Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers - Week 17

December 23, 2019

Quarterback waiver wire pickups and streamers for Week 17 of the fantasy football season. Elliott Baas recommends QB free agents to consider adding off waivers.

The fantasy season is over for most, but some of you crazy people have Week 17  championships. If that's the case, then you'll have to navigate teams resting starters, shutting down injured players, and using second-stringers to see what they've got. The biggest name we'll likely be without is Lamar Jackson, since Baltimore has locked up home field advantage in the AFC. He's a common player among championship contenders, and if you've been using him you'll need a replacement. Kyler Murray owners could also be scrambling, as he went down with a hamstring injury in Week 16.

Maybe you're looking for a streamer because your regular starter has a tough matchup. If you own Kirk Cousins (vs. CHI), Jimmy Garoppolo (@ SEA), Russell Wilson (vs. SF), Ryan Fitzpatrick (@ NE), or Derek Carr (@ DEN) then it's at least worth weighing your options at the position.

In this article, we're looking at quarterbacks owned in fewer than 65% of fantasy leagues, while throwing in a few deep-league options who are owned in fewer than 20% of leagues. Ownership is based on Yahoo leagues and is current as of 12/22/2019.

Week 17 Quarterback Waiver Wire Options

Ryan Tannehill (TEN): 69% Owned @ HOU

Tannehill is a bit above the ownership threshold I normally use, but he’s played so well and is in a great spot this week, which makes him by far the top option owned in fewer than 70% of leagues. Tannehill has scored at least 23 points in his last three games, and has scored fewer than 18 points just once since taking over the starting role in Tennessee. Tannehill’s good play has brought many of Tennessee’s receivers to life, as we’ve seen great performances from A.J. Brown, Tajae Sharpe, and Jonnu Smith over the past few weeks. Houston has really struggled against the pass this season, having allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Their defense has allowed 27 points per game over their last six games, and gave up 25 fantasy points to Tannehill back in Week 15. Tannehill has revitalized his career with the Titans, and has proven his fantasy viability over the second half of the season. If you need a quarterback for Week 17, Tannehill is the best bet.

Philip Rivers (LAC): 61% Owned @ KC

Rivers was a disappointment in Week 16, managing just 11.16 points in a juicy matchup against the Raiders. It was another letdown in his worst season in over a decade. The Chargers legend has one last chance to come up big for his squad against divisional rival Kansas City. The Chiefs Defense has been better this year compared to last, but have still allowed the 18th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Their secondary is a little thin, as they’re without corners Morris Claiborne and Rashad Fenton. Kansas City still has their starting corners, but the Chargers have a strong receiving corps that can match up well with this secondary. While the year hasn’t gone how Rivers or the Chargers hoped, Rivers isn’t the type to lay down and coast to the offseason. He will take this rival to the limit as Kansas City is still jockeying for playoff position. We’re going to get one last hurrah out of this future Hall-of-Famer, and we should get more solid fantasy day out of him.

Daniel Jones (NYG): 19% Owned vs. PHI

Jones was a monster in his return from injury on Sunday, throwing for 352 yards and five touchdowns in a thrilling overtime win over Washington. The matchup won’t be quite as easy this week, as the Giants host Philadelphia. The Eagles have been about average against quarterbacks this year, allowing the 18th-most fantasy points per game to QBs. This secondary has been a little leaky as of late however, giving 365 yards and three touchdowns to Ryan Fitzpatrick three weeks ago, and allowing Dwayne Haskins to have the best game of his young career in Week 15. The play of starting corners Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby has been questionable over these past few weeks, and there is certainly room for young receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton to take advantage. Jones has been a boom-or-bust this season; over his last six games he’s scored more than 28 points three times, and fewer than 15 points in the other three games. In a Week 17 championship, owners should be willing to take that gamble with an up-and-comer like Jones.

Two-QB League Pickups

Andy Dalton (CIN): 9% Owned vs. CLE

Dalton put up big numbers in a shootout with Miami, throwing for 396 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-point day. The Red Rifle is playing to prove himself as a starter, not just for Cincinnati but for other teams, as Dalton is only under contract through 2020. The Bengals could choose to move on this offseason and save some cash, and with a strong finish Dalton would put himself in a position to land a starting gig elsewhere. Cleveland has allowed the 11th-most points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season, and have given up 69 points to opposing offenses in their last two games. The Bengals are playing with more heart and passion than Cleveland right now, and with the number one pick locked up Cincy can go all-out to try and down a division rival in an otherwise meaningless game. Dalton is a fine low-owned options for those in deeper leagues.

Drew Lock (DEN): 6% Owned vs. OAK

Lock had an efficient day in Denver’s victory over Detroit in Week 16, and more production could be in store this week against Oakland. The Raiders have allowed the second-most points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season, and lost starting safety Lamarcus Joyner last week. Joyner hadn’t been playing well to begin with, but is still a better option than backup Curtis Riley. Lock has had flashes of brilliance since taking over as Denver’s starting quarterback, and with his big arm should be able to take advantage of this weak secondary. The Raiders have really struggled against the deep ball this year, having allowed an above average completion rate on balls 15 yards downfield or more. Lock is someone worth taking a shot on in the under-10% owned range. He is a good player to scoop up in dynasty leagues as well, since it’s likely that the Denver job is Lock’s to begin 2020.

Robert Griffin III (BAL): 0% Owned vs. PIT

Baltimore is going to sit Lamar Jackson this week, which put his owners in quite a pinch. There’s an easy swap to be made for those in two-QB leagues, and that’s RGIII. Griffin was the original Lamar Jackson back in 2012, and while Griffin was eventually exposed, he still has decent legs and good weapons around him (if they play). Baltimore will likely be without Mark Ingram in this one as well, so deep leaguers could get a discount Ravens attack by adding Griffin and Gus Edwards for a Week 17 stack. Playing RGIII could backfire in the worst way, but if you’re reaching all the way down here your options are probably limited. He’s someone I’d rather roll the dice on than David Blough or Will Grier, for what that’s worth. 

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