The majority of fantasy football leagues come to an end this week. It has been a long and grueling process to the point, and most of us have been left with disappointment with championship week upon us.
However, there are still plenty of vital matchups taking place, and the waiver wire should be a busy marketplace in Week 17 after the events that unfolded on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Before we get to it, I’d like to thank you for sticking with us all season. We wouldn’t be here without the readers, and even though the suggestions haven’t always worked out, we’re appreciative of the time you’ve spent with us this season.
We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!
Because it’s Week 17, there is no need for stashing players so we’ll only look at the top streaming options for the upcoming week along with the top waiver adds.
Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.
Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.
Priority Free Agents
1. RB Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings
After a tough matchup, Chandler is still the top addition off the waiver wire if he’s available. He draws a great matchup against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 and has RB2 value even with Alexander Mattison relegated to backup status.
Availability: 31%
FAAB: 90-100%
2. RB Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
The rookie has seen at least 15 opportunities and reached double-digit PPR points in three of his last four games. He also has at least four receptions in three of those games, providing a nice floor as a flex option.
Availability: 55%
FAAB: 80-90%
3. TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Likely is probably already rostered, and they play Monday night, so that will be something to monitor. But he’s a TE1 option for managers who need stability at the position for the final week.
Availability: 34%
FAAB: 80-90%
4. WR Demario Douglas, New England Patriots
Douglas enjoyed a strong 26% target share during the upset win over the Denver Broncos. Some of that had to do with the absence of Hunter Henry, but he should be plenty involved against the Buffalo Bills in Week 17, making him a flex option in PPR formats.
Availability: 79%
FAAB: 60-70%
5. RB Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears
With D’Onta Foreman (personal) inactive, the stage was set for one Bears running back to torch the Arizona Cardinals. That happened to be Herbert, who posted 19.1 PPR points on the back of a 20-112-1 rushing line. His matchup is tough in Week 17, and it isn’t clear whether Foreman will be back, but Herbert is worthy of a speculative add.
Availability: 55%
FAAB: 60-70%
6. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
With Jerick McKinnon (groin) on the Reserve/Injured list, CEH becomes the backup to Isiah Pacheco. They play Monday, so it will be vital to watch how the split is made, but CEH may have some flex value in Week 17.
Availability: 65%
FAAB: 60%
7. RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders
The rookie running back led the Commanders backfield with a 10-58-2 rushing line against the New York Jets last week. It isn’t clear whether Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) will return, and Rodriguez is seemingly dealing with a foot injury of his own. We’ll update his spot when we get more information, but he’s someone to monitor before waivers run this week.
Availability: 97%
FAAB: 60%
8. WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
Doubs benefited from the absences of Jayden Reed (toe), Christian Watson (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest), the latter of which left the game early in Week 16. Doubs only saw five targets but did post a 4-79-1 line in a win. If he’s the only pass-catcher available, it could give him flex value in Week 17.
Availability: 43%
FAAB: 50%
9. WR Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams
Averaging 16.0 PPR points per game over his last four, Robinson has quietly been a fantastic option for fantasy. The issue has been trusting that production to stay consistent. Scoring a touchdown in each of those four games boosts production, and regression is likely to hit. But the Rams get the New York Giants in Week 17, making Robinson an intriguing sleeper.
Availability: 90%
FAAB: 40%
10. WR Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers
Palmer returned to his normal snap count and usage last week in the loss against the Buffalo Bills. He should be the leader in targets assuming Keenan Allen (heel) doesn’t play in Week 17, making him a WR3/flex option.
Availability: 54%
FAAB: 40%
11. RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
The second-year back continues to see a modest workload behind starter Bijan Robinson, and he was able to rip off a 31-yard touchdown last week. He’s a risky play, but there are worse options to lean on for teams in need of running back help.
Availability: 53%
FAAB: 40%
Streamers of the Week
QB Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets: The matchup isn’t great, but Flacco has been on a heater with at least 311 passing yards in each of his last three games.
Availability: 67%
QB Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Coming off arguably his best game of the season, Carr has three touchdown passes in each of his last two games and multiple touchdown passes in each of his last three.
Availability: 61%
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans: After posting a 6-63-1 line last week, Chig draws a fantastic matchup against Houston. He has at least six targets in three of his last four games.
Availability: 68%
TE Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings: With four receptions in each of his last three and six targets in three of his last four, Kraft is a strong option as a streamer despite a tough matchup.
Availability: 81%
Los Angeles Rams D/ST at New York Giants: The Giants have allowed the highest pressure rate and a whopping 76 sacks entering Monday, the most allowed by a team since 2002.
Availability: 80%
Atlanta Falcons D/ST at Chicago Bears: The Falcons have allowed 15 or fewer points in four of their last five games, while the Bears still rank among offenses in pressure rate allowed.
Availability: 67%
PK Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans: Fairbairn will be kicking inside against a Titans team allowing the most fantasy points per game, field goals made and field goals attempted this season. And C.J. Stroud could be back.
Availability: 97%
PK Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts: Carlson will be kicking inside against a Colts team allowing the second-most fantasy points per game and field-goal attempts this season.
Availability: 62%
