Merry Christmas, Nerds. Welcome to the championship! In this Week 17 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, we break down the best fantasy football pickups to add after another chaotic week of roster reshuffling and injuries. Whether you’re managing a dynasty roster or fighting to advance in the playoffs, this week’s waiver wire targets are here to help.
Missed last week’s pickups? Check out the Week 16 Waiver Wire, and be sure to read my trade articles series that concluded with free agent wide receivers and tight ends to target.
🔗 Keep Building Your Dynasty
All rostership percentages are based on 12-Team SuperFlex PPR dynasty leagues. Please note: At the time of this publication, all free agents were at or under 50% rostered in Sleeper dynasty leagues
Week 17 Quarterback Targets | Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups
Josh Johnson | Washington Commanders | 0% Rostership | 1% FAAB
Josh Johnson was called into action after Marcus Mariota was ruled out with an injury. Johnson was underwhelming, completing 5-of-9 passes for 43 yards with an interception in the Commanders’ 29-18, Week 16 loss to the Eagles. Washington has a quick turnaround and Johnson could start in Week 17 against the Cowboys on Christmas Day. I would not recommend starting Johnson, but there is a chance you are in your championship round and in need of a quarterback.
Chris Oladokun | Kansas City Chiefs | 0% Rostership | 1% FAAB
Things are bleak in Kansas City. After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in his left knee. Gardner Minshew was called in to finish the last three games of the NFL season. However, Kansas City fears that Minshew also tore his ACL during their loss against the Tennessee Titans, leaving Chris Oladokun as the only healthy quarterback on the active roster. I am not advocating for Oladokun, as Malik Willis is my priority add at quarterback. However, if you need a quarterback and are unable to get Willis or Josh Johnson, Oladokun will be available.
Malik Willis | Green Bay Packers | 24% Rostership | 10% FAAB
Malik Willis was a name I mentioned in a previous trade article as a player to acquire, as he is set to be a free agent. Hopefully, he is already on your roster based on what I said, but it will now be harder to obtain Willis. On Saturday Night Football against the Chicago Bears, Jordan Love left the game with a concussion, and Willis was thrust into the starting role. Love will have to complete the concussion protocol before he is cleared to play in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens. If Willis can perform well, he could be in line for a chance to compete for a starting job in 2026.
💥 Dominate your league with the Dynasty Nerds App
Get instant player values, trade calculators, and rankings all in one place.
👉 Join the NerdHerd & Get the App
Week 17 Running Back Targets | Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups
Malik Davis | Dallas Cowboys | 32% Rostership | 3% FAAB
I have talked to death about the importance of rostering handcuffs, so I will save my breath. Please roster Malik Davis.
Jawhar Jordan | Houston Texans | 24 Rostership | 10% FAAB
Jawhar Jordan had an impressive NFL debut last week, touting 15 carries for 101 rushing yards against the Arizona Cardinals. Jordan was thrust into the starting role again in Week 16 with Woody Marks out with an ankle injury and finished with a solid fantasy day. Marks’ injury is something to monitor going into your fantasy championships, but after two impressive performances, Jordan needs to be rostered.
Samaje Perine | Cincinnatti Bengals | 48% Rostership | 3% FAAB
See Above Malik Davis narrative
Raheim Sanders | Cleveland Browns | 19% Rostership | 25% FAAB
Quinshon Judkins suffered a broken leg in the Browns’ 23-20 loss to Buffalo. With Quinshon out, Raheim Sanders took on the majority of the rushing work. If Dylan Sampson isn’t able to return in Week 17, Sanders should be in line for a bulk of the workload.
BREAKING NEWS
📊 Our Data Hub is live! Get custom player stats in the Dynasty Nerds App.
📱 Use code data-hub for 20% off any membership!
Week 17 Wide Receiver Targets | Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups
Jahan Dotson | Philadelphia Eagles | 28% Rostership | 5% FAAB
On a recent episode of the Dynasty Nerds podcast, the guys discussed potential free-agent wide receivers worth stashing. Jahan Dotson was discussed, and with good reason. At only 25 years old, Dotson could thrive in a change of scenery. At only 28% rostered, Dotson is worth the add to see where he lands during free agency.
Konata Mumpfield | Los Angeles Rams | 16% Rostership | 5% FAAB
On Thursday Night Football, rookie Konata Mumpfield filled in forDavantae Adams, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. The rookie saw a season high in targets (8), receptions (3), and receiving yards (40). Mumpfield is also a name to monitor for the 2026 season. He has played at least 38% of the snaps in each of his last five games. At only 16% rostered, Mumpfield is worth adding to your dynasty rosters.
📻 Want in-depth analysis all week long?
Catch the latest insights on the Dynasty Nerds Podcast—streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Week 17 Tight End Targets | Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups
Taysom Hill | New Orleans Saints | 34% Rostership | 10% FAAB
The Taysom Hill Experience was on full display in Week 15. Hill threw for a touchdown, rushed for 42 rushing yards, and caught four passes for 38 receiving yards. With so many injuries to the running back, I expect Hill’s rushing usage to continue, and he would be my priority add at the tight end position.
Stone Smartt | New York Jets | 2% Rostership | 3% FAAB
Stone Smartt filled in nicely for the injured Mason Taylor. Smart caught all five of his targets for 34 receiving yards against the New Orleans Saints. If Taylor misses Week 17, Smart could continue to see an uptick in usage.
Luke Musgrave | Green Bay Packers | 47% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Going into Week 16 against the Chicago Bears, Luke Musgrave was coming off the best game of his 2025 season in Week 15. Against Chicago, Musgrave saw three targets catching all three for 38 receiving yards. Musgrave will go into fantasy championship matchups against the Baltimore Ravens.
Over 50% Rostered Waiver Wire Players | Week 17 Fantasy Football
Other players who are great waiver wire additions but have over 50% rostership include: AJ Barner, Tank Bigsby, Jacoby Brissett, Marquise Brown, Michael Carter, Jalen Coker, Kirk Cousins, Isaiah Davis, Chimere Dike, Audric Estime, Quinn Ewers, Terrance Ferguson, Tre Harris, Mike Gesicki, Ty Johnson, Chig Okonkwo, Colby Parkinson, Chris Rodriguez, Dalton Schutlz, Tyler Shough, Devin Singletary, Ben Sinnott, Sean Tucker, Darren Waller, Parker Washington, and Emanuel Wilson.
Take Control of Your Dynasty Today
Want to see where your lineup stacks up? Start building like the pros with our most powerful tools and resources:
