Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 17: Streamers, James Cook, Jahan Dotson and future stashes

Read the latest fantasy football waiver wire pickups advice. 

Fantasy football championship week is here, so let’s bring home the glory with the Week 17 waivers. If you want to play Week 18 as a one-off (or you’re insane enough to make it part of your playoffs), I have some potential fliers for teams that might rest in Week 18.

HEADS UP

• Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo
• Listed in order of preference — I’ll often prioritize potential upside over immediate middling production
• No FAB suggestions: It varies wildly by league tendencies and always relative (ex: if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive)
• Streaming QB and TE are grouped together— their ranking might change slightly once projections/ranks run, and DST could shift a bit too

STREAMING QUARTERBACK RANKINGS

1. Daniel Jones, NYG
2. Gardner Minshew, PHI
3. Brock Purdy, SF
4. Mike White, NYJ
5. Taylor Heinicke, WSH
6. Russell Wilson, DEN
7. Teddy Bridgewater, MIA
8. Baker Mayfield, LAR
9. Desmond Ridder, ATL
10. Kenny Pickett, PIT
11. Mac Jones, NE
12. Sam Darnold, CAR
13. Malik Willis, TEN

WAIVER WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS

1. Tyler Allgeier, ATL — Even with a slow start to his career and down weeks, Allgeier still has 9.8 FPPG when given at least 10 carries.
2. Zack Moss, IND — Unsubstantiated reports claimed Deon Jackson got in an argument with Jeff Saturday, but even if that’s not true, whether it was the fumble in Week 15 or whatever, Saturday did not want to use Jackson much at all.
3. Gus Edwards, BAL — Weekly RB3 with Top 15 upside if he scores.
4. Chuba Hubbard, CAR — Who knows what the Panthers plan is workload-wise, but we do know Hubbard will always be involved and an RB3 with upside for more if 1) he leads, or, 2) the Panthers run 30+ times.
5. James Cook, BUF — Near-zero floor but Top 20 potential.
6. Hassan Haskins, TEN … Titans and Jaguars situation — Neither team can clinch or get eliminated this week thanks to the Jaguars having won the first matchup but the Titans having the better conference record. So, Week 18 is a winner takes all. Derrick Henry “wouldn’t have practiced” Monday, but it would be hard to trust Haskins for the championship (or JaMycal Hasty or Snoop Conner, etc. etc.) if either/both rest starters, it could be ugly showings. Plus, there is a slim chance the Jaguars could squeak in as a Wild Card if Dolphins and others lose out. It’s insane.
7. DeeJay Dallas, SEA — The passing game choice for the Seahawks, and in the off chance the Jets lead early, Dallas could be an RB3 in Half/Full-PPR.
8. Royce Freeman, HOU — If you want floor, Freeman has it.

Possible Week 18 Replacements

• Alexander Mattison, MIN — Locked into the division but no chance for the No. 1 seed (if they lose and Eagles win), Dalvin Cook and others see time off to get ready for the playoffs.
• Khalil Herbert, CHI — Bears have nothing to play for and David Montgomery is a free agent.
• Samaje Perine, CIN — The Bengals could be locked into a division title but no chance at the bye, which could mean Joe Mixon gets Week 18 rest.
• Joshua Kelley, LAC — Chargers are locked into a Wild Card spot and could rest in Week 18.
• Jordan Mason, SF — If the Eagles clinch, the 49ers have already locked up the West and likely limit Christian McCaffrey (Mason was banged up for Week 16 and ceded some to Tyrion Davis-Price).
• Kenyan Drake, BAL — If they lose and Bengals win, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards could get the final week off.
• Jaylen Warren, PIT — With nothing to play for, Najee Harris could get an early start on offseason rest.
• D’Ernest Johnson, CLE — Nothing to play for, Nick Chubb might see limited work, as could Kareem Hunt (free agent).
• Justin Jackson, DET — Lions could get eliminated and choose to sit D’Andre Swift given his injury history, including this year.
• Ronald Jones, KC — The Bills could secure the No. 1 seed, and the Chiefs could decide to play starters one quarter or similar in Week 18.
• Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell, PHI — Can clinch No. 1 seed and rest Miles Sanders and many others. Scott got more early-down and short-yard work in the past.
• Zamir White, LV — Josh Jacobs is a free agent, so the Raiders might evaluate White’s potential to be their new lead.
• Salvon Ahmed, MIA — Can clinch and would be locked into a Wild Card spot, possibly resting injury risks Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert.
• Gary Brightwell, NYG — Win and clinch a spot, thereby possibly resting starters, including Saquon Barkley.

WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS

1. Brandin Cooks, HOU — Bit surprising to see Cooks return this year, but he’s back, the No. 1 option and faces the Jaguars.
2. Drake London, ATL — Desmond Ridder knows one thing in the passing game, and it’s throwing to London.
3. Romeo Doubs, GB — Doubs is here if Christian Watson is out, as the Packers keep their playoff hopes alive and get the Vikings.
4. Jahan Dotson, WSH — Better if Taylor Heinicke is the quarterback given the recently developing rapport, but I’m not sure how Dotson is still available anyway, even if it’s Carson Wentz.
5. Isaiah Hodgins, NYG — Something to be said for Hodgins and Richie James the past month plus, and the former Bills receiver looks to be a favorite of Brian Daboll and even Daniel Jones in the red zone. Hodgins has at least four receptions in each of the last four games with touchdowns in three of them for 11.8+ points in each of those three.
6. Richie James, NYG — James has 12.3, 12.6, 3.5, 15.6, 6.2 and 13.0 since the Giants’ bye.
7. Greg Dortch, ARI — No, I’m not predicting double-digit targets every week, but Dortch rounds out the receiving trio of DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown, and the Falcons are a great matchup… especially for slot receivers.
8. D.J. Chark, DET — Jameson Williams looks to be a 2023 play, as Chark continues to be the No. 2 when healthy, albeit a bit volatile. Good news: Jared Goff looked good outdoors for a change, and the Lions are home indoors anyway this week.
9. Kendrick Bourne, NE — Major boom/bust play, but Week 16 points to the upside many thought Bourne might have this year.
10. Hunter Renfrow, LV — Back in the mix more in his second game back, Renfrow is a volume WR4.
11. Russell Gage, TB — Week 15 showed Gage’s ceiling, Week 16 was a more realistic output, but the potential for that upside is worth a gamble.
12. Rashid Shaheed, NO — Likely not as much of a weather worry this week, but the Saints’ “No. 1” option has the Eagles’ defense.
13. Demarcus Robinson, BAL — If Lamar Jackson returns, Robinson is a solid WR4, and if not, he’s a boom/bust WR4/5.
14. Chris Moore, HOU — Cooks is back, which dings Moore, but he’s the clear No. 2, and as mentioned, it’s a nice matchup.
15. Treylon Burks, TEN — Hard to roll the dice on Titans wideouts with Malik Willis, but Burks is a touchdown prayer against the Cowboys, as they likely have to play catchup.

WAIVER WIRE TIGHT ENDS

Top Streamers

• Greg Dulcich, DEN
• Tyler Conklin, NYJ
• Juwan Johnson, NO
• Noah Fant, SEA
• Logan Thomas, WSH

STREAMING DST RANKINGS

Week 17

• JAX at HOU
• WSH vs CLE
• LAC vs LAR
• CLE at WSH
• NYG vs IND
• MIA at NE
• SEA vs NYJ
• ARI at ATL
• DET vs CHI
• CAR at TB

Week 18

• IND vs HOU
• NO vs CAR
• CAR at NO
• CLE at PIT
• MIA vs NYJ
• LAC at DEN
• GB vs DET
• LAR at SEA
• SEA vs LAR

POTENTIAL KEEPER/DYNASTY STASHES

This is more for keeper leagues, as in dynasty, there are rarely good players lingering on waivers. Nevertheless, I’ll toss out a few names with potential 2023+ value worth stashing. The list will also highlight a few potential buys during the offseason, since free agency could boost values.

