Week 17: NFL Waiver Wire Pickups | Fantasy Football Player Rankings

Let's face it, this is the last week of the fantasy football season and if you're going to do a waiver wire pickup and use that player, you're definitely rolling the dice. This week there is not a great pickup, like Jerome Harrison, to pass on to fantasy owners, but there are a few players to take a shot with to help you win a championship.

Below we have the top players you might want to pay attention to, for waiver wire pickups. Since this is the final waiver wire article of the season, we at fantasy-info.com want to wish you a healthy and happy offseason, and we hope to hear from you next year.

Good luck in 2010.

Quarterbacks

Matt Moore (Panthers)

Unfortunately for Matt Moore, his top wide receiver Steve Smith broke his arm last week and is now done for the season. With that sad news, Moore's fantasy football value took a hit in what could have been a very good game against the Saints.

While Moore's matchup isn't as strong without Smith, I do believe he can have success for your fantasy team this week. Look for the Panthers to exploit the Saints shaky pass defense with a couple touchdown passes.

Josh Freeman (Buccaneers)

The Buccaneers have had a horrible season and haven't been the most fantasy friendly team to have players on. With that being said, rookie quarterback Josh Freeman has actually been impressive (outside of his game against the Jets) since taking over the starting job.

This team actually has a two-game winning streak going into this game and have a decent chance to produce passing yards against the Falcons shaky pass defense. While the Falcons did have a good game against the pass last week, I wouldn't let that stop you from picking this quarterback up.

Freeman has shown much more than Bills third string quarterback Brian Brohm (started against the Falcons last week) in his career, to date, and should produce over 200 yards passing and a couple of touchdowns.

Running Backs

Arian Foster (Texans)

One of the more frustrating teams in the NFL for fantasy football owners to trust have been the Texans. Steve Slaton's season (and maybe career) was flushed down the drain by fumbles and his head coach not understanding that he should just use his best talent, in spite of his shortcomings.

After Slaton fell out of favor, we've seen Chris Brown, Ryan Moats, and now Foster all fall in and out of favor with their head coach and fantasy owners.

Last week against the Dolphins, Foster frustrated fantasy owners as he carried the ball 19 times for 97 yards and one touchdown. True, this was a fine performance, but the week before he had a horrible game against the Rams and that was when fantasy owners had this young buck in their respective playoff lineups.

If you roll with Foster against the Patriots this weekend, just know that he is a major risk/reward player to have.

Shonn Greene (Jets)

The Jets seem content on finally using rookie Shonn Greene as a viable option to compliment Thomas Jones in the running game. This week the Jets play another team (Bengals) that will likely rest their starters for a portion of the game because they will have their playoff seed wrapped up by the time this Sunday Night game starts.

True, the Bengals could play for the No. 3 seed if the Patriots lose to the Texans, but I doubt that is going to happen.

Look for the Jets to pound their way to a victory with Jones and Greene this week as the Jets are bound to make the playoffs.

Sammy Morris (Patriots)

Patriots veteran running back Sammy Morris came back to life last week against the Jaguars with 95 yards rushing and a touchdown on only 12 carries. If Fred Taylor is inactive for this game, expect Morris to receive a decent work load as the Patriots should be running the football most of the second half in their contest against the Texans.

Wide Receivers

Muhsin Muhammad (Panthers)

This one may sound like a stretch but actuality Muhsin Muhammad may be the best waiver wire pickup any fantasy owner can find this week. With star receiver Steve Smith out after breaking his arm last week, Muhammad now becomes the main target in the Panthers' offense.

If Jake Delhomme was under center, I would probably tell you to forget about this receiver, even with Smith out, but Matt Moore is the one starting for the Panthers. Moore has turned this offense around and is showing that this offensive passing game does have life after all.

Look for Muhammad to have a solid game against the Saints shaky secondary.

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com.