Fantasy Football Today: FFT Express – Early Waiver Wire Targets for Week 17!

Release Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Adam Aizer
Analysts: Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard, Heath Cummings

Episode Overview

This special week 17 FFT Express episode is all about last-minute waiver wire pickups to help fantasy managers win their championship matchups. Host Adam Aizer and analyst Jamey Eisenberg run through must-add options at every position—quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, defenses, and kickers—sharing strategic insights and matchup-based recommendations for those in need of fantasy help.

Key Topics & Insights

Top Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

[02:14] Jamey Eisenberg:

• Tyler Shuck (favorite QB add):
  • "He's a borderline top 12 quarterback for me and somebody I’ll be looking at to start over Jared Goff..."
  • Facing the Titans in Week 17 after a strong showing versus the Jets.
• Marcus Mariota (if healthy):
  • "If he plays, has a great matchup against Cowboys... only two QBs have failed to go over 20 fantasy points [against Dallas]."
• Others to consider:
  • Aaron Rodgers (vs. Browns), Kirk Cousins (vs. Rams—likely to be "chasing points"), Bryce Young (vs. depleted Seattle D), Cam Ward (has "been playing much better" vs. Saints).

[03:17] Dave Richard:

• Warns QB Cam Ward is "killing these DSTs that we keep streaming against the Titans," noting only 1 interception in his last 8 games.

Running Back Waiver Targets

[03:44] Jamey Eisenberg:

• Potential Starting Options:
  • Rhamondre Stevenson (may have been dropped—possible high-volume role vs. Jets)
  • Michael Carter (Jets, "did well in the loss against the Falcons")
  • Emmanuel Wilson (Packers, "may be the starter" if Josh Jacobs is out)
• Flex-depth Considerations:
  • Gerard Jordan (Texans—20 touches last week; "anytime you're talking about a running back getting that much work, he should be in the flex conversation...")
  • Raheim Sanders/Dylan Sampson (Browns; monitor Sampson's injury)—if Sampson is out, Travion Williams becomes a deep-league PPR play.
  • Chris Rodriguez (Washington), Tyjae Spears (Titans), Isaiah Pacheco (Chiefs—"extremely involved in the passing game")
  • Audric Estime (Saints, less confident due to Taysom Hill's role)
  • Sean Tucker (scored in 3 straight games; "maybe scores for a fourth game in a row")
• Desperation Plays:
  • Samaje Perine (Broncos), Isaiah Davis (Jets)—"Both guys if you're really stuck could be flex options in championship week."

Wide Receiver Priority Adds

[06:41] Dave Richard:

• Compares Troy Franklin (49ers) to RB Stevenson for upside due to injuries and opportunity.
• Notes injury impacts—mentions possible boost for Jaden Reed if Romeo Doubs (Packers) is sidelined.

[07:06] Jamey Eisenberg:

• Primary Options:
  • Jaden Reed (Packers, if available—"71% rostered but could get a boost"), Parker Washington (Jaguars, "coming off an amazing game"), Brian Thomas (Saints), Mac Hollins (Patriots, especially if other WRs are out).
• Deeper league/3-WR formats:
  • Chamari DK (second straight TD, Saints), Jalen Coker (Patriots—opportunity due to defensive injuries on Seattle), Trey Tucker (Raiders—"worth a look" vs. Giants), Matt Collins (Patriots—"two games without Ke'Shawn Booty: 16.6 FP at Tampa Bay, 10.4 vs. Jets, 84% route participation", [08:21] Dave Richard).

Tight Ends to Target

[08:36] Jamey Eisenberg:

• Main deep-league streaming options:
  • Brenton Strange (Jaguars—touchdown last week; "just the way Trevor Lawrence is playing right now...")
  • Taysom Hill (Saints, if featured as RB with Kamara, Kendre Miller out)
  • Mike Gesicki (Bengals, "Cardinals... have been miserable against tight ends")
• Shallow-league cuts who might be available:
  • Hunter Henry (Patriots—"touchdown in two of his last three games, great matchup vs. Jets"), Dalton Schultz (Texans—"just been amazing"), Juwan Johnson (Saints—"potential top six tight end this week", [09:17]).

Defenses & Special Teams

[10:07] Jamey Eisenberg:

• DSTs:
  • Giants (vs. Raiders—"maybe we get a few pressures and some sacks..."), Vikings (vs. Lions—"still trust Brian Flores"), Ravens (possible vs. Malik Willis if he starts), Buccaneers (vs. Quinn Ewers), Cowboys (depending on Commanders’ QB)
• Kickers:
  • Evan McPherson (Bengals vs. Cardinals—"one of the best teams in terms of allowing fantasy points to kickers"), Eddie Pineiro (Panthers), Cairo Santos (Bears vs. 49ers)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tyler Shuck as a Week 17 waiver add

  • "He's a borderline top 12 quarterback for me and somebody I’ll be looking at to start over Jared Goff, for example, because I’m terrified of Goff taking on the Minnesota Vikings."
    —Jamey Eisenberg, [02:22]

• On Cam Ward’s fantasy profile

  • "He’s thrown one pick in his last eight games and it’s killing these DSTs that we keep streaming against the Titans."
    —Dave Richard, [03:17]

• On Gerard Jordan’s value

  • "Anytime you’re talking about a running back getting that much work, he should be in the flex conversation, especially in PPR."
    —Jamey Eisenberg, [04:21]

• On Matt Collins’ opportunity for the Patriots

  • "Two games without Ke’Shawn Booty: 16.6 fantasy points at Tampa Bay, 10.4 against the Jets, and he ran 84% of the routes in Weeks 10 and 11."
    —Dave Richard, [08:21]

• On Hunter Henry’s consistency

  • "When he hasn’t faced Buffalo, basically, Hunter Henry’s been pretty reliable."
    —Dave Richard, [09:48]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Waiver QB targets: [02:14]–[03:17]
• Running backs: [03:44]–[05:51]
• Wide receivers: [06:41]–[08:21]
• Tight ends: [08:36]–[09:48]
• DSTs and kickers: [10:07]–[10:51]

Final Takeaways

This week’s FFT Express episode arms listeners with a robust list of waiver wire and streaming candidates to secure an edge in the fantasy football championship round. The hosts emphasize matchup-based moves, pay close attention to injury updates, and urge managers to consider both upside plays (like Tyler Shuck, Rhamondre Stevenson, Troy Franklin) and high-floor options (like Hunter Henry, Dalton Schultz) to fill roster gaps. The advice is fast-paced, actionable, and especially focused on managers needing last-minute, league-winning pickups.