NFL Waiver Wire: Week 17 Pickups

Most fantasy seasons are over but some still play through the end of the season. I'm not a fan of using a playoff system through Week 17 (possibly the championship game combining Week 16 and Week 17), but I think it can be fun if you're doing a points league. Hopefully, you had a successful season and, if nothing else, enjoyed weekly fantasy football. Remember that six months ago we weren't sure if we would get a full season and here we are on the verge of Week 17.

Hope everyone had a fun season, thanks for reading and we'll see you in 2021.

This columns is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.

Quarterback

PRIMARY TARGET

Philip Rivers, IND - Had this game been a week ago it would have made for some tough decisions for owners in most leagues, considering the Colts are 14-point favorites this week against visiting Jacksonville. This is a must-win game for Indianapolis, so you can expect it to keep the foot on the gas throughout.  Rivers is a better option than any backups starting this week or regulars who have bad matchups. FAAB: $10-$20

SECONDARY OPTION

Alex Smith, WFT - Smith seemed really close to returning last week, but I think Washington decided if he wasn't 100 percent healthy it would give Dwayne Haskins a shot at redemption. We know know how that worked out. Expect Smith to be ready to go this week. This is another team desperate for a win and Smith fits this team perfect as a game manager complemented by a strong defense. Look for a lot of dink-and-dunk from Smith, but those numbers add up. FAAB: $4-$8

HAIL MARY

Chris Streveler, ARI; John Wolford, LAR - John Wolford has officially been named the starter after it was released late Monday night that Jared Goff underwent thumb surgery with the hope of returning for the playoffs (should the Rams qualify). Streveler's starting status is more in the air with Kyler Murray dealing with a lower leg injury. The weapons at both quarterbacks' disposal are pretty even, so if both start there isn't strong lean either way. Now, though, that lean is to Wolford, who at least we know is starting. Wolford, an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest, has the ability to scramble, so expect him to get some extra fantasy points using his legs. FAAB: Wolford $2-$4; Streveler $1-$2

Running Back

PRIMARY TARGETS

Malcolm Brown, LAR - Here's probably the best pickup for a fantasy team this week as the Rams likely will lean on the running game with Jared Goff out. Brown is the last man standing with Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson both nursing injuries. It's a good matchup, as the Cardinals are 20th against the position and Brown can be penciled in for about 20 touches. FAAB: $25-$50

AJ Dillon, GB - Dillon would be just as valuable as Brown this week if Green Bay had nothing to play for and the Packers wanted to rest Aaron Jones. As it turns out, the Packers are playing to lock up the No. 1 seed and Jamaal Williams could be back for all we know. If Williams is out, though, it would appear Dillon is in line for double-digit touches, and he's fresh after being relatively unused most of the season. FAAB: $15-$25

Ke'Shawn Vaughn, TB - Tampa Bay is locked into a wild card spot, so there doesn't seem to be any reason to risk playing Ronald Jones or Leonard Fournette. With the game out of hand last week, Vaughn got plenty of work with 16 touches in that game and it seems reasonable to expect at least that same amount of work this week against the Falcons. FAAB: $12-$22

Gus Edwards, BAL - J.K. Dobbins briefly left Sunday's game but returned, and there was no reason to risk playing him with the game in hand. Edwards took over the backfield and finished with 122 yards on 17 touches. He's been pretty consistent his last four games, averaging 12.5 fantasy points (.5 PPR) and it appears Mark Ingram has fallen out of favor in Baltimore. Even if Dobbins is back, look for Gus to get as least 10 touches against the Bengals. FAAB: $10-$20

Darrel Williams, KC - Most (including myself) expected Le'Veon Bell to lead the Chiefs backfield in Week 16. However, Williams ended up getting more touches (14 to 8) and was the more productive fantasy back. The Chiefs have nothing to play for this week, which makes it tough to determine if they will save Williams as a Clyde Edwards-Helaire insurance policy for the playoffs or let him loose against the Chargers. There's a good chance too we see Darwin Thompson finally get some work this weekend. FAAB: $6-$12

SECONDARY TARGET

Samaje Perine, CIN - Perine had a breakout game Sunday, going 13-95-2 while catching four passes for 41 yards. At 6-foot-2, 240, he profiles more of an early down back but the Bengals have seemed hesitant to use him preferring to use the smaller, more shifty Giovani Bernard. It's hard to see the Bengals completely abandoning Bernard and it's not the best matchup for Perine or he would be ranked higher. FAAB: $4-$8

Wide Receiver

PRIMARY TARGETS

Nelson Agholor, LV - Agholor has been a nice find late in the season and is coming off a season-high 24 fantasy points against the Dolphins. He's had at least six targets in his last six games and has been a 1B option to Darren Waller for Derek Carr. This week it isn't a great matchup against the Broncos, though they have nothing to play for and are dealing with a few injuries on the defensive side of the ball. FAAB: $10-$20

Zach Pascal, IND - It looks like Michael Pittman (concussion) could miss this week's game, making Pascal a more important piece of the receiving corps. He hauled in a long touchdown pass against the Steelers and now has three scores in his last two games. The problem is he has 55 receiving yards or fewer and zero touchdowns in his previous seven contests. I'd feel better about Pascal Sunday if Pittman sits this one out. FAAB: $8-$16

Tight End

PRIMARY TARGET

Irv Smith, MIN - Smith gets a mention after scoring twice for the Vikings on Christmas. That gives him three touchdowns in his last three games, and he's clearly gained the trust of Kirk Cousins. This week it's a good matchup against the Lions, who were just torched by Rob Gronkowski. FAAB: $8-$16

HAIL MARY

Jimmy Graham, CHI - Graham is also coming off a two-score game and appears to be a favorite of Mitchell Trubisky's in the red zone. The issue is since Mitchell's return, Graham has games of 4.7, 0 and 3.5 fantasy points out of five games. The 4.7-point game came agains the Packers, the team he faces this weekend. It'll take him finding the end zone (6/15 in games this season) for him to have a decent game. FAAB: $1-$2