Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups - Fantasy Football Free Agent Adds and Stashes (2025)

December 23, 2025

Rob's Week 17 fantasy football waiver wire pickups, adds, stashes, and sleepers to target for 2025. His top waiver wire adds for Week 17 at RB, WR, TE, QB, K, D/ST.

It's officially championship week! It's the final week of the fantasy football season, which also concludes our weekly dance with the waiver wire. The days of stashing handcuffs are now done. The days of stashing anyone are now over.

At this stage, if you're one of the two teams still playing for something, you have two goals this week: make your starting roster as strong as possible, and keep as many players away from your competition that may improve their starting lineup. That's it! Those are the only two goals this week! Oh, and win! Good luck!

Be sure to also check out our free Who Should I Pickup? tool and compare up to four free-agent players at once -- we'll tell you who to pick up. Please use the promo code "BOOM" to get 10% off our premium subscription tools. Now, let's get to the best waiver wire adds for Week 17. If you've been reading this article all year, I just want to say thank you as we approach the end of the season.

Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals - 39.0% Rostered

James Conner (foot) is on IR. The same holds for Trey Benson (knee) and Bam Knight (ankle). In addition, Emari Demercado has just recently returned from a high-ankle sprain. All of this together has made Carter the team's No. 1 running back. In Week 15, he had 14 carries and 56 rushing yards. He also had four catches on four targets and had 38 yards. He finished with 11.4 half-PPR points.

Reports indicated he would once again be the No. 1 running back this past weekend, and that mostly held.

#Cardinals Week 16 RB Usage

- Michael Carter: 54% snaps, 11 carries, 17 routes, 2 targets (65 yds)
- Emari Demercado: 30% snaps, 5 carries, 7 routes, 1 target (30 yds)
- Corey Kiner: 16% snaps, 6 carries, 3 routes, 0 targets (32 yds)

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) December 22, 2025

He operated as the clear No. 1 running back for the Cardinals, but it didn't come with much production. He finished with 65 yards rushing on 11 carries. The efficiency was strong, but unfortunately, Carter did not find the end zone and did not catch either of his two targets, leaving him with just 6.5 half-PPR points.

The Cardinals play the Bengals in Week 17, one of the worst defenses of all-time, in what could be a high-scoring affair. Carter should be ranked as a backend RB2 in Week 17 with legit RB1 upside.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams - 29.7% Rostered

Corum has now found the end zone in four consecutive weeks. He's scored 14.1, 25.6, 13.1, and 12.6 half-PPR points in the team's last four games. During this stretch, he's averaging 11.5 touches per game. This volume is enough to keep him on the RB3 radar. The Week 17 matchup makes Corum even more appealing.

Blake Corum has 6⃣ rushing TDs in 2025

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Also streaming on #NFLPluspic.twitter.com/IchVFPACGT

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) December 19, 2025

Atlanta has been generous to opposing running backs this season, and the Rams will be heavy favorites in Week 17. Given the matchup and the fact that the Rams are likely to be playing with a lead, Corum is a good bet for 12+ touches. If you're desperate for a starter, Corum could very well be an RB2 next week.

Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders - 29.9% Rostered

Rodriguez missed Week 15 with a groin injury, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt filled in, finishing 96 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Following that performance, fantasy managers were justified in being concerned about Rodriguez's fantasy value moving forward. Washington's season is over, and it would've been understandable for the team to give Croskey-Merritt another shot at the starting spot.

However, when Rodriguez returned this week, he reclaimed his previous role as the team's primary ball-carrier. He finished with 15 carries, 63 yards, and a touchdown en route to 13.4 half-PPR PPG. He also had one catch for six yards. Croskey-Merritt managed to find the end zone, as well, but had just eight carries for 25 yards. Rodriguez continued to operate as the team's No. 1 running back.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. in for six points

PHIvsWAS on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/GRL1Y9wUGY

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025

That role should keep him on fantasy radars for Week 17 when the Commanders play host to the Cowboys. Quinnen Williams (concussion) missed Week 16, and if he's out again, that would help Washington's rushing attack. Rodriguez doesn't get involved in the passing game, but he's a worthy RB3/flex play with a decent shot at a touchdown.

Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers - 36.4% Rostered

Josh Jacobs has been struggling with a knee injury, and it clearly impacted him in Week 16. Wilson played 33 snaps to Jacobs' 28. Jacobs was also relatively ineffective, rushing for just 36 yards on 12 carries, averaging just three yards per carry. Wilson, on the other hand, had 82 rushing yards on 14 carries, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

Jacobs didn't practice at all leading up to the Week 16 game, and Ian Rapoport reported that Jacobs aggravated the injury during the game.

Given how ineffective Jacobs has been and in the hopes of ensuring he is available for the playoffs, don't be surprised if he's held out this upcoming week. That would make Wilson the primary ball-carrier. He dominated earlier this year against Minnesota when Jacobs was inactive. There are several reasons why Wilson isn't higher on this list.

The first reason is that we don't know whether Jacobs will be out. The other reason is that Jordan Love was diagnosed with a concussion, and Malik Willis injured his throwing shoulder in relief. The Packers could be starting their No. 3 quarterback this upcoming weekend, which would be a significant deterrent to Wilson's fantasy value.

However, given the unknowns regarding Jacobs' status, Wilson should be rostered in case Jacobs is out and either Love or Willis can play.

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans - 30.7% Rostered

The Titans have been playing some inspired football lately, and it paid off for Spears this past weekend. While Tony Pollard continues to operate as the team's No. 1 running back, Spears got more involved this past weekend than he had been in previous weeks.

He finished with 13 carries, 52 yards, and a rushing touchdown. He also chipped in with five catches for 53 yards. He finished with 19.0 half-PPR points. In Week 17, the Titans play the Saints, another game they should be able to keep close, allowing them to lean on their running game. Starting Spears is no sure thing, but if you're desperate for a starter, Spears could be an option.

Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears - 14.4% Rostered

If you need a wide receiver to start in Week 17, you're not going to like what you find on the waiver wire. The options are incredibly slim pickings. Burden is the most talented player who could yet be available, especially after being inactive this past weekend due to an ankle injury. That's the problem with adding Burden, however. We don't know if he'll be able to suit up in Week 17.

Before getting injured, with the absence of Rome Odunze (foot), Burden was starting to establish himself as Caleb Williams' No. 1 pass-catcher. If he's able to get back on the field, the hope is that he'll be able to step right back into that role. The matchup in Week 17 against the 49ers could turn into a shootout, giving Burden plenty of upside if he's able to get onto the field.

Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears - 40.4% Rostered

Odunze and Burden were both inactive this past weekend. Odunze is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot, and Burden is dealing with an ankle injury. Given these injuries, neither is a guarantee to suit up in Week 17. While Loveland's production over the past two weeks has been minimal, Chicago has played in brutally cold, windy conditions over the past two games.

In Week 17, they'll be in sunny Santa Clara against the 49ers. Loveland has three or more catches in every game since Week 7 and is asserting himself as one of Caleb Williams's most-trusted pass-catchers. With the weather clearing up in Week 17 and the injuries to their other pass-catchers, Loveland should be ranked as a top-12 tight end in Week 17.

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans - 58.6% Rostered

Schultz's Week 17 matchup against the Chargers is a brutal one. Los Angeles has been very unforgiving to tight ends this year. However, Schultz has been excellent since the team's Week 6 bye. Since that time, Schultz has scored at least 8.0 half-PPR points in seven of the 10 games. He's scored in double-digits five times and has 14 or more half-PPR points three times.

The most impressive part is that he's only scored three touchdowns during this stretch. He's a positive touchdown regression candidate, and that has held over the past two weeks. He found the end zone in Weeks 15 and 16, scoring 17.6 and 12.0 half-PPR points, respectively. The matchup leaves a lot to be desired, but there's no denying how productive Schultz has been this season.

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars - 27.3% Rostered

Since he returned in Week 12 from injury, Strange has scored 11.5 half-PPR points or more in three out of five games. This past weekend, he tied a season-high with seven targets and found the end zone, finishing with 12.4 half-PPR points. Strange has a positive matchup in Week 17 against the Colts, who have struggled to defend opposing tight ends.

