Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 17: Bryce Young and More
Kendall Valenzuela uncovers the top Week 17 waiver wire options for fantasy managers heading to the championship game.
If you're reading this … THEN CONGRATULATIONS ON MAKING IT TO YOUR FANTASY CHAMPIONSHIP! If you're reading this and you didn't make it, but just like the content then you're a winner in my eyes!
This season has been one for the books, but we aren't finished yet. Time to finish out strong and make sure you have the pieces you need to secure that win. There weren't many injuries in Week 16, but in case you need a quarterback or just a little more depth we have got you covered. Remember you're here for a reason, so don't get cute — go with your gut! As always, all players are under 40% rostered.
Also, don't forget about our waiver wire tool, which is an awesome way to visualize what I have below.
INJURY ROUNDUP
Eagles: Jalen Hurts (concussion)
Cardinals: James Conner (knee)
Falcons: Drake London (hamstring)
Seahawks: Kenneth Walker (ankle)
Browns: Dorian Thompson-Robinson (knee)
Cowboys: Jalen Tolbert (finger)
FANTASY FOOTBALL WAIVER WIRE ADDS FOR WEEK 16
Bryce Young, Panthers (7% rostered)
Is this crazy? Yes, this is crazy, but we have to give Bryce Young his flowers! He is the second-highest scoring fantasy quarterback for Week 16 with 27.12 fantasy points and finished 17-of-26 passing for 158 yards and two touchdowns (oh and also eliminated the Cardinals from the playoffs in the process).
Young was also pretty mobile in this game as well and had a career-best 68 rushing yards (plus a touchdown). I know most of us won't need him in the fantasy championship, but he is there just in case!
Other QB Options:
Michael Penix Jr., Falcons
Trey Benson (18%)/Michael Carter, Cardinals (0% rostered)
James Conner did damage against the Panthers and gave fantasy managers 26.6 fantasy points before leaving the game with a knee injury. With Arizona out of playoff contention the team should not push Conner to return quickly, thus making Trey Benson a more intriguing waiver wire addition. We do need to be careful because Benson missed Sunday's game with an ankle injury—so watch the injury reports and pick him up. If both Conner and Benson are unavailable in Week 17 you can turn to Michael Carter, who ran the ball 5 times for 18 yards and caught 5 passes for 60 yards once Conner was out of the game.
Ameer Abdullah, Raiders (23% rostered)
We've seen Ameer Abdullah have good fantasy outings since the Raiders' Week 10 bye, and more specifically in these past two weeks — Abdullah has locked down 19.5 and 19.6 fantasy points, respectively. In the last two weeks, Abdullah has carried the ball 10 times for 46 yards while notching a touchdown and has caught 12 passes for 105 yards with another touchdown. The Raiders play New Orleans in Week 17 and Abdullah is a safe option on the waiver wire.
Other RB options:
KenDre Miller, Saints
Audric Estime, Broncos
Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers (45% rostered)
For fantasy managers that maybe needed to go in a different direction at wide receiver this past week, Jalen McMillan delivered for you again. He had 16.7 fantasy points against the Cowboys—his third straight game with at least 16 PPR fantasy points. While Tampa Bay could focus more on the run against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17, McMillan is still worth an add, especially if you are a Jerry Jeudy manager.
Other WR options:
Rashod Bateman, Ravens
Calvin Austin III, Steelers
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans
Chig Okonkwo, Titans (7% rostered)
The Titans turned to Chig Okonkwo in Week 16 and he finished with 9e catches for 81 yards against the Colts. There was concern with the quarterback change to Mason Rudolph that we wouldn't know who his best connection would be with, but Okonkwo completely dominated snaps and was Rudolph's primary target. I really like the matchup next week with the Jacksonville Jaguars and believe Okonkwo could be a good streamer if needed.
Other Options:
Noah Gray, Chiefs
Brenton Strange, Jaguars