Week 17 Waiver Wire – NFL Fantasy Football – 2025

DFS Army’s Gthom breaks down this week’s top waiver wire targets. These players are typically available in around 50 percent of ESPN leagues. This article is geared toward traditional 12-team leagues, but managers should always check their own waiver wire for potentially better options.

Follow Gthom on the cesspool they call X: @GarettThomas.

QUARTERBACKS

 

Trevor Lawrence (JAX) – 51% Rostered

He may be the fantasy playoff MVP with this stretch of games he has had. It’s easily the best Lawrence has looked as well. The former Heisman winner has earned all the hype after posting back-to-back performances of 44.3 and 31.1. In these two contests he has 609 passing yards, 71 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns to zero interceptions.

The party should continue on in Week 17 when the Colts host Lawrence and the Jaguars. We saw T-Law against this defense in Week 14 and he was 17 of 30 for 244 passing yards, 16 rushing yards and two touchdowns for 19.3 fantasy points.

Lawrence should be viewed as a top-12 option at the quarterback position that can be the QB1 overall for the week on any given day. He will likely be a hot commodity, so managers should be aggressive with any FAAB bids.

Tyler Shough (NO) – 11% Rostered

The 26-year-old rookie quarterback has gotten it done over his last four games. He is averaging 18.9 fantasy points over his last four games, which includes two road contests. In Week 16 against the Jets he was 32 of 49 for 308 passing yards and one touchdown. Shough only had eight rushing yards against the Jets, which is the first time he has had less than 18 yards rushing since Week 10.

Next up on the schedule is a matchup that Shough can handle: the Titans. Tennessee is allowing 18.6 PPG to opposing signal-callers this season. With all these factors considered, managers should view Shough as a top-18 option with minor upside in Week 17. Shough is a great contingency plan if you miss out on Trevor Lawrence.

Low-End Streaming Options at Quarterback

1. Marcus Mariota (WAS) vs Dallas Cowboys
2. Sam Darnold (SEA) @ Carolina Panthers

 

 

RUNNING BACKS

 

Blake Corum (LAR) – 30% Rostered

Fourteen carries for 48 yards and one touchdown against the Seahawks was enough for 13.1 PPR points. He has scored 13 or more PPR points and found the endzone in four consecutive games.

His next game will be against the Atlanta Falcons, who are allowing 22.8 PPR points per game to opposing running backs. That is a middling amount compared to their NFL peers.

He can be started as an RB2 or flex option that can finish as a top-12 running back on any given week. The downside is that Kyren Williams eats into his floor and typically caps his upside as well. Both can eat, and that has been the case for multiple weeks in a row.

Michael Carter (ARI) – 38% Rostered

While Carter performed well in his limited run against the Falcons, his team fell behind and it created a negative game script for the running back. He had 5.91 yards per carry and finished with 11 carries for 65 yards. He did receive two targets as well. His 6.5 PPR points left a chunk of managers disappointed, but they can go back to the well for Carter in Week 17.

His next game will be against the Cincinnati Bengals. They are easily the worst team at defending running backs for fantasy purposes. They have allowed 32.0 PPR points to the position, and that is the most allowed in the NFL. Carter will be a flex consideration in Week 17.

Dylan Sampson (CLE) – 7% | Raheim Sanders (CLE)– 0% | Trayveon Williams (CLE) – 0%

Starting back Quinshon Judkins (CLE) seems to be done for the season, and it opens the door to multiple players potentially being utilized. Who you should pick is very difficult to project this early into Week 17.

Sampson is the most preferred of this group. He has been higher on the depth chart than Raheim Sanders (CLE) and Trayveon Williams (CLE) all season. In the first game of 2025, we saw the coaching staff lean on Sampson as the featured back, which was due to injuries at his position. The problem with Sampson is that he has not practiced in two weeks, which puts Week 17 in doubt.

If Sampson is out, then Sanders is likely the next best running back. He handled the rushing work and had 11 carries for 41 yards while adding one catch for four yards. With Sanders getting the most work on the ground, he can presumably be viewed as the goal-line back as well.

Williams will produce his maximum value in PPR leagues. He outperformed Williams with 9.5 PPR points in Week 16, too. This was on the back of seven touches for 55 total yards. With Sampson out, Williams will seemingly operate within the third-down and passing-down role. With how much the Browns have been trailing this season, perhaps he is the best of the two in full PPR leagues.