Some TDs are just Strange

JAXvsDEN on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/fCCXYvV6Vf

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025

The downside for Strange is the number of pass-catchers Jacksonville is utilizing. They have Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, and Travis Etienne Jr. This quartet makes Strange a little more risky for those in standard leagues.

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints - 53.6% Rostered

With Devaughn Vele (shoulder) on IR, Johnson is locked in as Tyler Shough's No. 2 pass-catcher behind Chris Olave. This past weekend, he finished with nine targets, eight receptions, and 89 yards for 12.9 half-PPR points. For the season, Johnson has nine games with 7.5 or more half-PPR points. He's been one of the more consistent tight end performers this year. He only has three games with 5.0 or half-PPR points or less.

With a matchup against the Titans in Week 17, Johnson should be ranked as a top-12 tight end. He'll be a strong play and is a worthwhile waiver wire addition this week.

Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars - 51.0% Rostered

Lawrence hasn't scored below 15 points since Week 10 against Houston, who just so happens to be the best defense in the NFL. Before that, the last time Lawrence scored fewer than 15 points was in Week 4. Since the team's Week 8 bye, Lawrence is averaging 23.2 PPG. This includes back-to-back games where he's scored more than 30 points.

Lawrence is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL and in fantasy football. Over his last four games, he has scored 14 total TDs and not turned the ball over. He also just led the Jaguars to a critical road victory over the formidable Denver defense, snapping their respective 11-game winning streak.

Jacksonville plays Indianapolis in Week 17, a team he scored 19.36 points against just two weeks ago. Given how well he's played for the past two months now, Lawrence should be viewed as a locked-in top-10 quarterback.

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals - 60.1% Rostered

Brissett and the Cardinals play against the Bengals in Week 17. The only downside is that it's in Cincinnati, where cold weather and potentially snow could be factors. However, Cincinnati has been one of the most generous defenses to quarterbacks this season and has been the worst defense all year. Arizona's defense has also struggled lately.

This game, if the weather cooperates, will have one of the highest implied point totals on the Week 17 schedule.

Since Brissett became the starter, he's averaging 19.5 PPG. This past weekend against the Falcons was the first time since becoming a starter that Brissett did not finish as a top-12 quarterback. With the injuries at running back, the number of dropbacks Brissett has had to work with has been incredible, and it's a significant boon to his fantasy value.

The return of Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) will also give him a legit big-three between him, Michael Wilson, and Trey McBride in the final week of the fantasy season.

Team Defenses (D/ST) - Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 17

• Los Angeles Rams - 65.7% Rostered (at Atlanta Falcons)
• Jacksonville Jaguars - 61.8% Rostered (at Indianapolis Colts)
• Detroit Lions - 60.0% Rostered (at Minnesota Vikings)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 31.9% Rostered (at Miami Dolphins)
• Pittsburgh Steelers - 61.3% Rostered (at Cleveland Browns)
• Dallas Cowboys - 25.5% Rostered (at Washington Commanders)

Waiver Wire Parameters for This Article

A few rules and notes about this weekly waiver wire article. Every league is different, with varying roster formats and sizes. That makes this one of the more challenging articles because every league’s waiver wire can look dramatically different. Even the host site you use matters. ESPN has rankings that differ from Yahoo! 's, which in turn differ from CBS's or Sleeper's, and all of this affects which players are drafted and which are not.

We only identify quarterbacks and tight ends with a roster percentage of 60% or less. For running backs and receivers, that number drops to 50%. We don’t delve too deeply into defenses, but I highlight a few streamers to target each week.

Positions are also categorized into different groups, such as RB3 or a potential league-winner. You’ll need to know your roster and what to look for on the waiver. From there, each positional group is arranged based on who you should prioritize first at that position. We use ESPN’s roster percentages for this article.

Know your team and your team’s needs. If you’re healthy and your starting roster is strong, shoot for upside.

As a reminder, please use promo code "BOOM" at checkout for an additional 10% off any NFL Premium package.

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