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Usually, there isn’t much interest in the top Week 17 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds, but this year, with backups more important than ever, you could see heavy activity on waivers for guys like Dare Ogunbowale, Rex Burkhead, Jordan Howard, Isaiah McKenzie and more injury/COVID fill-ins. The usual jockeying for matchup-based streamers will be there, too.
Our full free agent list is mostly streamers, and we aim to give you as many viable options as possible. Tight end and D/ST will likely be the most important streaming positions, but, again, with starters potentially going on the reserve/COVID list at any point in the week, you should have solid backups at QB, WR, and even RB. You can find the streaming options, listed by position, at the end of this list.
MORE WEEK 17: Full waiver list
If you’re still in the running for some money (or trying to avoid a last-place punishment), then use your waiver claim this week. Then use it again. There’s no point in waiting for free agency if there’s a player you want available on the wire. Grab as many guys as you can early in the week, then be ready to pick up new ones later in the week.
Play defense against your opponent, too. Not only can you do this early in the week by picking up players your opponent might want, but you can also play the waivers game late in the week and drop guys who won’t clear in time to be used in Week 17. Cycle through players as needed. It’s obnoxious to be over the top about it, but some legitimate add/drops early and late in the week is just good strategy.
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 17
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues considered.
Dare Ogunbowale, RB, Jaguars. With James Robinson (Achilles’) out for the foreseeable future, Ogunbowale figures to continue operating as Jacksonville’s lead back. That’s not overly inspiring with a matchup against New England on deck in Week 17, but if Ogubowale dominates RB touches like he did in Week 16 (19 for 72 total yards and a score), then he has a chance to work as a flex. After all, guaranteed touches will have value in a week where you never know who will be declared inactive just before kickoff.
Rex Burkhead, RB, Texans. With David Johnson out because of a quad injury, Burkhead took full advantage. He lead the Texans with 22 carries, 149 rushing yards, and two rushing TDs. He also added a couple catches. Burkhead had been trending upward in touches even with Johnson healthy, and he should continue operating as the 1A back in Houston’s backfield even if Johnson returns next week against San Francisco. It’s not a particularly great matchup, but Burkhead still has upside, especially in PPR leagues.
MORE WEEK 17: Full waiver list
Jordan Howard, RB, Eagles. Even though Boston Scott vultured a short TD, it was Howard who operated as the Eagles’ primary back after Miles Sanders exited because of a hand injury. Howard finished Week 16 with nine yards on 37 carries and added two catches for 19 yards before yielding to Scott in garbage time, and he should continue being featured next week against Washington if Sanders is out (and Howard’s own stinger injury isn’t too serious). Even if Sanders is active, Howard will still play a valuable “change-of-pace” role and is always a candidate to poach a TD, thus giving him flex value in standard leagues.
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Bills. McKenzie took advantage of Gabriel Davis and Cole Beasley being on the reserve/COVID list, catching 11-of-12 targets for 125 yards and a TD. At least Davis will be out again in Week 17, so McKenzie is an interesting boom-or-bust flier against the horrible Falcons pass defense. Given McKenzie’s explosive ability, he could easily pay off in all formats.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including more streaming options at every position, check out our full Week 17 list.
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