You never know who may become a Fantasy hero in the playoffs. In Week 16, it was Rex Burkhead, who rushed for a career-high 149 yards and two TDs in Houston’s stunning upset win over the Chargers. In Fantasy Super Bowl week, it could be San Francisco rookie quarterback Trey Lance who propels your team to a victory. He will likely start in Week 17 because of Jimmy Garoppolo’s thumb injury. Also, Rams running back Cam Akers could make his return from a major Achilles injury with Darrell Henderson now out because of an MCL issue.
Should Lance or Akers be among your primary Week 17 Fantasy football waiver wire picks? And which other players on Fantasy football waivers are worth adding to bolster your championship chances? Before determining who to target on the Week 17 Fantasy football waiver wire, be sure to see what SportsLine’s resident Hall of Famer, Scott Engel, has to say.
Engel is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association’s Hall of Fame. He is a four-time FSWA Award Winner and 10-time nominee. In 2020, Scott was a finalist for the FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year Award, which he also won previously.
In addition to being the Fantasy writer for the Seattle Seahawks‘ official site since 2012, Engel’s work has appeared on The Athletic, SiriusXM FantasySports Radio, ESPN.com, NFL.com, the Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, SI.com, the New York Post, USA Today, RotoBaller, and of course, CBSSports.com. So far this season, Engel has recommended notable players such as Cordarrelle Patterson, Dawson Knox and Amon-Ra St. Brown ahead of their impact performances,
Now, he’s revealed the best widely available Fantasy football free agents entering Week 17. You can see his top Fantasy NFL waiver wire picks and full analysis over at SportsLine.
Top Fantasy football waiver wire picks for Week 17
One player Engel is advising Fantasy players to target on the Week 17 waiver wire: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie. Until Week 16 of the 2021 season, McKenzie was never on the radar of Fantasy players. He was valuable to the Bills as a special teamer and gadget guy, but his roles never translated into any Fantasy production of note. His outlook suddenly changed on Sunday, though.
Buffalo was without key wide receivers Gabriel Davis and Cole Beasley heading into a marquee AFC East showdown with the Patriots. McKenzie stepped forward with a career day, catching 11 passes for 125 yards and a TD. Josh Allen has familiarity with McKenzie, who is in his fourth season with the Bills. He may rely on him again in Week 17, in a very friendly matchup with the Falcons.
Engel is also strongly recommending Jacksonville Jaguars running back Dare Ogunbowale. After James Robinson suffered an Achilles injury against the Jets on Sunday, Ogunbowale was pressed into lead back duties. He rushed for 57 yards and a TD in relief of Robinson and is now the clear No. 1 ball carrier for the Jaguars heading into Week 17.
Ogunbowale may not be anyone’s idea of a model RB starter for Fantasy Super Bowl week. He rushed for 121 yards on 28 carries in two games to finish the 2020 campaign when he saw an expanded role. But injuries and COVID-19 issues may force many Fantasy players to look for volume first in some situations. Ogunbowale is certainly projected for a significant workload in Week 17 and can be a good depth add.
How to set your Week 17 waiver wire claims
Engel is also all-in on another running back who should be an immediate pickup. This player is widely available and could be a huge boost to your Fantasy football lineup. You can only see who it is at SportsLine.
So which players should you target on the Fantasy football waiver wire before Week 17? And which running back is a must-add? Visit SportsLine now to see the best league-winning Fantasy football free agents entering Week 17, all from a Fantasy Hall of Famer, and find out.