Tyler Higbee, Daniel Jones among top free-agent finds for Week 17
We’ll start this week’s column with a thank you.
Thank you to you, the readers. This is the final edition of the ESPN Fantasy waiver-wire column of the season, as Week 17 marks the end of weekly fantasy football. It’s a true joy to write this column each week knowing that the waiver wire can be the backbone of a championship run in fantasy football.
The likes of DeVante Parker and A.J. Brown were waiver-wire fixtures earlier this season, with both becoming contributors to many teams that are likely chasing championship glory this Sunday. They are the latest in a long series of players who have been unlikely staples of championship squads.
For those of you who added those players — or other waiver-wire hidden gems — thank you for reading and good luck this Sunday!
Here are the Week 17 waiver-wire adds.
Note: All players listed in this column are available in more than 50% of leagues on ESPN.com.
Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens (4.8%): Starter Mark Ingram has a calf strain, per colleague Adam Schefter, which could sideline him for Week 17. The Ravens already have clinched the top seed in the AFC, thus it would be no surprise to see them play things cautiously with Ingram. Edwards is a no-nonsense runner averaging over 5 yards a carry this season and could well prove to be a valuable RB2 or flex option this week.
Travis Homer, RB, Seattle Seahawks (0.0%): Injuries have depleted the Seahawks’ backfield, as both Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise are out for Week 17 because of injuries suffered Sunday. That left Homer as the only healthy body in Week 16 and he quickly piled up touches, finishing with six catches and five carries, pushing over double-digit scoring. It would seem likely that Seattle would add reinforcements this week, but for now Homer is the go-to guy. Editor’s note: Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Monday there’s a “really good chance” that Seattle signs Marshawn Lynch, the former Seahawks great who hasn’t played this season.
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams (45.8%): I’m going to share with you a complete list of every tight end in NFL history with a streak of four consecutive games with at least seven catches and 100 receiving yards: Tyler Higbee. Seriously. The dude has been on a tear of late and is a huge, huge part of the Rams’ offense. No more waiting. Add him.
Justin Watson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1.4%): The Bucs throw the football a ton. A ton! We know that Jameis Winston makes for an adventure every time he touches the field, but he also can make wide receivers relevant for fantasy in a hurry. Watson scored a touchdown and had 10 targets in Week 16, showing that his talent and volume make him valuable enough to put on the flex radar.
DeAndre Washington, RB, Oakland Raiders (35.0%): The Raiders are still alive — even if barely — for the playoffs and early indications are that Josh Jacobs will be available in Week 17. But if he isn’t, we know what we’re getting out of Washington: a stud. He has posted 18-plus points in each of the two occasions he has stepped in for Jacobs as the starter.
Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants (26.1%): What a Sunday it was for Jones this past week, who shredded the Redskins for 352 passing yards and five touchdowns. Due to an injury to Kyler Murray and the chance that Lamar Jackson sits, some will be seeking quarterback help. Jones has a good matchup against an Eagles secondary that has had vulnerable moments this season.
Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (12.0%): Johnson has been rock solid over the past three weeks, catching at least five passes in each game, scoring over 20 in two out of three games and seeing an average of eight targets per game. A largely stagnant Steelers passing game gets its best boost from Johnson, who has emerged as a fun playmaker to watch. He’s a deeper league flex consideration.
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Greg Ward Jr., WR, Philadelphia Eagles (13.5%): Ward remains the Eagles top wide receiver for the moment, seeing five more targets and racking up four catches for 71 yards in Week 16. His role appears to be locked in and has volume on his side, making Ward a consideration in deeper leagues as well, especially with Nelson Agholor‘s status for Week 17 unclear for right now.
Gardner Minshew II, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (16.6%): Minshew Mania may not be quite as strong as it was earlier this season, but for those looking for a Week 17 sub, you could do much worse than a quarterback who has at least 16 fantasy points in eight games this season. The Jaguars morphed into an exceptionally pass-friendly offense this season and Minshew should have plenty of volume in Week 17.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (43.1%): Goedert has been on the fantasy radar throughout the season, but he had a monster Sunday in part because of a rib injury that limited Zach Ertz. Goedert logged nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown, serving as a reminder of his Week 17 usability.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins (25.4%): Another name to know for those who are looking to spin the wheel at tight end. Gesicki sees plenty of volume in a pass-happy Dolphins offense, scoring twice on six catches in Week 16 and logging 26.2 fantasy points. His athletic ability is apparent week to week.
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Hunter Renfrow, WR, Oakland Raiders (4.6%): Renfrow made a triumphant return to the lineup after a rib injury cost him to miss some time, posting a career-high seven catches for a career-high 107 yards and a touchdown. He’s a player to keep an eye on for 2020 and should be a busy man in Week 17.
Steven Sims Jr., WR, Washington Redskins (1.0%): A tip of the cap to my pal Matthew Berry, who nailed Sims as his long shot for Week 16 during a segment on Fantasy Football Now. Sims racked up six catches and two touchdowns Sunday, as he has seen 28 targets over the past three games, during which quarterback Dwayne Haskins has made substantial strides as well. If you need a swing for the fences, Sims certainly makes sense with his excellent speed.
Jonnu Smith, TE, Tennessee Titans (7.5%): With Delanie Walker on injured reserve, Smith has been the starter at tight end for Tennessee for some time now, making good on his expanded opportunity. He has at least 10 fantasy points in three straight games and is an important target for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Rex Burkhead, RB, New England Patriots (12.9%): The Patriots have built up a bit of offensive mojo over the past two weeks, with Burkhead playing an integral role. He has back-to-back games with a rushing touchdown and is coming off of a career-high 77 receiving yards. He’s a consideration as a deep league flex.