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

While preparing your fantasy football lineup for the last time this season, you're probably listening to "Lose Yourself" by Eminem right now.

The palms are sweaty, knees are weak and the arms are probably, in fact, heavy. Hopefully there's no vomit on your sweater already because of mom's spaghetti. Because this is fantasy football, and you're supposed to have fun. But if you are really that nervous, that's why this is supposed to help you.      

There's still plenty of time to get that one player who can make the difference for your team, whether it be to end the season on a high note or to charge for that championship prize. The waiver wire is always full of surprises, even if Christmas just ended.

Here are your Week 17 waiver-wire targets who should be on your radar.

Player	Team	Opponent	Percent Owned
Quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick	New York Jets	Buffalo	52.2 percent
Brandon Weeden	Houston Texans	Jacksonville	1 percent
Running Back
Karlos Williams	Buffalo Bills	New York Jets	77 percent
Bilal Powell	New York Jets	Buffalo	40.2 percent
Wide Receiver
Markus Wheaton	Pittsburgh Steelers	Cleveland	40.8 percent
Chris Matthews	Baltimore Ravens	Cincinnati	0.1 percent
Tight End
Zach Ertz	Philadelphia Eagles	New York Giants	57.3 percent
Eric Ebron	Detroit Lions	Chicago	25.2 percent

Players to Watch

Brandon Weeden, QB, Houston Texans

Now, I know what you're thinking. To ever think Brandon Weeden is a good fantasy play is like saying Brussels sprouts actually taste good.

But the Houston Texans have yet to clinch the AFC South. They'll need one more win or an Indianapolis Colts loss to make that happen. Somehow, probably by divine intervention, the Texans have played well with Weeden as their quarterback.

Keep in mind: This is the same guy who couldn't even win a game for the Dallas Cowboys and is about to win a division title in Houston. Weeden threw for 200 yards, two touchdowns and even ran for one in the win against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. 

NFL.com senior fantasy analyst Michael Fabiano also believes Weeden is a worthy starter in fantasy this late in the year:

Weeden will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season finale, and if he can put together the type of performance Brian Hoyer had on Oct. 18, he should play great. Hoyer was 24-of-36 for 293 yards and three touchdowns. Ten of those completions went to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

All the 32-year-old needs to do is find Hopkins and not turn the ball over. Do those two things, and Weeden will have a big day and propel the Texans to a division title.

Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets

Chris Ivory was held to three fantasy points in ESPN leagues for the second straight week, but the Jets have fortunately found someone to pick up the slack in Bilal Powell.

More utilized as a receiving tailback, Powell had three straight weeks of double-digit fantasy days before Sunday's eight-point effort against the New England Patriots. Powell had seven carries for 56 yards against New England, his best numbers since Week 1, and has caught 25 passes in the last four weeks.

There was a stretch where Powell had one point or fewer in ESPN leagues for six straight weeks. He's taking full advantage of his opportunities, and Fox Sports' Jason McIntyre has noticed how big of a factor he's been:

If Ivory's struggles continue, Powell could be the main threat in the backfield for the Jets. Facing the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, he might due for a big game because of his versatility.

Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

This may look like bad timing, seeing how Markus Wheaton only caught three passes for 41 yards in Pittsburgh's unthinkable 20-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

The Steelers lost any miraculous hope of snagging the AFC North and are also on the outside looking in on the AFC playoff picture. Next Sunday, Pittsburgh faces the Cleveland Browns. Despite allowing only 122 passing yards to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Browns still lost Sunday.

Pittsburgh understands it needs to win in order to have a chance to get into the playoffs. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger usually plays at his best in these situations. It was only five weeks ago that Wheaton had over 200 yards against the Seattle Seahawks, and he also had a touchdown against the Denver Broncos last week.

The high-octane Steelers offense surely won't let another offensive performance like this happen again. Wheaton may be in line for a 100-yard day against the Browns just based off frustration alone.