Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups
**Week 17 Waiver Wire:** With the fantasy finals here, injuries are reshaping opportunities—Joe Flacco (CLE) and Zamir White (LV) are hot adds after recent breakouts. No byes remain, so focus on filling gaps: RB scarcity lingers, while WR streamers like Demarcus Robinson (BAL) offer upside. Tight ends remain thin, but Hunter Henry (NE) is a red-zone dart throw. Spend FAAB aggressively on high-ceiling starters, but avoid overpaying for backups in messy committees. Every move counts—chase volume
🥇 Priority Pickups (Must-Adds)
Quarterbacks
Gardner Minshew (LV - QB)
Ownership: 12%
Why: **Must-add**: Minshew is a high-floor QB2 with rushing upside if named starter. O’Connell’s struggles (4 INTs last 2 games) could force a change. **Role/Usage**: Dual-threat (3 rush TDs in 5 starts) in a pass-heavy scheme. Faces IND (Week 17, 13th vs QBs).
💰 FAAB Recommendation: 5-10%
Running Backs
Jaylen Wright (MIA - RB)
Ownership: 18%
Why: **Jaylen Wright** is a must-add if Achane misses time. His 15 carries (71 yards) show trust in a split with Mostert. Expect 10-12 touches weekly in a high-powered offense. ROS outlook is strong—Miami’s run-heavy scheme and playoff push boost his upside. **FAAB:** 15-20% if Achane is out.
💰 FAAB Recommendation: 10-15%
Audric Estime (DEN - RB)
Ownership: 8%
Why: **Audric Estime (DEN RB)** is a must-add if Javonte Williams (knee) sits. Estime has fresh legs, goal-line upside, and a favorable Week 17 matchup vs. LAC (29th vs. RBs). Expect 12-15 touches as the early-down complement to Jaleel McLaughlin. High-ceiling RB2 if Williams is out,
💰 FAAB Recommendation: 10-15%
Wide Receivers
Demario Douglas (NE - WR)
Ownership: 22%
Why: **Demario Douglas** is a must-add with WR3/FLEX upside. Leading NE in targets (8+ in 3 straight), he’s Mac Jones’ clear top option. With JuJu banged up and a soft Week 17 matchup vs. BUF (28th vs. WRs), Douglas is a high-floor PPR play. Bid **10-15% FAAB
💰 FAAB Recommendation: 15-20%
Jalen Tolbert (DAL - WR)
Ownership: 15%
Why: **Jalen Tolbert** is a sneaky Week 17 add due to rising red-zone usage (4 targets last 2 games) and Dak’s trust. With Gallup fading, Tolbert is the clear WR3 in a high-powered offense. Strong flex appeal vs. DET’s shaky secondary. **FAAB:** 5-10% for upside in shootout potential
💰 FAAB Recommendation: 10-15%
Tight Ends
Tyler Conklin (NYJ - TE)
Ownership: 31%
Why: **Tyler Conklin** is a must-add with Rodgers locking onto him in the red zone (5+ targets in 3 of last 4 games). He’s playing 90%+ snaps and faces CLE (29th vs. TE) Week 17. High-floor TE1 streamer with Rodgers’ trust. **FAAB:** 8-12% if desperate for a
💰 FAAB Recommendation: 15-20%
Defense/Special Teams
Arizona Cardinals (ARI - DST)
Ownership: 25%
Why: **ARI DST** is a must-add for Week 17: - **Why?** Bears allow top-5 fantasy points to DSTs (sacks, turnovers). Cardinals have 7 sacks and 4 TOs in last 3 games. - **Usage?** Home matchup with aggressive blitzing vs. Justin Fields’ struggles (12 INTs, 9 f
💰 FAAB Recommendation: 15-20%
🥈 Solid Adds
Quarterbacks
Nick Mullens (MIN - QB)
Ownership: 8%
Why: **Nick Mullens** is a strong Week 17 streamer—averaging **300+ yards/game** in 3 starts, with **Minnesota’s pass-heavy scheme** (40+ attempts weekly). Faces **Packers’ shaky secondary** (top-10 matchup for QBs). Ideal for managers needing a **high-floor QB2 with shootout upside**. FAAB:
💰 FAAB: **1-3% if desperate**
Running Backs
Ty Chandler (MIN - RB)
Ownership: 18%
Why: Ty Chandler is seeing a rising workload (15+ touches in 3 straight games) as MIN phases out Alexander Mattison. Explosive upside in a plus Week 17 matchup vs. GB (25th vs. RBs). Priority add for RB-needy teams. FAAB: 15-25%.
