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Since we're on the final week of fantasy football in the majority of leagues, there's no longer a need to stash handcuff running backs and wide receivers. In redraft leagues, it's all about who can help you win a championship in Week 17, so anyone who is not startable in their next matchup can be safely dropped. However, be sure not to drop a player your opponent could potentially pick up and start.
Whether you need a one-week fill-in or just want to block your opponent in the title game from getting a key player on the waiver wire, we've got you covered with our Week 17 deeper-league waiver wire adds.
These fantasy football waiver wire pickup suggestions are for fantasy managers in deep leagues of 14-teams or more or a higher number of bench spots than traditional fantasy leagues. As always, chalky waiver wire pickups for shallow leagues like Jahan Dotson won't be featured. Again, since handcuffs are no longer pickup recommendations, this will be the shortest list of the year.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Without further ado, here are the top deeper league waiver wire targets for Week 17, including James Cook, Hassan Haskins, Romeo Doubs, Noah Brown, Tutu Atwell, and Noah Fant.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets for Week 17
James Cook hasn't secured a workhorse role in his rookie season, but he's had some solid fantasy performances in between bust performances this season. Against the Chicago Bears, Cook rushed 11 times for 99 yards and a touchdown and caught one pass for nine yards. He'll draw a much tougher matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, but he's the best desperation running back play this week.
Tyrion Davis-Price seemingly surpassed Jordan Mason as the RB2 on the depth chart for San Francisco in Week 16 as he rushed nine times for 30 yards. There's a chance he could be reduced back to an irrelevant role, but he's a sneaky start in ultra-deep leagues against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17.
Hassan Haskins could find himself in the starting running back role in Week 17, as Derrick Henry is dealing with a hip injury, and Tennessee's game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night carries zero significance for their playoffs chances or seeding. There's a real chance Henry doesn't play. Haskins would have a low ceiling in a horrid offense led by Malik Willis, but he's guaranteed a decent workload if Henry misses since Dontrell Hillard (neck) is out of action.
Gus Edwards rushed 11 times for 99 yards against the Atlanta Falcons, while JK Dobbins rushed 12 times for just 59 yards. Since Dobbins has come back from a knee injury, they've had a fairly even workload, so Edwards is another plug-and-play running back to keep fantasy managers from taking a goose egg in the score column.
Royce Freeman has totaled 27 rushing attempts in the two games Houston has been without Dameon Pierce (ankle) and although he's failed to produce much of anything, he faces a favorable matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17. The Jags have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to running backs this season.
Khalil Herbert is back from injured reserve, but like many of the running backs on this list, he's just a desperation play who fantasy managers can hope scores a touchdown in the red zone.
Richie James and Isaiah Hodgins are deep league flex options, and both have been productive fantasy assets in recent weeks. The wide receiver duo combined for 16 catches on 23 targets for 179 yards and a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. It's tough to know which guy is worth starting over the other, but it's worth noting James has been the more steady whiteout since Wan'Dale Robinson's season-ending knee injury.
Romeo Doubs is another desperation flex play, but if Christian Watson (hip) is forced to miss the Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings, he'd have huge upside in the red-hot Green Bay Packers offense. The Vikings have allowed the single-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Noah Brown and Michael Gallup are far from consistent fantasy wideouts, but the entire Tennessee Titans team is seemingly banged up, and the secondary has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Especially if this game gets ugly in a hurry on Thursday Night, Brown and Gallup could be in for huge days.
Tutu Atwell is the No. 3 option in the Rams' passing game led by Baker Mayfield. While that's not a super attractive role for fantasy upside, he's a boom-or-bust play that can score double-digit fantasy points on one deep shot.
Noah Fant has hauled in a touchdown in each of his last two games, and if Tyler Lockett (finger) is forced to miss Week 17, he has real upside against the New York Jets. Although the Jets are largely viewed as a great defensive team, they have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to the tight end position.
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