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.

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Running Backs

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans – Although he was widely added last week amid concerns about Tony Pollard’s lingering ankle injury, Pollard was ultimately ruled active for Sunday’s game. Even so, for the second consecutive week, Tyjae Spears proved to be the more productive fantasy option in Tennessee’s backfield. Following his two-touchdown performance in Week 15, Spears found the end zone twice again in Sunday’s loss to the Colts, finishing with 27 yards on 10 carries and 39 yards on three receptions.

Spears’ consistent involvement in the passing game has given him a reliable floor, while his recent surge in touchdowns has unlocked an unexpectedly high ceiling. Regardless of Pollard’s status in Week 17, Spears remains a strong option in a favorable matchup against the Jaguars.

Gus Edwards & JK Dobbins, RBs, Los Angeles Chargers – The “Gus Bus” may have sputtered for much of the season, but in Week 16, he roared back to life with a vintage performance. In Thursday’s win over the Broncos, Gus Edwards turned in his best game of the year, carrying the ball 14 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns while adding a three-yard reception. Known for his power and efficiency throughout his career, Edwards showed more than just his trademark toughness. He flashed a surprising level of burst, highlighted by a 43-yard run that shifted the momentum of the game.

With J.K. Dobbins sidelined, Edwards is set to handle a sizable workload heading into Week 17. Due to his lack of targets in the passing game, his fantasy ceiling will ultimately be dependent on his ability to produce touchdowns. With that said, he will face the New England Patriots, one of the league’s most favorable matchups for running backs, making him a strong candidate for starting lineups in the fantasy championship. 

If Dobbins was dropped in your league, he would profile as a must-add if he is able to return to action this week. Should he suit up, Dobbins would likely reclaim the starting role immediately, rendering Gus Edwards a risky option for fantasy lineups.

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Michael Carter & Trey Benson, RBs, Arizona Cardinals – Not to twist the knife for Arizona Cardinals fans (Andy, Mike, and Jason), but Sunday was an absolute disaster. The team was officially eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Panthers, and to make matters worse, star running back James Conner left with a knee injury and did not return. With nothing left to play for, there appears to be little incentive for Conner to rush back to the field. While the Cardinals may be shifting their focus to next season, fantasy managers still in the hunt for a championship have plenty at stake—and now they may be without the player who carried them this far.

Scanning the waiver wire for reinforcements is crucial. Trey Benson, who missed Week 16 with an ankle injury, would offer the most upside as Conner’s potential replacement if he can return in Week 17. The rookie has flashed brilliance in limited action this season and could thrive in a featured role. If Benson is not available, Michael Carter emerges as a priority pickup. He stepped in after Conner’s injury and outpaced DeeJay Dallas in both workload and production. After Conner left the game, Carter took every backfield touch for the team, including five targets that he converted into 30 receiving yards. Whoever leads the Cardinals’ backfield in Week 17 will have a favorable matchup against the Rams, giving fantasy managers a glimmer of hope for championship week.

Alexander Mattison & Ameer Abdullah, RBs, Las Vegas Raiders – Highlighted in last week’s article, Alexander Mattison delivered a strong fantasy performance for those bold enough to start him in Week 16. In Sunday’s rare win over the Jaguars, Mattison logged 12 carries for 27 yards and a touchdown, adding four receptions on seven targets for 29 yards. While his efficiency on the ground left much to be desired, his touchdown and contributions in the passing game salvaged a solid outing for fantasy managers.

Meanwhile, Ameer Abdullah was the more dynamic option in this game. He rushed seven times for 38 yards and a touchdown while catching five of six targets for 47 yards, finishing with his second consecutive week of 16+ fantasy points. Despite seeing fewer touches than Mattison, Abdullah’s efficiency and versatility stood out.

Both backs are worth consideration on the waiver wire this week, but a favorable Week 17 matchup against the Saints might lean in Mattison’s favor. If the team manages to take an early lead, Mattison’s bruising style could see increased usage as they lean on the run game.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs – Kareem Hunt has been largely underwhelming since Isiah Pacheco returned in Week 13, but Saturday’s performance suggested he might not be ready to relinquish the starting role just yet. In the Chiefs’ win over the Texans, Hunt outperformed Pacheco across the board, tallying 11 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown while adding two catches for 24 yards.

That said, this backfield remains a frustrating timeshare, with neither player delivering consistent production outside of finding the end zone. Kansas City faces a tough Week 17 matchup against Pittsburgh, further complicating Hunt’s outlook. While he may currently hold the edge over Pacheco, Hunt’s touchdown dependency in a difficult matchup makes him a risky option for fantasy lineups in the championship round. 

Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints – Many fantasy managers rushed to grab Kendre Miller off waivers after Alvin Kamara was ruled out for Monday night’s matchup against the Packers, yet he still remains available in several leagues. Unfortunately, the Saints’ offense was abysmal in this game, and while Miller got the start with Kamara sidelined, there was not much to celebrate. He totaled just eight carries for 15 yards and two catches for 16 yards, a frustrating performance for anyone who started him, unless a meager four fantasy points was all you needed to secure a win.

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With Spencer Rattler at quarterback, trusting any Saints offensive player is a challenge. However, facing the Packers at Lambeau in a prime-time game is far from an ideal situation for any offense. Looking ahead to Week 17, Miller at least draws a more favorable matchup against the Raiders, assuming Kamara remains sidelined. Still, after seeing the Saints rotate three running backs in Week 16 and fail to score a single point, relying on Miller in your championship lineup will not inspire much confidence.

