Waiver Wire Rankings and FAB Advice: Week 17 (2021 Fantasy Football)

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Week 17 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings

Q1. Who is your top waiver wire option of the week, and why?

Dare Ogunbowale. James Robinson is out for the year with a torn Achilles and Carlos Hyde is on IR. That leaves Ogunbowale to carry the load against the Patriots, just as he did against the Jets. It’s hardly a good matchup, but the Patriots are stronger against the pass than the run, and Ogunbowale is sure to get carries when (and if) the Jaguars get near the goal-line. With the COVID-19 situation likely to knock out at least one or more potential starting options this week, having running back depth on your team is crucial. This makes a guy like Ogunbowale, who should have the backfield all to himself in Week 17, is a must-add.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

I’m going with Dare Ogunbowale, but it’s a photo finish between four RBs. The Eagles’ Jordan Howard and Boston Scott are also attractive options for RB-needy fantasy managers with Miles Sanders (broken hand) highly questionable for Week 17, and Rex Burkhead is the clear No. 1 in Houston coming off a big game. With James Robinson done for the year, Ogunbowale is basically the only game in town for the Jaguars, which is why I prefer him to Howard and Scott. Nate Cottrell (who?) is the only other healthy back on the Jacksonville roster. Ogunbowale’s matchup against the Patriots isn’t ideal, but he’s a good pass-catcher who should be able to put up points in any sort of game script, and I prefer him to Burkhead because Ogunbowale has a better run-blocking offensive line. (The Jaguars rank 10th in Football Outsiders run-blocking metric, adjusted line yards, and the Texans rank 32nd.)
– Pat Fitzmaurice (@Fitz_FF)

With Miles Sanders breaking his hand and Jordan Howard also banged up, Boston Scott becomes the de facto No. 1 waiver wire add for Championship Week. Scott has touchdown equity versus a Washington defense that just got obliterated Sunday night.
– Joe Pisapia (@JoePisapia17)

With Miles Sanders‘ already ruled out for Week 17, Jordan Howard should be the next man up to carry the workload in this backfield. While we’ll see Boston Scott factor in – he’s also a solid pick up – the majority of the work on the ground should fall to Howard. If there’s no Sanders in Week 17, Howard could be a low-end RB2 option.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

Q2. Which high-end waiver wire option for Week 17 was the most difficult to rank?

Both Boston Scott and Jordan Howard. Miles Sanders will miss next week’s game against Washington, but it’s unclear if Howard’s “stinger” is anything more than that. If it’s not, then I’d expect Howard to have RB2 value with Scott as a flex play. But if it is, then Scott bumps to a high-end RB2. It’s difficult to know where to rank either, especially with Howard’s injury history.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

The four running backs at the top — Dare Ogunbowale, Jordan Howard, Boston Scott, and Rex Burkhead — were tough to sort, but especially Jordan Howard. The Eagles are outrageously run-heavy these days, and if Miles Sanders is out with a broken hand in Week 17, Howard could get 15-20 carries. But Howard rarely catches passes, and Boston Scott is going to be heavily involved as well (and maybe Kenny Gainwell, too). Howard himself sustained a stinger in Week 16, though it seems unlikely that would put his Week 17 availability in jeopardy.
– Pat Fitzmaurice (@Fitz_FF)

Derrick Gore showed Sunday yet again how useful he can be as an all-purpose back. The question is: was his productivity due largely to key Chiefs missing practice time and the actual game itself or because they really like his skill set? Regardless, Gore is a gamble worth taking this week as a flex RB.
– Joe Pisapia (@JoePisapia17)

Rex Burkhead put together a dominant performance in Week 16, but it’s going to be extremely difficult to trust him in your lineup in Championship Week. He’s had good games already this year, but then we’ve seen the offense revert back the next week and Burkhead’s production trail off. Against the 49ers’ run defense, it’s difficult to trust Burkhead as a solid pickup.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

Q3. For managers renting a D/ST in Week 17, what readily available option (under 40%) should they target?

The Chicago Bears D/ST is the best available option this week, given that the Bears take on the Giants and their revolving door of quarterbacks. Neither Jake Fromm nor Mike Glennon is capable of sustaining drives, and both are candidates for sacks and turnovers. The Eagles just showed why the Giants, in their current state, are one of the best matchups for opposing D/STs, so Chicago is the best option for managers in need.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

The Chicago Bears D/ST. They’re facing the Giants at home, and the Giants’ offense is the worst in the league. Whether the Giants trot out Mike Glennon or Jake Fromm at quarterback, interceptions, sacks, and three-and-outs are sure to follow.
– Pat Fitzmaurice (@Fitz_FF)

I will roll the dice with the Tennessee Titans D/ST at home this week versus the Dolphins below-average offensive line.
– Joe Pisapia (@JoePisapia17)

The Chicago Bears D/ST hasn’t been as stout as in years past, but they have a matchup in Week 17 that dictates they should be in nearly every starting lineup out there. The Giants’ offense simply cannot move the ball and/or put up points at this point of the season, and the Bears should be able to put up some solid numbers. If they’re out there on your waiver wire, go get them.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

Q4. Which Week 17 waiver wire option carries the biggest risk of being a waste of FAB dollars?

With the caveat that there are no wasted FAB dollars at this point, it’s Jordan Howard. Even if his stinger is just that, his propensity for injury, as well as the possibility that he would split work with Boston Scott regardless, makes him a risky add, though one that fantasy managers need to make.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

It has to be Rex Burkhead. His 22-149-2 stat line will look like manna to anyone hungry for RB help, but Burkhead has had double-digit carries in four other games over the last month and didn’t top 41 rushing yards in any of them.
– Pat Fitzmaurice (@Fitz_FF)

Justin Fields has the most upside this week at QB if you need a streamer, but his ankle injury and Nick Foles‘ huge road performance puts Fields’ value in doubt for Week 17.
– Joe Pisapia (@JoePisapia17)

At this point of the season, there is no wasting when it comes to FAB dollars. If you have a significant hole on your roster, go after a player with whatever FAB you have left. There’s no reason to hold onto it anymore.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

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