here. The YAC monsters Deebo Samuel and George Kittle can always rip off a long touchdown on an easy completion.
Justin Fields, Bears (25) vs. NYG
The Giants present just a natural matchup for QBs, but Fields has come alive in the rushing game in recent weeks, so his floor and ceiling have been raised. New York has nothing to play for, while the Bears are looking to build some momentum for next year. A QB1 week could be in play.
WEEK 16 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
Week 17 Waiver Wire Watchlist: RB
Week 17 matchups listed
DeeJay Dallas, Seahawks (2) vs. DET
Dallas turned in 52 yards and a touchdown in Week 15, so he's a decent deep league option in a matchup with the lowly Lions. He's being used as a patch-catcher more than Rashaad Penny, so he's a stronger PPR play.
Notable Handcuffs — Nyheim Hines, Colts (50); Mark Ingram, Saints (47); Justin Jackson, Chargers (42); Dontrell Hilliard, Titans (33); Devontae Booker (23), Giants; Craig Reynolds, Lions (20); D’Ernest Johnson, Browns (18); Khalil Herbert, Bears (15); Samaje Perine, Bengals, (14)
MORE WEEK 16 DFS: Best stacks | Lineup Builder
Week 17 Waiver Wire Watchlist: WR
Week 17 matchups listed
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (42) vs. MIN
Minnesota gives up the most fantasy points to WRs, so MVS is probably the No. 1 option on waivers in Week 17 -- assuming he's off the reserve/COVID list. He's always a boom-or-bust play, but he's starting to get real volume, and we know all the defensive attention is always on Davante Adams.
Robby Anderson, Panthers (36) @ NO
Anderson was once a standard league touchdown-or-bust guy, but he's looking more like a high-floor, low-ceiling wideout in recent weeks, so he's in play against a Saints defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to WRs.
Gabriel Davis, Bills (33) vs. ATL
Cole Beasley (reserve/COVID) and/or Emmanuel Sanders (knee) could both return for this matchup, but if they don't, Davis could have another nuclear performance like he did in Week 15. The Falcons' have been a great matchup for WRs for several years, and the deep passing game should be thriving for Buffalo. Even if Beasley and Sanders do play, Davis is a solid TD-or-bust option. If they don't, he'll likely be ranked a WR2.
Kendrick Bourne, Patriots (28) vs. JAX
Bourne is purely a standard league TD-or-bust player, but he's often delivered in favorable matchups and that's exactly what he'll get in Week 17 against a spiraling Jaguars' team.
Jamison Crowder, Jets (28) vs. TB
We'd hoped Crowder would be more productive with Corey Davis (core) and Elijah Moore (quad) out, but perhaps their absences have shifted more defensive attention toward him. Moore is expected to be back in Week 17, so Crowder could go back to flying under the radar and be a solid PPR play. The Jets will presumably have to pass all day long, so a 10-target day is in play here.
Week 17 Waiver Wire Watchlist: TE
Week 17 matchups listed
Tyler Conklin, Vikings (44) @ GB
The Packers are basically a middle-of-the-pack defense against fantasy TEs, but with limited options this week, Conklin is in play thanks to his upside. This matchup always has shootout potential, so Conklin could take advantage here.
Gerald Everett, Seahawks (40) vs. DET
Everett has produced a handful of double-digit games in PPR leagues and has been a more reliable target than DK Metcalf. The Lions' offense has come alive, so Seattle shouldn't be able to dominate this game and abandon the passing game. Since Detroit is a middle-of-the-pack team against fantasy TEs, Everett has to be considered.
Cole Kmet, Bears (28) vs. NYG
Kmet is commanding a respectable number of targets lately, and that's enough reason at this position to be considered a streamer in a neutral matchup for TEs.
C.J. Uzomah, Bengals (18) vs. KC
Uzomah hasn't delivered a high-quality fantasy performance in quite some time, but Kansas City allows the 11th-most fantasy points to TEs and this game has real shootout potential. As always, he's a better standard-league option, but a touchdown or two will make him a TE1 either way.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington (14) vs. PHI
RSJ just played the Eagles, and while he didn't have a great game, we have to consider his QB play. Garrett Gilbert started for Washington and Seales-Jones drew seven targets (four catches, 29 yards), so there were some good signs. Taylor Heinicke will be back for this one, and the Eagles allow the most fantasy points to the position.
Week 17 defense streamers and sleepers
Week 17 matchups listed
Cleveland Browns DST (43) @ PIT
We aren't breaking any news suggesting Big Ben is washed, but the Steelers' offensive line is also one of the worst in the league, so Myles Garrett and company are set to tee off here. Expect plenty of points from sacks in an ugly, low-scoring game.
Seattle Seahawks DST (44) vs. DET
Detroit's offense has looked impressive lately, but Seattle's defense is better than most people think, so we could see the Lions' revert to its former mediocre self.
Pittsburgh Steelers DST (41) vs. CLE
We like the Steelers' defense for the same reasons we like Cleveland's. This will be a low-scoring game with a lack of explosive plays, so you're almost guaranteed to at least end up with positive points.
Carolina Panthers DST (24) @ NO
It's no secret the Saints' offense has its limitations, and while the Panthers' defensive unit has been exposed here and there, it usually delivers in favorable matchups.
Chicago Bears DST (15) vs. NYG
Mike Glennon or Jake Fromm will get the start here, and that's good enough reason for us to consider Chicago. Does anything else need to be said?