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

Summary

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)

Transcript

[Podcast Host (Announcer)]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

The United Airlines app has all the bells and whistles to make flying easier and can save you around 30 minutes at the airport. Get real time flight updates like live countdown clocks to boarding. Even if your screen's locked. Get play by play directions through the airport with personalized maps. And if you want to make a game time decision and go home early or stay longer, there are no fees to change your flight. You get the united [e-mail] app no fees to change your flight. Excludes basic economy applies to flights originating in the United States. Fair differences may apply.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Welcome in everybody, to fantasy pros. This is the fantasy football podcast. It is me, Joey P, Joe P. Zepia, with my two good friends, dbro, Derrick Brown, the king of bros, and my patty cakes, Pat Fitz Morris. It's the holiday season. It's championship season. It's week 17, baby. Let's go. I am super excited to be here with all of you. I know you're watching this because you're going for a championship and that means that all this work, all these injuries, all this toil and trouble has been worth it. We've been cooking this cauldron for months and months in this metaphor for even longer. And we are gonna get you there, baby. We're gonna get you to the championship, to that title. But of course, there's some injuries because it's 2025. 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.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

Jumping in terms like, this is the.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Guy you gotta have. You gotta start because he's gonna win your fantasy championship. I don't know if that guy's out there, but with all the injuries and everything's going on. Pat, I talked about this with Sealy on the short version of the waiver wire show. I want to talk about it with you as well, because I feel as though it's not just about the players you're adding to your roster. It's looking at your roster and saying, what are the pieces I'm not using this week and what are the pieces that could potentially help my opponents and how do I get ahead of that, especially in super flex leagues with some of these quarterback injuries that are going on. How important do you weigh that in week 17, Pat?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Yeah, I mean, it's worth taking a look at your opponent's roster and seeing if there are any worthwhile blocks. In a super flex, I think you're aggressively trying to block Quarterback pickups if you can, and see if you can force your opponent to go with Max Brosmer if. If JJ McCarthy is indeed going to be out in week 17. So it is worth taking a look at that. And if you do have some fab left in the tank and you're not using it to improve your own lineup, because a lot of people are pretty much set going into the final game. Yeah, if you can throw a block out there, more power to you.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

And dbro, this is that two weeks in a row here at the end of the playoffs where now, because it's the holiday season, the NFL gives us that slow burn. So you have to watch the Thursday night games. There's going to be three of them now. Then you have a couple on Saturday, Then you have Sunday and then a Monday. It is brutal. It's the torture of waiting to win a fantasy championship on top of dealing with your family and extended family around the holidays. It's a lot. So what is the best advice you can give to people as they're slowly watching a championship unfold? Is it just a matter of how much Jack Daniels you have in the house?

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Patience, man. Patience. You've waited 17 weeks to get to this point. You just got a few more days, maybe in a few more presents and stuff. So just patience. I just preach impatience.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

All right, we're gonna give away some free stuff here at the top of the show. The teeny, tiny loser belt is gone. You can't get it anymore. The winner is Shannon Milliken. So, Shannon, congratulations. You're the big winner. So, Shannon Milliken, we want you to hit us up at [e-mail] with your.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

Mailing address and a screenshot of your YouTube account while you're logged in.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Once we confirm, we'll get you that.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

Prize shipped out again.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Shannon Milliken. I hope I'm saying that right.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

I'm.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

We've gotten some easy names, so they gave me another tough last name. That's okay. I'm here for it. So, Shannon Milliken, you're the big winner. Congratulations again. Mailbaghanasypros.com hit us up there. We'll get that sent to you. And when one giveaway goes away, another takes a place. And what perfect timing here for this one. It's the perpetual fantasy football trophy from Trophy Smack, the number one destination for epic fantasy football hardware. This gorgeous black trophy comes with a perpetual base that you can engrave with your league champion every single year. It's not just a prize. It's a legacy for your league and for you. So to enter, how do you win again? Subscribe to the channel like this video. Drop your comments below. And just like that, you are in the mix for the big trophy. And of course, don't forget to ring.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

That bell to let go ding.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

So you never miss a piece of content on the channel and we can let you know if you are the big winner for this week's perpetual fantasy trophy. The perfect time to give this away from trophy smack. All right, let's talk running backs, gentlemen. And I do use that term loosely here for the gentleman part. Debro, let's start with you here. Blake Coram know you keep fighting me on Blake Corum and Blake Corum keeps fighting his way to the end zone. So have I finally broken you?

