Week 17 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Deep Sleepers to Grab on Waiver Wire
Week 17 is already underway, which means that many fantasy football managers are already into their championship matchups.
While managers don't have to worry about bye weeks at this point in the year, injuries can still lead to a lot of uncertainty. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, for example, suffered a concussion last Sunday and isn't guaranteed to return or be at 100 percent in Week 17.
It's never too late to bolster a championship roster via the waiver wire, and there are some enticing options who should still be available late in the week. You'll find a look at some top picks and updated point-per-reception (PPR) flex rankings for the remaining Week 17 schedule here.
Week 17 PPR Flex Rankings
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- Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
- Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
- Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
- Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
- Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
- Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
- Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
- De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
- Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
- Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
- Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
- Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
- Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
- Davante Adams, WR, New York Jets
- Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings
- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
- Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
- Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
- James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
- Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
- Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
- Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
- Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
- Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
- Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
- George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
- Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
- D.J. Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
- Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers
- Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
- Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
- Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
- Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
- Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
*Rankings based on matchup, projected role and PPR scoring
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
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Managers who need a quarterback or simply want some added insurance should consider Carolina Panthers signal-caller Bryce Young this week.
Young has been a quality starter since returning to Carolina's starting lineup, though an underwhelming supporting cast has limited his fantasy ceiling. That said, the second-year quarterback is coming off of a stellar performance.
The Alabama produced tossed a pair of touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16 and added 68 rushing yards and a rushing score. This week, he'll be up against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Young hasn't regularly racked up passing yards—he had just 158 last Sunday—but even boom-or-bust options are worth considering in a favorable matchup. Young is still available in over 90 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues. Other quarterbacks to consider on the waiver wire include:
- Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
- Mason Rudolph, Tennessee Titans
- Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
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Managers usually won't find a starting running back this late in the season, but a Las Vegas Raiders injury may have provided one. Sincere McCormick was starting to assert himself as the Raiders starter but was recently placed on injured reserve.
Las Vegas is now utilizing the duo of Ameer Abdullah and Alexander Mattison, but Mattison saw the bulk of the work in Week 16. He tallied five more carries than Abdullah and finished with four receptions, 56 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
Mattison is far from a "safe" play in Week 17, but he does have a favorable matchup. The New Orleans Saints have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024.
Las Vegas may also do its fair share of rushing in Week 17. The Saints offense was injury-depleted and inefficient against the Green Bay Packers on Monday, which led to a big discrepancy in time of possession (nearly 15 minutes) and a lot of Packers carries (39).
Mattison could be a high-volume back this week, and he's still available in roughly 50 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
Other RBs to consider include:
- Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
- Patrick Taylor Jr., San Francisco 49ers
- Audric Estimé, Denver Broncos
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Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Rookie receiver Jalen McMillan has started to establish himself in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense. He hasn't quite replaced the injured Chris Godwin as a regular go-to target, but he is earning the trust of quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The rookie has seen at least six targets in each of his last three games and is coming off a five-catch, 57-yard, one-touchdown outing against the Dallas Cowboys.
There is some risk in starting McMillan this week, however. Tampa may look to lean on Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and its explosive ground attack. That would limit the opportunities for McMillan, who caught just two passes for 25 yards the first time he faced the Carolina Panthers.
It's a high-upside gamble, though, because if McMillan does see a high volume of targets, he could shine. The Panthers rank 25th in net yards per pass attempt allowed.
McMillan is still available in over 50 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues. Other WRs to consider include:
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans
- Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
- Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
*Fantasy roster and scoring information via FantasyPros
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