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Wide Receivers

Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – It took longer than anticipated, but Jalen McMillan finally delivered his long-awaited breakout performance in Week 14’s win over the Raiders. After a quiet start to his rookie season, McMillan erupted with four catches on seven targets for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Fantasy managers had been waiting for someone to step up following Chris Godwin’s season-ending knee injury, and this outing suggested McMillan might be ready to seize the opportunity.

Luckily, he did not stop there. The talented rookie carried his momentum into Week 15, catching five of six targets for 75 yards and another touchdown in a win over the Chargers. Then, under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football in Week 16, he delivered once again, hauling in five of seven targets for 57 yards and yet another score.

While the offense still runs primarily through Mike Evans and the ground game, McMillan has emerged as the clear second option in the passing attack, overtaking Cade Otton in recent weeks. With three straight standout performances, including a touchdown in each, McMillan has solidified himself as a trusted fantasy asset heading into Week 17. In an intriguing matchup against the Panthers, he should be poised to keep the hot streak alive.

Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens – If I had a dollar for every time Rashod Bateman appeared in our waiver wire articles this season, I would have enough to treat myself to a solid lunch by now. After an injury-riddled start to his NFL career, Bateman has emerged as a key playmaker during his breakout season in Baltimore. Week 15 showcased his potential, as he turned five targets into three catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns, his best performance of the year. While his follow-up in Week 16 was quieter, his lone reception was a 14-yard touchdown, bringing his season total to eight, leading all Baltimore wide receivers.

However, Bateman’s game log reveals a troubling pattern: big weeks often give way to underwhelming ones. This boom-or-bust profile makes him a risky play in the fantasy championship round. Still, his upside is undeniable, especially for managers needing a high-ceiling option to overcome tough matchups. What separates Bateman from other volatile waiver targets is the presence of Lamar Jackson, whose dynamic playmaking elevates Bateman’s chances to produce. With a favorable Week 17 matchup against the Texans, Bateman could be poised for another breakout performance, making him a compelling option for those willing to roll the dice.

Marquise Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs – Expectations for Marquise Brown’s debut season with the Kansas City Chiefs were sky-high during fantasy draft season, but a preseason shoulder injury derailed those hopes and kept him sidelined for most of the year. That changed in Week 16 when Brown finally made his long-awaited debut—and he did not disappoint. In Saturday’s win over the Texans, Brown caught five of eight targets for 45 yards despite playing just 14 snaps. His incredible target-per-route-run rate is impossible to ignore and highlights his immediate impact on the offense.

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Following the game, Head Coach Andy Reid suggested Brown’s snap count will increase moving forward, which bodes well for his involvement in the passing attack. While trusting him in your fantasy championship requires a major leap of faith, Brown’s prominent role in such a high-powered offense makes him an intriguing desperation option in deeper leagues. With his snap count trending upward, Brown has the potential to deliver an even stronger performance in a Week 17 matchup against the Steelers.

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Tight Ends

Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans – I have been listening to this podcast for years, and Andy’s ability to pull uncanny calls out of thin air never ceases to amaze me. His latest masterpiece was trusting Chig Okonkwo in his starting lineup during the semifinals, confidently declaring the tight end was primed for a big week. At first glance, it seemed like a bold move, but Okonkwo delivered in a big way. In Sunday’s loss to the Colts, he hauled in nine of 11 targets for 81 yards. Over the past two weeks, the athletic tight end has racked up 17 receptions on 21 targets for 140 yards, emerging as a legitimate weapon at the most frustrating position in fantasy football.

Now, with a prime Week 17 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on deck, Okonkwo has unexpected league-winning potential. While there is always a chance he falls short of expectations, his chemistry with Mason Rudolph and his massive target share over the past two weeks make him too intriguing of an option to ignore. If you are looking to ride the hot hand into the championship round, Okonkwo might just be the edge you need to secure victory.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans – While options like Zach Ertz or Hunter Henry would be of higher priority, odds are they are already rostered in your league. Instead, I wanted to highlight Dalton Schultz, who has stepped up at just the right moment for fantasy managers in need of a tight end with upside. In the Week 16 loss to the Chiefs, Schultz caught five of eight targets for 45 yards and a touchdown, proving to be a key asset in Houston’s offense. Though quiet in the week prior, Schultz had a strong performance in Week 13 before the team’s bye, catching five of seven targets for 61 yards and another touchdown. After a slow start to the season, Schultz appears to be heating up, making him a critical part of the offense in the absence of Tank Dell, who will miss the rest of the season with a significant knee injury.

With a favorable Week 17 matchup against the Ravens, who will likely force Houston to pass in a potential shootout, Schultz has the opportunity to emerge as a reliable secondary target behind Nico Collins. For teams looking for a tight end boost in the fantasy championship, Schultz is worth starting consideration given his recent production and the current state of Houston’s passing game.

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Quarterbacks

Team DEF/ST

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Team	Roster %	Matchups
Indianapolis Colts	37%	@NYG / JAX
New Orleans Saints	30%	LV / @TB
Miami Dolphins	33%	@CLE / @NYJ
Las Vegas Raiders	9%	@NO / LAC
Los Angeles Chargers	37%	@NE / @LV
Seattle Seahawks	25%	@CHI / @LAR
Jacksonville Jaguars	10%	TEN / @IND

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings
• 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 or 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.