NFL Waiver Wire: Week 17 Deep Dive

It's championship week for most leagues, so congrats if you've made it this far. Kevin Payne did a great job laying out the primary waiver options in his article, so I won't repeat his content. Particularly for those looking for information regarding impact quarterback and running back adds, be sure to check in on his article. With that in mind, let's jump into some other options to consider if you're looking to fill roster holes in Week 17.

Quarterback

Justin Fields vs. Giants

All the attention in the streaming conversation is currently on Trey Lance, and rightfully so. However, Fields also offers a dual-threat skillset and had played fairly well prior to missing last week. He'd rank as one of the better streamers not already mentioned in the traditional waiver wire article if he starts.  

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Browns (20 percent ESPN)

Roethlisberger produced a miserable performance against Kansas City, but he's thrown more than 35 passes in four of his last six games. He's also posted multiple TDs in three of those contests. 

Sam Darnold at Saints (four percent ESPN)

Darnold is far from a comfortable play, but he's been named the starter, boasts strong surrounding weapons and succeeded earlier in the season. Even so, do your best to steer clear of him in one-QB leagues.  

Running Back

Ke'Shawn Vaughn at Jets (two percent ESPN)

For those  in need of running back help in particularly deep or competitive leagues, Vaughn should be one of the most enticing pickups. He managed the majority of his 70 yards on one run and was out-carried 20-7 by Ronald Jones in last week. However, coach Bruce Arians talked up Vaughn's potential early this week and the Bucs draw a dream matchup on Sunday.  

Duke Johnson at Titans (seven percent ESPN)

Phillip Lindsay at Titans (nine percent ESPN)

Myles Gaskin's role has been limited since returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list in Week 15. Instead, Johnson went off in that outing and then split the backfield evenly with Lindsay last week. The Miami backfield has the makings of a nasty three-way split, but Johnson and Lindsay each appear to have the best chance for a substantial role against the Titans. 

Cam Akers at Ravens (13 percent ESPN)

Akers has made a remarkable comeback from offseason Achilles injury. After being a full participant in Wednesday's estimated practice, it appears he could be active Sunday against the Ravens. With Darrell Henderson on IR, Akers could be in line for at least a moderate workload behind Sony Michel.

Ameer Abdullah at Saints (eight percent ESPN)

Abdullah will face another tough run defense one week after being shut down by Tampa Bay. But he primarily produces as a pass catcher, and for those starting/rostering him the hope would be Sam Darnold taking over under center full time would lead to more targets heading his direction.

Kenneth Gainwell at Washington (10 percent ESPN)

Miles Sanders is out and Jordan Howard's status is uncertain for Sunday. The Eagles have been hesitant to turn over a large workload to Gainwell, but they won't have a choice if their backfield is depleted. This situation is one worth monitoring for the rest of the week.

Jaret Patterson vs. Eagles (three percent ESPN)

Antonio Gibson keeps picking up injuries and producing through them. Given he turned in a limited practice Wednesday, that's likely to continue this week and is another situation worth keeping an eye on.

Wide Receiver

Joshua Palmer vs. Broncos (seven percent ESPN)

Palmer benefitted from the absence of Jalen Guyton and Mike Williams last week. Guyton has since been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, but Williams' situation is a bit more complicated. If Williams remains sidelined against Denver, Palmer should regularly remain on the field and receive a significant number of targets.

Marquez Callaway vs. Panthers (30 percent ESPN)

Like many situations around the league, it's unclear who may be available among the Saints' receiving corps. Deonte Harris had his suspension lifted, but he's still on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Meanwhile, Tre'Quan Smith didn't practice Wednesday due to a chest injury. That could leave Callaway as the top target in New Orleans, and there should also be more competent quarterback play with both Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian back in the mix. 

Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. Vikings (16 percent ESPN)

MVS missed the previous matchup, but will be back against Minnesota. He's far from a safe option, but he's also shown the upside to produce spike weeks that could launch fantasy managers to a win in the most vital week of the season.

Rashod Bateman vs. Rams (22 percent ESPN)

Bateman remains inconsistent, but has delivered double-digit PPR points in two of his last three games. The potential return of Lamar Jackson should further enhance his chance to produce.

Breshad Perriman at Jets (one percent ESPN)

Perriman is set for a return, but his viability as a fantasy option will likely come down to the status of Mike Evans. If Evans is out, Perriman could become the second or third target for Tom Brady alongside Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski.

Laquon Treadwell at Patriots (two percent ESPN)

The Jags' offense is the dumpster fire gif in action, but somehow Treadwell has managed to find consistency across the last several weeks. Since Week 12, Treadwell has recorded at least four receptions and 50 yards in every appearance.

Chester Rogers vs. Dolphins (zero percent ESPN)

Tennessee's receiver corps is another one to follow closely the rest of the week. Both Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Julio Jones are on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and their continued absences would leave Rogers second on the depth chart behind only A.J. Brown. If either Jones or Westbrook-Ikhine is active, Rogers is difficult to trust given the way the Titans spread their targets.

Antoine Wesley at Cowboys (zero percent ESPN)

Rondale Moore was a non-participant in practice once again Wednesday, and he's already been deemed a game-time call. In his absence, Wesley has been a near full-time player across Arizona's last two outings with a combined 12 targets - four of which have come inside the 20.

Lil'Jordan Humphrey vs. Panthers (zero percent ESPN)

If both Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harris are sidelined, Humphrey is worth a dart throw in the deepest of leagues.

Tight End

Cole Kmet vs. Giants (39 percent ESPN)

Kmet finally saw a spike in roster rate and is likely rostered in most active leagues. The primary problem for his potential production is that the Bears insist on getting Jimmy Graham involved in the red zone and Kmet has yet to score a TD this season as a result.

Evan Engram at Bears (27 percent ESPN)

Engram has survived inept QB play to post viable back-end lines for the tight end position for much of the season. He needed a garbage-time score to do so last week, but he now has at least four receptions in three of his last four contests. That alone is enough to make him useful in PPR leagues.

Foster Moreau at Colts (20 percent ESPN)

Moreau has posted double-digit PPR points in each of his last two games, and has shown the ability to produce both with volume and big plays. Darren Waller is dealing with knee and back injuries and is also on the reserve/COVID-19 list, so it appears he's trending towards missing another week.

James O'Shaughnessy at Patriots (two percent ESPN)

O'Shaughnessy missed practice Wednesday with a hip injury, so he could be in jeopardy of missing the next matchup. However, if his status improves as the week progresses, it's worth noting he's recorded four receptions in three consecutive games.

Mo Alie-Cox vs. Raiders (three percent ESPN)

Jack Doyle suffered knee and ankle injuries in the win over Arizona, so it wasn't a surprise to see him sitting out practice on Wednesday. In his absence, Alie-Cox logged a 90 percent snap rate on offense and got four targets. That should give him some confidence of a substantial role should Doyle ultimately not be able to suit up.

Josiah Deguara vs. Vikings (zero percent ESPN)

Deguara has seen his playing time tick up in recent weeks, and he's currently the only healthy tight end on the Packers' depth chart. Even so, he's not an enticing option heading into the weekend, but he could have enough of a role to post a moderately useful PPR line.

Jimmy Graham vs. Giants (zero percent ESPN)

Graham hasn't caught more than two passes in any appearance this season, yet he's recorded three TDs in his last five. He's the ultimate "hope for a touchdown" play, but he's coming through with enough frequency where he's at least a name to keep in mind.