Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 17

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Gardner Minshew, Eagles

It's the final week of the fantasy playoffs, so you're bidding whatever it takes to acquire the players you need most on the waiver wire.

If your searching for quarterback help, there are three strong streamer options for Week 17: Gardner Minshew, Mike White, and Brock Purdy.

All three backups have stepped into the starting role and delivered quality production.

Minshew was the latest to join the club, taking over for an injured Jalen Hurts and throwing for 355 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions while adding a rushing score in a loss to Dallas. He currently sits as the QB7 on the week with just Monday Night Football left to be played.

Hurts hasn't been ruled out for Week 17 yet, but it would be surprising to see the Eagles rush him back and risk further injury. That means Minshew is likely to get another start - this time against the Saints, who are an easier matchup than the Cowboys.

Streaming options: Mike White at SEA (17% rostered), Brock Purdy at LV (36% rostered)

Risky streaming options (if healthy): Colt McCoy at ATL (2% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options: Russell Wilson at KC (48% rostered), Baker Mayfield at LAC (9% rostered), Kenny Pickett at BAL (12% rostered), Sam Darnold at TB (7% rostered), Mac Jones vs. MIA (18% rostered), Desmond Ridder vs. ARI (5% rostered), Davis Mills vs. JAX (5% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options (if starting): Carson Wentz vs. CLE (5% rostered), Nick Foles at NYG (4% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options (if starter is out): Tyler Huntley vs. PIT (15% rostered), Teddy Bridgewater at NE (0% rostered)

Running backs

Zack Moss, Colts

With Jonathan Taylor out for the season, Moss has taken advantage of his opportunity by racking up 81 yards on 24 carries against the Vikings and 70 yards on 13 touches versus the Chargers.

Indy's offense is hard to rely on for anything at the moment, but head coach Jeff Saturday seems dedicated to Moss and the rushing attack.

That makes Moss worth adding as a fantasy RB3/flex ahead of an excellent Week 17 matchup with the Giants, who are top 10 in fantasy points allowed to running backs.

James Cook and Tyler Allgeier are at or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Chuba Hubbard at TB 38% rostered), Gus Edwards vs. PIT (41% rostered)

Flex options (if Titans rest Derrick Henry): Hassan Haskins vs. DAL (0% rostered)

Flex options (if Jaguars rest Travis Etienne): JaMycal Hasty at HOU (5% rostered)

Risky flex options: Royce Freeman vs. JAX (0% rostered), Joshua Kelley vs. LAR (5% rostered), Kenneth Gainwell vs. NO (14% rostered), Khalil Herbert at DET (40% rostered), Chase Edmonds at KC (22% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Jordan Mason at LV (11% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Jaylen Warren at BAL (13% rostered), Dare Ogunbowale vs. JAX (2% rostered), DeeJay Dallas vs. NYJ (7% rostered), Justin Jackson vs. CHI (1% rostered)

Wide receivers

Jahan Dotson, Commanders

If you're getting the feeling you might be reading last week's waiver wire article again, it's understandable since we're mentioning many of the same players.

Dotson, who led this section in Week 16, continued his impressive rookie season with six catches for 76 yards and a score on nine targets Saturday.

Had it not been for the weeks missed due to injury, fantasy managers would be screaming Dotson's name from the rooftops. In the six games where he's played at least 70% of the snaps, Dotson has five top-20 finishes:

• WR17 (Week 1)
• WR20 (Week 2)
• WR18 (Week 13)
• WR9 (Week 15)
• WR11 (Week 16 pending MNF)

The 22-year-old is firmly on the WR3 fantasy radar and can be started with confidence in championship matchups.

Romeo Doubs, Packers

Packers star rookie wideout Christian Watson was forced to sit out the second half of Sunday's game due to a hip injury. Head coach Matt LaFleur deemed Watson day-to-day, putting his Week 17 availability in question.

Doubs' opportunities increased after Watson left the contest against the Dolphins, and he finished with three receptions for 36 yards on six targets.

It's important to remember that before Watson's breakout and prior to Doubs getting hurt and missing time, it was the latter who was shining in Green Bay's passing attack with stat lines of 8-73-1 (Week 3), 5-47-1 (Week 4), and 4-62-1 (Week 8).

If Watson is sidelined, Allen Lazard would likely be Aaron Rodgers' top target, but Doubs would also be worth consideration as a fantasy flex option with upside.

Brandin Cooks and DJ Chark are at or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Rashid Shaheed at PHI (8% rostered), Kendrick Bourne vs. MIA (1% rostered), Isaiah Hodgins vs. IND (2% rostered), Greg Dortch at ATL (2% rostered), Corey Davis at SEA (16% rostered)

Risky flex options: Chris Moore vs. JAX (14% rostered), Elijah Moore at SEA (32% rostered), Richie James vs. IND (17% rostered), Demarcus Robinson vs. PIT (19% rostered), Hunter Renfrow vs. SF (22% rostered), Trenton Irwin vs. BUF (0% rostered), Laviska Shenault at TB (1% rostered), Terrace Marshall at TB (5% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Chase Claypool at DET (41% rostered), Russell Gage vs. CAR (15% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Byron Pringle at DET 90% rostered), Mack Hollins vs. SF (28% rostered), Parris Campbell at NYG (32% rostered), Alec Pierce at NYG (12% rostered), Van Jefferson at LAC (22% rostered), Tutu Atwell at LAC (1% rostered), Randall Cobb vs. MIN (6% rostered), Ray-Ray McCloud at LV (1% rostered), Velus Jones Jr. at DET (0% rostered), Laquon Treadwell vs. NYJ (0% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options (if healthy): Marquise Goodwin vs. NYJ (21% rostered)

Tight ends

Tyler Conklin, Jets

Like the rest of New York's pass-catching weapons, Conklin will get a boost from the return of quarterback Mike White.

The Jets tight end will also benefit from an ideal matchup against a Seahawks defense allowing the second most fantasy points to his position.

Seattle has given up at least 50 yards and/or a touchdown to 12 different tight ends this season. Get ready for Conklin to add one more to that list.

With White back under center, Conklin is a high-end TE2 streamer. Conklin and Saints tight end Juwan Johnson stand out as the clear best pickups among tight ends this week.

Taysom Hill is above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Streamer options: Juwan Johnson at PHI (31% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Logan Thomas vs. CLE (6% rostered), Noah Fant vs. NYJ (24% rostered), Jordan Akins vs. JAX (1% rostered)

Risky streamer options (if healthy): Hayden Hurst vs. BUF (32% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Jelani Woods at NYG (1% rostered), Daniel Bellinger vs. IND (3% rostered), Trey McBride at ATL, Cade Otton vs. CAR (10% rostered),

Dart-throw streamer options (if TE eligible): Jeff Driskel vs. JAX (11% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options (if starter is out): Mitchell Wilcox vs. BUF (0% rostered)

Defenses

Week 17 streamers