Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered. Good luck in your fantasy championship if you
made it!
Carr had a nice outing against the Rams, going 319-3-1, making
it back-to-back games with 3 passing TDs. Up next is a great matchup
against the Buccaneers, who have allowed the most passing yards
to opposing QBs, although they held him to only 127 yards back
in Week 4.
Flacco has been quite the gunslinger since stepping in for the
Browns, throwing for multiple TDs in every game and over 300 yards
in his last three games, but also throwing 7 INTs. Up next is
a revenge game against the Jets, but caution should be exercised
with him going against the 2nd-toughest QB defense in the league,
and should know his weaknesses. He’s got the hot hand but
it would be tough to trust him in your fantasy championship against
the Jets.
Jake Browning, CIN @ PIT: Browning had a rough day against a
tough Steelers secondary, going 335-1-3 in a loss to their division
rivals. However, he’s thrown a TD pass in every game and
has passed over 300 yards in three of his last four games, so
he could be a streaming option in a shootout against the Chiefs.
Baker Mayfield, TB vs JAX: Mayfield had another solid day against
the Jaguars, going 283-2-0 throwing. That makes 8 passing TDs
(plus a rushing TD) in his last three games. Unfortunately, he
gets a much tougher matchup this week against the Saints.
Aaron Rodgers, NYJ vs WAS: Rodgers has been (smartly) held out
and is done for the year. Hopefully he’ll be able to return
in 2024 and have a solid campaign.
Isiah Pacheco ended up playing but suffering a concussion in
the second half, so his status in Week 17 is in doubt. Edwards-Helaire
ended up with only 4-6-0 rushing and 3-3-42-0 receiving, but he
would be in line for a lot more work if Pacheco sits since Jerick
McKinnon was placed on injured reserve.
Hunt is the clear RB2 behind Jerome Ford, but that’s good enough
for around 10 opportunities per game. This week he went 7-11-1
on the ground and 4-2-5-0 through the air, and up next is a favorable
matchup against the Jets.
Chicago has been using a maddening three-headed RB committee,
but with D’Onta Foreman out, Herbert ran roughshod over
the Cardinals, going 20-112-1 on the ground and chipping in 2-1-9-0
through the air. It will be difficult to trust any RB against
the 3rd-toughest RB defense in the NFL, but Herbert might be worth
a flier if Foreman is still out.
White carried the load while Josh Jacobs was out for a 2nd straight
week, and he had a nice day on the ground, going 22-145-0. Jacobs
may return for Week 17, but if not, White would get an excellent
matchup against a Colts defense that gives up the 3rd-most points
to RBs.
Antonio Gibson,
WAS @ NYJ: Gibson saved his fantasy day by scoring a touchdown,
going 9-30-1 on the ground to pair with a 2-yard reception. If
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (right foot in a boot after the game) is forced
to sit and Brian Robinson Jr. is still out, Gibson could be in
line for major touches against a tough 49ers defense.
Doubs managed 5-4-79-1 receiving against a Panthers secondary
that hasn’t given up a lot of points to WRs. Up next is a Vikings
defense that ranks in the bottom 10 against WRs, so if Christian
Watson and Jayden Reed are out again, Doubs should feast. He went
9-4-18-1 against them in Week 8.
Samuel tied for the team lead in targets against the Jets but
only managed 1 catch for 16 scoreless yards. He should find more
success against a 49ers defense that has forced teams to throw.
Douglas had another nice outing against a stingy Broncos secondary,
going 8-5-74-0. Up next is another solid defense in the Bills,
but he produced 6-4-54-0 against them in Week 7 and should see
a strong target share, especially if TE Hunter Henry and JuJu
Smith-Schuster are out again.
Osborn has been the WR3 behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison,
but with Addison leaving early, Osborn saw more looks and went
7-5-95-1 against the Lions. Up next is a rematch against the Packers
who he torched for 10-8-99-0 back in Week 8 (without Jefferson
playing). If Addison sits, Osborn would be a near every-down player
and a worthwhile start.
Brown had a ho-hum performance against the tough Browns defense,
going 7-3-38-0. However, this week he gets the Titans, who he
torched for 11-8-82-1 just over a week ago. The Titans have allowed
the most receptions to WRs in the NFL.
Robinson is the clear WR3 behind Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua,
but he’s scored a TD in four-straight games. Up next is a favorable
matchup against the bottom-5 (against WRs) Giants defense.
Everett has three-straight games with at least 8 targets, and
now gets the league-worst (against TEs) Denver defense. Look for
Easton Stick to continue to find his security blanket, especially
if Keenan Allen is out again.
Okonkwo spiked a TD in Week 16, going 6-6-63-1 in a loss to the
Seahawks. Up next is a favorable matchup against the Texans, who
have allowed the 3rd-most fantasy points to TEs (and most receptions).
He only put up 3-3-36-0 against them in Week 15, but if Ryan Tannehill
is forced to start, he could be a favorite target again.
Josh Palmer,
LAC vs BUF: Palmer tied for the team lead with 8 targets, but
was only able to convert 5 receptions for 47 yards against the
Bills. Up next is a tough matchup against the Broncos but he should
see a solid target load if Keenan Allen is still out.
Zay Jones, JAX vs TB: Jones had a limited practice on Friday
and was ultimately held out versus Tampa Bay. He looks to return
in a tough spot against the Panthers.
Hunter Henry,
NE @ DEN: Henry was a late scratch for the game against the Broncos.
Mike Gesicki ended up scoring a TD and could be an option if Henry
sits again.
Cade Otton, TB vs JAX: Otton was a dart throw against a terrible
Jaguars TE defense, and he didn’t deliver, managing a 1-1-7-0
receiving line despite the blowout win. Up next is another favorable
matchup against the Saints, who he scored a TD against in Week
4.
Defense/ Special Teams
Jaguars vs CAR
The Jaguars struggled to contain the Buccaneers, but that shouldn’t
be a problem this week against Carolina. Carolina has allowed
the 4th-most sacks and scored the 4th-fewest points, while tied
for 2nd-most D/ST TDs allowed. The Jaguars should feast at home
in a winnable game against the league’s worst team.
Raiders @ IND
The Raiders have been playing great defense since Antonio Peirce
took over for Josh McDaniels, including back-to-back games with
2 defensive TDs (and a combined 7 turnovers). Up next is a solid
matchup against a Colts team that just gave up 6 sacks while only
scoring 10 points against the Falcons.
Texans vs TEN
The Texans managed a sack and two turnovers, plus a return TD
to save their day in a loss to the Browns. Up next is another
favorable matchup against a Titans team they played a week ago
and generated 7 sacks against and held to 10 points.
Last week’s waiver adds:
Broncos vs NE: The Broncos managed 2 sacks and
a turnover but couldn’t come up with a win against the lowly
Patriots. Up next is a favorable matchup against the Chargers.
Packers @ CAR: The Packers only managed 2 sacks
and gave up 30 points to a team that hadn’t scored 30 points
all season and had only scored over 20 points three times. They
don’t seem capable of taking advantage of favorable matchups,
which they’ll get again versus the Vikings in Week 17.
