High-Upside Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 17

High-upside fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for the fantasy playoffs in Week 17. Andy's favorite waiver wire pickups, streamers, sleepers that can boom.

With three games of the Week 17 slate already in the books, some managers might already be facing a major deficit in their championship matchup. If you were facing Dak Prescott, Jordan Addison, or RJ Harvey, your current math cup is likely not in your favor.

However, there are still plenty of opportunities left to make up ground on your opponent. In this piece, we will spotlight one player from each position who is widely available and possesses some sneaky upside. However, these options are pretty risky and could sink your production if they disappoint.

Who are the top high-upside plays in Week 17? Let's dive in!

Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts

10% Rostered

The 44-year-old is coming off an impressive showing and has viable high-end QB2 upside facing a weak Jacksonville secondary. During their Monday night loss to the 49ers, Rivers led the offense, going 23-for-35 with 277 yards and a 2:1 TD:INT. During his first start in Week 15, Rivers had a modest showing, albeit facing a potent Seattle secondary, throwing for only 120 yards with one score.

This weekend, Rivers and the Colts could light up the scoresheet, facing a Jaguars defense that is allowing the ninth-most PPR points to opposing QBs. Currently, this game carries a hefty 48.5 O/U, which is the fourth-highest mark among the remaining games.

Managers with a low-end QB1 in a tougher matchup or dealing with injuries like Jordan Love (concussion) or Lamar Jackson (back) should consider Rivers a viable pivot.

Philip Rivers Carries Streaming Upside for Fantasy Championships https://t.co/Ut09tekqZH

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 25, 2025

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans

25% Rostered

After spending most of the season operating as the clear RB2 behind Tony Pollard, Spears enjoyed a significant increase in opportunities and turned in his best outing of the season, facing a tough Kansas City rushing defense. On Sunday, Spears totaled 21.5 PPR points as he took 13 carries for 52 yards and a score and brought in all five targets for another 53 yards.

Earlier this week, OC Nick Holtz noted that Spears' split workload with Pollard was "how he envisioned it," given their skill sets. While Pollard should continue to lead the rushing attack, Spears appears poised to continue to see ample targets in the passing game and remain a change-of-pace option.

He is a viable FLEX play in PPR formats facing the New Orleans Saints.

Olamide Zaccheaus, WR, Chicago Bears

5% Rostered

Zaccheaus has had a modest season in his role as the team's No. 4 WR. However, with Rome Odunze (foot) training toward missing another game and Luther Burden III (ankle) potentially sitting out as well, Zaccheaus could be the WR2 in a potential shootout against the 49ers on Sunday night.

During their thrilling victory over the Packers last weekend, Zaccheaus caught two of his five targets for 33 yards. However, he could carry sneaky FLEX upside in deeper formats as this contest against the 49ers carries a massive 52.5 O/U mark on DraftKings Sportsbook.

As noted earlier, the 49ers struggled to shut down 44-year-old Rivers. Don't expect them to turn the corner facing Caleb Williams and company.

CALEB TO ZACCHEAUS WOW

CHIvsGB on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/w8e3u9JH03

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025

Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

5% Rostered

Mike Gesicki was recommended as a high-upside streamer last weekend and turned in a solid showing, totaling 12.5 PPR points. In their victory over the Bengals, Gesicki brought in three of his four targets for 35 yards and a score.

This weekend, Gesicki appears primed for the best showing of his season. This weekend, Gesicki will face an Arizona Cardinals defense that is allowing the fifth-most PPR points to opposing TEs. Since returning from the IR back in Week 12, Gesicki has drawn at least four targets in all but two games and has been a consistent force in the red zone, drawing four within the 20-yard line and two within the 10-yard line.

With a shootout projected (52.5 O/U), managers needing a tight end should pick up Gesicki.

Burrows fires to Gesicki for his 4th touchdown pass

CINvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/CWW2RlTvWo

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025

Chad Ryland, K, Arizona Cardinals

5% Rostered

When looking at this matchup between the Cardinals and Bengals, managers should consider targeting a kicker as well. Chad Ryland enters this contest with a low 74.2% FG%, but given the projected high-scoring affair, he could turn in an impressive showing.

Last weekend, facing a Falcons defense that has allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing kickers, Ryland went 4-for-6 with two of his conversions coming from 50+ yards out.

While he carries risk given his inconsistencies this season (8-for-14 since Week 11), targeting a kicker in the highest projected scoring total of the week is never a bad idea when looking to gain ground on your opponent.

New York Giants, DST

15% Rostered

The final position we will spotlight is defense. While the New York Giants have been among the worst defensive units for fantasy this season, they have the potential to lead you to a championship facing the Las Vegas Raiders.

Even though the Raiders made some progress last weekend, scoring 21 points against the Houston Texans before this "offensive explosion", they had not eclipsed the 20-point mark since the Week 9 loss to the Jaguars. Additionally, QB Geno Smith has struggled with his decision-making, which provides the Giants with high upside.

Since this Week 9 contest, Smith has posted an 11:5 TD:INT (across seven games) and is averaging only 204.6 passing yards per game. The Raiders have also surrendered the third-most sacks (57) this season. Managers needing a high-upside play should target the Giants.

Other High-Upside Streamers

• Tyler Shough, NO
• Emanuel Wilson, GB
• Alec Pierce, IND
• A.J. Barner, SEA

Who To Pick Up for Fantasy Football Week 17?

Waiver wire pickup options, including how to prioritize them for your league, depending on the league size. Quarterbacks and Defenses (D/ST) are grouped at the bottom of the list:

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Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Philip Rivers, Tyjae Spears, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Mike Gesicki. 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 - Philip Rivers, Tyjae Spears, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Mike Gesicki. These are some common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.

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Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Philip Rivers, Tyjae Spears, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Mike Gesicki:

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