Should I Pickup Deshaun Watson After His Week 17 Performance? Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook

Cleveland Brown quarterback Deshaun Watson didn't play until Week 13 this season, and many fantasy managers who drafted him for late-season upside have been disappointed in his fantasy production thus far.

However, he finally put together a solid outing in Week 17, so he's now back on the fantasy and daily fantasy radar. It's too little too late for most fantasy leagues, but some leagues continue until Week 18.

What did Watson do in Week 17 and is he worth picking up ahead of the Week 18 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers? Let's find out.

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How Did Deshaun Watson Play in Week 17?

In the 24-10 win over the Washington Commanders, Watson completed just nine passes on 18 attempts but totaled 200 yards (31 rushing) and three passing touchdowns. Nine completions and just 169 passing yards are far from eye-popping, but he ultimately delivered in fantasy because of the three touchdowns.

It was his highest fantasy output of the season, and although he's clearly still rusty after more than a year away from the football field, his Week 17 performance could mean he's on his way back to being a great fantasy quarterback.

Should I Pickup Deshaun Watson in Fantasy Football?

Since Week 18 is the final slate of games in the regular season, nothing else but the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers matters for Watson's fantasy football outlook. That said, Watson isn't a great waiver wire pickup in what should be a low-volume passing game against a neutral defense versus fantasy quarterbacks.

Watson has thrown fewer than 30 passes in three of his five games and has fewer than 200 passing yards in four of his five starts. Additionally, he has scored just six touchdowns over that five-game span, half of them coming against the Washington Commanders.

For now, the Browns are easing him back into football as he knocks off the rust from his extended absence from real playing action. He could be a prolific fantasy QB1 in 2023, but based on what we've seen thus far, there are likely better streaming options and waiver wire pickups at quarterback for Week 18.

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