Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 17

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Trey Lance, 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo reportedly suffered a chipped bone and torn ligament in his right thumb Thursday, which puts his availability for Week 17 in doubt.

While no one wants to see players injured, fantasy managers have been eagerly waiting for Lance to get his opportunity, and this could be it.

The rookie's fantasy upside was on full display when he stepped in for Jimmy G earlier this season and posted over 35 fantasy points in six quarters thanks to 130 rushing yards.

We'll know more about Garoppolo's status on Wednesday, but until then, Lance needs to be rostered by any fantasy team that doesn't have a top-five option at the position.

Streaming options (if healthy): Taysom Hill vs. CAR (42% rostered), Justin Fields vs. NYG (23% rostered)

Streaming options: Tua Tagovailoa at TEN (41% rostered), Carson Wentz vs. LV (48% rostered)

Risky streaming options: Taylor Heinicke vs. PHI (25% rostered), Mac Jones vs. JAX (33% rostered), Davis Mills at SF (3% rostered), Zach Wilson vs. TB (8% rostered), Ben Roethlisberger vs. CLE (30% rostered), Baker Mayfield at PIT (27% rostered), Jared Goff at SEA (7% rostered)

Running backs

Darrel Williams, Chiefs

If you're looking for the next Justin Jackson-esque performance from a backup running back-turned-temporary starter, Williams is your best bet.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire will likely be held out this week after injuring his collarbone Sunday.

The good news for the Chiefs is that Williams has proved he can produce when given more volume.

In fact, he's gone over 80 yards from scrimmage in five of his last nine outings, including this past week when he turned 14 touches into 85 yards.

Williams will be a volume-based RB2 for the fantasy championship week and could be the extra piece that helps you secure a title.

Boston Scott/Jordan Howard, Eagles

Miles Sanders is out indefinitely with a broken hand, leaving the Eagles' running back room a mess heading into Week 17.

Howard left Sunday's game with a stinger, but head coach Nick Sirianni is hopeful the running back will be able to suit up against Washington.

If he's sidelined, Scott would handle the bulk of the backfield touches with Kenneth Gainwell (11% rostered) serving as the complementary back. Scott has been given at least 12 touches in four games this year and has come away with double-digit fantasy points each time.

Even if Howard does play, Scott will still be heavily involved in Philly's game plan, which has featured multiple backs more times than not.

Both players should be rostered until we know more about Howard's status later in the week.

Jamaal Williams is over the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Rex Burkhead at SF (14% rostered), Dare Ogunbowale at NE (1% rostered), Ke'Shawn Vaughn at NYJ (1% rostered)

Flex options (if healthy): Rhamondre Stevenson vs. JAX (56% rostered)

Risky flex options: Derrick Gore at CIN (2% rostered), Devontae Booker at CHI (23% rostered), Tevin Coleman vs. TB (18% rostered), Duke Johnson at TEN (11% rostered), Mark Ingram vs. CAR (47% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Jaret Patterson vs. PHI (7% rostered), D'Ernest Johnson at PIT (16% rostered), Craig Reynolds at SEA (21% rostered), Brandon Bolden vs. JAX (16% rostered), Kenneth Gainwell at WAS (11% rostered), DeeJay Dallas vs. DET (2% rostered), Ryquell Armstead at NE (0% rostered)

Wide receivers

Isaiah McKenzie, Bills

McKenzie took over slot receiver duties last week from Cole Beasley who landed on the COVID-19 list.

The transition was seamless as McKenzie tied or improved upon Beasley's season highs in several categories, including catches (11), receiving yards (125), and touchdowns (one). He also did it against the Patriots' defense.

Next up are the Falcons, one of the top five easiest matchups for fantasy wideouts.

You can feel confident starting McKenzie as a WR3/flex this week.

K.J. Osborn, Vikings

Adam Thielen appeared to aggravate his ankle injury Sunday, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him miss more time.

Osborn has gone to work with Thielen sitting out the better part of the last month, posting at least 47 yards and a touchdown in three of the past four outings.

If Thielen is inactive, Osborn will once again be a boom-or-bust WR3/flex option for fantasy managers in need of help at receiver.

Elijah Moore and Marvin Jones are above or close to the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Rashod Bateman vs. LAR (37% rostered), Robby Anderson at NO (37% rostered), Braxton Berrios vs. TB (6% rostered)

Flex options (if healthy): Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. MIN (40% rostered), Kadarius Toney at CHI (22% rostered)

Risky flex options: Marquez Callaway vs. CAR (27% rostered), Kendrick Bourne vs. JAX (27% rostered), Kenny Golladay at CHI (49% rostered), Allen Lazard vs. MIN (24% rostered), Laquon Treadwell at NE (4% rostered), Byron Pringle at CIN (2% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Breshad Perriman at NYJ (2% rostered), Jamison Crowder vs. TB (25% rostered), Josh Reynolds at SEA (13% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Donovan Peoples-Jones at PIT (13% rostered), Nico Collins at SF (2% rostered), Zay Jones at IND (1% rostered), Mecole Hardman at CIN (34% rostered), Tavon Austin at NE (0% rostered), T.Y. Hilton vs. LV (18% rostered), DeSean Jackson at IND (5% rostered), Tim Patrick at LAC (22% rostered), Chris Conley at SF (0% rostered), Antoine Wesley at DAL (0% rostered)

Tight ends

Cole Kmet, Bears

Kmet is making a strong case to be viewed as a low-end TE1 in fantasy.

The 22-year-old has gone over 40 yards in seven of his past 10 contests and has at least five targets in nine of those games.

That kind of consistent volume is enough to make him a reliable streamer and possibly a TE1 in Week 17 and beyond.

Risky streamer options: Gerald Everett vs. DET (42% rostered), CJ Uzomah vs. KC (23% rostered), Tyler Conklin at GB (42% rostered), Mo Alie-Cox vs. LV (2% rostered), Foster Moreau at IND (22% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Evan Engram at CHI (31% rostered), Brevin Jordan at SF (1% rostered), James O'Shaughnessy at NE (3% rostered), Cameron Brate at NYJ (3% rostered)

Defenses

Week 17 streamers