Week 17 Waiver Wire: Breakout Pickups, Targets and Tips for Fantasy Football

Whether merely playing out the stretch in your league or competing in the playoffs, fantasy managers are still looking for value pickups available on the all-important waiver wire.

The play of a given quarterback or the receptions of a wide receiver can be the difference between a victory and defeat in any given week.

Week 17 is no different.

In preparation for the penultimate week in the NFL regular season, these are three stars to target on the waiver wire, including a breakout star enjoying the greatest run of his year.

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All stats from FantasyPros unless otherwise stated.

Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 21, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Derek Carr's first season in New Orleans has been inconsistent, to say the least, but he has had a string of big games late in the season, including a three-touchdown, 319-yard performance against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.

Carr has had three straight double-digit fantasy performances, including two consecutive 20-plus-point showings.

In Week 17, he faces a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks with 19.1 per game.

Carr had the worst game of his season against the Bucs in their first showdown back in Week 4, but he has become more comfortable in his new system and over the last two weeks, looks like the difference-maker many thought he could be for the Saints.

With the NFC South up for grabs, and against a hated rival, Carr can establish himself as the long-term starter in New Orleans and a quarterback worth drafting early next season with a strong performance against a defense that will allow him to showcase his ability if he can muster it.

Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders

Harry How/Getty Images

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 17: Curtis Samuel #4 of the Washington Commanders reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Do not let Curtis Samuel's one-catch, 16-yard performance in Week 16 against a solid Jets secondary fool you: he has been an underrated fantasy play for weeks now and should be on your radar when looking for potential waiver wire targets.

Samuel has five double-digit performances in standard leagues this season and seven double-digit performances in PPR leagues.

In Week 17, he faces a San Francisco 49ers defense that may be very good up front but has been a bit more suspect against opposing wide receivers, ranking 16th against opposing wideouts.

He will have opportunities to contribute if the Commanders find themselves down early and have to start slinging the ball around the field.

Demarcus Robinson, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Inglewood, CA - December 21: Fans rally as Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, #15, celebrates his second quarter touchdown catch over the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Demarcus Robinson enters Week 17 on the heels of four consecutive, double-digit fantasy days. He has scored a touchdown in every one of those games, has been targeted five or more times in three of those games, and has supplanted Tutu Atwell as the No. 3 option in the Rams prolific offense.

Against the New York Giants and a defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, Robinson should be able to continue his run as one of the legitimate difference-makers for the Rams.

Robinson is not likely to see the targets that Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua do, but he has made the most of his and against a bad secondary, should have shots at extending his streak to five games with scores.