Week 17 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Deep Sleepers to Grab on Waiver Wire

Week 17 is already underway, which means that many fantasy football managers are already into their championship matchups.

While managers don't have to worry about bye weeks at this point in the year, injuries can still lead to a lot of uncertainty. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, for example, suffered a concussion last Sunday and isn't guaranteed to return or be at 100 percent in Week 17.

It's never too late to bolster a championship roster via the waiver wire, and there are some enticing options who should still be available late in the week. You'll find a look at some top picks and updated point-per-reception (PPR) flex rankings for the remaining Week 17 schedule here.

1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
3. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
4. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
7. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
8. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
9. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
10. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
11. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
12. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
13. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14. Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
15. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
16. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
17. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
18. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
19. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
20. Davante Adams, WR, New York Jets
21. Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings
22. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
23. Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
24. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
25. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
26. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
27. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
28. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
29. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
30. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
31. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
32. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
33. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
34. D.J. Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
35. Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers
36. Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
37. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
38. Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
39. Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
40. Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns

*Rankings based on matchup, projected role and PPR scoring

Managers who need a quarterback or simply want some added insurance should consider Carolina Panthers signal-caller Bryce Young this week.

Young has been a quality starter since returning to Carolina's starting lineup, though an underwhelming supporting cast has limited his fantasy ceiling. That said, the second-year quarterback is coming off of a stellar performance.

The Alabama produced tossed a pair of touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16 and added 68 rushing yards and a rushing score. This week, he'll be up against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Young hasn't regularly racked up passing yards—he had just 158 last Sunday—but even boom-or-bust options are worth considering in a favorable matchup. Young is still available in over 90 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues. Other quarterbacks to consider on the waiver wire include:

• Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
• Mason Rudolph, Tennessee Titans
• Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
  

Managers usually won't find a starting running back this late in the season, but a Las Vegas Raiders injury may have provided one. Sincere McCormick was starting to assert himself as the Raiders starter but was recently placed on injured reserve.

Las Vegas is now utilizing the duo of Ameer Abdullah and Alexander Mattison, but Mattison saw the bulk of the work in Week 16. He tallied five more carries than Abdullah and finished with four receptions, 56 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.

Mattison is far from a "safe" play in Week 17, but he does have a favorable matchup. The New Orleans Saints have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024.

Las Vegas may also do its fair share of rushing in Week 17. The Saints offense was injury-depleted and inefficient against the Green Bay Packers on Monday, which led to a big discrepancy in time of possession (nearly 15 minutes) and a lot of Packers carries (39).

Mattison could be a high-volume back this week, and he's still available in roughly 50 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Other RBs to consider include:

• Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
• Patrick Taylor Jr., San Francisco 49ers
• Audric Estimé, Denver Broncos
  

Rookie receiver Jalen McMillan has started to establish himself in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense. He hasn't quite replaced the injured Chris Godwin as a regular go-to target, but he is earning the trust of quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The rookie has seen at least six targets in each of his last three games and is coming off a five-catch, 57-yard, one-touchdown outing against the Dallas Cowboys.

There is some risk in starting McMillan this week, however. Tampa may look to lean on Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and its explosive ground attack. That would limit the opportunities for McMillan, who caught just two passes for 25 yards the first time he faced the Carolina Panthers.

It's a high-upside gamble, though, because if McMillan does see a high volume of targets, he could shine. The Panthers rank 25th in net yards per pass attempt allowed.

McMillan is still available in over 50 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues. Other WRs to consider include:

• Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans
• Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
• Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos

*Fantasy roster and scoring information via FantasyPros