If you've been fortunate enough to make it this far in your fantasy football season before, then you know the drill for Week 17: Throw out all FAAB projections and waiver-wire priority worries. It's all about bidding as much as you need so you can secure the players you want/need for your championship matchup. Most weeks, RBs like Zack Moss and Royce Freeman would be the top pickups, but this week, you might need a WR more and opt to spend the bulk of your budget on Isaiah Hodgins, Kendrick Bourne, or another streamer. You might also go all-in on Brock Purdy if you need a QB. You can even bid high on D/ST. Anything goes!
As we'll do every week this season with the help of our friends at Fantasy Alarm, let's break down the top pickups. Again, you can throw out the FAAB projections this week, as they're merely there to serve as a guide of a player's value relative to other potential pickups.
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Week 17 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
By Ray Kuhn
Brock Purdy (SF). After another two-TD performance, Purdy now has eight touchdowns on the season. In Week 17 the 49ers have a very favorable matchup against a Raiders' defense that has been very vulnerable against tight ends, which could lead to another big week for the Purdy-to-George Kittle connection. Projected FAAB Bid: 5-8% of total budget
Mike White (NYJ). Call me optimistic here -- delusional might be a better fit -- but I do feel good about White returning. I fully acknowledge that Seattle is not an easy place to play, but things are not as rough as they previously had been in years past. After Zach Wilson squandered his last chance in New York by being dreadful last Thursday, the return of White is a welcome site for everyone after previously showing chemistry with Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore while being able to move the ball without issue. White posted at least 268 yards in all three of his starts and has 952 passing yards in total. He should be busy once again this week. Proj. FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Teddy Bridgewater (MIA). We know what happened the last time Tua Tagovailoa had a concussion, so it should not be surprising that Bridgewater is expected to be under center this week after the former entered the concussion protocol. The veteran has proven to be a solid stop-gap option when previously asked to take on the starting role, and with weapons such as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at his disposal, all Bridgewater has to do is be a distributor and get the ball in their hands. Proj. FAAB Bid: 3-5%
WEEK 17 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups
Week 17 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
Zack Moss (IND). Moss left no doubt as to who the No. 1 back in Indy is after totaling 12 carries compared to Deon Jackson's zero on Monday night. Jackson netted a few catches, but Moss played 69 percent of RB snaps. He should continue to dominate touches in the backfield in Week 17 against a soft Giants' run defense, making him a potential flex in all formats. Projected FAAB Bid: 8-10% of total budget
Royce Freeman (HOU). If it is the role you are after, then Freeman fits the bill. He is clearly the lead back for Houston, as evidenced by his 16 carries this past week, but the fact that all he managed to do was gain 32 yards will help to keep the attention off of him to a degree. Proj. FAAB Bid: 4-6%
Chase Edmonds (DEN). In what proved to be the last straw for Nathanial Hackett in a brutal season for the Broncos, Edmonds made his return last week after being activated from the IR. Nothing about the game was a plus for the Broncos’ run offense, but Edmonds did have a solid role carrying the ball six times for 31 yards while catching two passes for another 22 yards. I would look for Edmonds to play a bigger role going forward over the next two weeks in what should be an improved offense. Proj. FAAB Bid: 3-5%
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 17 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
Isaiah Hodgins (NYG). Seeing the Giants' passing offense have a strong week against Minnesota should not have come as a surprise, but it's another good look for Hodgins, who's making the Giants look smart every week as of late. This past week, that came in the form of eight receptions on 11 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. Over the past four weeks, Hodgins has three touchdowns and 21 receptions on 27 targets as he continues to take on a large role in the offense. Projected FAAB Bid: 7-10% of total budget
Greg Dortch (ARI). Regardless of who is under center for Arizona, Dortch is seemingly going to be busy, as his skill set works perfectly with backup quarterbacks. Dortch is a capable slot receiver who caught 10-of-11 targets this week for 98 yards. After missing three weeks with a knee injury, Dortch picked right back up where he left off after catching nine of his 10 targets when we last saw him. Proj. FAAB Bid: 7-10%
Kendrick Bourne (NE). With DeVante Parker (concussion) out for another week and the Patriots hurting at wide receiver, Bourne stepped up in a big, and perhaps unexpected, way on Sunday. He caught six of his nine targets for 100 yards and a touchdown, and he should be in line for another busy week. Proj. FAAB Bid: 3-5%
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 17 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
Shane Zylstra (DET). Any time a player catches three touchdowns, it's going to garner attention, and that was the case for Zylstra on Sunday. He caught five of his six targets for 26 yards in what was clearly his best game of the season, and while we do want to go chasing here, we also know the state of the tight end position, so we can't overlook his success. Projected FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Logan Thomas (WAS). It has not been a strong season for Thomas, to say the least, but we know that he's a capable receiver. That was on display this past week against San Francisco when he caught six-of-eight targets for 35 yards. While it might not be a truly explosive option, he has a decent floor in PPR leagues. Proj. FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Week 17 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire Defense pickups, streamers
As we always caution, you shouldn't spend more than one percent of your FAAB budget on a D/ST. Here are this week's potential streaming pickups:
- Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Rams)
- New York Giants (vs. Colts)
- Cleveland Browns (@ Commanders)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (@ Texans)
- Arizona Cardinals (@ Falcons)
- Miami Dolphins (@ Patriots)
- Seattle Seahawks (vs. Jets)
- Detroit Lions (vs. Bears)
- Atlanta Falcons (vs. Cardinals)