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

I mean, I haven't, but you make it. You frame this.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

You don't like it. You don't. You fought me every stream this last four weeks you've been fighting me on Blake Corum.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

No, you make it seem like I'm a Blake Corm hater. And the thing is, is he's in the same bucket as a lot of these other guys, but he's been producing because he's in one of the best offenses in the NFL. And Blake Corm is my guy this week, Joe. And that comes down to like the fact that like since week 13, yes, he's averaged 11 and a half touches, 86 total yards. He has five touchdowns in four games. Man, it comes down to this offense and they're splitting work with him and Kyron Williams. But no, I mean, you can make a case for all these different running backs because 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. So I like Blake Corm this week for that reason because against the Falcons should be a lot of positive game script and he could be salt in the clock away.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Yes, I like that.

[Sponsor Voice (Zyn Nicotine Pouches)]

Good.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Better late than never. I. I'm kidding with you a little bit. It's a little bit of truth. But Blake Corbin has been the truth the last couple. Like, he's helpful.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

He's been good.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Scores that give me that tutty. Especially in those half point PPR leagues. That's what I want. So I know we've talked about him a lot. I know he's a guy that's probably out there in a lot of is not out there in as many leagues as he, you know, used to be. But Pat, let's talk about Michael Carter disappointing this past week, but you're looking ahead to week 17. You're still believing is it just the possible workload and hopefully a better game script?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

The possible workload the matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals who have allowed a league high 1924 rushing yards to running backs. Yeah. And the Cardinals the one concern like the Cardinals offensive line is pretty banged up. Can they take advantage of the good matchup? But Carter was efficient yesterday at 11 carries, 65 yards. So almost 6 yards per carry against the Falcons. But I don't know. He is still it appears the Cardinals lead back with Bam Knight done for the season. Carter and D. Mercado split in week 15. Carter played 80% of the offensive snaps. In week 16 he played 52.6% but that was still a lot more than Amara D. Mercado played. He just didn't get involved as a pass catcher this past week and after having four catches the week before. So hopefully he's a little more involved in in both components this week against the Bengals. But 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.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

I think that the Cincinnati Bengals defense should be awarded the AP Offensive Player of the Year. It feels like that that's a pretty good stat. That's pretty good, right?

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

That's a lot.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

They are the gift that keeps on giving just to the opponents. All right, Pat, let's talk about another scenario here going to the Cleveland Browns Judk. So what does that mean for this Cleveland backfield potentially in week 17 when now that Judgins has a broken leg and he's done.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

It all depends, Joe, on the status of Dylan Sampson who missed week 16 with a hand injury. So when Judkins got hurt it was another rookie, undrafted free agent Raheem. Rocket Sanders, who came in, had 11 carries for 42 yards against the Bills along with a four yard catch. So Jerome Ford is on IR. He's. He's out of the picture. It's either Sampson or Rocket Sanders and I'd be a little nervous about if Sampson comes back. I would think he would be the preferred guy, but he might share work some work with Rocket Sanders and right now this Browns offensive line is just kind of a mess. Center Ethan Posick is on injured reserve. I think they might have put Jack Conklin, their tackle, on injured reserve. Two bunch of the other guys are dealing with minor injuries and showed up on the Injury report in Week 16. But matchup against Pittsburgh isn't great. But if, 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.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Yeah, well that would be useful in deeper leagues too. Again, this is more like, you know, 14 team league kind of problems. I think at this point like this, if you're still going to your championship and look for running back help, I think that's kind of odd. But you never know at this point. It's been such a strange year. And by the way, fun nickname too. You like that Rocket? I wish it was more.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

