Fantasy football’s championship week has arrived. But just because your team made it to the title game, doesn’t mean you should stop trying to make improvements. Things change every week in the fantasy football landscape, which means you should remain as active as ever on the waiver wire.
At FTN Fantasy, we have a Waiver Wire Tool that ranks the top waiver adds of the week and also recommends the amount of FAAB you should use on each player. And every Tuesday, I’ll break down the top five players listed in the tool, giving you the best case for each highly ranked player. With all of the key injuries impacting fantasy rosters, being able to add key players off waivers is as crucial as ever.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 17
1. Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
Yahoo! 56%, ESPN 48%
A combination of Tony Pollard being less than 100% and the Titans trailing led to a second straight productive day from Spears Sunday. He logged a season-high 61% of the snaps, carrying the ball 10 times for 27 yards and two touchdowns and adding three catches for 39 yards. Spears has now finished as the RB3 and RB10 over the past two weeks, and with Pollard still battling injury, there should be an opportunity for him to see 10-12 touches against a Jacksonville defense that gives it up to running backs. The Jaguars are not only allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing backfields, but they are also surrendering the third-most receptions (5.5), fourth-most targets (6.7) and most receiving yards (45.3) per game to opposing running backs.
2. Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Yahoo! 18%, ESPN 18%
The Cardinals backfield will be one to watch all week. Arizona plays Saturday and James Conner is dealing with a knee injury that could sideline him. Of course, Benson is also banged up, but if you have a roster spot available, it makes sense to add Benson because if he’s good to go and Conner is out, the rookie will handle the majority of the work against the Rams.
3. Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Yahoo! 70%, ESPN 67%
Warren is still out there in some leagues and is coming off a game where he not only out-touched Najee Harris 19-9 but also outsnapped him 40-17. Since Week 7, Warren is averaging a solid 12 touches and nearly four targets per game. And if the Steelers are chasing points against the Chiefs Wednesday, Warren could easily catch 5-6 passes.
4. Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Yahoo! 48%, ESPN 53%
After doing next to nothing in J.K. Dobbins’ absence, Edwards found the end zone twice last week, even breaking off a rare long run. This feels like a game where the Chargers can play with a lead against the Patriots, which is exactly the gamescript you want for Edwards. If Dobbins doesn’t return Saturday, Edwards would be a flex option against a New England defense allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing backfields this season.
5. Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Yahoo! 48%, ESPN 48%
With Sincere McCormick and Zamir White done for the year, Mattison drew the start Sunday, logging 57% of the snaps and handling 16 touches. As usual, the efficiency was poor, but seven targets are tough to overlook. He’ll lose some work to Ameer Abdullah, who is also worth a look if you need running back help, but this week’s matchup is elite. The Saints are coughing up the most yards before contact per attempt in all of football (2.5), while 12% of the runs against New Orleans have gained 10-plus yards.
Check the FTN Waiver Wire Tool for the full Week 17 waiver wire advice.