RADIO
Welcome to our Week 17 fantasy football waiver wire pickups article for the 2024 season. There is officially one week left. We are in Championship Week. There's no more hoarding handcuffs or anything like that. They don't matter anymore. The rules change completely in Championship Week.
You should be focused on setting the most potent starting lineup you can. After that, you should try to keep any player away from your opponent who could improve their starting lineup. The trick is making sure you don't don't drop anyone who could also strengthen their starting lineup. It's a fine line, but it's one everyone should be trying to walk this week.
Congratulations to all those still dancing and have made it to your league's Championship! One more week! One more win! If you want to take advantage of our great premium tools, please use promo code "BOOM" to receive a 10% discount.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:- 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
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Parameters
A few rules before we get started. Every league is different. Different roster formats. Different roster sizes. That makes this one of the more challenging articles because every league’s waiver wire can look dramatically different.
Even what host site you use matters. ESPN has rankings that are different from those of Yahoo!, which have rankings that are different from those of CBS or NFL, and all of that impacts which players are drafted or not drafted. This year, we’ll be using ESPN’s roster percentages.
The vast majority of players use ESPN. It’s a simple numbers game. We’ll only identify quarterbacks and tight ends with a roster percentage of less than 55%. For running backs and receivers, that number will drop to 45%. We won’t be diving into defenses and kickers too much, but I’ll identify a few streamers to target at those positions each week with a roster percentage below 60%.
Each position will be arranged based on who you should prioritize first at that position. In an attempt to cater to leagues of all sizes, you will see many players listed at each position, but remember, they're arranged in the order in which you add them. Hopefully, this makes the article relevant to even those playing in deep 12-team leagues or 14-team leagues.
Quarterbacks - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 17
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts - 53.0% Rostered
Since regaining his starting job, Richardson has scored over 20 points in three of his last five games. It's been a brutal six-game stretch, too. He's faced off against defenses that have allowed the 20th, 16th, 19th, 17th, and 14th-most points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Richardson gets his easiest matchup for Championship Week since he regained the lead job. The Giants allow the 12th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Anthony Richardson with blockers ahead 💪
📺: #TENvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/LJ01fI1cxM— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
Richardson will likely be ranked in the top 12 for quarterback starters in Week 17. Much of his production comes from his legs, but that's been consistent for him. He has four games with at least nine carries in his last five games. He also has 45 yards in four out of his previous five and a rushing touchdown in four of his last five.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers - 4.9% Rostered
You'd have to be desperate to start Young for Championship Week, but Young has been playing well recently. He did have a dud in Week 15 but bounced back tremendously this past weekend. He scored 27.1 points while throwing for 158 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 68 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Bryce Young dropped it in a bucket 🎯
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/TuMXmjf08U https://t.co/RyRtbUcJuP
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) December 22, 2024
Young's most recent game gives fantasy managers hope, but the primary reason Young is a player to consider is due to his matchup. Carolina gets Tampa Bay in Week 17, and they've been extremely friendly to quarterbacks this season. They've allowed the third-most points to quarterback at 21.2 PPG. When Young played them in Week 13, he scored 23.6 points. He had 298 yards and a passing touchdown while also rushing for 17 yards and a touchdown. His 298 passing yards against the Buccaneers were a season-high for Young.
Other Players to Consider:
- Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears - 44.0% Rostered
Running Backs - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 17
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns - 58.5% Rostered
Nick Chubb broke his foot in Week 15, which prompted Ford to regain complete control of Cleveland's backfield. Ford played 53 of the team's 66 snaps in Sunday's game. He handled 11 of the team's 15 running back carries and led the backfield with 29 routes. The next closest had five. Ford was a true, three-down workhorse.
JEROME FORD IS OFF TO THE RACES
60+ on the first play 🤯 @Browns pic.twitter.com/hGTHOZWRD8
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 22, 2024
He finished with 92 yards on just 11 carries, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. He scored one rushing touchdown while chipping in five receptions on five targets for 39 yards. He scored 21.6 half-PPR points. This was his best game this year, surpassing his production the week prior.
He finished with 17.4 half-PPR points in Week 15 against the Chiefs. He averaged 12 yards per carry. Ford now has the Cleveland backfield entirely to himself, allowing him to continue providing fantasy managers with RB2 value. The volume should continue to pay dividends.
In Week 17, the Browns play the Dolphins. They haven't been a team to target or avoid for running backs. They're right in the middle, allowing the 16th-most points to running backs this season. Ford should continue to see 10-14 carries with another two to three catches per game. That volume will keep him on the RB2 radar.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans - 48.2% Rostered
Spears has out-produced and out-snapped Tony Pollard in back-to-back games. Some of that is due to gamescript. Some of it is likely because Tony Pollard is banged up, having regularly missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday the past few weeks. The reasons are, to some extent, irrelevant. This is the best we've seen Spears play all season.
Tyjae Spears has FOUR TDs the past two weeks!
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) December 22, 2024
Spears played 37 out of the team's 61 snaps this past weekend. He ran 21 routes to Pollard's 14. Pollard out-targeted Spears, but Spears had two more carries than Pollard (10 carries to eight). Spears finished with 27 rushing yards and two rushing scores. He also had three receptions and 39 yards.
This makes back-to-back games with two touchdowns and over 20 half-PPR points. He has 158 scrimmage yards and nine catches in the past two weeks. His Week 17 matchup is one of the best for running backs. The Jaguars have allowed the third-most points to running backs at 24.2 half-PPR PPG. Spears is now firmly on the flex-radar. If Pollard's nagging injuries were to force him to miss a game, Spears would become a high-end RB2 and a must-start.
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints - 47.4% Rostered
Alvin Kamara left the Saints' game this past weekend with a hamstring injury. He did not return. Hamstring injuries can be tricky and are often a one to three-week injury, and reports have indicated that the injury is worse than they suspected. Given New Orleans' record and how close we are to the end of the season, Kamara may be shut down. Kendre Miller played 23 of the team's 27 snaps after Kamara exited the game.
Miller will likely be the lead back for Monday Night Football against the Packers. If he plays well, Miller will become a higher priority.
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars - 46.9% Rostered
Bigsby continues to split touches with Travis Etienne, even though Etienne has dominated playing time the past two weeks. This past weekend, Bigsby played just 19 of the team's 67 snaps, while Etienne logged 35 snaps. However, Bigsby finished with 12 touches to Etienne's 11. Bigsby is only involved in the running game. He has just six receptions all season.
In the past three weeks, Bigsby has 41 carries. In Week 16, Bigsby had 12 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. He finished with 9.6 half-PPR points. He's a touchdown-dependent running back. The week before, he had 11 carries but finished with just 4.2 half-PPR points because he didn't score.
Bigsby's fantasy value is higher in games where Jacksonville should stay competitive. That'll ensure the Jaguars don't have to abandon the run, keeping Bigsby involved in the team's offensive game plan. Jacksonville has Tennessee in Week 17, another AFC South team that has struggled this season.
The Jaguars should be able to keep this game close and competitive. They did just that in Week 14 against the Titans. It allowed Bigsby to finish with 18 carries. He had 55 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. He scored 12.7 half-PPR points. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect more than backend RB2 value. He's just a touchdown-dependent RB3, but their matchup in Week 17 gives him some appeal if you're desperate.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals - 18.0% Rostered
Benson suffered an ankle injury in Week 15. He was ruled out this past weekend and was inactive. It's unknown if Benson will be healthy enough to play in Week 17. However, James Conner hurt his knee this past weekend. Emari Demercado, the team's third running back on the depth chart, went on IR before Week 15.
Panthers 36, Cardinals 30
The Cardinals have been eliminated from playoff contention with the loss and the Rams win. Arizona got itself into a hole early that it couldn't dig out of. And it'd didn't help that the key to the offense, James Conner, suffered a knee injury.
Next…
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) December 22, 2024
Could Arizona be more cautious with Conner now that they are eliminated from playoff contention? Could they give Benson a run as the starter if he's healthy enough to go? Fantasy managers should stash him on the off-chance that Benson is active in Week 17, and Conner isn't.
Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders - 47.7% Rostered
Sincere McCormick went on IR, which thrust Mattison back into the starting lineup for the Raiders. He finished logging 42 of the team's 74 snaps. He ran 20 routes to Ameer Abdullah's 19. Both backs had six targets, but Mattison had more carries (12 carries to seven). Mattison is the preferred target out of the Las Vegas backfield.
Mattison and Abdullah split pass-catching duties, but Mattison handled more short-yardage, third-down, and goal-line plays. He rushed for 27 yards on 12 carries but found the end zone. He also had four receptions and 29 yards en route to 13.6 half-PPR points. Mattison and the Raiders have a favorable Week 17 matchup against the Saints. They've allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. Mattison will be on the RB3 radar next week.
Patrick Taylor Jr., San Francisco 49ers - 32.9% Rostered
Isaac Guerendo didn't play this past weekend due to a hamstring injury. It's unknown if he'll be healthy enough to return to the lineup in Week 17. If he's not, Taylor will again lead the San Francisco backfield. No other 49ers' running back played in Week 16. Only Kyle Juszczyk played any snaps in the backfield.
Taylor was completely ineffective. He finished with eight carries for 24 yards. He also had one reception for one yard. After this lackluster performance, it'll be tough to trust Taylor in Championship week, even if Guerendo is out. However, if he is out again, Taylor will be ranked as an RB3.
