FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Fantasy Football Week 17 Waiver Wire: Must-Have Players to Add to Your Roster (Ep. 1915)

Date: December 22, 2025
Hosts: Joey P. (Joe P. Zepia), Derrick Brown (Dbro), Pat Fitz Morris

Episode Overview

This episode is dedicated to guiding fantasy football managers through the turbulent waters of Week 17—the championship round—by dissecting key waiver wire pickups and strategic roster management. The hosts highlight running backs and wide receivers with potential late-season impact, offer crucial defensive and streaming options, and provide their usual mix of expert insight and lighthearted banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Championship Week Mindset & Strategy

• Roster Management:
  • It’s not just about whom you’re adding, but also protecting your roster from waivers that might benefit your opponent, especially in Superflex leagues riddled with QB injuries.
    • Pat: "In a super flex, I think you’re aggressively trying to block quarterback pickups if you can." (01:57)
  • Use leftover FAB to block opponents if you’re otherwise set.
• Playoff Patience:
  • Dbro: “Patience, man. Patience. You’ve waited 17 weeks to get to this point... just patience.” (03:05)

2. Running Back Waiver Targets

• Blake Corum (Rams):
  • Debated but consensus plug-and-play for Week 17 due to strong TD production in an elite offense.
    • Dbro: "He’s averaged 11.5 touches, 86 total yards. He has five touchdowns in four games... I like Blake Corm this week for that reason.” (04:55)
• Michael Carter (Cardinals):
  • Lead RB in Arizona vs. soft Bengals defense, despite a dip in snaps in recent weeks.
    • Pat: “He is still… the Cardinals’ lead back with Bam Knight done for the season… I love the matchup. I think he’s the lead guy and I’m probably going to have him ranked as an RB2 for week 17.” (06:08)
• Browns Backfield (Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders / Dylan Sampson):
  • Dependent on Sampson injury status; Sanders would see 12-13 touches if Sampson is inactive.
    • Pat: “If it’s Sanders and we don’t get Dylan Sampson back, at least you’re getting a guy who’s probably going to be good for at least 12, 13 touches.” (07:34)
    • Dbro: “I think Sanders is worth a pickup even if we do get Sampson back...” (09:29)
• Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Commanders):
  • Productive volume play (15 carries, TD last week), but piggybacks on inferior passing volume.
    • Dbro: “He might have a good game this week because Dallas… their run defense is not great without Quinn and Williams. He’s worth the pickup.” (10:47)
• Emmanuel Wilson (Packers):
  • Stash as insurance for Josh Jacobs managers—may be forced into a big role if Jacobs sits (injury risk).
    • Pat: “If they do scratch Jacobs… suddenly Emmanuel Wilson is a high end RB2.” (12:49)

3. Wide Receiver Waiver Targets

• Trey Tucker (Raiders):
  • Deeper league dart; matchup-driven against a struggling Giants secondary.
    • Dbro: “In deeper leagues he is definitely worth a flex play. It all centers around the matchup.” (18:42)
• Mack Hollins (Patriots):
  • Primary target; only 3% rostered. Facing Jets’ tanking defense, steady volume, and a significant role.
    • Pat: “Mack Hollins has really kind of been Drake May’s primary possession receiver… over his last eight games… basically double digit PPR points… if you’re going to get into the end zone, this is the right time to do it.” (19:26)
• Josh Downs (Colts):
  • Deep PPR flex consideration. Constrained offense but faces a leaky Jaguars pass defense.
    • Pat: “Nothing more than a desperation option in deeper leagues, maybe a 14 team league where you have to start three receivers.” (21:23)
• Parker Washington (Jaguars):
  • Hosts urge severe caution—deemed “fool’s gold” after a big Week 16.
    • Dbro: “I think it’s absolute fool’s gold... I think if anything in this matchup, you’re looking at Trevor Lawrence is going to throw the ball to the outside.” (22:58)
    • Pat: “He was just the, the Johnny on the spot guy for week 16. And I doubt that repeats in week 17.” (23:48)

4. Quarterback Streaming Tier

• Tyler Shough (Saints):
  • Quietly productive (at least 17 fantasy points, four straight games), with a plus matchup vs. Titans.
    • Pat: “Tyler Shuck... has very quietly scored at least 17 fantasy points in four straight games.” (24:56)
• Geno Smith (Seahawks):
  • Uninspiring, but safest floor for deeper leagues or those navigating injuries.
    • Dbro: “Gino is definitely... the safe option.” (26:11)
• Malik Willis (Packers):
  • If Jordan Love is out, has a faint streaming upside tier—better than many emergency QBs.
    • Dbro: “If Jordan Love is out this week, then Malik Willis is firmly in this streaming tier.” (26:44)
• QB Preference Game:
  • When given choices like Max Brosmer, Chris Ola Dukun, Quinn Ewers—the hosts preferred a position player to a desperation QB, with a few exceptions (e.g., Willis, Tyrod Taylor if he’s active).
    • Summary: Most non-established starters are not trustworthy in Week 17.