💰 FAAB: 5-10% FAAB.
Wide Receivers
Wan'Dale Robinson (NYG - WR)
Ownership: 28%
Why: **Wan'Dale Robinson** is a strong add: locked-in slot role (6+ targets in 6 straight games), Tyrod Taylor boosts short-pass volume, and Giants face LAR’s weak secondary (30th vs. WRs). High-floor PPR flex with upside in plus matchup. **FAAB:** 8-12%.
💰 FAAB: 5-10% FAAB.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft (GB - TE)
Ownership: 15%
Why: Tucker Kraft is seeing increased red zone usage (3 TDs in last 4 games) with Luke Musgrave out. Rodgers trusts him in scoring positions, and GB faces MIN’s weak TE defense in Week 17. High-upside streaming option with TD potential. FAAB: 5-10%.
💰 FAAB: **5-10% FAAB** Kraft is stepping up with Musgrave (lacer
Defense/Special Teams
Denver Broncos (DEN - DST)
Ownership: 35%
Why: **DEN DST** is a top Week 17 streamer: Home vs. **NE (31st in PPG, 3rd-most sacks allowed)**. Bailey Zappe is turnover-prone (6 INTs in last 5 games), and Denver’s D has 12 sacks in last 3 games. High-floor, high-ceiling play. **FAAB: 5-10
💰 FAAB: 5-10% FAAB.
🥉 Stash Candidates
Running Backs
Isaiah Spiller (LAC - RB)
Ownership: 1%
Why: Spiller is the direct backup to Ekeler, who has injury history. High-upside handcuff in a potent offense. Worth a stash in deep leagues for potential RB2 upside if Ekeler misses time.
💰 FAAB: "$1-2% - deep league stash"
Wide Receivers
Xavier Hutchinson (HOU - WR)
Ownership: 3%
Why: Hutchinson is stepping into Dell’s deep-threat role. With 5+ targets in 2 of last 3 games and explosive play ability, he’s a high-upside stash in Houston’s ascending offense. Worth 5-10% FAAB.
💰 FAAB: $1-2% deep stash upside
Tight Ends
Luke Schoonmaker (DAL - TE)
Ownership: 2%
Why: Schoonmaker is a high-upside stash if Ferguson (concussion) misses time. Dallas uses TEs in the red zone, and Schoonmaker has athleticism to capitalize. Worth a 5-10% FAAB flier.
💰 FAAB: "$1-2, deep league dart throw"
📉 Drop Candidates
- • Zack Moss (IND RB) - Jonathan Taylor back to full health
- • Quentin Johnston (LAC WR) - Too inconsistent for playoffs
- • Gerald Everett (LAC TE) - Target share cratering
- • Desmond Ridder (ARI QB) - Back to bench role
💎 Deeper League Gems
1. **Tyler Conklin (NYJ TE)** - 5+ targets in 4 straight games, Jets throwing heavily. 2. **Tyjae Spears (TEN RB)** - Henry banged up, Spears seeing increased touches. 3. **Curtis Samuel (WAS WR)** - 7+ targets in 3 of last 4,
📊 Expert Analysis | Published: June 12, 2025
Waiver recommendations for Week 17 based on latest data and trends