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Andy breaks down his must add fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season. Add these players now off the waiver wire and win more.
RotoBaller drops our top 2025 fantasy football Week 17 waiver wire pickups for RB, WR, TE, and QB. This week, we will spotlight four must-add running backs, a sneaky WR coming off a strong performance, a TE who is set up for a big game, and a top quarterback who is looking like a lineup lock in the fantasy finals.
This week's must-add fantasy football free agents are hand-picked to ensure you make the right picks to prepare you for the fantasy football championship. These are waiver wire winners heading into Week 17 for running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and quarterbacks. Win more in 2025 with RotoBaller!
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2025 Fantasy Football: Week 17 Waiver Wire Adds
Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Michael Carter took over RB1 duties last weekend following Bam Knight's ankle injury. In Week 15, Carter enjoyed some success, totaling 56 yards on 14 carries and bringing in all four of his targets for another 38 yards. However, with a workhorse role in Week 16, Carter fell short of expectations, totaling just 6.5 PPR points.
All of his points came on the ground as he was unable to bring in both of his targets. Despite the quiet showing, Carter still logged over 50% of the team's snaps and should remain a high-floor RB2 in the fantasy championship, facing a weak Cincinnati defense that is allowing the most PPR fantasy points to opposing RBs.
Michael Carter Can Be a Solid Streamer https://t.co/LYxmBOp9et
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 22, 2025
Emanuel Wilson, RB, Green Bay Packers
Even though Emanuel Wilson did not get the starting nod as Josh Jacobs (knee) was able to suit up, Wilson still turned in an impressive showing on Saturday night. During the team's loss to the Bears, Wilson led the rushing attack, tallying 82 yards on 14 carries, while Jacobs took just 12 carries for a mere 36 yards.
Given Jacobs' lingering knee injury and his limited role on Saturday, Wilson could be given a prominent role once again. When he was the lead back in Week 12, Wilson totaled an impressive 24.5 PPR points. He could have high-end RB2 upside in the event Jacobs can't suit up to face the Ravens in Week 17.
Emanuel Wilson Could Be Key to Winning Week 17 https://t.co/t66s8AnfJg
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 22, 2025
Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Despite operating as the No. 2 option in his own backfield, Corum has produced high-end FLEX value during the entire second half. In Thursday night's loss to the Seahawks, Corum punched in a touchdown for the fourth straight game and finished the contest with 12.1 PPR fantasy points. During this four-game stretch, the second-year back has averaged 16.6 PPR points and has been highly efficient, posting a remarkable 7.5 yards per carry.
In Week 17, the Rams could see a very positive game script facing a middle-of-the-road Atlanta Falcons team. If the Rams take care of business in the first half, expect a heavy dose of Corum in the second half as they look to run out the clock.
Blake Corum: Must-Roster Running Back Heading into Week 17 https://t.co/r3B5F8EtbU
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 22, 2025
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
Following his one-game absence in Week 15 due to a groin injury, Rodriguez needed little time to reclaim the Commanders' backfield. While rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt appeared to have made a case in Week 15, Rodriguez took the lead role on Saturday, logging 55% of the snaps.
In Washington's loss to the Eagles, Rodriguez took 15 carries for 63 yards and a score. Since Week 6, Rodriguez has averaged 9.8 PPR points per game and punched in four rushing scores. Over his last three games, he has eclipsed the double-digit mark in all but one. With a smash matchup against the Cowboys, who have allowed the eighth-most PPR points to opposing RBs, Rodriguez is a high-end FLEX option in standard formats.
Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Parker Washington appeared to be carrying out a role in the Jacksonville passing attack earlier this season, but suffered a hip injury back in Week 13, which stalled his momentum. However, after a quiet return in Week 15, Washington quickly regained his footing on Sunday, leading the Jaguars' passing attack. Facing a tough Denver secondary, Washington caught six of his 10 targets for 145 yards and a score.
Since Week 9, Washington has drawn at least seven targets in four out of seven games and has averaged 62.6 yards per game during this stretch. Even though the Jacksonville WR room is crowded, Washington has FLEX appeal in deeper leagues, facing a struggling Indianapolis secondary.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Managers needing a plug-and-play tight end should look to pick up Jacksonville's Brenton Strange. Following his stint on injured reserve, Strange has picked up right where he left off earlier in the season and continues to maintain a high target share. Since Week 12, Strange has seen five targets in all but two games and is coming off a seven-target game in Week 16, which matched a season-high.
Strange has also been a force in the red zone, catching his second TD reception of the season on Sunday. Over this noted five-game stretch, Strange has seen five targets within the 20-yard line and even one within the 10-yard line. While his overall ceiling may be limited, his target share should provide him with a safe floor as a low-end TE1.
He carries top-12 upside facing a Colts secondary that is allowing the 11th-most PPR fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The final player we will spotlight this week is our must-add QB of the week. Despite facing a potent Denver secondary, Trevor Lawrence continued his hot streak and is emerging as a must-start high-end QB1 in the fantasy championship. Facing the Broncos, Lawrence led the Jaguars to a critical victory as he went 23-for-26 with 279 yards and three passing scores. On the ground, he took six carries for 20 yards and another touchdown.
Since Week 12, Lawrence has averaged an elite 30.6 PPR points per game and totaled 17 TDs (15 passing) with just three interceptions. He is a must-start QB facing a weak Colts defense that just surrendered five passing scores to Brock Purdy on Monday night.
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Blake Corum, Michael Carter, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Emanuel Wilson, Parker Washington, Brenton Strange, Trevor Lawrence. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pick up... all free! Make the right decisions.
2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Blake Corum, Michael Carter, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Emanuel Wilson, Parker Washington, Brenton Strange, Trevor Lawrence. These are some common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy football rankings, projections, and more.
Recent Improvements For Who Should I Pickup? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Pickup? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win on the waiver wire in 2025. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, stats, projections, strength of schedule, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.
Popular Waiver Wire Searches. Curious to see some tough waiver wire decisions for 2025? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Pickup? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Blake Corum, Michael Carter, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Emanuel Wilson, Parker Washington, Brenton Strange, Trevor Lawrence:
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