The Wire - Week 17
By Levi Ellis
Welcome to championship week! Now is the time to spend all of your faab because you can’t take it with you. While we here at DynastyPros have put together a list of the top waiver wire guys, keep in mind Covid is running rampant in the league right now and while at this moment these are the best options, things are changing by the minute. You must watch every injury/Covid designation this week up until each game kicks off. A guy that may seem like a great play right now may not even make it to gameday. Be flexible and plan ahead. Do NOT go into a Sunday night or Monday night game without having a backup option on your roster or an available roster spot just in case. Also not only do you need to fill your own needs but you also need to use strategy to pick up the needs of your opponent. If you know your opponent needs a specific position you should make every effort to pick up all of the best options for that position(s). Good luck, you’ll likely need it with how crazy things have been the last few weeks!
All players are listed in priority order based on position.
(2 QB Leagues Only)
Trey Lance - With the Jimmy Garoppolo news and the possibility that he’s out this week moves Lance to the top of the list. Lance has an intriguing skill set and exactly what you want in a fantasy QB, however keep in mind he lacks experience so he’s still a risky start. Fortunately his rushing upside should provide you a safe floor and he has the Texans this week.
Davis Mills - 21/27 254 yards, 1tds, 1 carry, 1- yards - The last few weeks it seems that things have been falling into place for Mills. While I still don’t like the idea of starting him he hasn’t been too bad recently.
Ronald Jones - 20 carries, 65 yards, 1td, 3 targets, 2 catches, 16 yards - Jones is number one on this list because I think he has the safest workload this week oh and he has the Jets. That may have something to do with it.
Alexander Mattison - 13 carries, 41 yards, 1td, 4 targets, 3 catches, 29 yards - If Cook misses another game Mattison must be owned. He is one of the best backup RBs in the league and would start for over half of the other teams in the NFL.
Jeff Wilson 14 carries, 45 yards, 1td, 3 targets, 3 catches, 12 yards - If Mitchell misses another week start Wilson with confidence. He’s put together back to back solid starts and I don’t expect things to change now.
Chase Edmonds - 16 carries, 56 yards, 1td, 9 targets, 8 catches, 71 yards - Edmonds would be higher on this list but I expect Conner to be back this week which will eat into his workload. With that being said, Edmonds is a ppr machine and a matchup with the Cowboys could mean a high scoring affair and the need to air it out more.
Darrell Williams - 11 carries, 55 yards, 3 targets, 3 catches, 30 yards - If CEH misses this week, and I suspect he will, fire up Williams with confidence. He has been solid all year.
Rashaad Penny - 17 carries, 135 yards, 1td, 1 target - Penny had another great start last week. I love his upside and ceiling but keep in mind it’s just as likely that he gets hurt on the first snap. If you need the upside swing for the fences with Penny.
Devin Singletary - 12 carries, 39 yards, 1td, 6 targets, 5 catches, 39 yards - The starting RB position for Buffalo this year has been a revolving door but right now it seems like Singletary has that role.
Justin Jackson - 11 carries, 64 yards, 2tds, 9 targets, 8 catches, 98 yards - I anticipate that Ekeler will be back this week but if for some reason he isn’t role Jackson out as he is the clear number two.
Dare Ogunbowale - 17 carries, 57 yards, 1td, 4 targets, 2 catches, 15 yards - James Robinson tore his achilles which means Ogunbowale is the starter moving forward. However the Patriots are up next so proceed with caution and only if you absolutely have to.
Rex Burkhead - 22 carries, 149 yards, 2tds, 2 targets, 2 catches, 0 yards - In my opinion last week was an aberration and I would NOT expect another game like that for Burkhead but he has to be listed after such a great game last week.
Amon-Ra St. Brown - 11 targets, 9 catches, 91 yards, 1td, 2 carries, 19 yards - This guy can’t be stopped even with Goff out of the lineup. It’s crazy to list a Lions player as the number one waiver wire player for his position but it’s been a crazy year.
Russell Gage - 5 targets, 4 catches, 39 yards - Last week was a down game but don’t let that distract you from how good he’s been the last couple of months.
KJ Osborn - 7 targets, 5 catches, 68 yards, 1td - Osborn is a boom or bust player so this depends on what you need. If you need upside he’s your guy. If you need a guaranteed ten points then look elsewhere.
Marvin Jones - 13 targets, 8 catches, 74 yards - Jones has disappeared from the offense the last couple of months but he was back with a massive target share last week. He’s risky but he offers big time upside.
Allen Lazard - 5 targets, 2 catches, 45 yards, 1td - If MVS is still out then Lazard can be started with confidence. If MVS is back I would look for another option.
Laquon Treadwell - 5 targets, 4 catches, 54 yards - Treadwell has been the definition of consistency the last four to five weeks with 8-12 points.
Braxton Berrios - 6 targets, 5 catches, 37 yards, 1 KRtd - If Crowder misses another game then you can expect Berrios to be heavily involved.
Josh Palmer - 6 targets, 5 catches, 43 yards, 1td - If Mike Williams is out this week then expect Palmer to start in his place. Last week he was solid.
Isaiah McKenzie - 12 targets, 11 catches, 125 yards, 1td - Cole Beasley should miss another game as he is unvaccinated. McKenize played well in his role last week and has the Falcons this week.
Gerald Everett - 5 targets, 4 catches, 68 yards, 1td - Everett has been solid the last several weeks and has the Lions this week.
Foster Moreau - 4 targets, 4 catches, 67 yards - Only if Waller misses another game.
Cole Kmet - 5 targets, 4 catches, 49 yards - Things are starting to come together for Kmet recently and the Bears are starting to involve him.
James O’Shaughnessy - 4 targets, 4 catches, 49 yards - If you need 8 points he’s your guy. If you need more keep looking.
Dead to Me (redraft leagues only)
All Giants - ALL
All Browns not named Chubb - You know!
Mike Davis - Last year wasn’t real
Julio Jones - Can’t stay healthy, hope this isn’t the end
Covid - Last few weeks have been ridiculous
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