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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

Isaiah Joe

To Miss Fourth Straight Game
Isaiah Hartenstein

Removed From Injury Report
Austin Reaves

To Be Re-Evaluated In One Week With Calf Strain
Logan O'Connor

Still Not Ready for Season Debut
Lukas Dostal

Activated From Injured Reserve
NJ

Arseni Gritsyuk Ruled Out for Weekend's Action
Connor Bedard

Ruled Out for Saturday
Zeev Buium

Canucks Acquire Zeev Buium From Wild
Marco Rossi

Moves to Vancouver
Quinn Hughes

Traded to WIld
Joel Embiid

Available Against Indiana
Ja Morant

Back on Friday Night
Rickard Rakell

Available Saturday
Tre Jones

is Returning on Friday
Coby White

Cleared for Action Versus Hornets
Jake Ferguson

Listed as Questionable for Week 15
Bo Horvat

Ruled Out for Saturday
Tre Johnson

to be Limited in Return on Friday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Could Return Monday
Geno Smith

Officially Ruled Out for Week 15
Victor Hedman

to Be Out Until February
Kenny Pickett

to Start in Week 15 Against Eagles
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Available on Friday
Jared McCann

to Miss Three Weeks With Lower-Body Injury
Tyrese Maxey

Under the Weather on Friday
Josh Jacobs

Officially Questionable to Face the Broncos
Victor Wembanyama

Expected to Return on Saturday
Stuart Skinner

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Tristan Jarry

Oilers Acquire Tristan Jarry From Penguins
Anthony Edwards

Sidelined on Friday Evening
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Questionable for Week 15
CFB

Washington State Expected to Hire Kirby Moore as Next Head Coach
CFB

Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down as Utah Head Coach
T.J. Watt

Officially Ruled Out for Monday Night
Manel Kape

Set For UFC Vegas 112 Main Event
Davante Adams

to be Questionable, Expected to Play on Sunday
Brandon Royval

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 112
Rome Odunze

Questionable for Sunday
Kevin Vallejos

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Alvin Kamara

Ruled Out for Sunday
Giga Chikadze

In Dire Need Of Victory
Cesar Almeida

Set To Welcome Cezary Oleksiejczuk To The UFC
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Jayden Daniels

Not Cleared for Contact
T.J. Watt

Undergoes Surgery for Collapsed Lung
Maikel Garcia

Royals Agree on Five-Year Extension
Melquizael Costa

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Looks to Win Second Consecutive Fights
Marcus Buchecha

Looks To Bounce Back
Kennedy Nzechukwu

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 112
King Green

Returns At UFC Vegas 112
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 112 Main Card
Jake Ferguson

on Track to Play in Week 15
CFB

Sherrone Moore Charged with Home Invasion, Among Other Charges
Jayden Daniels

Cleared for Contact
Tee Higgins

Ruled Out Against Ravens
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 15, Expected Back This Year
Josh Jacobs

"Feeling Pretty Good," Will Practice on Friday
Daniel Gafford

Still Unlikely to Play Friday
Brady Cook

to Get Starting Nod for Jets in Week 15
Khris Middleton

Misses Second Straight Game
Collin Sexton

Sidelined Again Versus Bulls
Tee Higgins

Absent From Practice on Friday
Coby White

On Track To Suit Up Versus Charlotte
De'Von Achane

Should Be Available Monday
Tre Jones

Expected To Play Friday Vs. Hornets
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers to Utilize Hot-Hand Approach in Backfield Moving Forward?
Ayo Dosunmu

to Miss Friday's Game Vs. Hornets
T.J. Watt

Trending Towards Missing Week 15
CFB

Freddie Kitchens Fired from North Carolina Coaching Staff
Joel Kiviranta

Hurt in Thursday's Win
Lars Eller

Departs Early Versus Blue Jackets
Viktor Arvidsson

Makes Early Exit Against Jets
Bo Horvat

Suffers Lower-Body Injury in Thursday's Win
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Sustains Lower-Body Injury
Roope Hintz

Exits Loss With Injury
Logan Cooley

to Miss at Least Eight Weeks
Mike Conley

Unavailable Friday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Downgraded to Out Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Iffy to Face Warriors
CFB

Bryce Underwood Could Leave Michigan Without Buyout
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Padres Not Considering Trading Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tarik Skubal

Tigers Engaged in "Serious Talks" Around Trading Tarik Skubal at the Winter Meetings
CFB

Chris Brazzell II Declaring for NFL Draft
CFB

Fernando Mendoza Named AP College Football Player of the Year
Raisel Iglesias

to Remain the Braves Closer
Robert Suarez

Agrees on Three-Year Deal With Braves
CFB

Sherrone Moore Remains in Police Custody
CFB

Joe Klanderman Joining Baylor Coaching Staff
CFB

Kentucky Hiring Jay Bateman as Next Defensive Coordinator
Si Woo Kim

Closes 2025 With Strong Finish Among Putting Woes
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Rebound in 2026 After Down Year Off the Tee
Brian Harman

2025 Season a Step Back Despite Spring Win
Sam Burns

' Elite Putting Headlines a Solid 2025 Season
Sepp Straka

Ends Stellar 2025 Campaign on a High Note
Robert MacIntyre

Closes Out a Steady 2025 Campaign
CFB

Chip Kelly Interviews for Georgia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

Louisville Receiver Chris Bell has a Torn ACL
Min Woo Lee

Breaks Through to Win in Texas This Year
PGA

Alex Noren Wins Twice on European Tour This Year
Wyndham Clark

has Up-and-Down 2025 Golf Season
CFB

Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore
Corey Conners

Comes Close to Winning Again in Very Good 2025
Justin Rose

Turns Back the Clock in 2025
CFB

Jim Knowles Expected to be Hired as Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator
Harris English

Enjoys Solid Finish at Hero World Challenge
CFB

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Not Being Retained at Penn State
CFB

Indiana's Stephen Daley Done for Season After Post-Game Injury
Pete Alonso

Orioles Finalizing Five-Year Deal
Kyle Finnegan

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

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
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
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
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
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
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
San Francisco Giants

Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ketel Marte

Red Sox Interested in Trading for Ketel Marte

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