X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Sneaky Starts, Pivot Plays, and Post-Waiver Pickups for Week 17 - Baker Mayfield, Derek Carr, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chigoziem Okonkwo, and More!

Chigoziem Okonkwo - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 17 of the NFL season. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers this upcoming week.

This is it, championship week! The NFL season is a long, windy road. So much changes and it never goes how we draw it up all spring and summer long. But winning a title is not just about drafting the best team. It is not about playing the waiver wire the best or making the top trades. Winning a title takes a bit of all three of those things, plus some luck. 

As someone who had several teams lead their leagues from wire to wire only to be bumped in the fantasy semi-finals, I can say the best team does not always win. But that is how real sports work as well. No one can take this away from you! 

You drafted well, you played the waiver wire well, and made some trades. All of that lead you to this week. My biggest advice is do not try to galaxy brain and overthink things this week. It is fine to tinker and play the matchups like you have been all year, but do not change up too much from what got you here. I mean, you made the chip doing what you’ve been doing! Good luck and let's take this thing home! 

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Quarterback Pivot Options for Fantasy Football

Baker Mayfield is as safe as a QB streamer can come. He has topped 16 fantasy points in 10 of 15 games, including scoring over 19 in three straight. He has multiple passing touchdowns in three of his last four. The Saints may not be the best matchup on paper, but we just saw them get torched through the air against Matthew Stafford and the Rams. Plus, Mayfield got the Saints for three touchdowns and 23 fantasy points on the road in Week 4. He is a great streamer or pivot option. 

Derek Carr is playing his best ball of the season -- at least for fantasy purposes. He has topped 20 fantasy points in two straight and thrown multiple passing touchdowns in each of his last three. It is often when the Saints are in catch-up mode, but that easily could be the case again this week against Tampa, who can put up points. The Bucs have allowed the eighth-most fantasy PPG to QBs. Carr is a strong pivot option in championship week. 

Tyrod Taylor is in play this week as he can add valuable points with his legs. He also can and will take some shots downfield and likely will have to put up points to try and keep up with the red-hot Rams offense. Los Angeles has allowed the fifth-most fantasy PPG to QBs this season. While Taylor is preferred in two-QB formats, if you are searching for a plug-and-play replacement off the waiver wire, say for Trevor Lawrence, Taylor is in play. 

 

Mason Rudolph and Will Levis are both two-QB league options. Rudolph, who scored 20 fantasy points against the Bengals last week, will face the Seahawks, who have allowed the 12th-most fantasy PPG to QBs this season. Levis missed last week but had been playing his best ball of his young career. Both bring a low floor, but some upside, which is why they are best suited for these formats. 

 

Running Back Pivot Options for Fantasy Football

Update: CEH and Pacheco are both listed as questionable.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is going to win people championships if Isiah Pacheco is unable to play this week after getting kicked in the head by a teammate and then falling through the medical table. CEH would be the last man standing with Jerick McKinnon already on IR. The Bengals can be had against the run and especially struggle limiting runs of 10-plus yards. Additionally, the Chiefs love to throw to their RBs near the goal line. CEH winning people titles will be a full-circle moment going back to draft night when the Chiefs selected him. 

Emari Demercado has scored at least 12 fantasy points in each of his last two games. He was targeted eight times last week and has been the back playing on passing downs such as in the two-minute drill. Last week, the Cards opted to throw a bunch to their backs instead of trying to run against a Bears' defensive line that has been shutting it down. They could take the same approach this week against the Eagles. The floor is low, but there is a sneaky upside here with Demercado. 

Zamir White would be in play only if Josh Jacobs is out this week (currently listed as doubtful). He could not have filled in any better, going for 85 yards and a touchdown in Week 15 and then running for 145 in the Christmas win over the Chiefs. He scored 17.5 and 14.5 PPR points in those two games. If Jacobs returns, White becomes unusable again in fantasy. But if Jacobs is out again this week, White becomes a smash start against the Colts, who have struggled mightily against the run. They’ve allowed the third-most fantasy PPG to RBs. 

Chase Brown is a low-floor play, but he does bring some upside as the big play threat in the Bengals' backfield. The Chiefs have been stingy against the run, so I would look to avoid Brown if possible. But he has a role, and if the Bengals are in catch-up mode, we could see some passes go his way. He is purely for those in need of a deeper option this week. 

 

Wide Receiver Pivot Options for Fantasy Football

Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks would be options if Jayden Reed and Christian Watson are out again this week. But the issue is Wicks himself is banged up now after leaving early last week. He did so after catching a touchdown. Dobbs led the way for Green Bay with 79 yards and a touchdown last week. The health of the Packers' receivers will need to be monitored all week, but the top options would be in play for fantasy this week. I rank those options (if all are healthy): Reed, Watson, Doubs, and Wicks. 

Rashid Shaheed was a sleeper of mine last week and he went off in a big way with nine targets, five catches, 70 yards, and a touchdown. He went over 18 fantasy points for the fourth time this season. The issue is that he is as boom-or-bust as they come. But the Bucs have allowed the most yards to receivers and the fourth-most on deep passes. He is best suited for those who are big underdogs and need a big play shot to even the score. 

