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In case you are reading this, there is one bit of information to know before you start reading names. Just like last year’s series, we will be utilizing player rostership percentages, courtesy of real dynasty rosters from 1,700 MFL leagues. While this may not be entirely accurate for every individual league, it is very reflective of how managers view who is worthy or not of a roster spot. Now that that’s covered, let’s dive into the waiver wire after Week 16!
Players to double-check availability and immediately add:
Kenny Pickett, QB PHI
Look away Jalen Hurts managers who made it to the championship, it’s likely that you are without your elite quarterback for championship week due to a concussion he suffered early on Sunday. The even more annoying part is that the Eagles don’t play until 4:25 ET on Sunday, which is actually the third latest game of the entire week due to Christmas games, Thursday night, and Saturday games, so even if you wanted to wait to see if Hurts progressed through the protocol and was active, you might not have that luxury based on the other options you have on your roster.
So unfortunately (speaking as a Steelers fan), some of you may have to resort to Pickett off the waiver wire to replace Hurts this week. And while Pickett is most certainly not an inspiring option, he could be just good enough if you really needed to start him. He’s throwing to AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley out of the backfield, plus they get a home matchup against a currently 29th-ranked Cowboys against opposing quarterbacks, and it’s a game they cannot afford to lose. So if Pickett is available on waivers, he might just need to be added and thrown into your lineup.
Michael Carter, RB ARI
Another option that could be added and started right off waivers this week is Carter, the backup running back for the Arizona Cardinals. I unfortunately swung and missed on DeeJay Dallas as the handcuff last week, but the good news is Carter is very, very widely available on waivers for you to still add this week.
So again, for a lot of you who had James Conner and made the championship, you will probably need to look elsewhere for a running back after leaving with a knee injury late in the game. And in his stead, Carter rushed for 18 yards on five carries, which isn’t spectacular, BUT he did catch five passes for 30 yards, so it was practically a double-digit fantasy day in very limited time in the RB1 role. Plus, they get an average matchup against the Rams, who Conner did beat for 122 yards and a touchdown earlier this year, so there is upside for Carter as a starter in this matchup.
Patrick Taylor, RB SF
I will also add Taylor in here as well as a potential startable option this week at running back, completely dependent on if Isaac Guerendo is out again. The good news for Taylor this week is that outside of Kyle Juszczyk’s two touches, Taylor was the only Niners running back to touch the ball. The bad news is that he only had nine touchdowns for 25 yards as the Niners struggled in Miami. And things probably don’t get much better for them on the ground in week 17, as they get a top-five Lions run defense on Monday night, albeit at home at least. But again, if you’re that desperate, you may not have a choice.
Ray-Ray McCloud, WR ATL
Surprisingly, there are more than a couple of good options on waivers this week to add and start if you need to, and McCloud could be just that at the wide receiver position due to Drake London leaving early with a hamstring injury. Now, if you’ve read this article consistently this year, you probably know my hatred for hamstring injuries, and I would bet that London is probably inactive for Week 17, meaning the Falcons top receivers would be Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud.
I’ve mentioned McCloud numerous times in this article already this year, but to quickly sum him up, he’s been solid for fantasy in more than a handful of games this year when he sees volume. Even this past weekend, he hauled in three catches for 19 yards as the WR3 for the majority of the game in Michael Penix’s first start. London put up almost 60 yards on five catches, so if we assume McCloud takes on more of London’s role, he could put up a sneaky double-digit day in his increased role especially when the Falcons get a Commanders defense that’s given up some big games to opposing receivers this year. Again, if you’re desperate, McCloud could be a more than fine option off the waiver wire.
Olamide Zaccheaus, WR and Jamison Crowder, WR WAS
The last two receivers I’ll mention this week are two Commanders receivers behind Terry McLaurin: Olamide Zaccheaus and the newly activated Jamison Crowder. Both players scored multiple touchdowns on Sunday in their upset win over the Eagles, with Zaccheaus actually leading the team in targets (8) and yards (70) with those two scores as well. As mentioned above, the Commanders get the 29th-ranked Falcons defense at home in week 17, so if Daniels gets pass-happy again, Zaccheaus and possibly Crowder, could get involved more than we think. They are 100% flier options though in deeper starting leagues, but options nonetheless.
Stone Smartt, TE LAC
And finally, at tight end we have the quickly ascending Stone Smartt. I was actually surprised to see that he is still available in nearly 30% of MFL leagues after his production the past couple of weeks without Will Dissly. He’s put up PPR fantasy totals of 8.4, 10.0, and 6.7 over the last three weeks and has been a relatively consistent option for targets downfield for Justin Herbert. Again, Smartt could be added and started this week in a pinch at tight end, but he also is the one guy on the list this week that makes for a fantastic 2025 stash too.
Addison has been playing fantasy football since 2009 and dynasty football since 2016. Creator of FFStatistics (now a part of DLF), Addison takes a very analytical approach to his fantasy game.