QUARTERBACKS

1. Desmond Ridder, ATL — Falcons giving him a chance, and they’re likely going to miss on the top two quarterbacks (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud).
2. Gardner Minshew, PHI — Could play his way into a starting gig for 2023.
3. Malik Willis, TEN — Similar to the Falcons, but Ryan Tannehill’s contract is a bit gross ($27.0M with $18.8M dead cap for 2023), which could have Tannehill starting again.
4. Sam Howell, WSH — You know I like Taylor Heinicke, but they don’t appear enamored with him or Carson Wentz. Howell could get a shot to win the job.
5. Jordan Love, GB — Aaron Rodgers is always a threat to retire.

RUNNING BACKS

1. Khalil Herbert, CHI — David Montgomery is a free agent, and Herbert has shown RB1 upside.
2. James Cook, BUF — Devin Singletary is a free agent, and the Bills could let him walk.
3. Alexander Mattison, MIN — Could be one of the “sleeper” signings after the big names like Saquon Barkley and Jacobs, and if Mattison has a lead job, RB2 value should be his floor.
4. Zamir White, LV — Josh Jacobs is a free agent.
5. Samaje Perine, CIN — Similar to Mattison, a team could like what they’ve seen when Perine leads and take the discount signing.
6. Chuba Hubbard, CAR — D’Onta Foreman is a free agent, and the Panthers might bring in a complementary piece… or someone like Foreman and annoy us again.
7. Jerome Ford, CLE — Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson will be free agents, and the Browns could give Ford the backup job.
8. Kyren Williams, LAR — Cam Akers looks good (too late), but who knows what Sean McVay will decide in 2023.
9. Kevin Harris, NE — Damien Harris is a free agent.
10. Hassan Haskins, TEN — Similar to Derrick Henry, who is getting up there and more of an injury-risk by the season (week?).

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Romeo Doubs, GB — Allen Lazard is a free agent (Randall Cobb too), setting up Christian Watson and Doubs to be the top two Packers receivers in 2023.
2. Calvin Ridley, JAX — Might be toast after such a long layoff, but there is still Top 25 potential given his ability and the ascending Jaguars/Trevor Lawrence.
3. Alec Pierce, IND — Parris Campbell comes off his rookie contract, but the Colts need a quarterback.
4. Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG — Brian Daboll loved the talent and finding ways to get him the ball.
5. Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, KC — JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman might not return in free agency.
6. Tyquan Thornton, NE — Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor are free agents, and Thornton was a developmental talent from the draft (and hurt to start).
7. Khalil Shakir, BUF — Flashed earlier this year and passed up Isaiah McKenzie again in Week 16. Shakir would have Half/Full-PPR value if he’s the locked-in slot option.
8. Terrace Marshall, CAR — If the Panthers find a new quarterback, Marshall showed why he can be a team’s No. 2 receiver at times this year.
9. John Metchie, HOU — Rooting for him if nothing else, as Metchie missed his rookie season with leukemia. Other athletes have returned from a similar case, and the Texans could free Brandin Cooks, setting up their receiving corps to be led by Metchie and Nico Collins (plus another likely addition).
10. David Bell, CLE — Behind Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones, but Bell has the talent to push DPJ for the No. 2 role.

TIGHT ENDS

1. Greg Dulcich, DEN — You have seen his potential already.
2. Trey McBride, ARI — Zach Ertz is no guarantee to be 100% himself and/or struggle to hold off one of the best 2022 tight end talents in the draft. McBride is in the conversation for highest ceiling among second-year tight ends.
3. Daniel Bellinger, NYG — Looks to be the Giants answer at tight end and a similar option for Daboll like Dawson Knox is in Buffalo.
4. Jelani Woods, IND — Athletic matchup problem. With a new quarterback, Woods could be one of the best 2023 breakouts.
5. Cade Otton, TB — Inconsistent, but there were enough glimpses of hope for 2023 to be a Top 15 year.

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)