And you would think with a nickname like Rocket he would be some little scat that guy. Raheem Sanders is £230 so he could handle a heavy workload if he needed to.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Yeah, Derek Bucket Brown. Not quite Rocket. We'll call him Bucket. Is that Bucket? Talk to me about your take on this Browns backfield too. I want to get your input on this one. Dude. Do you see it the same way that Fitzy does that if Samson's healthy, probably the lead guy, but again he might lose a little to Sanders in some spots.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

I think there's a lot of different ways to look at this backfield. I could see it. Even if Samson plays, he's the preferred passing down back and Rocket Sanders is the early down back where Samson doesn't take all the work and rocket still has RB3 touchdown dependent Flex play appeal. So I mean I think Sanders is worth a pickup. Even if we do get Sampson back now, does it throw cold water on the touch up side of him? Possibly. The other guy I'll throw out here if Sampson is still out. If we're we are talking about 14 team and deeper leagues, then Travion Williams also has to get added to that conversation. I know it's gross guys, but Shador Sanders is going to be a check down machine. That's what he's been doing. Trayvon had seven touches, 55 total yards and a 13% target share. So I'm not saying any of these guys are a lock set. Forget like RB2 and pick of the week like you're talking about Joe. But they're in the conversation for flexes depending on what your lineup looks like and how deep your league is.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

All right, what about Chris Rodriguez? 15 carries for 63 and a touchdown. And I thought of Fitzy because he caught a ball. I was gonna text but it was Saturday night. I know it's late. I'm gonna be like, hey, look, Chris Rodriguez caught a football and you know, whatever. I didn't want to bother Fitzy on Saturday. He can do it. It is possible for him to catch a ball in 2025. But Dbro, what do you think about him? Week 17 with the matchup he's got?

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

I mean, dude, if, if Josh Johnson is the quarterback for the Commanders this week, it's going to be kind of rough, but we're hoping we get Marcus Mariota back. But we shall see. But again, Rodriguez, the same bucket as Corum, as Rocket Sanders, these guys were talking about. Yeah, you had the 15 carries, a 63 rushing in the touchdown. That's the bucket he's living in. But look, he might have a good game this week because Dallas, if they don't get Quinn and Williams back, their run defense is not great without him. So again, yeah, he's worth the pickup.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Fitzy, I imagine you like the Charles S. Dutton meme from Rudy with the slow clap after Chris Rodriguez caught that ball Saturday night. Did you give him a little standing out in the evening?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Got to give him credit. I mean, I said he doesn't catch any passes and he proved me wrong with that one catch. I think he's now up to what, 2 for 10? 2 for 10 on the year it might be. But like in fairness though, he is playing a majority or at least a plurality of the snaps for, for Washington. And yeah, as Debro said, if Quinn and Williams isn't there, this is a favorable matchup. And I think at this point we can count on Chris Rodriguez getting 12 to 15 carries a game. So I don't hate it if you're in a pinch, but obviously in ppr, he's not nearly as valuable as he is in standard and, and even in half ppr, you have to dock them a little bit for the lack of pass catching upside.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

All right. And obviously it goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway. Emmanuel Wilson might have been dropped in some leagues too when Josh Jacobs came back to play on Saturday night. So maybe like Emmanuel Wilson's floating out there. If he's out there, I think this is another one of those. If you're playing opponent that has Josh Jacobs, you definitely want to make sure you're the one that has Wilson. I think that's, that's even more important than you playing Wilson, is you having Wilson just in case of that insurance policy. Would you all agree with that one? Absolutely.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Yeah.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Okay. Anything else to add? I feel like we talked about Wilson a lot. But I think we kind of look. Wilson looks good, Pat. I feel like when you. When you see him out there working. But as we're. Deborah mentioned and you mentioned, like, you know, Josh Johnson potentially playing quarterback this week, not the best scenario for the offense.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Yeah, I so good that they basically just put Josh Jacobs on ice because he clearly wasn't himself and wasn't that effective. And they let Emmanuel Wilson finish the game against the Bears and he was the more effective back. I don't know. That's the thing. Josh Jacobs, that guy is just so freaking tough and wants to play through everything. So my guess is he probably will still be active for the game in the Ravens, in which case you can't really play Emmanuel Wilson just because there's a chance he gets five carries. But if. If they do scratch Jacobs for this one, suddenly Emmanuel Wilson is a high end RB2. Even though the matchup isn't great, he's just going to get so many carries that, you know, that that should carry him to a pretty nice day.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Fitzy, I was gonna say too, like, dude, I watched that entire game. Isn't it to the point, like, if the packers want to have like, they need their guy in the playoffs, but you gotta make like you got to sit Jacobs at this point. He was not close to being himself. Like, give the guy a breather and make him sit out so, like, maybe we can get the health back. Like, have we reached that point? Like, he just. He is banged up, man.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Yeah, he is. He has reportedly been sort of fighting the staff on it.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Yeah.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

And insisting that he wants to play. But maybe they do just for his own good, keep him out a week.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

I know a lot of people like myself even were. I was very on the fence about him, you know, being in my lineup this week. And I even watched him warm up too. And he looked pretty decent.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

Like, I mean, he looked good in.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

The warm ups that I saw. And then I ended up starting him and he had the fumble. And I think when Jordan Love got hurt, everything just kind of fell apart for that team too. But there were a couple moments in that game where I thought he look okay. But Wilson clearly the healthier of the two. I just thought it was shocking that Jacobs was even playing considering he was in a boot. It wasn't like he was basically like. Or not booze and crutches rather, on Monday, you know, like, how do we get from there to playing on Saturday evening? I didn't think that was. I thought it was a stretch and I know a lot of people cost him a lot of fantasy championship rounds and I know that's very upsetting to people. All right, let's talk about the wide receiver group again. Not necessarily the most exciting group, but maybe a couple guys in deeper leagues that could help you. Before we do, shout out to the sponsor of the show, Hard Rock Bet. Right now, fantasy football playoffs is going on, but if you still want to get in on week 17 action, if you're out of it, there's a good way, and that's Hard Rock Bet. They just launched the for you page. It makes it very easy for you to go out, look at your favorite teams, your favorite players, your favorite sports, and you can go ahead and bet them. And that, of course, is the way to go. And you can go right on there. Click in two seconds, find the things you like, boom on the for you page, and then go back to your Christmas eggnog. And the best part is, if you bet 5 bucks and you win, you get 150 in bonus bets plus your winnings. Now that's how you spread the holiday cheer, folks. Plus, Hard Rock Bet fills your stocking.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

Every day with new promos.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

So check it out. Download the app today Right now, Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook app. Check out the for you page. Bet 5 bucks. Get 150 only at Hard Rock bet.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

Payable and bonus bets.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Not a cash offer offered by the.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

Seminole Tribe of Florida and Florida offered by a Seminole Hard Rock Digital LLC and other states must be 21 + in physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia. Play terms and conditions apply. Concern about gambling in Florida, call 1833 play wise in Indiana. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem wants help, call 1-809 with it gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia. United Airlines has all the bells and whistles to make flying better. New planes are joining their lineup with Bluetooth so you can connect your own wireless headphones, screens and power at every seat. Bigger overhead bins and the United app can save you around 30 minutes at the airport. You can check in, get your boarding pass and skip standing in line. Follow your checked bags every move with the bag tracker. Get a personalized airport map for play by play directions from the door to your gate. The UNITE app can even automatically move you from a middle seat to an aisle or a window if one opens up on your flight. And if you have any questions about your trip, you can talk to a real live United agent. Plus if you want to make a game time decision and go home early or stay longer than There are no fees to change your flight. Get the award winning united [e-mail] app once you fly with it, you'll never fly without it. No fees to change your flight. Excludes basic economy applies to flights originating in the United States. Fair differences may apply.

[Podcast Host (Announcer)]

Do it right or don't do it at all. That's the philosophy of master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell and perhaps the sole reason why Wild Turkey continues to make its bold pre prohibition style bourbon one way, the right way for over 100 years. Sure, they could have switched things up, chased the trends, followed the fads, but they didn't. They refused to compromise, refused to not trust anything other than their spirit. And the result is a Kentucky straight bourbon with award winning taste and impossible to miss character that stands out in any cocktail. Wild Turkey Bourbon Trust your spirit. Copyright 2025 Campari America, New York, NY. Never compromise. Drink responsibly. If you're an inventory specialist in a warehouse, Grainger knows you've probably faced a situation like this before. Your forklift, your facility's workhorse, is leaking hydraulic fluid and with the full schedule of shipments on the docket, this has the potential to cause a major delay of game. But you're not worried. You've prepared for this type of situation and you have an ace in the hole. Grainger. Grainger offers professional grade products for every industry from hydraulic oils and hoses to so much more. Plus fast, dependable delivery. So you can be confident that you'll have the product you need on hand to fix that forklift and get it back in the game. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

All right, next up here, wide receivers. Dbro. Talk to me about Trey Tucker. With Geno back under center, some signs of life for the offense last week, but the Raiders fighting for that number one spot in the draft. They're right there with the Giants, baby.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Yeah, the passing attack was surprisingly efficient. I mean especially considering the matchup. Man, so Trey Tucker, I mean, look, I, I'm, I'm fighting back, throwing up in my own mouth right now just discussing Trey Tucker. But in deeper leagues he is definitely worth a flex play. Just it's all, it all centers around the matchup. The giant secondary has been terrible. This is a good spot for this offense to show a little bit of life to close the season.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Fitzy, anything you want to add about.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Trey Tucker, perhaps not really. Yeah. Not super appealing. And he's been really. That's fin streaky this season. But the matchup against the Giants in a deep league does make him playable. I think there's only one receiver that we kind of like at all. Yes. Who's widely available.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Yes.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

All right. Who is that name?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Don't tease us that that name is Mack Hollins, who is only 3% rostered in Yahoo Leagues and has a matchup against the jets, whose past defense is absolutely gone on vacation. The jets defensive backs and pass rushers, they are already on a beach in Aruba with cocktails like they have just totally quit two weeks ago, week 15, that the jets gave up 330 passing yards and five touchdown passes to Trevor Lawrence. Then yesterday, 346 passing yards to the Saints, two touchdown passes, one by Tyler Shock, one by Taysom Hill. So the jets pass defense is just getting completely firebombed. And Matt Collins has really kind of been Drake May's primary possession receiver. So over his last eight games, Matt Collins has averaged 6.4 targets, 4.4 catches, and 53.9 receiving yards. Basically double digit PPR points. Just. Just under 10. He. He's only scored one touchdown this season. That's where Matt Collins has come up a little short. But the matchup against the jets, if you're going to get into the end zone, this is the right time to do it. And plus K Sean Booty got hurt trying to make an acrobatic catch late in that game Sunday night against the Ravens, and he is, I believe, in concussion protocol, so maybe you don't see him and that means a little bit more for Mack Hollins, perhaps.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Yeah, weird spots. It's a great win for the Patriots, obviously, but they lose Booty in that game. They lose Chevron, Henderson, both in concussion protocol, and they got a matchup against the jets this week where I imagine they have a lead. So that's gonna be really interesting to see how that offense operates. Do guys like Diggs come off the field in the fourth quarter scenario? Potentially. I. I'm thinking the answer is yes. So a guy like Matt Collins I think is very interesting potentially in week 17. All right, a couple other names here. I know the Colts haven't played yet tonight, so we're still waiting on how that unfolds. What about Josh Downs, Pat? Any thoughts on him for this week?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Yeah, so in his first game with rivers, he had three catches for 13 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Maybe it could work. For Josh Downs, just because with the 44 year old Philip Rivers at quarterback, the, the Colts passing game constricted now and maybe that meshes well with Downs who's a short area slot receiver who can catch and run and he's pretty good at it. So they go against the Jaguars I believe in Week 17 and the Jags are much better against the run than they are against the pass. So again, nothing more than a desperation option in deeper leagues, maybe a 14 team league where you have to start three receivers.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Any thoughts on downs? I know again we're still waiting for, you know, tonight's action unfold and that could change some of our feelings on downs. But what are your thoughts?

