Our analysts combine to provide rankings for weekly fantasy football waiver wire targets. We’ll help you prioritize your bids for the week ahead. Check out our full expert consensus fantasy football waiver wire rankings and all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings: Week 17

Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

Trey Benson (ARI): 18% rostered

• Next Opponents: @LAR, SF
• True value: $8
• Desperate Need: $15
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: James Conner sustained a knee injury on Sunday that knocked him out of the Cardinals’ game against the Panthers after he had piled up 166 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. The severity of the injury wasn’t immediately known, but the Cardinals have little incentive to push it with Conner now that they’ve been eliminated from playoff contention. Benson missed Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, but if he’s able to return this week, he’ll be in line for a substantial workload against a Rams run defense that ranks 22nd in DVOA and has allowed the ninth-most rushing yards to RBs. Ideally, we’ll have more information on Benson’s health before you have to put in your FAAB bid.

Kendre Miller (NO): 45% rostered

• Next Opponents: LV, @TB
• True value: $7
• Desperate Need: $13
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: With Alvin Kamara dealing with a groin injury, Miller is expected to lead the New Orleans backfield in touches when the Saints visit Green Bay on Monday night. After being inactive in all but two games this season, Miller had 10 carries for 32 yards and a touchdown against the Giants in Week 14, and nine carries for 46 yards against the Commanders in Week 15. Still an unproven commodity at the NFL level, Miller had a wildly productive final college season at TCU. The question is whether subpar quarterback play will keep Miller from strutting his stuff. With Derek Carr recovering from hand and head injuries, the Saints are turning to fifth-round rookie Spencer Rattler, who was largely ineffective in three previous starts.

Gus Edwards (LAC): 48% rostered

• Next Opponents: @NE, @LV
• True value: $5
• Desperate Need: $9
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: The Gus Bus scored a pair of touchdowns against the Broncos in Week 16, carrying 14 times for 68 yards. Edwards is a between-the-tackles grinder who doesn’t break off long runs and rarely catches passes, so he typically needs to score a touchdown to pay dividends for fantasy managers. But Edwards gets a friendly Week 17 matchup against the Patriots, who have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards and seventh-most fantasy points to RBs.

Alexander Mattison (LV): 48% rostered

• Next Opponents: @NO, LAC
• True value: $4
• Desperate Need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: With Sincere McCormick out with an ankle injury and expected to miss the rest of the season, Mattison led the Raiders’ backfield in snaps and touches in Week 16. He had 12 carries for 27 yards and a touchdown, adding four catches for 29 yards. Mattison is averaging just 3.2 yards per carry this season, but he gets a soft matchup this Sunday against the Saints, whose defense ranks 30th in DVOA vs. the run and has yielded the 10th-most fantasy points to RBs.

Ameer Abdullah (LV): 23% rostered

• Next Opponents: @NO, LAC
• True value: $3
• Desperate Need: $6
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Abdullah is the Raiders’ passing down back, and with all the injuries Las Vegas has dealt with at the RB position, Abdullah has gotten some early-down work, too. Over the last two weeks, Abdullah has carried 10 times for 46 yards and a touchdown while catching 12 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. More valuable in PPR formats than in half-point PPR or standard formats, Abdullah is at least worth considering for a flex spot this week.

Patrick Taylor (SF): 47% rostered

• Next Opponents: DET, @ARI
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $3
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Taylor played 81% of the 49ers’ offensive snaps on Sunday but finished with only eight carries for 24 yards, plus a 1-yard catch. Taylor will once again handle lead-back duties for the Niners if Isaac Guerendo remains sidelined with ankle and hamstring issues in Week 17. But will the San Francisco offense continue to be as pass-heavy as it was in Week 17? And will Taylor be able to do any business against a good (but beaten-up) Lions run defense? Taylor’s role could give him value, but he’s an extremely risky play for Week 17.