Irv Smith Jr. (TE, MIN) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

Vikings tight end (TE) Irv Smith Jr. is a fantasy football waiver wire pickup to target as a free agent addition for Week 17 of the 2020 NFL season.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED: 15% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: We're past most fantasy leagues' championship weeks, and if that wasn't enough to make for a thin waiver wire, we're also entering the last week of regular-season games. No matter what, we're here to get the most of it and squeeze till the last drop. And I don't think it gets much better than scoring yourself a high-scoring tight end for the last match of the year.

Irv Smith Jr. was the fourth-highest scorer of the Friday (yes, you read that right) game between Minny and New Orleans, only behind two other skill-position players (an all-time performance by Alvin Kamara and just 0.4 PPR-points shy of fellow Viking Adam Thielen). Smith closed W16 with an incredible 23.3 PPR points in which came to be his best game of the season--and it's not even close. Smith Jr. bested his best mark to date by 7 full PPR points after scoring 16.3 FP back in W14.

Smith has taken advantage of an injured Kyle Rudolph and has played 56 offensive snaps in back-to-back weeks for 82% and 88% snap rates. He's become Minnesota's TE1, has logged 4+ targets in the last three weeks, and had season-high marks in receptions (6), targets (9), and touchdowns (2) this past Friday along with 53 total receiving yards on the day.

The final matchup of the season isn't the greatest, as Detroit's defense ranks eighth at stopping fantasy TEs, but Smith is killing it to finish the year and he should retain his role this weekend too. Great streaming option for fantasy GMs in need of TE-help for W17, and a very interesting player to consider come the 2021 draft season in a few months.

More Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups - Kenneth Gainwell, Brashard Smith, Woody Marks Fantasy Football Outlooks

Week 2 of the fantasy football season is all about identifying early trends and separating noise from actionable information. Week 1 always delivers surprises, whether it’s unexpected snap counts, backfield rotations, or rookies carving out roles faster than anticipated. The key for fantasy managers is finding those players who could hold sneaky short-term or long-term […]

Shaun Albin September 8, 2025

Keenan Allen: WR Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Football Week 2

Keenan Allen Waiver Wire Outlook for Week 2 BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues ROSTERED IN: 50% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Shortly before the start of the regular season, the Los Angeles Chargers opted to bring back former longtime wide receiver Keenan Allen. Allen spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Chargers before […]

Andy Smith September 8, 2025

Quentin Johnston WR Waiver Wire Outlook - Fantasy Football Pickups for Week 2

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 10% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Former first-round pick Quentin Johnston has flashed upside at times, but has been tough to trust in fantasy due to inconsistent performances. However, the wideout enjoyed an impressive start to the 2025 season and could be in store for a breakout campaign. Facing […]

Andy Smith September 8, 2025

Hollywood Brown: WR Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Football Week 2

BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues ROSTERED IN: 25% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown had a disappointing debut season in Kansas City as he missed the vast majority of the season due to a shoulder injury. He appeared in only two regular-season games and caught just nine passes for 91 […]

Andy Smith September 8, 2025

Dylan Sampson (RB, CLE) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2

BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues ROSTERED IN: 45% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Despite opening the game as the team's No. 2 running back, rookie Dylan Sampson flashed immense upside in his NFL debut on Sunday afternoon. During their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Tennessee product led the team in rushing (29 yards) and brought […]

Andy Smith September 8, 2025

Download Our Free Waiver Wire App

Like what you see? You can download our free fantasy football mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more waiver wire recommendations at every position, 24x7 player news, notifications, injury alerts & daily articles.