5. Tight End & Other Streaming Options

• Taysom Hill (Saints):
  • Jack-of-all-trades, seeing heavy usage; possible send-off narrative (Saints swan song).
    • Dbro: “He was basically their starting running back. He had 12 carries, 42 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, caught four balls...” (28:06)
• Mike Gesicki (Bengals):
  • Boom/bust; opportunity arises if Noah Fant remains out, plus a good matchup vs. Cardinals.
    • Pat: “We like that he’s attached to Joe Burrow. Just can’t guarantee that he gets more than about three or four targets.” (29:00)
• Hunter Henry (Patriots):
  • Deep streamer—TD or bust, could see more volume due to injuries in the offense.

6. Defenses & Kickers to Stream

• New England Patriots (DST):
  • Top play if available; host the Jets (likely starting Brady Cook, who has 4 INTs/11 sacks over two games).
    • Pat: “My favorite far and away... the Patriots... just going against the jets, if it’s Brady Cook.” (30:41)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (DST):
  • Versus Quinn Ewers (rookie QB), expect high blitz rate and turnovers.
    • Dbro: “I’m going to go with the Buccaneers. I think they’re going to blitz the everliving crap out of Quinn yours...” (32:08)
• Kickstreamers:
  • Eddy Pineiro (49ers): “Lots of field goal opportunities.” (32:30)
  • Andy Borgales (Patriots): “Top 10 fantasy kicker this year… going against the jets...” (32:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Injuries and Roster Maneuvers:
  "We're gonna have to maneuver some things. But boys, before we get to some of the names we're talking about, obviously nothing's like super exciting.” — Joey P. (01:25)
• On Waiver Strategy:
  “If you can throw a block out there, more power to you.” — Pat Fitz Morris (01:57)
• On RB TD-dependence:
  “A lot of these guys are in that 12 to 15 touch bucket and they don’t get any passing game work. And so it comes down to do they score a touchdown or not.” — Dbro (04:55)
• On Emmanuel Wilson as Insurance:
  “If you're playing [an] opponent that has Josh Jacobs, you definitely want to make sure you’re the one that has Wilson... that’s even more important than you playing Wilson.” — Joey P. (12:07)
• On the Jets Defense:
  “The jets defensive backs and pass rushers, they are already on a beach in Aruba with cocktails like they have just totally quit.” — Pat Fitz Morris (19:26)
• On Streaming QBs: “If Jordan Love is out this week, then Malik Willis is firmly in this streaming tier.” — Dbro (26:44)
• Quarterback Preference Game:
  Joey P.: "Brosmer or position player, Pat?"
  Pat: "Probably the position player." (27:00)
• On Kickers:
  “Kickers, because they're people too. Or so I've been told.” — Joey P. (32:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment | Highlights | |-----------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:57 | Waiver Blocking & Strategy | Pat: Block opponents from adding QBs in superflex leagues | | 04:45 | Running Back Waivers | Blake Corum, Michael Carter, Browns backfield | | 10:25 | Chris Rodriguez Profile | Volume RB, suitable for deep leagues | | 12:07 | Emmanuel Wilson Discussion | Jacbos insurance—stash if opponent has Jacobs | | 18:28 | Wide Receiver Waivers | Trey Tucker, Mack Hollins, deep WR landscape | | 22:43 | Josh Downs & Parker Washington | Cautions against trusting Washington's big game | | 24:45 | Quarterback Streams | Tyler Shough, Geno Smith, QB vs. position player chain | | 28:06 | Streaming TEs | Taysom Hill, Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry | | 30:41 | Defenses to Stream | Patriots, Buccaneers DST | | 32:25 | Kickers for Week 17 | Eddy Pineiro, Andy Borgales |

Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Patience is essential in a drawn-out championship week.
• Prioritize both improving your own lineup and blocking key waivers from falling to your opponent—especially QBs in superflex formats.
• Running back options are thin but viable if you chase matchups and volume—TD upside remains king.
• Wide receivers and QBs on waivers are a minefield; Mack Hollins and Tyler Shough are the safest darts for volume/production.
• Defensive streamers (Patriots, Bucs) can be difference-makers.
• Flexibility in kicker and tight end streaming can deliver sneaky points during a lean waiver week.

For more details and league-specific questions, listeners are invited to use FantasyPros' Waiver Central tools or tune into the hosts' upcoming live sessions.

“Go win that championship!” — Joey P. (33:27)