If you’re still scouring the waiver wire ahead of 16, that is great news for you and your team so kudos. We have reached the week when most fantasy leagues are decided, as a season of stressing through RedZone finally reaches its conclusion.

This has felt like a particularly brutal regular season with a full catalog of big-name injuries throughout the year. Nailing your waiver claims has been more important than ever. Could any of these players get you over the line in Week 17?

Tyler Shough

Look, none of us want to be picking up a quarterback on the waiver wire for Week 17. Some fantasy managers, however, will be heading to the Championship round needing one.

There are no better waiver options than Tyler Shough. The rookie has scored 17 or more points in his last four games. In Week 17, the surprisingly feisty Saints are facing the Tennessee Titans, who are one of the NFL’s worst teams when it comes to fantasy points conceded to quarterbacks.

There remains fantasy value with Shough. He’s a dual-threat and has been able to extend plays with his legs. Despite minimal rushing production in recent weeks, it’s not outrageous to suggest he could record a rushing score against a porous Titans defense. 

Raheim Sanders

With Quinshon Judkins’ brutal ankle injury, and Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson sidelined, Raheim Sanders projects to be the Browns’ lead running back in Week 17.

Sanders had a reception and 11 carries after Judkins departed in Week 16. A prolific rusher in college, Sanders is completely unproven in the NFL. 

Cleveland, though, is facing a Pittsburgh defense that has been a mixed bag against the run in 2025. Despite a nice performance against the Lions last week, the Steelers are only middle of the pack in yards per opponent rush. 

Mack Hollins

Stefon Diggs was the only Patriot to be targeted more times than Mack Hollins in Week 16. Hollins was targeted nine times for seven receptions and 69 yards as Drake Maye completed 31 passes for 380 yards.

Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas are banged up. Hollins only has two scores on the season, but he’s notably been targeted 17 times over the last two games and has averaged 6.4 targets with 4.4 receptions since Week 8.

New England is facing a Jets team which ranks in the bottom 10 in opponent yards per pass attempt. The Jets have the second-lowest pressure rate. 

Parker Washington

With low ownership across fantasy leagues, Parker Washington is worth taking a flyer for Week 17. He had six catches for 145 yards and a touchdown last week.

A fluctuating workload makes Washington a difficult player to trust, but we still think he’s a player to consider if you’re facing a wide receiver shortage.

Saints Defense

New Orleans delivered for us in a big way in Week 16. Scoring 19 fantasy points against the Jets, the Saints are poised for another big week as they face the Titans.

Tennessee conceded two sacks to the Chiefs last time out and has been one of the worst offensive lines in the league throughout this campaign. 

Of quarterbacks to start more than 10 games, only two have a higher sack rate than Cam Ward. He has also thrown seven picks and ranks well below the NFL average in pass completion percentage. 

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