Fantasy football can be an extremely fun game to play. It can also be very frustrating at times. Nothing is more annoying than having to make a last minute switch because a member of your starting lineup is away for the week.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about it. However, I will try to help.
Each week, I’ll have six players that you can pull off the waiver wire at the last minute and throw into your roster. Some will succeed, while others will fail. Unfortunately, that’s how fantasy football is played.
All players in this article are registered in less than 35% of ESPN leagues.
Mike White (QB – NYJ) vs. Seattle Seahawks (15.5% registered)
Zach Wilson started the Jets’ last two games as White struggled with a rib injury he suffered in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills. However, the former Western Kentucky star has started the previous three games and played well. In his three starts this season, White has averaged 317.3 passing yards and a fantastic 17.7 points per game, scoring 17.5 or more on two occasions. While struggling against the Bills, the veteran quit the game twice and returned while dealing with injuries.
Meanwhile, White has an attractive game this week. The Seahawks have given up a fantastic 16.8 points per game at quarterbacks this season, the 11th most in the NFL. Plus, they’ve given up two more passing touchdowns in five of their last seven games, including two in a row. Over the past two weeks, quarterbacks have averaged 220.5 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and a fantastic 20.1 points per game against Seattle. In a must-watch game for the Jets, expect White to have a solid performance.
Chuba Hubbard (RB-CAR) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27.6% registered)
When the Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey, everyone expected the Carolina offense to fall apart. Instead, their running game has been great lately. Over the past four games, Hubbard has averaged 68.5 rushing yards per game, going for 65 yards or more on three occasions. Additionally, he had his best performance this season last week against the Detroit Lions, rushing for a career-high 125 yards. More importantly, the former Oklahoma State star has been the RB12 for the past three weeks, averaging 12.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
This week, he faces a Tampa Bay defense that has limited running backs to just 17.4 fantastic points per game this season, seventh-fewest in the NFL. However, they have struggled lately. In the past five weeks, running backs have averaged 97.4 rushing yards per game against the Buccaneers, going for 81 or more yards three times and 130 or more yards twice. More importantly, Tampa Bay gave up a season-high 176 rushing yards to Carolina’s backfield in the Week 7 game. After rushing for 125 yards last week, including two rushes of 30 or more yards , Hubbard has an attractive flex for Week 17.
Jonathan Williams (RB-WA) vs. Cleveland Browns (0.0% registrants)
Yesterday the commanders ruled Anthony Gibson out for Sunday’s game against the Browns with knee and foot injuries. While Brian Robinson will see an increase in work, he will not have a full workload. Last week, Williams scored a season-high 5.1 PPR fantasy halfbacks against an elite San Francisco 49ers defense. More importantly, he has been productive with his touches this season. Williams has just 16 touches this year, but is averaging 7.4 yards per touch. Additionally, he had the team’s highest yards-per-attempt rush average on the team (4.3) against the 49ers.
With Gibson out of the lineup, Williams will have an increased workload. More importantly, this week’s game is excellent. The Browns have given up a fantastic 24.6 points per game to running backs this season, the third-most in the NFL. They have allowed at least one rushing touchdown in 66.7% of games this season, including two or more scores 33.3% of the time. Additionally, Cleveland’s rush defense has been terrible lately, giving up an average of 131.3 yards rushing over the past seven weeks, giving up 120 yards or more in four of those contests. Robinson has the top 10 against the Browns, while Williams is a potential flexible option.
Isaiah Hodgins (WR – NYG) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4.8% registered)
The Giants have been linked to Odell Beckham Jr. During months. However, they have found the wide receiver boost they need on their roster. Hodgins has played well since arriving in New York, averaging 9.1 PPR fantasy half points per game. However, he has resumed his game lately. Over the past four game weeks, the former Oregon State wide receiver has been the WR12, averaging a fantastic 12.8 points per game. He averaged 5.3 receptions on 6.8 targets for 52 receiving yards per game, totaling three receiving touchdowns during that span.
After the Giants lost Sterling Shepard and Wan’ Dale Robinson to season-ending injuries, Hodgins became a reliable fantasy receiver. He’s scored a fantastic 12.9 or more points in three of the last four games. Meanwhile, the former Oregon State wide receiver had a career-best performance last week with eight receptions on 11 targets for 89 receiving yards, one touchdown and a fantastic 18.9 points. This week he faces the Colts, who have given up 208.7 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns and a fantastic 42.3 points per game to wide receivers in their last three games. Expect Hodgins to maintain his solid game on Sunday.
Rashid Shaheed (WR – NO) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (2.4% registered)
in week 1, Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landryand Chris Olave headlined the New Orleans wide receiver room. Unfortunately, both veterans are out for the year and Olave missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury. However, Shaheed was a bright spot for the team. The rookie receiver has averaged 4.3 targets and 10.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the last three contests. Additionally, the former Weber State wide receiver has played 53% or more snaps in three of the past four games, including a team-high 71% two weeks ago.
Although the Saints are 6-9, they still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. They have won two games in a row and played well on offense. More importantly, Shaheed has an attractive game this week. The Eagles have struggled with injuries in their secondary lately which has impacted them on the field. Over the past three weeks, wide receivers have averaged two receiving touchdowns and a fantastic 32.8 points per game against the Eagles despite the team facing two below-par receiving units. Don’t be surprised if Shaheed ends this game with more than 13 fantasy points.
Jelani Wood (TE – IND) vs. New York Giants (0.9% listed)
Unfortunately, the Colts’ offense has been terrible this season, regardless of who the quarterback is. However, one of the few bright spots has been Woods. The tight rookie has been a part-timer all year, but has been gaining more than one role lately. He’s played over 60% of the snaps in two of four games since returning from injury. Additionally, Woods is averaging 4.8 targets and 6.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over that span. Meanwhile, Kylen Granson won’t play against the Giants with an ankle injury, creating more snaps and targets for the rookie.
More importantly, the former Virginia star has a great game this week. New York has given up a fantastic 11.3 points per game on tight ends this season, the sixth-most in the NFL. Plus, they’ve been destroyed by tight ends lately. Over the past five games, New York has given up a fantastic 14.6 points per game and received four touchdowns at the post. Last week, TJ Hockenson made the Giants defense look like a high school unit, totaling a fantastic 109 receiving yards and 29.4 points. Woods won’t score a fantastic 29.4 points but has the potential to end the week as a low-end TE1.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning list of fantasy football tools while you navigate your season. Of our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal range based on accurate consensus projections – to ours Waiver Wizardwhich Allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your squad and by how much – we’ve got you covered for this fantasy football season.
Subscribe: Apple podcast | Spotify | Google Podcasts | embroiderer | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more on Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
0 Comments