Christmas is over, and from a fantasy perspective, that means the championship round is upon us. If Santa Claus put a victory under the Christmas tree for you over the holidays, then it’s now all or nothing. Sparkling wine or Seltas. The task for this week on the Waiver Wire is solely to find starters for the next week – stashes, bench spots and the like are irrelevant from now on. Any player that cannot help you and your opponent this week is droppable. Ideally, your team is fit and you don’t need a replacement. If you do, we’ll help you find the right starters with the latest installment of our 2022 NFL Fantasy Football Waiver Wire.
My overall pickup list:
1. Gardner Minshew
2. Tyler Allgeier
3. Jahan Dotson
Quarterback Waiver Wire Week 17
Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia Eagles, 8,7 % rostered
Minshew Mania is back, baby! In a tough matchup against the strong Cowboys defense, the most famous football schnauzer in the world put on a terrific performance, even his two interceptions were more the responsibility of wideout Quez Watkins than Minshew himself. The 26-year-old benefits from the best offensive line of the league and three top-notch playoffs in Devonta Smith, AJ Brown and Dallas Goedert. The Eagles will be careful with Jalen Hurts as they have the No. 1 seed in their pockets with a win in the next two games. So Minshew will probably start against the Saints and be a clear top 12 option.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers, 27,3 % rostered
The 49ers may already have the division in their pockets, but tight end George Kittle announced that they will do everything they can to win the last two games of the season. In Week 17 it’s first against the holey Raiders defense, which allows an average of 20.5 fantasy points from opposing quarterbacks. “Mr. Relevant” should once again give you a solid floor. Start Purdy with confidence when your starter is either injured (Hurts, Murray) or has a poor matchup (Jones, Smith).
Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos, 40,5 % rostered
Wilson after his disastrous season in the final game for the fantasy championship? Yes, I’m not a fan of it either, I have to admit honestly. But if you’re the Murray or Hurts manager and you’re playing in a competitive league, you may have no choice. And the matchup against the Chiefs is top notch, giving fourth most points to quarterback. Remember that Wilson had his best performance of the season in the first duel against KC – it could happen again in week 17.
Runningback Waiver Wire Week 17
James Cook, Buffalo Bills, 33,8 % rostered
I’ve fallen into the Cook trap a number of times this season, so there’s no way I’m saying the rookie is a must-start or anything like that. The Bills don’t usually run the ball as much as they do at the weekend and if they pass, Devin Singletary is the first option. But Cook is making the most of his chances and has a very good chance of getting into the end zone in a potential shootout with the Bengals. There are few backs with more upside on the waiver. As a bonus, if you’re still playing into Week 18, Cook has a top-notch matchup with the Patriots, dominating the first game of the season (20 touches, 105 yards).
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons, 17,3 % rostered
Allgeier continues to dominate the backfield in Atlanta, ending up with 22 touches for 117 yards against the Ravens. It’s pretty clear who the Atlanta coaches are looking at as lead back and that’s not Cordarelle Patterson. In an excellent matchup with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17, Allgeier has a league-winning upside. The Rookie is still rostered in far too few leagues and is one of my top picks for the Championship Round.
Royce Freeman, Houston Texans, 0,1 % rostered
Freeman was the Texans’ clear lead back for the second straight week this weekend, picking up 16 carries and one target in the passing game. The 26-year-old was only able to convert this usage into 39 yards, but that was also due to the Titans’ first-class run defense (ranked 2nd in the league). In Week 17, against the Jaguars’ solid but not outstanding running defense, Freeman should get more leeway. It is a flex option for all lower leagues from 12 or 14 teams.
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Week 17
Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders, 7,8 % rostered
Dotson looked like a potential steal earlier this season, but the rookie got injured and missed several games. The form curve of the 22-year-old has only been on the up again since week 13, but steeply. With six catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on nine targets (team-high), Dotson has now caught a touchdown in three straight games. A total of seven scores with only 50 targets over the season are on the rookie’s credit side. Dotson is a big play threat and therefore definitely not a must-start, but definitely a WR3 with a massive upside against the mediocre Browns defense.
Isaiah Hodgins, New York Giants, 0,3 % rostered
Both Hodgins and Richie James have given the Giants some stability in what is possibly their weakest position group on the roster, capitalizing on last week’s premier matchup against the Vikings. James has a yard more than Hodgins, but it was the 24-year-old who found the end zone for the third time in four weeks. Against the Colts’ solid pass defense, both are on the WR3 radar, I prefer Hodgins for his upside.
D.J. Chark, Detroit Lions, 19,9 % rostered
ESPN’s Mina Kimes reported last week that the Lions “sacrificed” Chark against the Jets in Week 15 against rookie-of-the-year nominee Sauce Gardner, explaining his only weak game last month. Last Sunday, Chark had more than 90 receiving yards (5 catches, 108 yards) for the third time in four games. The 26-year-old is the big-play weapon on an explosive offense and now faces a Bears defense that hasn’t been able to defend deep ball all year. Chark is an upside WR3 and belongs in more lineups than he’s likely to be in right now.
Tight End Waiver Wire Week 17
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets, 36,6 % rostered
CJ Uzomah has had a few big plays over the past few weeks, but Conklin is still playing more than 70 percent of the snaps and getting more targets. He’s the Jets tight end for your roster when Gang Green meets the Seahawks defense in Week 17, allowing the second most fantasy points from tight ends. Conklin is the best streaming target of the week.
Jordan Akins, Houston Texans, 0,3 % rostered
Akins has gotten at least five targets in three of his last four games, putting him on the streaming radar in the wasteland we fantasy gamers call “Tight End.” The matchup with the Jaguars defense is good, as the Jags allow the eighth most fantasy points through opposing tight ends.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots, 34,8 % rostered
Henry’s performances have been extremely up and down this year, but he’s still on the field for a lot of snaps. He certainly has upside when it comes to a Dolphins defense on Sunday, which is dropping the third most points to tight ends. In lower leagues you will hardly find better options on the waiver.
Defense Watch – Week 17:
New York Giants vs. Indianapolis Colts, 5,0 % rostered
The Giants showed they can capitalize on good matchups with 17 fantasy points against the Commanders in Week 17. Now it’s up against Nick Foles and the Colts, the best matchup for opposing defenses from a fantasy perspective. Giddy up.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams, 38,6 % rostered
As in the previous week, the Chargers are an excellent play against Baker Mayfield and the Rams. Yes, they just played 40+ points against Denver, but the Chargers defense is motivated and Baker will come back to earth.
Note: All ownership numbers refer to official fantasy leagues at fantasy.nfl.com!