Week 16 was another wild one in the NFL with some fantastic finishes and big statement wins. The contenders continue to separate themselves, and the final playoff races shape up with two weeks left in the regular season. If you’re still searching on the fantasy football waiver wire Week 17, congratulations are probably in order since your team has advanced this far. Even with two weeks left, there are some interesting options emerging from the waiver wire. Whether you are pushing to the championship or avoiding a punishment for finishing last, some strong early pickups are worth a look from the waiver wire for Week 17.
Throughout the week, DK Network will have you covered with potential waiver wire pickups and strong plays for Week 17. Be sure to stay tuned to the outstanding coverage from the whole team. This post is designed to be an early look at some of the names to keep an eye on coming into of Week 17.
Another key factor to keep a close eye on every week is new injuries. Here are some new situations to monitor moving forward:
Players with new injuries from Week 16 to watch:
- QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
- QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
- QB Gardner Minshew II, Kansas City Chiefs
- QB Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
- QB Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
- RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
- RB Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
- RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
- RB Aaron Jones Sr., Minnesota Vikings
- WR Tyler Lockett, Las Vegas Raiders
- WR Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys
With those injuries in mind, here are some of my early names to watch if you’re shopping on the Week 17 waiver wire.
WR Adam Thielen, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have struggled with depth at wide receiver behind DK Metcalf this season, and Metcalf will likely be facing a suspension after an altercation with a fan in Sunday’s game in Detroit.
While the NFL hasn’t issued any punishment yet, it seems like that he’ll miss time, and the Steelers may already have one potential answer on the roster. The Steelers snagged veteran Adam Thielen (8.9 FPTS) after he was released by the Vikings, and Thielen caught all four of his targets for 49 yards in the team’s game against the Lions.
Before stepping up this week, he only had two catches on two targets for 11 yards, but he stepped right into a large snap share and a key run-blocking role.
Depending on Metcalf’s availability, Thielen could have a big role in the next two weeks as the Steelers take on the Browns and the Ravens in a pair of divisional contests. Thielen is a high-risk pick up, but one that could end up in a meaningful position to produce next week.
Some other receivers with low ownership who had big weeks are Parker Washington (29.5 FPTS), Chimere Dike (13 FPTS) and Isaac TeSlaa (11.4 FPTS).
RB Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
Sampson earns a spot on our waiver wire Week 17 early watch list even though he missed this week’s matchup against the Bills. Quinshon Judkins, the Browns starting running back, left with a serious, multi-faceted leg injury that will cost him the rest of the season. The rookie had a strong season, but the Browns will be without him for the next two weeks as they face the Steelers and the Bengals.
Behind Judkins in Week 16, Raheim Sanders led the team with 11 carries for 42 rushing yards. Trayveon Williams also mixed in as a third-down option, racking up four catches for 38 yards and picking up 17 rushing yards on three carries.
While Sanders and Williams picked up the work this week, Sampson would likely be the primary option if he’s ready to return. The fourth-round rookie has racked up 116 rushing yards on 44 carries and has caught 28 passes for 259 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.
One of his biggest plays was Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL touchdown against the Raiders.
Sampson didn’t have any catches the next week against the Raiders, but then he had five catches for 64 yards against the Titans. He brings a lot of potential as a PPR producer and has shown he can make an impact if he gets opportunities. Sanders and Williams are both potential pickups as well, but Sampson has the highest ceiling and seems likely to return and take over as the top back.
Tyjae Spears (21.5 FPTS), Chris Rodriguez Jr. (13.9 FPTS), and Samaje Perine (14.1 FPTS) were other low-ownership options who went off for big weeks at running back.
QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
The Titans beat the Chiefs in Tennessee in convincing fashion, 26-9. Cam Ward (18 FPTS) threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns, completing 21-of-28 passes and not turning the ball over, while making some spectacular plays.
Ward has thrown multiple touchdowns in three straight games and has racked up nine total touchdowns and just one interception in his six games since the bye week.
He’s faced very tough competition during that stretch, taking on the Texans, Browns and Seahawks. This week, he beat the depleted Chiefs, and next week he and the Titans host the Saints.
He’ll be facing fellow-rookie Tyler Shough (20.1 FPTS), who is another option to grab from the waiver-wire if you need an emergency fill-in. I highlighted Shough last week, and his rushing potential gives him good upside against the Titans. Ward is more widely available, and he’s proven enough in tough matchups to be a high-upside grab before next week.
TE AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks
Barner has been a solid part of the Seahawks passing game most of the season. He’s had a few down games but has also gone off for monster contests.
He and the Seahawks got a big win on Thursday, and he hauled in four catches on six targets for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Barner continues to get some work in short yardage situations in the backfield as well in “The Barnyard” formation. He ran for a touchdown earlier this season, which gives him an extra wildcard boost.
Barner has at least three catches and over 25 yards in four straight games, and he showed high upside with 10 catches for 71 yards back in Week 11.
Harold Fannin Jr. (19.5 FPTS) was one of the best tight ends of the weeks and is still available in many leagues, while Chig Okonkwo (16.4 FPTS), and Elijah Higgins (16.1 FPTS) came out of nowhere with games over 15 fantasy points. Even Taysom Hill (17.7 FPTS) got in on the action.
Giants DST
The Giants defense has posted two solid games since their bye week against the Commanders and the Vikings. They forced two turnovers in each game and had multiple sacks in each game. This week against the Vikings, they had a pick-6 called back due to penalty but still had a big week with 16 points allowed, four sacks, two takeaways and a fumble return touchdown.
The Giants go on the road next week to face the Raiders in Vegas. The Raiders have 18 turnovers in 14 games and have allowed 54 sacks in those contests. They have allowed at least four sacks in six straight games, and the Giants should be able to cause some mayhem in this matchup that will be especially important for the No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
Other streaming plays to consider based on matchup and current form include the Steelers (at CLE), Titans (vs. NO) and Buccaneers (at MIA).