You should not risk playing Sanders or Williams if Dylan Sampson back and healthy in Week 17. If Sampson is out, both Sanders and Williams can be viewed as speculative flex options. If Sampson is in, he will be an intriguing plug-and-play flex option.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS) – 30% Rostered

Fifteen carries for 63 yards and one touchdown is probably the best stat line that you will get from Rodriguez in his current role. He is the top running back of this committee to utilize if you find yourself in a pinch. He has 10 or more touches in each of his last four games played.

Next will be the infamously bad Dallas Cowboys defense. They allow 25.5 PPR points per game to fantasy running backs this season, and that ranks seventh most in the NFL. Rodriguez should be viewed as a last-man-in option for 12-team leagues or deeper.

Jawhar Jordan (HOU) – 4% Rostered

Jordan likely falls off the fantasy radar with the expected return of fellow running back Woody Marks (HOU). If Marks misses again, which seems unlikely, Jordan would be the back to play for Houston. Jordan had 15 carries for 53 yards on the ground and added five catches for 17 yards as a receiver for 12.0 PPR points. Nick Chubb (HOU), the other backup running back, only had six carries for 33 rushing yards.

In the event Marks misses, he is a low-end flex that should be reserved for managers in two-flex leagues or deep leagues.

Running Backs with Low-End FLEX Potential

1. Blake Corum (LAR) – 30% Rostered
2. Michael Carter (ARI) – 38% Rostered
3. Dylan Sampson (CLE) – 7% Rostered
4. Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS) – 30% Rostered
5. Raheim Sanders (CLE) – 0%Rostered**
6. Audric Estime (NO) – 13 % Rostered
7. Tyjae Spears (TEN) – 31% Rostered
8. Tyler Allgeier (ATL) – 32% Rostered
9. Samaje Perine (CIN) – 6% Rostered
10. Devin Singletary (NYG) – 30% Rostered
11. Emmanuel Wilson (GB) – 36% Rostered
12. Isaiah Davis (NYJ) – 3% Rostered
13. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) – 48% Rostered
14. Jawhar Jordan (HOU) – 4% Rostered**
15. Trayveon Williams (CLE) – 0% Rostered**
16. Sean Tucker (TB) – 18% Rostered
17. Ameer Abdullah (IND) – 0% Rostered

 

** Indicates usage is injury-dependent

Stash Only Running Backs

1. Brian Robinson Jr. (SF) – 22% Rostered
2. Emmanuel Wilson (GB) – 36% Rostered
3. Bhayshul Tuten (JAC) – 21% Rostered
4. Tank Bigsby (PHI) – 18% Rostered

 

** Indicates usage is injury-dependent

 

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

 

Parker Washington (JAX) – 13% Rostered

Six catches for 145 yards and one touchdown against a very difficult Denver defense, Washington ended his day with 26.5 PPR points. This was easily Washington’s best game of the season and with how well his quarterback is playing, managers can lean on him for potential value in championship week.

Washington will be taking on the Colts in Week 17, the first time this season that Washington will do so. He missed their first meeting due to injury, but these Jacksonville pass-catchers should be able to do what they want against the Colts. They allow 37.9 PPR points per game, which ranks as the 12th-most in the NFL.

Washington is the most intriguing option that is widely available on the waiver wire this week. If you need him, downside exists, but don’t be shy with your FAAB bids towards Washington. He is in a tier above compared to the rest of the waiver receivers.

Mack Hollins (NE) – 4% Rostered

The Hollins experiment continues in New England and he seems to be the go-to option or the second option for the Pats, depending on the game. Either way, Hollins is carrying value lately as he has target counts of eight and nine over his last two games. He has turned those targets into 11 catches for 110 yards. His 13.9 PPR points against the Ravens was his first time reaching double-digits since Week 11 – that should not scare you away because the last two weeks of his usage has been more promising and consistent.

The game he has next should only make you more confident to plug him in as a manager. He faces the New York Jets and they look lost on defense. While they only allow 30.6 PPR points to opposing receivers, around league average, they just allowed Chris Olave (NO) to post 36.8 PPR points behind 10 catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns – the best fantasy game of his career by far.

Start Hollins up in PPR formats in Week 17. He should be viewed as a flex option that can finish in the high-end WR3 range and carries a small potential of hitting his ceiling.

