The Week 17 waiver wire is unsurprisingly pretty weak. With stashing players no longer beneficial, there are only a couple of running backs that may be startable. Here are a few potential RB targets for fantasy football managers on the wire this week.
Top RB Waiver Wire Targets in Week 17
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.
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.
Which RB Should You Roster in Fantasy Football?
Should You Roster Tyjae Spears or AJ Dillon?
For most of the season, this wasn’t close. Now, it remains not close but in the other direction.
As underwhelming as AJ Dillon has been, he’s had several opportunities to start and operate as the Packers’ lead back. Even in tandem with Aaron Jones, Dillon has often had fantasy value as the goal-line back. We saw that on display against the Panthers when he punched in a short touchdown.
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However, with Dillon’s broken thumb, it is quite clear he cannot catch passes. That lowers his floor massively. Dillon carried the ball seven times for 12 yards and a touchdown. That’s just not going to get it done. Imagine if he didn’t score?
Spears has about a 4-5 point floor, which is higher than Dillon’s. Plus, in negative game script, he can get to double digits. I would much prefer Spears for Week 17.
Should You Roster Chris Rodriguez or Khalil Herbert?
After being completely phased out of the offense, a D’Onta Foreman personal issue opened up the door for Khalil Herbert to his best Kool-Aid man impersonation and smash through it (he smashed walls, I know, just roll with it).
Without Foreman, the Bears utilized Herbert as their lead back. He ran the ball 20 times for 112 yards and a touchdown. While he was still in a timeshare with Roschon Johnson, the snap counts may have been close, but the touches were not.
We have no idea if Foreman will return in Week 17, but I’m not sure it matters. Herbert has likely earned the lead-back job … back from Foreman.
Given that the Commanders get the 49ers, I would have little interest in starting Rodriguez in Week 17. Plus, he was apparently spotted in a walking boot after the game, making it possible he doesn’t even play.
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