Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 17 Championship (Fantasy Football)
The fantasy football season has been a relentless gauntlet of blood, sweat, and countless sleepless nights spent scouring the waiver wire. Now, after weeks of turmoil and triumph, we stand among the chosen few, ready to seize the glory of the championship round. We have battled through injuries, outwitted our rivals, and emerged from the chaos with our sights set on ultimate glory. This is the summit, the stage where champions are crowned, and legacies are forged.
Now is the time to empty the clip, swing for the fences, and leave it all on the field. The Week 17 waiver wire is your last shot to reload and fortify your rosters. These pickups could be the difference between eternal glory and crushing defeat. Leave nothing to chance—your destiny awaits.
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Running Back Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
5
3
4
4
3
4
5
6
2
5
7
5
4
6
11
3
6
7
3
10
9
8
6
9
8
9
8
8
10
10
12
7
7
11
9
11
12
12
10
12
11
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots – While TreVeyon Henderson has drawn most of the attention, Rhamondre Stevenson has quietly delivered in a complementary role over the past few weeks. That changed Sunday night when Henderson exited at halftime with a concussion, opening the door for Stevenson to reclaim lead-back duties. He made the most of the opportunity, finishing the win over Baltimore with eight carries for 51 yards and a TD, plus two catches for 27 yards. The night was capped by an explosive 21-yard score with three minutes remaining, the play that sealed the victory. If Henderson misses time due to concussion protocol, Stevenson would step in as a must-start for a smash Week 17 matchup against the Jets.
Chris Rodriguez, RB, Washington Commanders – Chris Rodriguez has quietly been one of the more efficient backs in football since taking over as Washington’s lead runner, yet he remains available in nearly half of leagues. In Week 16, he delivered once again, turning 15 carries into 63 yards and a TD in the loss to Philadelphia. With a more favorable matchup against Dallas in Week 17, Rodriguez profiles as a reliable RB2 option.
Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Michael Carter didn’t post eye-popping numbers in Week 16, but he was highly efficient in his first game as the lead back after Bam Knight went down. Carter carried the ball 11 times for 65 yards against Atlanta, even without contributing as a receiver. He should be positioned for a bigger outing in Week 17, as Arizona looks to exploit a favorable matchup with Cincinnati. Expect Carter to handle lead-back duties again and reestablish himself in the passing game, which would significantly raise his fantasy ceiling.
Dylan Sampson & Raheim Sanders, RBs, Cleveland Browns – Cleveland’s backfield took a major hit Sunday when Quinshon Judkins left the loss to Buffalo with a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle. Dylan Sampson has also missed the last two games with hand and calf injuries, but if he suits up in Week 17, he is expected to lead the backfield in touches. If Sampson remains sidelined, Raheim Sanders is the next man up after posting 11 carries for 42 yards and adding a four-yard reception. Both backs are worth monitoring and could be viable additions ahead of Cleveland’s Week 17 matchup with Pittsburgh.
Wide Receiver Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
1
3
6
2
5
4
3
4
4
5
4
5
3
6
5
6
6
Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars – After a midseason rise to fantasy relevance, Parker Washington faded in recent weeks following the return of Brian Thomas Jr. and the addition of Jakobi Meyers at the trade deadline. Despite the crowded receiver room, Washington reasserted himself in Week 16, erupting for six catches, 145 yards, and a TD on ten targets. Replicating that output will be difficult, but he should remain in a solid position for another productive showing in Week 17 when the Jaguars head to Indianapolis to face the Colts.
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts – After a fast start, Alec Pierce has cooled off, but real chemistry appears to be forming with his new (extremely old) QB. He finished Monday night’s loss to the 49ers with just four catches, yet turned them into 86 yards and two TDs. For managers chasing upside, Pierce profiles as a true boom or bust play with big-play potential against Jacksonville in Week 17.
Mack Hollins, WR, New England Patriots – The Patriots are absolutely rolling this season with Drake Maye under center, and his presence has elevated the fantasy outlook for various New England pass catchers. Mack Hollins has been a recurring beneficiary, and Week 16 was another strong example. He hauled in seven of nine targets for 69 yards (nice), continuing to build trust with his QB. While the stat line may look surprising at first glance, Hollins has now seen at least eight targets in both games since the team’s Week 14 bye. That volume should give him a chance to capitalize on a favorable Week 17 matchup against the Jets, even if game script limits passing volume later on.
Chimere Dike, WR, Tennessee Titans – Chimere Dike has been inconsistent at times during his rookie season, but his role in Tennessee continues to trend upward. He flashed again in Sunday’s win over Kansas City, hauling in three of five targets for 40 yards and a TD. Still, it would take an extremely deep format to justify starting Dike in a fantasy championship, unless your league includes return yardage, where his value gets a meaningful boost.
Tight End Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
3
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints – Just when it appeared the 35-year-old Taysom Hill had finally lost his fantasy relevance, he resurfaced from the shadows. After weeks of minimal production, Hill caught four of six targets for 36 yards and added 12 carries for 42 yards. He punctuated the performance by throwing a 38-yard TD pass to Chris Olave in the fourth quarter, once again showcasing his unique versatility. With Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal sidelined, Hill could continue to lead the Saints in carries while being deployed across multiple roles. That flexibility gives him several paths to fantasy production and puts him firmly on the radar as a viable option against Tennessee in Week 17.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals – Mike Gesicki found the end zone again in Week 16, hauling in three of four targets for 35 yards and a TD against Miami. It marked his second score in the last three games. With Noah Fant sidelined by an ankle injury and his Week 17 status in doubt, Gesicki could see a slight bump in snaps and target volume. That potential uptick, combined with an appealing matchup against Arizona, keeps him firmly in streaming consideration this week.
Quarterback Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
2
1
2
5
1
2
3
2
3
3
4
3
4
5
5
4
5
4
Check out Javier Manzanera’s weekly article on QB Streamers to Consider.
Team DST Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
1
1
2
5
2
2
3
3
4
3
4
1
3
5
5
4
5
4
6
6
6
6
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Final Thoughts
The journey has been grueling, the battles relentless, and now, it all comes down to this. Every decision, every move, every sacrifice has brought you to the doorstep of greatness. As the championship looms, remember that fortune favors the bold. Trust your instincts, make the tough calls, and fight for every point as if your legacy depends on it. Leave nothing behind; no stone left unturned, no opportunity unseized. This is your moment to etch your name in your league’s history. Now, it is time to take back what is rightfully yours.