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Week 17 Deeper Waiver Wire Sleepers: PPR Leagues

Tony Peters identifies deeper 2016 fantasy football PPR sleepers & Week 17 NFL waiver wire pickups. These PPR RBs, WRs & TEs should be added off the waiver wire as fantasy football sleepers.

It's playoff time, RotoBallers. Below is my deeper PPR league sleepers column for Week 17 of the NFL season.

In this weekly article, we are going to take a look at some deeper waiver wire options for PPR leagues and target players who could help out your team in the upcoming week.

The following waiver wire suggestions for Week 17 of the NFL season are all owned in 18% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 17 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF

 

PPR Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Adds

Rod Streater (WR, SF) - 0% Owned & Jeremy Kerley (WR, SF) - 9% Owned

With Torrey Smith lost for the season when he was placed on the injured reserve, the meat and potatoes of the 49ers' passing game now consists of a lot more Rod Streater and Jermey Kerley. Streater is the hotter of the two hands, with the veteran now on a two-game touchdown streak after hauling in 6-of-7 targets Week 16 for 63 yards and a score. Kerley has seen increased attention lately, averaging eight targets per game over the past three weeks. Normally, a game against the Seahawks makes for a poor matchup when it comes to wide receivers, but they have been lit up recently, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to the position over the past four weeks. Kerley is the safer bet with this being a PPR column, but Streater's touchdown potential gives him the slight nod on my list.

Paul Richardson (WR, SEA) - 0% Owned & Jermaine Kearse (WR, SEA) - 4% Owned

On the other side of the 49ers' Week 17 game, the Seahawks will be dealing with a similar issue: how to fill the shoes of the now very injured Tyler Lockett. Neither Paul Richardson nor Jermaine Kearse are going to suddenly vault into the fantasy golden land being the third wide receiver on a team that can struggle mightily with the pass. But after seeing both reel in touchdown passes Week 16, there's hope one of them can step up for a week. Richardson has seen less work this season, but is more explosive and will likely continue to pick up kickoff returns (if your league rewards you for those yards) but is fairly untested. Kearse is going to get more looks, but struggles to catch what is thrown to him as well as separate himself from defenders. With the 'Hawks already a lock for the postseason and likely to rest their most important starters in this game, I foresee Richardson getting a real chance to shine here. Maybe Kearse comes for the ride, maybe he keeps catching less than half his passes and making fantasy owners cry.

Kenny Stills (WR, MIA) - 12% Owned

Veteran Kenny Stills (aka Old Faithful) has been the go-to in PPR this season. No matter how productive he's been for a not great Dolphins team, his fantasy ownership continues to still barely break into the double digits. Despite a tough matchup against the Bills in Week 16, he was able to push his touchdown streak to three straight games. Stills has another rough task ahead of him when the Dolphins travel to New England to finish out the season, but after seeing what he managed against the Bills and having already scored a touchdown against the Pats back in Week 2, the flame of potential continues to burn.

Eli Rogers (WR, PIT) - 9% Owned

Rogers, an undrafted rookie, has looked like a future star at times, and like a present day dud (and not even a milk one) other times. He was well on his way to finishing out the season with a whimper before a jump in targets and production the past two weeks. After failing to top 36 yards in Weeks 11-14, Rogers has 159 over his past two games, including his first touchdown since Week 10. Pittsburgh's Week 17 opponents are the Browns, a team whose pass defense hasn't been too shabby as of late, but are still ranked 11th overall in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers this season.

Victor Cruz (WR, NYG) - 12% Owned

There's a reason why the "Salsa Man" pulls up dead last on the wide receiver list this week: he's the blindfolded dart throw of the week. Before his Week 16 outburst of 84 yards on eight catches, Victor Cruz hadn't had more than a single reception in a game since Week 7. But the wily veteran pulled a miracle out of somewhere, giving way to hope that he can find one last victory dance in him during the season's finale against the Redskins. Eli Manning has yet to stop throwing the ball like a hot potato, racking up an absurd 63 attempts last week. The chance of Cruz coming up empty-handed is still decently high, but maybe all that resting he's done over the second half was just what he needed to salsa his way back into our hearts.