Demarcus Robinson went off last week even with Tutu Atwell back. He caught all six of his targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. In his last four games, he has scored 15.5, 13.6, 14.7, and 20.2 PPR points. That is extremely reliable. There is a chance he fails to live up to that production, but if you need a waiver wire plug-and-play, he is one of the top options. 

K.J. Osborn is in play this week because T.J. Hockenson is done for the year and Jordan Addison is banged up. That could leave Osborn as the number two target behind Justin Jefferson. We have seen Osborn flop when given a volume boost, but that was with just Jefferson out. He should be heavily involved for a QB that has thrown for over 700 yards the last two weeks. 

Demario Douglas saw eight targets last week. In his last six games, he has seen seven or more targets in all but one -- twice finishing with nine targets. He brings a much safer floor than many of the options listed here, albeit a lower ceiling. If you are looking for a safe 10 to 12 fantasy points, Douglas is a great option. 

Greg Dortch is in play against the Eagles, who have allowed the third-most yards, and most touchdowns and fantasy PPG to receivers this season. Dortch has seen more consistent volume than Rondale Moore or Michael Wilson, which is why he is my preferred play of the bunch. He also is capable of breaking out a random big play here or there. 

 

Tight End Pivot Options for Fantasy Football

Chigoziem Okonkwo has scored more than eight fantasy points in four of his last five games, which is a safe floor for a streaming tight end. He also is coming off his best game of the season, where he caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, on a team-high six targets. Now, he faces the Texans, who are in the top five in yards allowed to tight ends this season and since Week 12. They’ve allowed the sixth-most fantasy PPG to tight ends. Okonkwo is a plug-and-play option if you have been streaming tight ends. 

Hunter Henry was out last week, but do not forget that he scored three touchdowns in his last two games with 19 or more fantasy points in each. He has established himself as the go-to red zone option for Bailey Zappe. The Pats will need to put up points this week, which could mean added volume for Henry. He remains in play as a streaming option. 

Gerald Everett has eight targets in three straight games. He has remained productive with Easton Stick leading this offense. Everett has topped eight fantasy points in five straight games, which is a very safe floor when talking about a streaming tight end. Now he gets the Broncos, who have allowed the most fantasy PPG to tight ends. He remains a streaming option in championship week.

Tucker Kraft has a tough matchup, but if you are diving deeper at tight end, he is in play for you. He has six targets in three of his last four games and with so many of the Packers' receivers banged up, he could see added volume.

Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaren Jackson Jr.13 mins ago

Posts Team-High 26 Points In Tuesday's Loss
Triston Casas23 mins ago

Connects On Second Round-Tripper
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander24 mins ago

