Here’s an early look at the fantasy players you’ll be targeting off the waiver wire this week. None of these players are rostered in more than 60% of Yahoo! leagues. The actual Yahoo! ownership percentage is included in parentheses. Players are listed from the most owned to the least owned after Sunday’s games. Be sure to check out Jen Piacenti’s expanded list of waiver-wire players every Tuesday!
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The Packers entered Week 16 without Christian Watson and Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks was injured in a win over the Panthers. That left Doubs as the top option in the pass attack, and he responded with four receptions, 79 yards and a touchdown. That was good for 17.9 points. If the Packers go into next week without one or more of their wideouts, Doubs would be worth a look against the Vikings.
Trying to figure out the Bears backfield is nearly impossible, but it’s hard to ignore what Herbert did this week. He led the team with 20 carries, 112 yards and one touchdown, scoring 19.1 PPR points. D’Onta Foreman wasn’t available, however, so this backfield could get more crowded for next week’s matchup against the Falcons. Still, Herbert is worth at the very least a roster spot in larger fantasy leagues.
Spears won’t be usurping Derrick Henry this season, but he is seeing enough work to have flex appeal. That has been evident, as he’s received 57 touches in the last four weeks including 14 against the Seahawks. Spears has now scored at least 11.7 points in three of his last four games, and he’ll face the Texans next on the slate.
Everett is seeing a lot of volume in recent weeks, as he’s been targeted eight times in three straight games. In that time, he’s scored a combined 29.2 PPR points. In Week 16, he caught a season-best seven passes, proving that Easton Stick has a clear trust in him in the pass attack. With a plus matchup against the Broncos next on the schedule, Everett is well worth a look off the wire in championship week.
Carr has looked good in his last two starts, throwing for a combined six touchdowns while also averaging more than 20 fantasy points. The veteran has a nice matchup next on the schedule, too, as he’ll face a Buccaneers defense that’s been generous to quarterbacks for most of the season. That makes Carr an attractive addition.
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Flacco has been throwing the ball a ton as the Browns starter, attempting 40-plus passes in each of his four games. He’s also thrown for multiple touchdowns in all of those contests, including three in a win over the Texans. Flacco, who has been a better fantasy quarterback than Patrick Mahomes in the last month, could be a league winner for fantasy managers at the age of 38. He faces the Jets next.
For the first time this season, Okonkwo had that big breakout game we were all waiting for. He saw six targets, catching them all, and posted 63 yards and one touchdown in a loss to Seattle. He has now seen at least six targets in three of his last four games, during which time he’s scored more than nine points three times. Tight end is a thin position, so Okonkwo is well worth adding for title weekend.
Osborn put up a nice stat line in a loss to the Lions, catching five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. He saw more work in the absence of Jordan Addison, who left the game and didn’t return due to an injured ankle. The Vikings also saw T.J. Hockenson get hurt in the contest, so Osborn could see a nice target share in Week 17.
Robinson has been a virtual end-zone magnet in his last four games, scoring once in each contest. In that time, he’s seen 24 targets and is averaging an even 16 PPR points. Matthew Stafford is playing his best football of the season, too, and he’s had no problem getting Robinson involved, even with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in the pass attack. The Rams face a plus matchup against the Giants next week.
Rodriguez is in a committee with Antonio Gibson with Brian Robinson Jr. out of action, and he’s seeing enough touches to be a worthwhile add. He put up a solid stat line against the Jets, rushing for 58 yards and two touchdowns. If Robinson is unable to return for Week 17, Rodriguez Jr. will be worth a look. He was seen with a boot in his right foot after the game, however, so keep tabs on his Week 17 status.