 

PPR Running Back Waiver Wire Adds

Alfred Blue (RB, HOU) - 8% Owned

The injury bug was biting as many people as it could find Week 16, bringing down with it the Texans' starting running back, Lamar Miller. This led to Houston relying on an old friend, Arian Foster's old backup, Alfred Blue. Against the Bengals, he rushed 21 times for 73 yards and his first touchdown of the year, while also catching all four of his targets for 17 yards. Blue has a rough matchup against the Titans, who are extremely tough to run against, to close out the season. But with the Texans' offensive line and his pass-catching ability, he should be able to put up middle-of-the-road PPR numbers.

DeAndre Washington (RB, OAK) - 9% Owned & Jalen Richard (RB, OAK) - 13% Owned

After their already-hobbled quarterback go down with a broken leg in Week 16, all the Raiders' running backs had a field day as this pass-first team went heavy on that run gravy. This gave DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard chances to run, over starter Latavius Murray, and run wild they did. Washington's 99-yard, two-touchdown performance seems destined to be an outlier this season, as both are season and career highs. But there's no denying that the fourth-round rookie looked great -- far more exciting than much of Richard's 2016 work -- and plays on a team with a cemented playoff spot and a lead back who has dealt with injuries. The Raiders are expected to keep running and running and running Week 17 against a so-so Denver run defense, giving both players deep-league value this week. Washington is a wild card at this point, but his youth and ability currently make for a much more enticing meal.

 

PPR Tight End Waiver Wire Adds

Charles Clay (TE, BUF) - 18% Owned

It only took Charles Clay most of the season to do it, but has he ever done it. Catch passes, that is. A real world and fantasy fizzle this season, he's come alive since Week 14, catching 18-of-23 targets for 209 yards and four touchdowns. With the Bills traveling to play the pitiful Jets to close out the season, Clay was seemingly given the chance of going out on a high note for a Christmas present. The Jets have allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends over the past four weeks, including a NFL-leading five touchdowns, making this a fantastic matchup. As he has shown all season, there are no guarantees in fantasy football. But maybe, just maybe, Clay can show us that there really is some Christmas magic left in this post-Dec. 25 world.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Mike Evans

Officially Questionable for Thursday Night Game
Geno Smith

Unlikely to Play in Week 15
CFB

Jim Knowles Expected to be Hired as Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

"Good to Go" for Week 15
Harris English

Enjoys Solid Finish at Hero World Challenge
CeeDee Lamb

has "One or Two" Things Left to the Clear Concussion Protocol
Jayden Daniels

Commanders Not Shutting Down Jayden Daniels for the Year
CFB

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Not Being Retained at Penn State
CFB

Indiana's Stephen Daley Done for Season After Post-Game Injury
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Carries Momentum and a Questionable Tag into TNF
Drake London

Won't Play on Thursday Night
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Practicing Coming Out of the Bye Week
Garrett Wilson

Practice Window Still Hasn't Opened
Breece Hall

Out on Wednesday With Knee Soreness
Pete Alonso

Orioles Finalizing Five-Year Deal
Jayden Daniels

Ruled Out for Week 15
Cade Otton

Considered Doubtful for Thursday Night
Trey Benson

Will Not Be Activated in Week 15, Will Not Return in 2025
Mike Evans

has "Shown Everything he Needed to Show" to Return in Week 15
Nick Bjugstad

Injured Tuesday
Zach Ertz

Officially Placed on Injured Reserve
Frank Vatrano

Makes Early Exit Against Penguins
Colten Ellis

Enters Concussion Protocol
George Pickens

Cowboys Not Worried About George Pickens' Effort Level
Scott Wedgewood

Hurt During Shootout
Victor Hedman

Suffers New Injury Blow
Bobby McMann

Suspended for One Game
Jordan McLaughlin

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Maxi Kleber

Questionable Wednesday
Marcus Smart

Ready to Face Spurs Wednesday
Luguentz Dort

Returns From Three-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Caruso

Set to Return Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Available Wednesday
Isaiah Joe

Out for Third Consecutive Game
Isaiah Hartenstein

Not Ready to Return Wednesday
Devin Booker

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Victor Wembanyama

Remains Out Wednesday
Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Karl-Anthony Towns

Back in Action Against Toronto
Philip Rivers

has a "Very Real Chance" to Start in Week 15
Jason Zucker

Added to Injured Reserve
David Pastrnak

Set to Return Tuesday
Scott Wedgewood

Back Between the Pipes Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Lands on Injured Reserve
Jamal Shead

Available on Tuesday, Entering the Starting Lineup
Jordan Kyrou

Out Week-to-Week
Immanuel Quickley

Ruled Out on Tuesday Night
Thomas Harley

Returns to Stars Lineup Tuesday
Martin Necas

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Available Tuesday
Cam York

Out on Tuesday
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Paolo Banchero