Luther Burden (CHI) – 14% Rostered

Burden did not practice at all leading into Week 16, which puts his Week 17 game against the 49ers in doubt. Additionally, his fantasy relevance hinges on whether Rome Odunze (CHI) plays or not. With the Bears having clinched their playoff berth, it is very possible Odunze gets extra rest. Odunze failed to practice leading up to Week 16, like Burden.¹

If Odunze misses, and Burden is available, Burden is a flex consideration for managers. In Weeks 14 and 15 where Odunze missed, Burden was able to see 13 targets, 10 catches and 151 scoreless receiving yards. There are much worse options on waivers if Burden is healthy again, and the 49ers allow a middling 33.0 PPR points this season to fantasy receivers. If Odunze plays, Burden can still be utilized but he becomes much more volatile.

Olamide Zaccheaus (CHI) – 2% Rostered

Like Burden above, Zaccheaus needs his teammate Rome Odunze (CHI) to miss the game to be relevant – even better if Luther Burden (CHI) misses too. The duo both missed in Week 16 and Zaccheaus posted a disappointing two catches for 33 yards for 5.3 PPR points. The wind was a very big factor, and did affect both teams’ offenses.

Zaccheaus may have a solid opportunity in front of him against the 49ers if both Odunze and Burden miss, which is possible since both did not practice in any capacity last week. The 49ers have taken care of business well enough against opposing pass-catchers and they allow 33.0 PPR points to the position this season. This average ranks right in the middle amongst all NFL teams.

If Burden and Odunze both miss, Zaccheaus is a good bet at your flex position. If only one of these players miss, Zaccheaus does carry some fantasy value but it is much less appealing. Finally, if both play, Zaccheaus falls off the fantasy radar.

Jalen Coker (CAR) – 12% Rostered

Coker hit a wave of regression in Week 16 against the Buccaneers. He finished with three catches for 47 yards, which was 7.7 PPR points – the first time he has finished below the double-digit mark since Week 12. Coker will continue to operate in his role as the slot specialist, which seemingly makes him the WR2 for the Panthers.

The Seahawks will be headed to Carolina to take on the Panthers in Week 17. Coker will have to grind through this one because Seattle allows 29.3 PPR points to opposing receivers per game, the 12th-lowest average in the NFL. Consider Coker an unexciting flex start that should only be considered in PPR formats.

Adonai Mitchell (NYJ) – 33% Rostered

Mitchell has seen a steady rate of targets since the injury to the Jets’ best wide receiver. Over the last five games, Mitchell has averaged eight targets per game. The problem is that he is not connected to a quarterback who can consistently get him the ball. In those games you can see consistent volatility within his box score: 6.2, 24.2, 3.4, 17.4 and 7.3 PPR points respectively.

The Patriots traveling to New York will be Mitchell’s next game. Mitchell struggled with hanging onto the football the last time he played the Patriots. He finished with one reception for 10 yards on six targets that game. Mitchell should be treated as someone who will either barely get to his fantasy floor or smash through his ceiling. Not a good recipe in championship week.

Chimere Dike (TEN) – 20% Rostered

Dike is tied to an offense that has been bad all season but has played better of late. This has created a boom-or-bust pattern for Dike, which should not surprise you. Since Week 11, his box score in PPR formats reads: 3.4, 21.4, -0.1, 13.4, 5.0 and 13.0, respectively. Against the Chiefs in Week 16, Dike was able to catch three passes for 40 yards and hauled in one touchdown as well.

His next game will be against the Saints, and it will be hard for Dike to break the pattern of feast-or-famine. The Saints allow 27.5 PPR points per game this season, which is an elite number, the fifth-lowest clip in the NFL. It helps that this game is at home for the Titans but consider Dike a last-resort flex option.

Ryan Flournoy (DAL) – 4% Rostered

The Cowboys have seen their tight end position struggle in their role, and that has opened the door for Flournoy to take on more volume as the WR3. While his Week 14 usage was injury-based – a week he had nine catches for 115 yards and one touchdown against the Lions – his increased usage has continued in Week 15 and 16.

During his most recent game against the Chargers, a game he left in the second quarter due to a knee injury, he had two catches for 18 yards and one touchdown. He had his second touchdown of the day called back on a holding penalty. The bottom line: Flournoy was being heavily targeted in Week 16 before his injury and his role carries bullish sentiment, other than his janky knee.

