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Most fantasy leagues have been decided after 16 grueling weeks of gridiron action but there are always exceptions. Many will berate the idea of playing through Week 17 when many teams rest their starters but I applaud it. A real fantasy championship should be earned even in the toughest situations. Since 2020 has been an absolutely insane, unpredictable year, why not decide your title in the most unpredictable week of the NFL season?
For Week 17, you will see deeper options than usual and more updates throughout the week as news breaks. Many of these recommendations will still be viable even after waivers clear mid-week, so keep in mind that the Saturday night pickup could be just as valuable as the top waiver claim, whoever that may be.
For a deeper look at each position, check out our separate weekly waiver wire columns at QB, RB, WR, and TE.
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Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options
A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers - 8% rostered
A potential championship game-winner that was started in virtually no lineups, Dillon announced his presence loud and clear in his first real opportunity of the season. With Jamaal Williams sidelined and the game firmly in control, Dillon saw extended action by carrying the ball more than five times in an NFL game for the first time. In fact, when Aaron Jones left the game temporarily it was all Dillon and he made the most of it with 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 attempts. Those still playing in Week 17 can only hope that Williams is out again or the team rests Jones so we can see more of Dillon against the Bears. Plunk down all the FAB you have left for this claim.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens - 44% rostered
Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are officially the one-two punch in the Ravens' running game, with Mark Ingram a complete non-factor. Once Dobbins left the Week 16 contest early with a chest injury, it was all Edwards. He could have had a bigger day if not for a goal-line fumble late in the game but ultimately settled for 122 total yards without a score. It's unclear what Dobbins' injury status will be for Week 17 but even if he's a full go, Edwards has a ton of upside in a must-win game against the Bengals.
Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams - 19% rostered
Having a big game in the last week of the season would be fitting for Brown, who started with a monster fantasy day in Week 1. Of course, he has done almost nothing in between but the recent injury to Darrell Henderson and lingering high-ankle sprain to Cam Akers could make Brown the featured back in Week 17. The entire Rams offense has sputtered in consecutive weeks, so the best-case scenario might be to see him plunge into the end zone. He failed to do so in the third quarter immediately following Henderson's injury in Seattle but the fact he keeps getting chances is a good sign for his value, at least in standard leagues.
Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs - 3% rostered
With Clyde Edwards-Helaire done for the regular season, we expected a big dose of Le'Veon Bell. Instead, it was Williams leading the way with 10 carries for 46 and seeing more targets than Bell, catching four passes to Bell's one. The Chiefs have locked up the top seed in the AFC, so we are not likely to see a heavy dose of Pat Mahomes passing or Lev Bell running. Williams doesn't have the highest ceiling but it's a fair matchup against a Chargers team that is already looking forward to the offseason.
Dare Ogunbowale, Jacksonville Jaguars - 8% rostered
With workhorse James Robinson shelved, Ogunbowale dominated the backfield in Week 16 and fared well with 14 carries for 71 yards. It was especially impressive since the Jags were behind all day long against a tough Bears team. If Robinson is held out of the season finale, Ogunbowale is a strong flex consideration.
Ameer Abdullah, Minnesota Vikings - 0% rostered
Dalvin Cook being scratched due to personal reasons is yet another example of why you don't play fantasy in Week 17. Alexander Mattison would be a high-end backup but he's been dealing with concussion issues and missed three of the last four games. Mike Boone might be next in line but Abdullah has also seen work and it would only be poetic justice if he ran wild over his former team in a meaningless game to end the season. He also has the pass-catching floor that Boone doesn't.
Rodney Smith, Carolina Panthers - 1% rostered
It was a foregone conclusion that Christian McCaffrey wouldn't play in the meaningless Week 17 contest (why was he never put on IR weeks ago?) but now Mike Davis will be rested too. That means a lot of Rodney Smith with a little Trenton Cannon mixed in. Smith has seen some action in recent weeks, carrying seven times for 23 yards in Week 16. He has just 116 rushing yards on the season and is obviously a lotto ticket at this point. I'd be higher on him if the matchup wasn't terrible; he faces a Saints Defense that allows the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs.
Devontae Booker, Las Vegas Raiders - 22% rostered
It's clear that Josh Jacobs hasn't been at 100% health for a while, so it's possible the Raiders limit his snaps in the final game of 2020 now that they are out of contention. Booker has done little to nothing for the past several weeks even when Jacobs was ruled out in Week 13 in a smash spot versus the Jets. The last time Booker did anything of note was the previous matchup with his former team, the Denver Broncos, when he ran for 81 yards and two touchdowns. If Booker gets enough touches and finds the motivation again, he could be one of those sneaky tournament winners. Or he could do absolutely nothing.
Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons - 15% rostered
Todd Gurley is done. If there was any thought that his demotion to backup was simply a ploy to light a fire underneath him, it wasn't. Gurley touched the ball seven times in Week 16, whereas Ito Smith was the starting running back and led the backfield with 10 carries. Brian Hill is also in the mix, so this is rightfully a three-man committee best avoided. If you are desperate for RB help in a crazy week where starters are going to be benched left and right, Smith can be used as a desperation play.
Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals - 2% rostered
Coming off a big Week 15 by Giovani Bernard, it was a surprise to see Perine get nearly as many carries and most of the goal-line work at running back. He responded with his best game since Week 11 of the 2017 season when he was a rookie in Washington. Perine racked up 95 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the sieve-like Texans Defense but instead of facing the worst run defense in the league, he gets the Ravens in Week 17. Perine shouldn't be trusted beyond deep standard leagues, as he's mostly touchdown-dependent.
Others to consider: Sony Michel, New England Patriots (18% rostered); Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4% rostered)
Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options
Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas Raiders - 50% rostered
If Agholor was sitting on waivers anywhere in Week 16, as he apparently was in half of Yahoo leagues, then a whole lot of teams missed out on a huge game. His late touchdown that ultimately proved not to be a game-winner as it first appeared led to a final stat line of 155 yards on five receptions. Agholor has been productive all year long and just hasn't had the buy-in from fantasy GMs. Believe it or not, he's the WR20 in standard scoring after 16 weeks. He could very well finish with a bang.
Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts - 5% rostered
Forget T.Y. Hilton, it's been three-year veteran Zach Pascal who has come on during the fantasy playoffs just when it looked like Hilton would be a league-winner. Pascal has three touchdowns over the past two games and has suddenly become Philip Rivers' favorite target. Even if you aren't a believer that Pascal can keep it going, the matchup begs you to pay attention. The Colts finish their schedule with the Jaguars, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. With Michael Pittman in the concussion protocol, it could mean even more targets for Pascal.
Alex Erickson, Cincinnati Bengals - 1% rostered
If Brandon Allen is going to be a stud, you obviously want to start all Bengals receivers. Actually, the Week 16 outburst was mostly a matter of the Texans secondary continuing to be terrible. It still deserves attention that Erickson was the second-leading receiver on the day for Cincinnati with six catches and 88 yards. Erickson also benefited from Tyler Boyd's absence due to a concussion. That said, Boyd isn't a lock to return in Week 17 and we don't know how much A.J. Green will play in what could be his final game in Cincy. Erickson is a solid fantasy WR4 that could rise to WR3 status if Boyd doesn't suit up.
Cam Sims, Washington Football Team - 1% rostered
The absence of Terry McLaurin led to nine targets for Sims, who has emerged as the WR2 for Washington. He only hauled in three for 63 yards but has shown the ability to get open downfield, making him a potential boom pick worth streaming. The inconsistent QB play makes Sims a shaky play but this is a team still fighting to win their division that will do what it takes to pull out a victory. The Eagles have been decimated by injuries in the secondary and it showed in Week 16. They gave up nearly 400 passing yards to Andy Dalton and the Cowboys, so maybe Taylor Heinicke can put up numbers with Sims as a beneficiary. If McLaurin is ruled out, consider Sims more strongly.
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots - 32% rostered
It remains to be seen how involved Meyers will be in Week 16 or whether Cam Newton will be the starter in Week 17, so this is a risk-reward pick. Meyers' fantasy value has been on a roller-coaster ride all year but it appears to be back on the upswing after a seven-catch, 111-yard game in Week 15. Sure, the Jets suddenly look like a defensive juggernaut. That shouldn't scare you away from the top target for any team, although Meyers isn't higher than a WR3.
Henry Ruggs III, Las Vegas Raiders - 28% rostered
The Raiders were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a last-second loss on Saturday, so expect the young players to get more run in the season finale. Ruggs has mostly been a disappointment in his rookie season with a pair of big games sprinkled among a bunch of duds. If you need a lotto ticket that could pay off big with no floor to speak of, Ruggs is your guy.
Jalen Guyton, Los Angeles Chargers - 2% rostered
The way things have gone lately, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Keenan Allen ruled out again for Week 17. No Charger receiver reached even 55 yards in Week 16 so these are all desperation picks but Guyton saw more targets (five) than more popular pickup Tyron Johnson (three) even though both caught three balls for minimal yardage. The hope is that the Bolts need to throw all game to keep up with the Chiefs or that KC simply rests its starters and doesn't offer too much resistance.
