The 2023 fantasy football season comes to an end this week. But first, we have one more run of waivers to make those final adjustments in pursuit of championships. Let’s take a look at the top Week 17 waiver wire targets and pickups that fantasy managers should consider for their rosters.
Top Waiver Wire Pickups in Week 17 | Quarterbacks
Note: As always, all players are rostered in 50% or less of Yahoo leagues. For the final two weeks, I have done away with FAAB recommendations, as they no longer serve a purpose.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (39% Rostered)
I never like recommending adding Derek Carr. But he’s coming off back-to-back 20+ point outings and just had his best fantasy game of the season.
In Week 17, Carr gets the Bucs’ pass funnel defense. The Saints should once again struggle to run the ball and be forced to take to the air, giving Carr another opportunity at a big game.
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns (33% Rostered)
I don’t want to start quarterbacks against the Jets. But how can I leave Joe Flacco off the waiver wire column? He threw multiple touchdowns for the fourth consecutive game, and 300+ yards for the third straight.
Flacco is a machine. Even against the Jets, we have to acknowledge he’s a viable starting option, as all he does is chuck and chuck and chuck some more, with 40+ pass attempts in every start.
Top Waiver Wire Pickups in Week 17 | Running Backs
The Week 17 waiver wire doesn’t have much, but there are a couple of startable running backs out there.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (45% Rostered)
Obviously, Derrick Henry is not going to get injured this season, allowing for Tyjae Spears to have a game as the lead back. But Spears has held his own in tandem with the King.
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On Sunday, Spears, carried the ball nine times for 40 yards and caught five passes for 27 yards. And this was in a game where the Titans never faced negative game script.
If C.J. Stroud can return next week, the Titans could face negative game script on the road in Houston, resulting in Spears playing significant snaps. He could be a startable Flex play once again.
Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders (3% Rostered)
There are a lot of reasons to be skeptical about Chris Rodriguez. He only saw eight carries this week. The reason he produced so well is because he scored twice.
Next week, Brian Robinson could be back. But even if he isn’t, starting a two-down grinder who doesn’t catch passes against the 49ers is probably not something fantasy managers want to do.
Rodriguez is worth considering, but I would not add him unless you need to start him.
Top Waiver Wire Pickups in Week 17 | Wide Receivers
We don’t have a clear priority add on the Week 17 waiver wire at wide receiver, but Josh Palmer, Demarcus Robinson, and K.J. Osborn are interesting options.
Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers (46% Rostered)
Somehow, the Chargers WR1 remains available in over half of leagues. I know he’s not the most exciting player, but Joshua Palmer posted a 4-113-1 line in his first game back from IR. He followed that up with 5-47 on eight targets. We can work with that.
It’s a tough matchup against Denver to close out the season, but it was a tough matchup against Buffalo last week, and Palmer was still serviceable. He’s worth adding and possibly starting as a WR3.
Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (10% Rostered)
I guess it’s time to take the journeyman seriously. Demarcus Robinson has now scored 13.6+ fantasy points in four straight games. He’s completely taken the WR3 role away from Tutu Atwell.
Robinson has been reliant on touchdowns, scoring in four straight. But who’s to say he can’t do it again against a Giants defense that ranks bottom five against wide receivers?
K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings (16% Rostered)
Jordan Addison went down with an ankle injury in the first half of the Vikings’ loss to the Lions. He did not return. If Addison can’t go next week, K.J. Osborn will operate as the team’s WR2.
Osborn caught five of seven targets for 95 yards and a touchdown. It was a favorable matchup, but the matchup next week isn’t too bad against the Packers, either. Osborn could be startable for the fantasy manager who’s desperate at receiver.
Top Waiver Wire Pickups in Week 17 | Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (19% Rostered)
Another week, another double-digit outing for Tucker Kraft. The rookie has been remarkably consistent for three straight weeks, catching exactly four passes in each game for totals of 64, 57, and 60 yards.
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Even in a tough matchup against an elite tight end defense, Kraft came through. He’s emerged into quite the reliable option and will remain so next week. Pick him up.
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers (42% Rostered)
Another week, another solid outing from Gerald Everett. He’s now scored at least 8.4 fantasy points in five straight games. I don’t know about you all, but I’ve certainly got a couple of teams that would love 8+ fantasy points from the tight end position.
The Chargers close out the fantasy season against the Broncos, who allow the most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Even with Easton Stick at quarterback, Everett has proven he is good for 4+ catches a game. Against the Broncos, perhaps he finds the end zone. Grab him if you need a TE.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans (32% Rostered)
After toiling away at a level below mediocrity all season, Chigoziem Okonkwo caught all six of his targets for 63 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks.
Next week, the Titans get a Texans defense that struggles against the tight end. Okonkwo could be startable and is worth adding if you need a tight end.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!