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Matt MacKay's fantasy football weekend waiver wire sleepers ahead of Week 17. He picks upside players to roster on your teams, who can be started if needed.
If you're still contending for a fantasy championship, congratulations! Prepare yourself for the final championship push by adding one or two of these high-upside players to your fantasy roster, and starting them if you're in a bind. If your league has your championship next week, in Week 18, then consider some of these players as upside bench stashes.
Week 17 of the National Football League has arrived, yet plenty of teams are still jockeying for a final playoff push. The addition of Week 18 has produced quite a bit of drama regarding the playoff seeding, as seven AFC teams are fighting for the final seventh seed. In the NFC, the playoff picture is slightly less murky, as Philadelphia has a one-game lead over three of the four teams on the bubble.
Tons of divisional matchups will fill the slate in Week 17, meaning scoring may be at a premium in colder environments against familiar opponents. The continuously revolving cycle of Covid-19 cases and other injuries has emphasized role players, as contributors have stepped up despite being the second, third, or even fourth option on their team's depth chart. Managing a fantasy roster requires constant attention and scrutiny on league waiver wires, especially with how many players have burst onto the scene with big games seemingly out of nowhere.
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Dare Ogunbowale, Jacksonville Jaguars
The NFL often reminds us that it is a "next man up" league. This is exemplified with the season-ending knee Achilles injury that second-year running back James Robinson suffered against the New York Jets in Week 16. In steps fifth-year journeyman running back, Dare Ogunbawale. While he has not been given much of an opportunity amongst any of the three teams he's played for, Ogunbawale churned out 3.4 YPC and scored a rushing touchdown against a bad Jets defense in relief of Robinson. He also caught two of four targets for an additional 15 receiving yards. Ogunbawale will have a much more challenging task against the New England Patriots, but they are susceptible to running backs, ranking as the 13th-best fantasy running back matchup this season. Ogunbawale is a low-end RB3 with RB2 upside if the Jaguars can manage to get close to the goal-line in Foxboro on Sunday. A Week 18 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts is even tougher, so Week 17 would be the week to deploy Ogunbawale into your lineup.
Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals
Stashing Samaje Perine is more of an insurance policy, as Joe Mixon dominates snap percentage and absorbs nearly all goal-line carries for the Cincinnati Bengals. However, we have seen Perine step in to spell Mixon, producing chunk plays on limited carries. As a result, the fourth-year running back holds slightly more appeal in PPR leagues, as he has at least two receptions in his previous four games. Kansas City is a good matchup for fantasy running backs in Week 17, but Perine should only be deployed in lineups out of pure desperation. Mixon is the leading man in the Bengals' backfield, but Perine possesses a decent PPR format floor due to his passing game usage and efficiency as a ball carrier. Stash Perine if for no other reason than to add a decent floor play in a barren running back wasteland on most fantasy waiver wires.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling missed Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns on Christmas due to being placed on the league's Covid-19 reserve list. Against an injured and vulnerable Baltimore secondary in Week 15, MVS produced big numbers, hauling in five receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. He gets another plus-matchup against a bad Minnesota Vikings secondary on Sunday night at Lambeau Field. MVS torched the Vikings' secondary during their previous matchup back in Week 11, burning them late in the game to deliver a 75-yard touchdown reception that led the Packers into overtime. Expect more of the same from him in Week 17, where MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers could be playing in his final regular-season home game. MVS is one of Rodgers' favorite downfield targets due to his speed, and the two have developed a rapport as the season has progressed. Stash MVS immediately, and feel free to deploy him as a high-end WR3 with WR2 upside against the Vikings in prime time after a week off.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
T.Y. Hilton played 67 percent of snaps during Indianapolis' massive Christmas day win over the Arizona Cardinals. The veteran wideout is the WR2 behind Michael Pittman Jr. but did not compete with Zach Pascal for targets in Week 16. Will Pascal's return in Week 17 against an underrated Las Vegas Raiders secondary bear any significant impact on Hilton's outlook? Perhaps. Yet, Hilton is one of the most tenured players on the offense and has the respect of Carson Wentz and the rest of his teammates. The Colts are still trying to catch up to the Tennessee Titans for the AFC South divisional title, so expect a heavy dose of star running back Jonathan Taylor against the Raiders' poor run defense. However, a heavy run-centric game plan can benefit Hilton, as Wentz will be set up for excellent play-action opportunities, allowing him to dial up a couple of deep targets to Hilton. He made the most of his five targets against Arizona, going 4-51-1, so expect Hilton to remain involved moving forward. He's a tremendous high-upside WR3 stash off of league waiver wires.
Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills
Another player who recently returned off the Covid-19 list is Gabriel Davis, a second-year wideout. Buffalo has been a pass-centric team all season, and Davis has been the beneficiary of Josh Allen's improved play, scoring four touchdowns in his previous three games. Isaiah Mackenzie performed masterfully in Davis' absence against the New England Patriots in Week 16, but this should not cause much concern if you're interested in stashing Davis. In addition, he is now more available on league waiver wires than he was before landing on the Covid-19 list, so take advantage of a wide receiver developing in real-time on one of the league's most potent passing attacks.
Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks
It's been quite a disappointing season for the Seattle Seahawks franchise. Five wins and early playoff elimination have jumpstarted talks of Russell Wilson leaving again during the offseason. Despite the drama and loud noise, tight Gerald Everett has been one of the few bright spots in the offense. Everett has scored a touchdown every other week since Week 12 while maintaining four to nine targets in most of these contests. He has over 60 receiving yards in three games since Week 10, which shows that OC Shane Waldron, who worked with Everett on the Rams' offense previously, has entrusted the tight end to take on a more significant role. So stash him and feel free to deploy him as a solid TE1 prospect against the Detroit Lions in Week 17.
Mac Jones, New England Patriots
The rookie quarterback had his worst game of the season against the Buffalo Bills last week, throwing two interceptions and zero touchdowns. However, do not let the lousy game prevent you from stashing Mac Jones on your bench. He is a quality quarterback who can pass for 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns or function as a game manager against opposing defenses that struggle against running backs. Jacksonville and Miami are two quality matchups for Jones to face in the final two weeks of the regular season, starting with the Jaguars at home in Week 17. Their defense is allowing 17.7 PPG to quarterbacks this season, ranking as the 13th-worst unit in the league, elevating Jones into fringe QB1 territory. He is currently widely available after his poor showing at home against Buffalo, so take advantage and stash Jones off of waivers.
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