Notches 27 Points Despite Poor Shooting
Max Greyserman28 mins ago

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Pascal Siakam32 mins ago

Scores Team-High 24 Points In Game 2 Win
Giannis Antetokounmpo37 mins ago

Posts Big Double-Double In Game 2 Loss
Josh Smith38 mins ago

Stays Hot With Second Home Run
Lee Hodges39 mins ago

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA43 mins ago

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Julius Randle44 mins ago

Leads Timberwolves In Scoring In Game 2
Gary Woodland45 mins ago

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Brent Rooker51 mins ago

Pops Seventh Homer
Luka Dončić52 mins ago

Luka Doncic Nets 31 Points In Lakers Win
Max McGreevy55 mins ago

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard57 mins ago

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Jock Landale1 hour ago

Unavailable For Game 2
Sam Stevens1 hour ago

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Jae'Sean Tate1 hour ago

Remains Out Wednesday
Nicolai Hojgaard1 hour ago

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
John Tavares1 hour ago

Collects Two Points In Overtime Win
Christiaan Bezuidenhout1 hour ago

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Frederik Andersen1 hour ago

Posts 40th Postseason Win
Akshay Bhatia1 hour ago

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young2 hours ago

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Kirill Kaprizov2 hours ago

Leads Wild To Valuable Road Win
Matthew Tkachuk2 hours ago

Returns With Three-Point Performance
Erik Van Rooyen2 hours ago

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Jett Williams2 hours ago

Tallies Three Hits, Swipes Two Bags
Anthony Cirelli2 hours ago

Suffers Undisclosed Injury Tuesday
Gabriel Vilardi2 hours ago

May Return To Jets Lineup Thursday
Deyvison De Los Santos2 hours ago

Posts Four-Hit Game
Christian Yelich2 hours ago

Grand Slam Fuels Brewers' Blowout Victory
John Klingberg2 hours ago

Ready To Return To Action
Ian Seymour2 hours ago

Strikes Out Nine Across Five Innings
Evander Kane2 hours ago

Could Be An Option For Game 2
Jacob Misiorowski2 hours ago

Strikes Out Eight In Latest Triple-A Start
Jack Leiter2 hours ago

Sharp In Rehab Outing On Tuesday
Agustín Ramírez3 hours ago

Agustin Ramirez Hits Two Doubles On Tuesday
Marcus Semien3 hours ago

Snaps Power Skid
Bryan Reynolds3 hours ago

Busy In Tuesday's Victory
Brandon Pfaadt3 hours ago

Sharp In Tuesday's Victory
Kyle Tucker3 hours ago

Tallies Three Hits, Launches Home Run No. 7
Kris Bubic3 hours ago

Tosses Seven Shutout Innings In No-Decision
Aaron Judge3 hours ago

Tallies Four Hits On Tuesday
Corey Seager10 hours ago

Leaves Early On Tuesday With Hamstring Tightness
George Klassen10 hours ago

Strikes Out Nine In Latest Double-A Start
Michael Pittman Jr.10 hours ago

Back Injury Is In The Past
Marcelo Mayer10 hours ago

With Fourth Straight Multi-Hit Effort On Tuesday
Bailey Falter10 hours ago

Leaves Outing On Tuesday With Back Tightness
George Pickens10 hours ago

Steelers Appear Unlikely To Trade George Pickens
Jaylen Warren10 hours ago

Steelers Believe Jaylen Warren Can Be Their RB1
Leodalis De Vries10 hours ago

Hits For Cycle, Collects Eight RBI On Tuesday
Andrew Novak11 hours ago

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin12 hours ago

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore13 hours ago

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark13 hours ago

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama13 hours ago

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa14 hours ago

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Jaylen Warren14 hours ago

Signs One-Year Deal With Steelers
Will Levis15 hours ago

Unlikely To Be Traded
Houston Texans15 hours ago

Texans Considering Trading Up
Cleveland Browns16 hours ago

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Appears At Offseason Program
Thomas Detry16 hours ago

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
Christian McCaffrey16 hours ago

Has No Restrictions
Terry Rozier16 hours ago

Ruled Out For Wednesday
Damian Lillard16 hours ago

Will Have His Minutes Monitored Tuesday
Jayson Tatum16 hours ago

Listed As Doubtful For Game 2
Robert MacIntyre16 hours ago

Returns To Zurich Classic With High Hopes
Derek Forbort16 hours ago

Recovering From Surgery
Martin Fehérváry16 hours ago

Martin Fehervary To Miss Postseason Following Knee Surgery
Shane Lowry16 hours ago

Returning To Zurich Classic With Red-Hot Teammate
Luke Glendening16 hours ago

Available For Start Of Playoffs
Mitchell Chaffee17 hours ago

Available Tuesday
Cody Glass17 hours ago

Good To Go Tuesday
Brenden Dillon17 hours ago

Won't Play In Game 2
Luke Hughes17 hours ago

Out On Tuesday
Matthew Tkachuk17 hours ago

Activated From Injured Reserve
Damian Lillard18 hours ago

Cleared To Play Tuesday
Brock Purdy19 hours ago

Reports For OTA's Amid Contract Discussions
George Kittle19 hours ago

Skips Start Of 49ers Offseason Program
Dallas Cowboys19 hours ago

Stephon Gilmore Spotted At Cowboys Facility On Tuesday
James Cook19 hours ago

Not At Start Of Voluntary OTAs
Kirk Cousins19 hours ago

Reports To Voluntary OTA's
Cam Ward19 hours ago

Titans Officially Staying Put At No. 1 Overall Pick, Expected To Select Cam Ward
20 hours ago

Ashton Jeanty's Tackle-Breaking Ability Sets Him Apart
20 hours ago

Jalen Milroe Not A Lock To Go In First Round
Denver Broncos21 hours ago

Broncos Willing To Trade Up In This Week's Draft
Indianapolis Colts21 hours ago

Colts Searching For A Tight End That Can Do It All
Daniel Jones21 hours ago

Colts Expect Both Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones To Help Them In 2025
21 hours ago

Giants High On Jaxson Dart
21 hours ago

Saints Not Expected To Take Shedeur Sanders
Nikola Jokić1 day ago

Nikola Jokic Posts 19th Postseason Triple-Double
Kawhi Leonard1 day ago

Leads Clippers To Game 2 Victory
Jalen Brunson1 day ago

Leads All Scorers With 37 Points In Monday's Loss
Tobias Harris1 day ago

Notches Double-Double In Game 2 Win
Cade Cunningham1 day ago

Leads Pistons To Victory With 33 Points
Rob Dillingham1 day ago

Out On Tuesday
Maxi Kleber1 day ago

Remains Out For Game 2
GG Jackson II1 day ago

Available For Tuesday
Evan Bouchard1 day ago

Dishes Out Three Assists In Postseason Opener
Connor McDavid1 day ago

Racks Up Four Points In Losing Effort
Phillip Danault1 day ago

Nets Two Goals In Game 1 Victory
Mark Scheifele1 day ago

Bags Two Points In Monday's Win
Lane Hutson1 day ago

Posts Two Assists In Playoff Debut
Aaron Gordon2 days ago

Cleared For Action
Ryan Blaney6 days ago

Bold Strategies Fall Flat, Still Musters A Top-Five Finish At Bristol
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF