10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets Heading Into Week 17

Week 16 is officially behind us, and the most important week of the fantasy football season is here! If you advanced to the finals of your league, congratulations! Time to put the finishing touches on your championship.

It goes without saying but if you have FAAB remaining, spend it. If you have a top waiver pick, use it. This is your final chance to do so.

This week, it is as important to block your opponent with your waiver wire moves as it is to bolster your own roster. Take some time to study your opponent's roster, see what moves that might make, and then counter those moves with your own. It's better to have a key waiver wire play on your bench than in your opponent's starting lineup.

With that in mind, here are some of the best additions you can make to your squads heading into Week 17.

10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr, Saints

After a difficult stretch from Week 10 to Week 14, Derek Carr has bounced back over the past two games. After tossing three touchdowns against the New York Giants in Week 15, Carr delivered again in Week 16, connecting on 27 of 40 pass attempts for 319 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception against the Los Angeles Rams.

The 319 passing yards were Carr's third-most this season and his most since Week 8. Carr has now thrown for multiple touchdowns in three consecutive games.

In Week 17, Carr and the New Orleans Saints face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay is coming off an impressive win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, in which they only allowed 12 points. Before that, they allowed 34 points to the Green Bay Packers and 29 points to the Atlanta Falcons.

The Buccaneers' secondary has been their weakness. According to numberFire's schedule-adjusted metrics, they rank ninth-worst against the pass and seventh-best against the run. This a clear pass-funnel situation for Carr and the Saints.

Adding to the appeal of this matchup is the Buccaneers' offense, which ranks 11th at numberFire. They have the ability to force New Orleans into a game script that calls for additional passing -- just like the Rams did on Thursday.

Nick Mullens, Vikings

Nick Mullens is 0-2 since taking over as the starter in Week 15, but he has put up decent fantasy numbers in both his starts.

Interceptions have been a huge problem for Mullens. He has six in his two starts, but he is also averaging 357 passing yards and 2 touchdowns per game.

In league's that penalize turnovers harshly, Mullens losses some appeal, but he is still in a decent spot this weekend against the Green Bay Packers.

The Packers' defense has allowed an average of 29.3 points per game over the last three weeks. Their opponents during that stretch were the Carolina Panthers, Buccaneers, and Giants.

Any team that allows the Panthers to put 30 points on the board is worth considering as a target for fantasy points.

It's not all good news for Mullens, though. He will likely be without two of his key targets; both Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson are looking doubtful due to injuries they suffered this week.

That likely means more targets for Justin Jefferson, who is capable of supporting a passing game all on his own.

Others to Consider:

Gardner Minshew (vs. Las Vegas) Jake Browning (at Chiefs), Bryce Young (at Jacksonville)

Running Backs

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is featured in this piece for a third week in a row, and, if he is still available, is the highest priority addition to make heading into Week 17.

Isiah Pacheco suffered a concussion on Monday and Jerick McKinnon is on injured reserve. The Kansas City Chiefs' backfield should belong to Edwards-Helaire for Week 17's clash with a vulnerable Cincinnati Bengals' defense.

To say the Chiefs' offense is in a slump would be an understatement. They have scored fewer than 20 points in three of their last four games and look nothing like that side that has been the class of the NFL for the past three seasons.

However, they have a chance to bounce back in a big way against the Bengals. Cincinnati's defense ranks fourth-worst, per numberFire. They struggle in both phases of the game, ranking fourth-worst against the run and sixth-worst against the pass. They just conceded 34 points to the Steelers' offense with Mason Rudolph under center.

Edwards-Helaire should be involved in both phases of the Chiefs' offense in this one. Over the past three games, he is averaging 3 receptions and 45 receiving yards per contest. He has a path to an elite workload in Week 17.

Zamir White, Raiders

Zamir White is also making his third consecutive appearance in this piece, and if we had more clarity on Josh Jacobs' status, he would be a higher-priority addition than Edwards-Helaire.

With Jacobs sidelined the past two games, White has excelled. Playing on 75% of the team's snaps, White has handled 71% of the rushing attempts and run a route on 60% of the Las Vegas Raiders' drop backs. His passing game production has been minimal, but he has excelled on the ground with 39 carries, 214 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

In Week 17, Las Vegas faces the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts' defense has been up and down this season but has allowed 29 points to the Falcons and 34 points to the Bengals in two of their three most recent games.

The Raiders' defense is an excellent form with three game-winning performances in a row. After holding the Minnesota Vikings to just three points in a loss in Week 14, they disrupted the Chargers and Chiefs in Weeks 15 and 16, totaling 7 sacks, 7 turnovers, and 4 defensive scores.

White stands to benefit from a Raiders' defense that can enable Las Vegas' offense to stay committed to the running game. His outlook is heavily dependent on the availability of Jacobs, who could return this week.

Don't wait for news on Jacobs to pick up White. If he's available, add him to your bench while we wait more information on Jacobs' outlook.

Khalil Herbert, Bears

With D'Onta Foreman inactive for personal reasons, Khalil Herbert led the Chicago Bears' backfield against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16.

Herbert totaled 20 carries for 112 yards and 1 touchdown with 1 catch on 2 targets for 9 receiving yards. Roschon Johnson was more involved in the passing game, but Herbert handled all of the opportunities inside the five-yard line.

