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Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17

- by Nick Mimi

Waiver-Wire-Pickups-for-Week-17-mike-white

If you are reading this, then I hope you are in your fantasy football championship! There is no picking up this week for upside later, so it’s now or never. In this final waiver wire for the 2022 season, we focus on the players that can help you win your 2022 fantasy football championship matchup. Let’s get right into it with our Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 17.

Quarterbacks

Mike White, New York Jets

Mike White has been cleared and will start Sunday at Seattle. The Jets had a lot of breaks go their way this weekend, and now are playing for a chance for a wild card spot. White has been a very solid option for the Jets, and Garrett Wilson managers.

In his three starts this season, he threw 315 yards, 369 yards, and 268 yards, despite missing parts of the game. Really, if he didn’t get injured versus Buffalo where he had 268 yards, we are talking about three 300+ yard games. Finally, White plays a Seattle defense that is weak against the pass. He is a very good option this week if you’re getting by with streaming options or lost Jalen Hurts.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Mr. Irrelevant continues to win for the 49ers. Brock went 15 of 22 for 234 yards and two touchdowns in the win against Washington. Purdy hasn’t thrown over 250 yards once, but he has been efficient. He’s thrown for two touchdowns in his last four games with two interceptions. He gets the Raiders this week inside their dome.

Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia Eagles

There is talk that Jalen Hurts would play this week if the Eagles lost to the Cowboys, so there is the chance that Minshew may resort to the bench, but in the event he does not, Minshew presents a very solid start. Minshew went 24 of 40 for 355 yards and two touchdowns against the Cowboys. The Eagles have several playmakers, making Minshew’s job that much better. Philadelphia plays at home against the Saints on Sunday, and as of now, Minshew is the starter.

Teddy Bridgewater, Miami Dolphins

This is not a guarantee to happen, but in the event that Tua Tagovailoa misses Sunday’s start at New England, Bridgewater is lined up for the start. In his last start, he threw for 329 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Furthermore, he does have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle which are huge boosts. The Dolphins are playing the Patriots with huge playoff implications. Bridgewater is a good option in Superflex formats.

Running Backs

Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

I expect him to be rostered, but if you see Cam Akers on your waiver, that is the top add this week. He’s rostered in 69.5% of ESPN leagues as of Tuesday morning, and that number should be 100% at this point.

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

Assuming Akers is gone and Tyler Allgeier is on your waiver wire, he is your top running back to target. He has improved throughout the season and has shown he can be their running back of the future. In Week 15, Allgeier rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown. In Week 16 he rushed for 74 yards on 18 attempts and caught four passes for 43 yards.

Allgeier is a solid Flex option this week against the Cardinals who rank in the bottom half against the run. On top of that, Tampa Bay just ran all over Arizona, and I expect the same result here.

James Cook, Buffalo Bills

James Cook is still under 50% rostered on ESPN, and that needs to change. Cook had a big game against Chicago, rushing for 99 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts. Cook has yet to break 100 yards rushing this season, but he plays on a top-tier offense and has gotten better as the season goes on, and has more involvement in the offense. He is splitting time with Devin Singletary but is showing he can have standalone value as well.

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Coming off a low running total, the Carolina Panthers ran all over the Detroit Lions. Chuba Hubbard, who generally is the RB2 in Carolina, rushed for 125 yards on 12 attempts. D’Onta Foreman rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown on 21 attempts. Carolina had a big game running the football and now heads to Tampa Bay where they will likely be playing in the NFC South Championship game.

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens

Gus Edwards is still seeing rushing attempts in this offense despite JK Dobbins returning to the starting role. Edwards rushed for 99 yards on 11 attempts. He hasn’t broken 100 yards this season, but he does have double-digit attempts in five of his seven games this season, making him a low-end Flex option for the Ravens’ matchup Sunday night at home against the Steelers.

Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts

Zack Moss got the start for the Colts, and it seems as if he is the starter going forward. He rushed 12 times for 65 yards and caught a pass for five yards. Deon Jackson did not record a rush and caught his three targets for nine yards. Moss is the play in Indianapolis, and they travel to play the Giants this weekend.

Wide Receivers

Isaiah Hodgins, New York Giants

Isaiah Hodgins had a breakout game against the Vikings on Saturday. He caught eight of eleven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. He has caught a touchdown pass in three of his last four games and plays a Colts team Sunday in East Rutherford. Hodgins is getting better each week and could be a WR3/Flex play this weekend.

Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders

Jahan Dotson continues his rookie season with another big game. He caught six of nine passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. Over his last three games, he has had three total touchdowns and has seen 24 targets. Washington hosts the Browns next, and Dotson has proved he can play no matter who the quarterback is. Dotson is a good WR2/Flex play this week.

Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals

Not DeAndre Hopkins, but Greg Dortch had a huge game for the Cardinals. He caught ten of eleven passes for 98 yards on Sunday night. Dortch has been inconsistent all season, but every so often puts up a breakout game. Why is this one different? Trace McSorley was the quarterback and should be for the rest of the season. If that happens, you may see Dortch see more targets and develop chemistry with McSorley.

Tight Ends

Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks

Noah Fant should see an expanded role with Tyler Lockett out. Against the Chiefs, he caught two of three passes for 12 yards and a touchdown. Against the 49ers in Week 15, he caught five of six passes for 32 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks host the Jets this weekend who have an elite defense and elite secondary.

The Jets can be beaten by the tight end position, see Evan Engram, making Fant an intriguing option. If somehow you’re still alive through streaming tight end options, Fant can help you win this week.

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About Nick Mimi

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