Deeper League Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

December 29, 2020

Rishi Patel identifies players at QB, RB, WR, and TE to target or add from the waiver wire in deep fantasy football leagues for Week 17 of the 2020 NFL season.

Welcome to the last installment of this column! It has been an absolute pleasure recommending the hidden gems off the deeper parts of the waiver wire this season.

Through all the injuries, COVID-related delays, and other factors that affected this NFL season, many fantasy teams fought as hard as they could and now we are one week away from crowning a champion in (some) leagues. For those who are competing in the finals, best of luck.

This week, I will talk about pickups based on the matchup since this is the last week, so let’s look at some potential streaming options you could grab. As always, players are rostered at or below 15% in Yahoo leagues.

Free Agent Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys- 13% rostered

The veteran posted his best performance of the season in Week 16, getting 377 yards with three touchdowns and one pick. Overall, the QB has had seven touchdowns to only one pick in the last three games and is a solid streaming option this week. Though the Giants are generally stingy against fantasy QBs, Dalton’s recent numbers and the fact that the Cowboys have a chance to win the NFC East means the team will look to play hard and finish out strong. Therefore, he’s worth a look.

C.J. Beathard, San Francisco 49ers- 1% rostered

Beathard played fantastic last week against the Cardinals, getting 182 yards with three touchdowns. At this point, he is likely to be the starter for Week 17. Though the Seahawks have been stingier on defense recently, they still do allow the fifth-most points to fantasy QBs, so Beathard is certainly worth a look.

Free Agent Running Backs

La’ Mical Perine, New York Jets- 11% rostered

Frank Gore won’t play this week because of a lung injury, so Perine will likely have a workhorse role. The back has had at least eight carries and 25 rushing yards in three of the last four games. The Patriots allow the 12^th-most points to fantasy backs, so there is streaming value for Perine.

Dare Ogunbowale, Jacksonville Jaguars- 8% rostered

With lead back James Robinson out in Week 16 due to an ankle injury, Ogunbowale filled in well and had 14 carries for 71 yards against the Bears. It was an encouraging sign that the 26-year-old could fill in well as the workhorse back. The Jags play the Colts this week, who are generally tougher against fantasy backs, but Ogunbowale’s performance last week was encouraging enough to put him in the streaming tier if and ONLY IF James Robinson doesn’t play.

Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals- 2% rostered

Though Giovani Bernard is supposed to be the RB1 on the Bengals in the absence of Joe Mixon, it was Perine who shined in Week 16 with 13 carries for 95 yards and two scores along with four receptions for 41 yards on four targets. Though the two backs will likely split carries in Week 17, Perine’s performance in Week 16 puts him in the streaming tier against a Ravens squad that is middle-tier against fantasy backs.

Free Agent Wide Receivers

Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears- 14% rostered

Mooney has seen at least five targets in four of the past five games and has emerged as a solid receiving threat this season for the Bears. Though the yardage total hasn’t always been high, the looks have been there. Mooney now has at least 39 yards in three of the past four games. The Packers are generally stingy against fantasy wideouts, so the WR is a low-end streaming option this week.

Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts- 5% rostered

Pascal has been fantastic the past two games, seeing at least six targets and 64 yards in both contests along with getting three total touchdowns. The WR has been streaky this season overall, but he has been playing well as of late. This week, Pascal plays a Jags team allowing the eighth-most points to fantasy receivers and is a solid play as a result.

Steven Sims Jr., Washington Football Team- 2% rostered

Though there is a bit of uncertainty at the QB position in Washington, it’s worth noting Sims had four catches for 52 yards on six targets in Week 16. With Terry McLaurin hobbled due to an ankle injury and his status up in the air, Sims could see a huge role in Week 17’s all-important primetime contest against Philly. The Eagles allow the 14^th-most points to fantasy wideouts, so Sims would be a flex option.

Cam Sims, Washington Football Team- 1% rostered

Now on to the other Sims on Washington. With the Football Team’s WR corp relatively unknown outside Terry McLaurin, the Sims have been stepping up as of late. Cam Sims has seen at least eight targets in the past two games and had 63 yards in Week 16. He is also in the flex tier this week given the high stakes for Washington and the fact that McLaurin is hobbled and may not be able to suit up.

Free Agent Tight Ends

Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings- 15% rostered

Smith had a fantastic showing in Week 16, getting six receptions for 53 yards and two scores on nine targets in his breakout performance of the season. Overall, the TE has gotten at least 53 yards in two of the past three games and has emerged as a factor in this Vikings passing offense. Though the Lions are stingy against fantasy tight ends, Smith’s recent production puts him in the starting tier.

Chris Herndon, New York Jets- 12% rostered

Herndon has been playing well during the Jets’ two-game winning streak. The TE has seen four targets in both contests and has gotten at least 34 yards in both as well. Though the Patriots are tough against fantasy tight ends, the recent play of Herndon and the Jets is encouraging enough that it puts him in the streaming conversation this week.

Jordan Akins, Houston Texans- 5% rostered

Akins has now seen at least six targets and 39 yards in two of the past three games. The TE’s role has been decent as of late given the team’s thin depth at WR. The Titans allow the 13^th-most points to fantasy tight ends, so Akins is in the streaming tier this week.

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