Watch the injury report throughout the week and if Flournoy is confident enough to play against the Commanders, he should be viewed as a speculative flex option. The Commanders allow 36.0 PPR points per game to opposing receivers, the fifth-most points this season. Flournoy likely finishes in the WR3/WR4 range, but carries small upside in this matchup.

 

 

TIGHT ENDS

 

Taysom Hill (NO) – 1% Rostered

With multiple injuries, Hill has been called upon to do more, which puts him into the mix for fantasy. Against the Jets he stuffed the box score with rushes, catches and even a pass attempt. He finished with 12 carries for 42 yards with one lost fumble as a runner. Hill added four catches for 36 yards on six targets. And as a passer, he completed his only pass for 38 yards and a touchdown. All this combined for 15.3 PPR points.

With Hill showing this level of usage and versatility, he is going to be an interesting option in Week 17 against an unimpressive Titans defense. That game should play right into Hill’s strengths: a slow and grindy game with points hard to come by.

Hill is only trustworthy in the situation that Alvin Kamara (NO) misses. Kamara has not practiced in multiple weeks, and with how uncompetitive this season is for the Saints, it would not shock anyone to see Kamara shutdown for the year. Keep an eye on the injury report if you want to play Hill. If Kamara is out, Hill can be viewed as a top-14 option at the position, with some upside.

Brenton Strange (JAC) – 28% Rostered

This Jacksonville offense has a lot of mouths to feed, but Strange seems to stay in the rotation for touches. In Week 16 against the Broncos, Strange had seven targets and turned them into five catches for 39 yards and one touchdown. His 14.9 PPR points is a single-game high as well.

He will travel to take on the Colts, and Indianapolis is allowing 15.3 PPR points to opposing tight ends prior to Monday Night Football. This ranks as the eighth-most in the NFL. Strange was held to just three catches for 27 scoreless yards back in Week 14 when these two teams last met.

Strange is a top-12 option at his position this week. Like many tight ends, his floor is very low, but it’s hard to ignore how good this Jacksonville offense has been of late.

Colby Parkinson (LAR) – 31% Rostered

Parkinson has been trending in the right way for fantasy in Weeks 14 and 15.¹ Then in Week 16, he fell into an awesome opportunity with Davante Adams (LAR) being inactive. Unfortunately, this only amounted to two catches for 21 yards, a far cry from the 12.2 and 24.5 PPR performances seen in the previous two weeks.² Despite that, Parkinson is still a solid waiver tight end to utilize.

Adams will likely be absent again in Week 17, and that makes Parkinson very attractive once again.³ Adams was the main red zone target for this offense. Parkinson has also been a heavily used weapon in the red zone, beginning in Week 10. Since then, he has scored a touchdown in five of his last seven contests.⁴ Touchdowns are typically the stat to chase for tight ends as well.

His next game will be against the Falcons. The Falcons have been very good against fantasy tight ends this season. They have suppressed fantasy points to the tune of 9.0 PPR points per game, highlighted by allowing a league-low two touchdowns to tight ends.

Parkinson has his work cut out for him, but his opportunity may be greater than the tough matchup he faces. Consider Parkinson a top-18 tight end in Week 17, whether Adams misses or not.

Colston Loveland (CHI) – 45% Rostered

Loveland had a quiet three catches for 30 yards against the Packers in Week 16. Expectations were high for the young rookie, and that was because several starting receivers, Rome Odunze (CHI) and Luther Burden (CHI), were unavailable due to injuries. Mother Nature had a different idea too, though. The winds from this game limited the passing volume for both teams.

In Week 17, Loveland can still be a very intriguing option for fantasy managers. Both Bears’ receivers who missed last week failed to practice in any capacity, which puts doubt on their availability against the 49ers this week. If one — or both — miss, Loveland is a quality top-16 candidate at his position. If both suit up, he is a top-24 option that will likely carry more volatility.

Hope for injury misses if you are going to be relying on Loveland. Since Week 10, he has averaged 9.5 PPR points, which ranks as the 16th-best average at his position. The 49ers allow 15.1 PPR points to opposing tight ends per game, an unimpressive clip.

 

 

DEFENSES TO STREAM

1. Saints D/ST @ Tennessee Titans
2. Giants D/ST @ Las Vegas Raiders
3. Raiders D/ST vs New York Giants
4. Buccaneers D/ST @ Miami Dolphins