Others to consider: Keke Coutee, Houston Texans (44% rostered); Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (43% rostered); Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos (28% rostered); Demarcus Robinson, Kansas City Chiefs (1% rostered)
Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options
Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings - 14% rostered
It's been hard to predict Smith's fantasy value because he has popped in tough matchups recently while doing nothing against some of the worst defenses against the TE. Smith was sitting on waivers or fantasy benches while scoring twice and catching six passes for 53 yards in Week 16. Detroit has one of the worst defenses in the league but is fairly tough against the tight end. So maybe that means he should be a strong start.
Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts - 19% rostered
This is purely matchup-based since Burton has done nothing of note lately. His three receptions and 18 yards in Week 16 were Burton's best output since Week 12. Ouch. That said, the Colts face a Jaguars Defense that allows the most fantasy points to tight ends and was just gashed by Jimmy Graham. The main issue might be Jack Doyle or Mo Alie-Cox getting targets instead of Burton but he is the most likely to hit paydirt based on the way he's used in the offense.
Jordan Akins, Houston Texans - 5% rostered
Fellow TE Darren Fells got the touchdown in Week 16 but it was his only catch on the day. Akins again led Houston tight ends with four catches for 39 yards and was third on the team in targets. The floor isn't particularly high but the same goes for nearly all waiver wire options at the position.
Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 1% rostered
We're fishing in the deep seas now but the Bucs could rest Gronk for the playoffs and Atlanta is one of the worst defenses against the tight end. He's had at least modest involvement in the offense, averaging about three receptions and 30 yards per game over the last six contests.
Others to consider: Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears (27% rostered); Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys (20% rostered); Dan Arnold, Arizona Cardinals (2% rostered)
Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders - 39% rostered
If you exclude the Week 15 game where Carr exited early with a groin injury, he's thrown for at least 300 yards in each of his last three full games. That has included matchups with some tough defenses in Indianapolis and Miami. The Broncos are still without their top three cornerbacks and offer a great spot for Carr to finish strong. The only concern might be Carr ceding snaps to Marcus Mariota but he's competitive enough that it's unlikely he will want to take a seat unless absolutely necessary.
Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys - 13% rostered
Where has this been all year? The Cowboys knocked their rivals out of the playoff race and still have a shot to win the division (sadly) after Dalton posted 377 yards and three touchdowns in Week 16. It's a tougher matchup this coming week in a road contest with the Giants but Dalton has the weapons to make for a big fantasy day.
Brandon Allen, Cincinnati Bengals - 1% rostered
The Bengals' third-string QB came through with a career-high 371 passing yards and two touchdowns against Houston. It was a dream matchup against a Houston team that seemed to fold on defense weeks ago once top CB Bradley Roby was suspended. It won't be nearly as easy with Baltimore on tap for Week 17 in a must-win game for their playoff hopes. Allen's value may lie in volume and garbage-time production.
Drew Lock, Denver Broncos - 12% rostered
We got Bad Lock in Week 16, as he threw a pair of interceptions without a touchdown. He did run one in himself and was betrayed by his receivers, mainly Jerry Jeudy, with numerous drops. Lock is a complete wild card and unreliable in single-QB leagues but as a Superflex option, he could be serviceable in Week 17.
Others to consider: Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (40% rostered); Mitch Trubisky, Chicago Bears (17% rostered)
Team Defense - Waiver Wire Options
San Francisco 49ers Defense - 53% rostered
Despite being eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, Robert Saleh continues to build his resume by conducting dominating defensive performances in San Francisco. The Niners have held three of their past five opponents under 15 points, with hiccups to Dallas and Buffalo. This isn't the most consistent DST but they'll be at home in what is almost sure to be Saleh's last game as a coordinator against a Seattle offense that is averaging under 23 points per game over the past seven weeks.
Tennessee Titans Defense - 35% rostered
Hypothetically, facing the Texans and Deshaun Watson would be a no-go for a defense. If Watson is held out for half or all of this game, the Titans defense becomes a lot more interesting. They may not sack anybody whatsoever but there's a decent chance they could hold A.J. McCarron under 20 points. Monitor news reports for this game to see what the Texans plan to do in their final game of 2020.
New York Jets Defense - 5% rostered
It's only fitting that the last waiver wire pick of the 2020 season would be the most absurd. The Jets have been the worst team in the league for the entirety of the season... except the past two weeks. They have now limited the past two opponents to 20 and 16 points, collecting a total of seven sacks. Their Week 17 opponent is a New England team that will be staying home during the postseason for the first time since 2008. Cam Newton has a 5-10 TD-INT rate on the season and offers a great chance for the Jets to secure more turnovers.
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