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

I think he's a low end PPR flex. I mean I again like kind of like Pat talked about, I don't see much upside with him. And Jordan Lewis has been one of the best nickel corners in the NFL this year. So you know, I've, I've got concerns but again like kind of like how we started off wide receivers. I just think it's a bad week for us to be looking to stream wide receivers. There's not a lot out there, tough options. So if you're left grasping at some of these straws, not a lot of sexy spots here to, to gravitate to. So I mean really just in PPR formats and you're just kind of leaning on the volume.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

All right, what about people who are going to gravitate towards Parker Washington after six catches for 145 and a touchdown? I know, but hey, you look at that stat line, you see that against the Broncos too. So why is that fool's gold D, bro. Because that's clearly the reaction you're giving us.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

I mean I think it's absolute fool's gold. One you look at the upcoming matchup and again going to this, just this, these two defenses, Indy this year since week 10 has given up the eighth view as PPR points per target to slot wide receivers. So the matchup's not great. Parker Washington walking into this game and if you read the primer, my concern was he was splitting the slot roll with Tim Patrick. And you look at last week's matchup, the reason he got the targets is because Denver's outside corners are so freaking good that they weren't throwing to Jacobe Myers and Brian Thomas Jr. I don't think that's gonna be the case. I think if anything in this matchup you're looking at Trevor Lawrence is going to throw the ball to the outside the perimeter. It's a good matchup for Brent Strange. So Washington last week, while he was the number one option in the in the passing offense, he falls to number four this week, I think.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Okay, Fitzy, what's your take on Parker Washington?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Same as Debro. Trevor Lawrence had to go somewhere with the ball and they had Patrick certain junior following around Brian Thomas Jr. And you know, Jacoby Myers wasn't finding a lot of room. So he was just the, the Johnny on the spot guy for week 16. And I doubt that repeats in week 17.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

All right, so there you have it, everybody. Those are the wide receivers for week 17. Let's talk about the top streamers and let's start with quarterback because my goodness, quarterback has been tough this year. You've made it to the end with several quarterbacks on your super flex roster. Kudos to you. Kudos to you. You fought through the muck. You've come out on top. Fitzy, give me a quarterback that you feel good about potentially streaming this week in single quarterback leagues even at this point too, because Lamar is going to be in question. It's a shorter week. He was hurt. He needs a bacchiotomy. He got obviously, you know, you lost Mahomes, then you lost Minshew. You lost so somebody else. So many guys. Jordan Love's gonna be out again probably. So what are your thoughts here, Fitzy? Where are you going for the quarterback holes?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Oh, to the guy who is going to lead Derrick Brown's favorite NFL team for the next 15 years.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Yes.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Which would take him to age, I think 48. Tyler.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Shane, baby. I love it.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Tyler Shuck, the overaged rookie shock has very quietly scored at least 17 fantasy points in four straight games. And he's completing two thirds of his passes this season, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. He's actually playing pretty well. And Chuck adds a little bit of value as a runner too. He's got 135 rushing yards and two touchdown runs over his last five starts. So goes against the Titans in week 17, who going into week 16 and giving up the eighth most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Good matchup. Guy who's playing pretty well. He's got some nice weapons with Juwan Johnson and Chris Olave. I like Tyler Shuck a lot this week. I might have him possibly ranked inside the top 12 this week.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Hey, man, another W for Shuck. I know it's the jets, but still it's good. He's playing decent football.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

Yeah.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

He'S your guy.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

All right.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Debro, give me another Quarterback, you might consider streaming too, because again, Super Flex is a little rough here. You know, I. I know a lot of these quarter like shuck is probably rostered in your. Your regular 12 Team Super Flexes already, but maybe the guy you're talking about isn't because of all the volatility that's been going on with him the last couple weeks leading up to week 17.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Yeah, I mean, I'm going to lead this off with that. Look, we talked about this. There's not a lot of great options. Everybody's freaking hurt right now. Geno Smith. I mean, it just. It's the matchup. And I think we've seen enough of Kenny Pickett in the year 2025 that we know that Kenny Pickett's not going to enter this game regardless of how Gino plays. But the Giants pass defense has been terrible, man. Since week 11, they've given to the seventh highest yards per attempt, fourth highest passer rating. So Gino is definitely. I think he's the safe option. I will also give a psa. If Jordan Love is out this week, then Malik Willis is firmly in this streaming tier.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

I was going to ask you about Willis and try to throw a couple of names. Bros were obviously somebody. Okay, let's play this. Do you want to play a quarterback in. In that second Super Flex spot or a position player? I'm going to give you the quarterback. Ready? Brosmer or position player, Pat?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

I mean, it depends on the position player, but probably the position player.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Position player.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Chris Ola Dukun.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Position player.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Position player.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Okay. Malik, Willis, Willis.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Yep.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Okay, so Willis is the guy for you guys. I'm trying to think of another one off the top of my head here. Tyrod Taylor just throwing it out there against the Patriots.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Tyrod.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Tyrod. If he plays. But I think we get another Brady Cook week. Jets trying to lose out.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

What about Quinn yours? What about Quinn yours?

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Position player.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

He had.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

He did throw for 260. That was way more than I thought.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Yeah, and it's the Bengals, bro.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

I thought he might be able to do something against a team that doesn't really.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

I don't know.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Dbro said Cincinnati has had a decent pressure rate in recent weeks. Their pass rush isn't good, so I thought if he had time, he might be able to do something this week. He gets the Buccaneers, who are gonna blitz him heavily. I'll probably take the position player there.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

All right, dbro, talk to me about potential tight end this week, because you and Jake Sealer are on the same guy.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Dude, Taysom Hill being the jack of all trades. And I think the other part about this is that we need to give credence to is the narrative of like just the people aspect of this. This could be Taysom Hill's final few games as a Saints, as, as a saint. So looking at his usage last week, in these next final weeks, man, like he had a 43 snap rate. He was basically, he was their starting running back. He had 12 carries, 42 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, caught four balls for 36 receiving yards. So yeah, I mean, dude, there's a conversation to be had like if you were in some league, not that you could do this in most leagues because he's tight end eligible only, but like, would you play Taysom Hill as a quarterback over some of these other options? Okay, sure. But yeah, taste some Hill. Definitely worth the stream this week.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Okay, how about for you Fitzy, who's a tight end in week 17 for all the marbles you're willing to stream?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

I'm going to throw Mike Gasicki out there and generally I don't want to play Gasicki when Jamar Chase and T. Higgins are both healthy. But Noah Fant was out and is probably going to be out again in Week 17. So Gasicki had three catches for 35 yards and a touchdown on four targets against Miami. He'd also had a touchdown in Week 14 against the Bills, along with I think a season high 86 yards. So we like the matchup against the Cardinals. I think they've given up like the 8th most fantasy points to tight ends. We like that he's attached to Joe Burrow. Just can't guarantee that he gets more than about three or four targets. But I don't know, the matchup and the quarterback are pretty appealing here.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

What about Hunter Henry in some more shallow leagues too? This week we mentioned about like all the guys that could be out for the, you know, Patriots. Would Hunter Henry be another guy, potentially a tight end, do you think, you know, a 10 team league could be floating out there?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Yeah, if he's not rostered, he's in play. He's just, he's a little Mark Andrews esque. A little touchdown.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Yeah. I just wonder with, you know, like you take booty out of the mix, you know, you take travy on in the mix. Like does that offense run a little bit differently potentially?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Colston Loveland has, I think he has had at least three catches in every game going back to like week six. And if the, I think Roma Dunes is going to be. Continue. Continue to be out for the Bears. And if Luther Burton is also out, Loveland could see a pretty big target share against the 49ers in week 17.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

All right, Fitzy, give me a defense for championship week. What do you have?

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Yeah, let's go with really my favorite far and away, the. The Patriots. Joe. And they're. They may or may not be rostered in your league, but there weren't a lot of people who wanted to play the Patriots against the Ravens, which is kind of understandable. Just going against the jets, if it's Brady Cook, I mean, Brady Cook has been a complete train wreck. Four interceptions and 11 sacks the last two weeks for Brady Cook. So what's going to be interesting is if Tyrod Taylor plays because he was healthy enough to serve as Cook's backup in Week 16. So maybe he does come back. But the jets are not exactly incentivized to win. And if they just lay down for the Patriots and Bills, I'm thinking, too. Yeah, I mean, so that's kind of the thing. I think the players, they just go out and play and they want to win, but this isn't a decision the coaching staff and front office can sort of make. And maybe they just decide to have Brady Cook play out the string.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

There's a part of me that really wants the Raiders to get that first pick, dude. Because Mendoza is the most non Raider personality I think I've ever seen in my entire life. I just think that's the funniest thing ever. Like, I want all those guys in the black hole who wear like the big shoulder pads and paint their face to all wear sweater vests. Like, I just want. That's what I want. I want to see it.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

I'm here for it.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

It's gonna be a beautiful thing. All right, let's get to your defense. D. Bro, who do you have for this week?

