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RotoBaller staff's fantasy football Week 17 waiver wire pickups for 2025. Expert advice for waiver wire RB, WR, TE, QB targets from Phil, Rob, and Alex.
The moment you have been working for is here! It's time to compete for a fantasy football championship, so these waiver wire suggestions are all geared toward helping your team in Week 17, or at least blocking your opponent from grabbing a key player. Although you likely have a star-studded team if your squad is still alive, you should always be checking the waiver wire for potential one-week fill-ins. We're here to help.
Pivoting when your players are injured or underperforming is always the name of the game in fantasy football, and we're here to guide your waiver-wire decisions. In this article, we won't cover some of the top chalk options, such as Trevor Lawrence, Emmanuel Wilson, and Michael Carter. Instead, we'll focus on some players deeper in the waiver wire rankings who can be more reasonably acquired.
Our RotoBaller experts Phil Clark, Alex Ciulla, and Rob Lorge are here to help you identify the top RB, WR, TE, and QB targets ahead of Week 17.
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Running Backs Waiver Wire Week 17
Selections By Phil Clark
Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
It is currently unclear when Sampson will recover from the multiple injuries (calf/hand) that have sidelined him since Week 15. However, Sampson will be included among this week’s waiver wire targets due to his prospects of securing an expanded role if he reemerges in Week 17.
Quinshon Judkins sustained a season-ending leg injury during Cleveland’s Week 16 matchup with Buffalo, which will force the Browns to restructure their backfield rotation. Cleveland also placed Jerome Ford on injured reserve (shoulder) on December 9. This provides Sampson with a navigable path to securing a favorable role, even if he shares touches with Raheim Sanders.
Sampson performed effectively when Judkins encountered a head/neck injury in Week 12, while accumulating nine touches, 82 total yards, and generating his second receiving touchdown of the season. Sampson also operated with a 31.1% snap share from Weeks 12-14, while his proficiency as a receiving weapon propelled him to the second-highest yardage total among all backs (123/41 per game). Updates surrounding Cleveland’s backfield should be monitored as the week progresses. However, Sampson will emerge as a resource for your roster if he resurfaces for the Browns’ Week 17 matchup with Pittsburgh.
Raheim Sanders, Cleveland Browns
The aforementioned injury that Judkins suffered in Week 16 immediately launched Sanders into a significant role within Cleveland’s reshaped backfield rotation. Sanders’ ascension into duties as the Browns’ primary back has also launched him among this week’s targets from the waiver wire. Sanders accumulated 3,882 total yards and 33 touchdowns during his collegiate career. He signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft, then was claimed from waivers by Cleveland on August 27.
Raheim Sanders evens the score for the Browns
CINvsCLE on FOXhttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/dUvXJJkvvM
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
Sanders generated a touchdown in Week 1, but did not register another snap until Judkins was forced to the sideline. However, Sanders attained a 30% snap share, carried 11 times, and assembled 42 rushing yards in Week 16. He also ran five routes and collected his only target from Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders is positioned to operate with a significant workload if Sampson remains sidelined when Cleveland faces the Steelers on Sunday. Trayveon Williams took just three rushing attempts behind Sanders, suggesting Sanders would see a heavy rushing workload in the event Sampson remains out. However, Williams did bring in four targets in his change-of-pace role. Sanders should also secure touches, even if Sampson reemerges from his two-game absence, and could provide viable flex upside.
Jawhar Jordan, Houston Texans
Jordan catapulted into the fantasy landscape during Week 15 after Woody Marks was forced to the sidelines with an ankle injury. Nick Chubb (rib) was also inactive during that contest, which created Jordan’s path to operate as Houston’s lead back during his first game at the NFL level. Jordan has now solidified his status as a viable roster addition after performing effectively for a second consecutive week.
Marks failed to resurface when the Texans hosted Las Vegas in Week 16. Chubb returned to action in Week 16, but that did not impede Jordan from leading the reconstructed backfield in a collection of categories. Jordan attained a 46.2% snap share and generated 53 rushing yards with his 15 attempts. He also rose to ninth in rush percentage over expected (53.3), according to Next Gen Stats.
He also ran 11 routes, captured all five of his targets, and produced 17 yards as a receiving weapon. Chubb registered a 32.3% snap share while accumulating six carries and 33 rushing yards. He also ran seven routes and collected his only target from C.J. Stroud. Marks’ status should be monitored, as his return would impact Jordan’s workload. However, Jordan should be rostered following his two productive outings. Jordon would also function as an RB2/RB3 if Marks is unavailable during Houston‘s Week 17 matchup with the Chargers.
Wide Receivers Waiver Wire Week 17
Selections By Alex Ciulla
Adonai Mitchell, New York Giants
Brady Cook's output in New York's 29-6 loss to the hosting Saints was less encouraging than his performance the week prior. Still, Adonai Mitchell is worth recommending here, considering the strong role he's carved out since joining the team. Mitchell pulled in 3-of-6 looks in New York's defeat, churning out at least 4o yards (43) for the fourth time in his Jets' tenure. More impressively, he's commanded at least six passes in six straight games, leading New York in targets in five of them.
The University of Texas product is indeed a legitimate weekly boom-bust asset. That said, he seems to have ascended to the Jets' WR1 in the absence of teammate Garrett Wilson (knee). With Wilson done for the remainder of the campaign, Mitchell is a nice flyer for owners in need of wide receiver help in the championship. If you can stomach the lower floor, the upside is excellent.
Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans
First-year pro Cameron Ward had one of his better outings of the season in Week 16's 26-9 win over a beat-up Chiefs' squad. To say Ward has been up and down is an understatement. Regardless of the outcome, Chimere Dike has remained steadily involved. The 24-year-old's receiving yardage totals have been anything but gaudy, although he's notched at least five targets and three receptions in four of his last five outings after a 3/40/1 line on Sunday afternoon. It was Dike's fourth score through the air in 2025, and sixth total touchdown, including his stellar work on special teams.
Cam Ward & Chimere Dike connect for an easy touchdown
KCvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/9qfWk7rDgp
— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025
He is now just the third rookie in franchise history to score at least six touchdowns, joining A.J. Brown and Chris Johnson in their debut seasons. As a disclaimer, it feels like each instance I've highlighted Dike this season, he's promptly turned in an unideal performance the week after, so maybe if I put it out in the universe, the reverse-jinx rules apply?
All joking aside, he's been more helpful than not since a mini-breakout in Week 7, and currently leads all Tennessee wideouts with 41 receptions. Furthermore, the rookie has been heavily utilized in the red area, racking up a staggering 14 opportunities through Week 15 inside the opposition's 20-yard line. The next closest Tennessee skill player had six (Elic Ayomanor).
Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions
Isaac TeSlaa was nearly mentioned in last Monday's edition of this column, but I didn't have the stomach to do so despite him scoring in back-to-back outings. Well, he found pay dirt again in Week 16 and was the most involved in the offense he has been. Surprisingly, that came to pass with Detroit's full complement of wideouts suiting up.
The third-round pick of April's draft saw strong usage in Sunday's 29-24 defeat at the hands of the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, corraling four of his seven pass attempts for 54 yards and a TD -- his fifth score of 2025 -- and nearly registered his first multi-touchdown effort. The yardage, reception, and target figures were all career-highs. Perhaps more importantly, he continued playing ahead of veteran Kalif Raymond by a wide margin.
TeSlaa saw increased playing time starting in Week 12, as several teammates were inactive due to injury, including Raymond. However, even in Raymond's second game back, the former doubled him up in snaps, seemingly cementing himself as the third option in Detroit's pass attack.
Owners who make a claim for the rookie should temper expectations, as I believe the Lions will get their ground game going again in Week 17's clash with Minnesota. Regardless, TeSlaa seems to be quarterback Jared Goff's favorite target when they get near the goal line. All it takes is one play.
Tight Ends Waiver Wire Week 17
Selections By Rob Lorge
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III were both inactive this past weekend. Odunze is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot, and Burden is dealing with an ankle injury. Given these injuries, neither is a guarantee to suit up in Week 17. While Loveland's production over the past two weeks has been minimal, Chicago has played in brutally cold, windy conditions over the past two games.
In Week 17, they'll be in sunny Santa Clara against the 49ers. Loveland has three or more catches in every game since Week 7 and is asserting himself as one of Caleb Williams's most-trusted pass-catchers. With the weather clearing up in Week 17 and the injuries to their other pass-catchers, Loveland should be ranked as a top-12 tight end in Week 17.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
Schultz's Week 17 matchup against the Chargers is a brutal one. Los Angeles has been very unforgiving to tight ends this year. However, Schultz has been excellent since the team's Week 6 bye. Since that time, Schultz has scored at least 8.0 half-PPR points in seven of the 10 games. He's scored in double-digits five times and has 14 or more half-PPR points three times. The most impressive part is that he's only scored three touchdowns during this stretch.
He's a positive touchdown regression candidate, and that has held over the past two weeks. He found the end zone in Weeks 15 and 16, scoring 17.6 and 12.0 half-PPR points, respectively. The matchup leaves a lot to be desired, but there's no denying how productive Schultz has been this season.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
With Devaughn Vele (shoulder) on IR, Johnson is locked in as Tyler Shough's No. 2 pass-catcher behind Chris Olave. This past weekend, he finished with nine targets, eight receptions, and 89 yards for 12.9 half-PPR points. For the season, Johnson has nine games with 7.5 or more half-PPR points.
He's been one of the more consistent tight end performers this year. He only has three games with 5.0 or half-PPR points or less. With a matchup against the Titans in Week 17, Johnson should be ranked as a top-12 tight end. He'll be a strong play and is a worthwhile waiver wire addition this week.
Quarterbacks Waiver Wire Week 17
Selections By Rob Lorge
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
Brissett and the Cardinals play against the Bengals in Week 17. The only downside is that it's in Cincinnati, where cold weather and potentially snow could be factors. However, Cincinnati has been one of the most generous defenses to quarterbacks this season and has been the worst defense all year. Arizona's defense has also struggled lately.
This game, if the weather cooperates, will have one of the highest implied point totals on the Week 17 schedule. Since Brissett became the starter, he's averaging 19.5 PPG. This past weekend against the Falcons was the first time since becoming a starter that Brissett did not finish as a top-12 quarterback.
With the injuries at running back, the number of dropbacks Brissett has had to work with has been incredible, and it's a significant boon to his fantasy value. The return of Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) will also give him a legit big-three between him, Michael Wilson, and Trey McBride in the final week of the fantasy season.
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Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders, Jawhar Jordan, Chimere Dike, Adonai Mitchell, Isaac TeSlaa, Colston Loveland, Juwan Johnson, Dalton Schultz. 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.
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Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders, Jawhar Jordan, Chimere Dike, Adonai Mitchell, Isaac TeSlaa, Colston Loveland, Juwan Johnson, Dalton Schultz:
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