Week 17 is here and whether you’re competing for a title, or desperately hoping to avoid a last-place forfeit, there is some enormous value to be found on waivers this week.
For one Tampa Bay standout, Week 16 provided further proof of his fantasy value. Meanwhile, in Arizona, a massive opportunity is potentially up for grabs after James Conner was sidelined with a knee injury on Sunday.
Week 17 Waiver Adds
Jalen McMillan (Buccaneers)
Unless James Conner is ruled out with the knee injury he picked up at the weekend, Jalen McMillan is the priority Week 17 waiver add.
McMillan has four touchdowns in his last three games, resulting in double-digit fantasy points in all three. The rookie receiver has benefitted massively from the absence of Chris Godwin, who’d previously dominated the slot role in Tampa Bay.
This week, McMillan faces a Carolina defense that has allowed the third-fewest total passing yards in the league over their last five games.
That stat has far more to do with low volume though, than anything else. In those same five games, the Panthers have faced the sixth-fewest pass attempts, yet are tied for the fifth-most passing touchdowns allowed.
McMillan continues to be a strong flex option this weekend.
Trey Benson and Michael Carter (Cardinals)
If James Conner can’t go this week, one of these two will likely turn out to be a difference-maker at the weekend.
Trey Benson should have been a priority stash for anyone with room on their roster this season, but James Conner has been uncharacteristically healthy in 2024. Now, with Conner questionable in week 17, Benson has his injury concerns after missing this past weekend with an ankle issue.
If Benson practices this week and is good to go for Saturday’s game with the Rams, he should dominate the Cardinals backfield. If however, Benson misses a second-straight week, Sunday’s opportunity-share indicated that Michael Carter would be in line to replace Conner.
Whoever starts for Arizona, will face a Rams run defense that has allowed the second-most yards/attempt in the league over their last five.
If Conner is out, Benson would overtake a lot of starting running backs in week 17 projections. The explosive rookie has an incredibly high ceiling if healthy.
If Benson were to join Conner on the sideline though, Carter looks to be the next man up. There’s not a huge sample size on Carter in this offense, but a starting job against the Rams, coupled with his receiving upside, should make him a high-upside candidate for your flex spot.
Adding both of these players might be near impossible, as splitting your budget is likely to see you outbid for at least one of them. Keep your eyes peeled for injury news regarding both Conner and Benson and remember that your FAAB budget is useless after this week – go crazy.
Chig Okonkwo (Titans)
After turning a few heads over the back half of his rookie season, Chig Okonkwo hasn’t been able to kick on in the way that many hoped he would.
Seemingly out of nowhere, though, Okonkwo has now recorded back-to-back games with double-digit targets, catching 17 of 21 for 140 yards in the process. In a year when touchdowns have been so key for tight ends in fantasy, the fact that Okonkwo has managed to finish seventh and third at the position, without scoring, is incredibly impressive.
Mason Rudolph is holding down the fort for Tennessee after Will Levis’s benching, which is undoubtedly a plus. With that target volume, coupled with his natural athleticism, Okonkwo would be a solid play against almost any defense in the league.
This week, however, he doesn’t face just any defense. This week, Okonkwo faces arguably the worst pass defense in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Okonkwo is a huge add this week and could be justifiably started ahead of almost any tight end in the league. Expect another top-ten finish at the position, with the potential to lead all tight-ends in fantasy this week.
Ameer Abdullah and Alexander Mattison (Raiders)
If you need a running back, but don’t like the question marks surrounding the Cardinals’ injury situations, Ameer Abdullah and Alexander Mattison offer a safer floor option this week.
Whilst splitting work with Mattison, Abdullah has shone in the passing game. Over his last two games, Abdullah has caught 12 of 13 targets for 105 yards, adding a touchdown both on the ground and through the air. Mattison also added a touchdown this past weekend to earn a solid fantasy score. Mattison has seen plenty of targets himself, whilst getting more work on the ground than Abdullah.
This week, the Raiders play New Orleans, who were just demolished 34-0 by Green Bay, with three separate running backs finding the end-zone. If the Raiders, off the back of a win over Jacksonville, can get out in front against the Saints, both backs should see plenty of opportunity.
Both Mattison and Abdullah are viable flex options in Week 17, with Abdullah looking sharper, but Mattison taking on a slightly bigger workload.
Other Options and Potential Injuries
Elsewhere, Tank Dell’s injury should open the door to more targets for Dalton Schultz. The addition of Diontae Johnson though, whilst I don’t think it should immediately shake things up too much, casts a little doubt over the situation.
CeeDee Lamb re-aggravated a shoulder injury at the weekend. Brandin Cooks would be among those to potentially benefit if Lamb missed Week 17, but they play a strong Philadelphia defense. Jayden Daniels torched the Eagles in week 16, but Cooper Rush is no Jayden Daniels.
Tyrone Tracy’s week 17 is in question after he also re-aggravated an injury (ankle) at the weekend. The Giants though, face a Colts defense that has straightened things up over the last few weeks. Singletary would see the majority of running back work if Tracy was sidelined though, and could give you a decision to make at flex.
That’s it for the Week 17 waiver adds. Be sure to keep an eye on those important injury situations this week, and best of luck to all those with something to play for.
Main Photo: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