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Fitzy kind of talked about it a second ago, man. I'm gonna go with the Buccaneers. I think they're gonna blitz the everliving crap out of Quinn yours and that could be force interceptions and turnovers this week.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Tampa really need to get their crap together, man. Oh, dude. Six since the buy. I think I said, dude.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

They're collapsing at just a colossal rate. It's insane.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Unbelievable. All right, kickers, because they're people too. Or so I've been told. DBro, what do you have?

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Eddie Pinero. 49ers are going to move the ball religiously through the versus the Bears. Lots of field goal opportunities.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

Fitzy Give me a kicker for Championship.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

Week to stream Andy Borgales of the yeah, your Patriots Joe Top 10 fantasy kicker this year, 58 fantasy points in his last five games and he is going against the jets who have given up A League high 12.8 fantasy points per game to kickers.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

Love it.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

There you have it everybody. That's what championship week looks like on the Waiver Wire. If you need more help in your leagues, go to Waiver Central. Download the app right now at Fantasy Pros and use the tools. And of course Derek Brown and I will be here tomorrow on Tuesday, 3pm Eastern to take your questions. Whether it's waiver wire, whether it starts it, because we got a whole lot of football and not a lot of time to get prepared for it. But that's how champions are born. That'll do it for us. But the story of the game goes on for Derrick Brown, Pat Fitz Morris, I'm Joey P. Have a great holiday everybody. Go win that championship.

[Podcast Host (Announcer)]

Thanks for listening to the Fantasy Pros Fantasy Football Podcast. If you love the show, the best free way to support us is by leaving a positive review on Apple podcasts at fantasyprose.com/review or on Spotify. Follow us on x Instagram and TikTok at Fantasy Pros and subscribe to our YouTube channel at YouTube.com fantasypros.

[Sponsor Voice (United Airlines)]

The United Airlines app has all the bells and whistles to make flying easier and can save you around 30 minutes at the airport. Get real time flight updates like live countdown clocks to boarding even if your screen's locked. Get play by play directions through the airport with personalized maps. And if you want to make a game time decision and go home early or stay longer, there are no fees to change your flight. Get the united [e-mail] app no fees to change your flight excludes basic economy applies to flights originating in the United States. Fare differences may apply what are you reaching for?

[Sponsor Voice (Zyn Nicotine Pouches)]

If you're a smoker dipper, you could be reaching for more with Zyn Nicotine Pouches. When you reach for Zyn, you're reaching for 10 satisfying varieties and two strengths for a smoke free, spit free option that lets you lean into good times instead of stepping away for premier rewards, chances to break free from your routine and a unique nationwide community. Whatever you're reaching for, reach for it with America's number one nicotine pouch brand. Find your Zen Zyn wherever nicotine products are sold near you. This product contains nicotine that's an addictive chemical.

[Sponsor Voice (Unrivaled Basketball)]

Season two of unrivaled basketball is here and the talent is unreal. The best women's players on the planet are running it back with even bigger moments and bigger stakes. Don't miss as Paige Becker, Snafeeza Collier, Kelsey Plumb, Briana Stewart and more. Take the court and redefine the game. This isn't your regular season. This is unrivaled, where the pace is faster, the energy is higher, and every athlete shines unrivaled. Basketball Season 2, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy, tips off January 5th on TNT, TruTV and HBO. Max.

[Sponsor Voice (Coca Cola)]

What a matchup we got, y'.

[Pat Fitz Morris]

All.

[Sponsor Voice (Coca Cola)]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat. Everybody showing that school pride. Game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and it's ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[Joey P (Joe P. Zepia)]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Dbro (Derrick Brown)]

Guaranteed Human.