In Week 17, the Bears face the Atlanta Falcons. Herbert's outlook depends on two factors: the availability of Foreman and the game script. If Foreman returns, Herbert has less appeal as a flex option. If the Bears fall behind against the Falcons and are forced to pass more often, Herbert will lose opportunities to Johnson.

The good news is that Chicago's defense has improved over the second half of the season and is capable of providing Herbert with his ideal game script. The Bears are allowing just 14.8 points per game over the last four weeks.

The Falcons scored 29 points against the Colts in Week 16 but have been hit-or-miss all season. They prefer to run the ball, which plays into the strength of a Bears defense that ranks second against the rush, per numberFire.

Add Herbert while we wait for clarity on Foreman's status for this weekend.

Others to Consider:

Tyler Allgeier (at Chicago), Jaleel McLaughlin (vs. Chargers), Tyjae Spears (at Houston), Zach Charbonnet (vs. Pittsburgh), Justice Hill (vs. Miami)

Wide Receivers

Romeo Doubs, Packers

With the Packers short-handed at wide receiver in Week 16, Romeo Doubs led the way with 79 yards and a touchdown. His five targets were second on the team behind Bo Melton and tight end Tucker Kraft, but he made the most of them.

In Week 17, the Packers could be without Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks. If that is the case, Doubs should operate as the top option in the passing game for a clash with the Vikings.

Minnesota's defense has been picked apart by the Lions and Bengals in back-to-back weeks and presents an excellent opportunity for Green Bay's passing attack.

Doubs' outlook depends on the status of the Packers' other pass-catchers. While we gain information on their outlook's this week, consider adding Doubs to your bench.

Noah Brown, Texans

After his explosive Week 15, Noah Brown had a tougher time in Week 16, catching 3 of 7 targets for 38 yards. The return of Nico Collins combined with a matchup against one of the best defenses in the league made for a difficult situation.

In Week 17 half of that equation will shift. The Texans face the Titans, the team against which Brown caught 8 of 11 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown against in Week 15.

Collins' presence lower's Brown's ceiling, but he still led the team in target share in Week 16 (15%). His outlook could also be elevated by the potential return of quarterback C.J. Stroud, who might be back under center after missing the past two games with a concussion.

Rashid Shaheed, Saints

Rashid Shaheed posted his highest route participation of the season in Week 16 (93%), slightly ahead of Chris Olave (91%). His nine targets and five receptions both tied his high for the season. He finished with 70 yards and a touchdown.

Shaheed and the Saints' passing game are set up for success in Week 17 facing a Buccaneers' defense that ranks ninth-worst against the pass and seventh-best against the run. In a game New Orleans has to win, their path to a victory should go through the air.

There is always a concern that Carr will revert to checking the ball down to Alvin Kamara, but he remained aggressive in the Saints' comeback attempt in Week 15 and could be forced into a similar situation if the Buccaneers' in-form offense continues to produce.

Others to Consider:

Josh Palmer (at Denver), Demario Douglas (at Buffalo), Curtis Samuel (vs. San Francisco), K.J. Osborn (vs. Green Bay), Josh Downs (vs. Las Vegas), Wan'Dale Robinson (vs. Los Angeles),

Tight Ends

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans

Chigoziem Okonkwo caught his first touchdown of the season in Week 15, capping off a performance that also included 6 receptions on 6 targets for 63 yards.

Okonkwo has been consistently involved in the Tennessee Titans' offense this season. Entering Week 16 he had run a route on 69% of the Titans' drop backs and seen a target on 19% of his routes, resulting in a 16% target share.

In Week 16 he surpassed all of those averages, with an 80% route participation, 21% target per route run, and 25% target share.

Those are solid numbers for a tight end and bode well for Week 17. Tennessee will face the Houston Texans and could have Will Levis back under center.

The Texans' pass defense ranks fourth-worst, per numberFire. The Titans' pass defense ranks eighth-worst. We could see elevated passing production from both sides in this one.

Others to Consider:

Gerald Everett (at Denver), Hunter Henry (at Buffalo), Tucker Kraft (at Minnesota)

Defenses

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks' defense been crucial to their season-saving two-game winning steak. They held the Eagles and Titans to 17 points in Weeks 14 and 15, allowing their offense to secure the win with just 20 points in each contest.

After recording no sacks against the Eagles, Seattle bounced back with six against the Titans. Over the last four weeks they are averaging 3.3 sacks, and 1 turnover per game.

They should have a chance to surpass both those averages against the Steelers in Week 17. Pittsburgh is coming off a 34-point game against a Bengals' defense that ranks sixth-worst against the pass in numberFire's metrics. Seattle's secondary ranks 15th.

Game script will be important in this one. Seattle's defense ranks last against the run, yet Pittsburgh's rushing game only ranks 16th, and that is much better than their passing game, which ranks 9th-worst.

For Seattle to capitalize on this opportunity, their offense needs to earn a lead and force the Steelers to pass.

Others to Consider:

Rams D/ST (at New York Giants), Bears D/ST (vs. Atlanta), Texans D/ST (vs. Tennessee), Colts D/ST (vs. Las Vegas)

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.