Wide Receivers - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 17
Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 33.1% Rostered
McMillan has been on a tear lately. He's scored touchdowns in three consecutive games. McMillan has three straight weeks with at least six targets, four receptions, and 55 yards. He has scored 14.2, 16.0, and 19.9 half-PPR points in his last three games.
Baker moves in the pocket and delivers a dot to Jalen McMillan for the TD!
📺: #TBvsDAL on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/bMUjTBpSYr— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024
Tampa Bay has the Panthers in Week 17. Carolina has been playing well as of late, and this game could become a shootout. McMillan is worth adding if you play in any three wide receiver leagues. He has scored double-digits in three straight weeks and will likely be ranked as a WR4 next week, but he'll have WR2 upside again.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers - 42.3% Rostered
In his first game back after a two-game absence due to a concussion, Romeo Doubs had five targets, three receptions, 40 yards, and two touchdowns. He finished with 17.5 half-PPR points. He's played in 11 games this year, and Doubs scored 7.0 half-PPR points in seven of them. He has six or more targets in five of those 11 games.
Romeo Doubs has glue for hands
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/OEcF3H87Gn https://t.co/gntB5Wtjog
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) December 16, 2024
Green Bay's passing attack has taken a backseat to Josh Jacobs the past couple of weeks, but this is still one of the better offenses in the NFL. Doubs has shown himself to be a trusted target for Jordan Love in the end zone. Before getting hurt, Doubs routinely played the most snaps among Packers receivers. He also has a great Week 17 matchup on the road against Minnesota, which has yielded many points to receivers this season.
The Packers have the Vikings in Week 17. It'll be in a dome and likely have one of the game's highest-implied point totals. Also, Minnesota has allowed the second-most points to receivers this season. Doubs will be worth a look in a shootout atmosphere against a defense that has struggled to contain receivers.
Tight Ends - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 17
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans - 44.2% Rostered
Stefon Diggs is on IR. Tank Dell will soon follow him. That'll leave Nico Collins and Schultz as C.J. Stroud's No. 1 and No. 2 pass-catchers heading into Week 17. Schultz now has seven or more targets in two of his last three and three of his last five. That kind of volume, especially with the Houston offense depleted of pass-catchers, will put Schultz on the streaming radar in Week 17.
pic.twitter.com/1AnAweKefw
Here's C.J. Stroud touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz @KPRC2— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 21, 2024
In Week 17, Houston will go toe-to-toe with Baltimore. They've allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Houston and Baltimore will have a high implied point total, and fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if this game turns into a high-scoring affair.
At the very least, we should expect Houston to trail on the scoreboard, which will keep Stroud in passing mode. That's an ideal environment for Schultz in a favorable matchup and on an offense that will be desperate for playmakers.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers - 56.5% Rostered
Freiermuth busted in what was, on paper, a good matchup. Baltimore has been susceptible to tight ends this year, but they largely held Freiermuth in check. He finished with just three catches and 3.1 half-PPR points. He'll have another favorable matchup in Week 17 against the Chiefs.
They've allowed the third-most points to tight ends this season. Kansas City will be favored against Pittsburgh, a scenario that'll likely lead to more passing than the Steelers' offense is accustomed to. It's unknown if George Pickens will return to the lineup, but Freiermuth will have less target competition if he doesn't.
Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans - 6.4% Rostered
Okonkwo is coming off the best back-to-back games of his season. He had 10 targets, eight receptions, and 59 yards in Week 15 en route to 9.9 half-PPR points. This past weekend, he had 11 targets, nine receptions, and 81 yards en route to 14.6 half-PPR points.
Chig Okonkwo now has 27% and 33% target shares the last two weeks
That has led to 16.5 PPR fantasy points per game https://t.co/mDH7AeszWI
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 22, 2024
He had two great matchups in Weeks 15 and 16. Okonkwo took advantage and will get another great matchup in Week 17. The Jaguars have given up the 10th-most points to tight ends this season. He'll be on the streaming radar in Week 17.
Team Defenses (D/ST) - Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 17
- Indianapolis Colts - 27.5% Rostered (at New York Giants)
- Buffalo Bills - 56.0% Rostered (vs. New York Jets)
- Miami Dolphins - 45.7% Rostered (at Cleveland Browns)
- Los Angeles Chargers - 49.7% Rostered (at New England Patriots)
- New Orleans Saints - 35.4% Rostered (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
- Tennessee Titans - 23.7% Rostered (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Kickers - Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 17
- Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs - 44.5% Rostered
- Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings - 22.6% Rostered
- Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins - 47.7% Rostered
- Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos - 24.2% Rostered
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