Remaining on a Minutes Limit Tuesday
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Dru Smith

Will Be Available Tuesday
Pelle Larsson

Will Be Available Against Orlando
Davion Mitchell

Listed as Available for Tuesday
Tyler Herro

Will Be Available Tuesday Against the Magic
Aaron Gordon

Christian Braun Likely Out Until After Christmas
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
Immanuel Quickley

Downgraded to Questionable Tuesday
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
DK Metcalf

"Moving in the Right Direction" for Week 15
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
Riley Leonard

Diagnosed With Grade 1 PCL Sprain
Jamison Battle

Unlikely To Suit Up Against Knicks
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
John Gibson

Secures Third Consecutive Win With Shutout
Nazem Kadri

Bags Three Points as Flames Offense Explodes
Joel Eriksson Ek

Ends Dry Spell With Three-Point Effort
Dennis Hildeby

Records First Career Shutout
Dakota Mermis

to be Evaluated Tuesday
Jacob Middleton

Hurt in Monday's Win
A.J. Brown

Continues Dominant Stretch With 100 Yards in Monday Night Loss
Saquon Barkley

Rips Off Long Touchdown Run in Monday Night Loss
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June
CFB

Heisman Trophy Finalists Announced on Monday
CFB

Anthony Hill Jr. Declaring for 2026 NFL Draft
CFB

Ryan Walters a Candidate for Tennessee Defensive Coordinator Job?
Rory McIlroy

Ends 2025 as the Year's Most Unburdened Player
Aaron Rai

Needs to Figure Out Putting Woes This Offseason
Jordan Spieth

Plays Better on Paper in 2025 Than Results Show
PGA

Chris Gotterup Needs to Find Better Touch and Consistency This Offseason
Hideki Matsuyama

Ends 2025 Season With a Bookend Victory
CFB

Tennessee Fires Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks
Scottie Scheffler

Comes Up Just Shy of Hero World Challenge Victory
Merab Dvalishvili

Drops A Decision At UFC 323
Petr Yan

Reclaims Bantamweight Title
Alexandre Pantoja

Era Ends With Gruesome Injury
Joshua Van

Becomes Second-Youngest UFC Champion
Brandon Moreno

Suffers His First TKO Loss
Brandon Moreno

Tatsuro Taira Becomes First Fighter To Finish Brandon Moreno
Henry Cejudo

Payton Talbott Retires Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Retires After UFC 323 Loss
Jan Blachowicz

Bogdan Guskov Vs. Jan Blachowicz Ends In A Majority Draw
Jan Blachowicz

And Bogdan Guskov Fight To Majority Draw
CFB

Texas RB CJ Baxter Entering Transfer Portal
San Francisco Giants

Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ketel Marte

Red Sox Interested in Trading for Ketel Marte
Kyle Schwarber

Pirates Make Four-Year Offer to Kyle Schwarber
CFB

Mississippi State, Rice Accept Bowl Bids as 5-7 Teams
CFB

Auburn, Florida State, Baylor Among Teams to Decline Bowl Bids
CFB

Rob Aurich Set to Become Nebraska's Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Notre Dame Opting Out of Postseason Amid College Football Playoff Exclusion
CFB

Kendal Briles a Candidate for South Carolina Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

James Madison Playoff-Bound After Duke Wins ACC Title?
CFB

Notre Dame, Miami, Alabama on College Football Playoff Bubble
CFB

Brent Pry Could Return to Virginia Tech as Defensive Coordinator
Jose A. Ferrer

Mariners Acquire Jose A. Ferrer from the Nationals
Harry Ford

Traded to the Nationals
Cody Bellinger

Drawing Interest From the Phillies
MacKenzie Gore

Will the Nationals Trade MacKenzie Gore?
Petr Yan

Looks To Reclaim Bantamweight Belt
Merab Dvalishvili

Set For His Fourth Title Defense
Joshua Van

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fifth Title Defense At UFC 323
Tatsuro Taira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Brandon Moreno

Searches For His Third Win In A Row
Payton Talbott

A Favorite At UFC 323
Henry Cejudo

Set For His Retirement Fight
Jan Blachowicz

Set To Open Up UFC 323 Main Card
Bogdan Guskov

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
CFB

Emmett Johnson Leaving Nebraska for 2026 NFL Draft

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