Congratulations to the lucky few fantasy football managers who will be playing for championships in Week 17. Now comes the hard part. Finishing the title quest with a victory.
For yet another week, numerous injuries have a monumental impact on fantasy football lineups. Several quarterbacks went down in Week 16, with Jordan Love, Marcus Mariota, J.J. McCarthy and Gardner Minshew being the most notable.
So, which quarterback replacements could be the best, and what waiver-wire flex options could emerge as quality plays during fantasy championship week?
Here’s a look at the best players fantasy managers can target on waivers ahead of Week 17.
Week 17 fantasy football waiver wire targets
QB Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (Rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues)
Shough threw for a career-high 308 passing yards against the Jets while attempting 49 passes. The pass-heavy game-plan came as the Saints were without their top-three running backs – Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and Devin Neal – due to injury.
The latter two backs are out for the season, so if Kamara doesn’t return to action, Shough could get similar volume against the Titans in Week 17. He has logged at least 17 fantasy points in four consecutive games, so those desperate for a quarterback streamer can consider backing Shough.
QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans (Rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues)
Here’s another rookie quarterback to consider in fantasy football Week 17. Ward has logged multiple passing scores in three consecutive games and has only been sacked three times across that span. The No. 1 overall pick appears to be getting into a better rhythm and is worth considering as an emergency option for those needing injury replacements at quarterback.
RB Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (Rostered in 25% of Yahoo leagues)
Spears is another Titan who could be a flex option in Week 17. He had a breakout game against the Chiefs in Week 16, posting 105 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 18 total touches.
RB Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals (Rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues)
How is Carter still rostered in under 50% of fantasy leagues? The veteran is set to finish the 2025 NFL season as Arizona’s lead back with James Conner, Trey Benson and Bam Knight all out for the season.
Carter handled 11 carries against the Falcons and turned them into 65 yards. Corey Kiner and Emari Demercado ate into his workload a bit, combining for 11 total carries, but Carter should still handle a lead-back-type role when the Cardinals face the Bengals in Week 17. Cincinnati has been one of the worst defenses against running backs this season, so Carter could pop off in that matchup.
RB Raheim Sanders, Cleveland Browns (Rostered in 0% of Yahoo leagues)
The Browns unfortunately lost star rookie running back Quinshon Judkins to a broken leg in Week 16. That, plus the absences of Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson, opened the door for the undrafted ‘Rocket’ Sanders to get work in Cleveland’s backfield.
The result? Sanders notched 42 yards on 11 carries. The Arkansas product doesn’t have a great matchup in Week 17 against the Steelers, but fantasy managers will be hard-pressed to find many higher-volume options on the waiver wire.
RB Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers (Rostered in 37% of Yahoo leagues)
Wilson actually out-worked Josh Jacobs in the Packers’ overtime loss to the Bears in Week 16. Wilson saw 14 carries to Jacobs’ 12, as the veteran continues to nurse a knee injury.
Jacobs may not miss time as the Packers jockey hard for position in a tightly packed NFC playoff race, but if he’s banged up, Wilson may continue to see additional carries. That makes him a viable flex option.
WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (Rostered in 23% of Yahoo leagues)
Washington had taken a backseat to Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. in recent weeks, but he reminded fantasy managers of what he is capable of in Week 16. He racked up 145 yards and a touchdown on six catches against the Broncos while leading the Jaguars with 10 targets.
Washington could be worth a flier for fantasy managers in need of receiver help to close the season. He’s a boom-or-bust flex option but has a nice matchup against a banged-up Colts secondary.
TE Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (Rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues)
Hill is about as boom-or-bust of a fantasy option you’ll find. That said, with the Saints’ issues at running back, Hill led the team with 12 carries and 42 yards and added four catches for 36 yards through the air.
That volume will make Hill well worthy of starting at tight end, a position with few consistently productive options. He also still has gadget passing upside, as evidenced by the 38-yard touchdown he threw against the Jets, so he is a very intriguing final-week pickup for those needing help at the TE position.
