The NFL enters the penultimate week of the regular season, which represents the final round for the vast majority of Fantasy Football leagues. And amid the growing tide of Covid-19 cases in the casts, finding the right targets in waiver wire can yield many points.
As always, the The Playoffs is here to help dig for the best names among the huge list of available players.
Anyway, here’s the warning to be careful with who you give up to enable the addition of a player via waivers, as placing a particular athlete on the market can mean unwanted improvement to an opposing roster. To be eligible for this list, players must be in a maximum of 60% of NFL.com Fantasy Football rosters, which is the most popular and famous platform among Brazilians. Therefore, it is possible that the names mentioned here are in a greater or lesser percentage of casts in other applications, such as Yahoo, ESPN and Sleeper, although the tendency is for the average to be similar.
Remembering that we use the PPR score as a parameter (when there are points computed for reception), again because it is the standard and most famous model in the game, having stolen the “crown” of the old Standard (or non-PPR) in recent years.
With that, let’s go to the suggested additions for week 17.
(Photo: Twitter/Philadelphia Eagles Reproduction)
RUNNING BACKS
Jordan Howard ou Boston Scott – Philadelphia Eagles (2,9% e 4,5% rostered*)
The NFL’s most productive ground attacker will have a potential problem in week 17. Miles Sanders left the game against the Giants after breaking his hand, which will leave the starting running back out for some time. As such, the Eagles must again turn to the two veterans who shared charges during Sanders’ prolonged absences. Howard commanded the backfield at the time, while Scott served as a complement. Still, the two offer interesting value, as the Eagles’ attack concentrates production almost exclusively on racing. It is important to monitor the condition of Howard, who also left the game against the Giants earlier due to discomfort in his neck muscles.
Dare Ogunbowale – Jacksonville Jaguars (0.1% rostered)
Ogunbowale is a slightly riskier bet. The Jaguars’ land game, as well as the rest of the team, is not having a good time. On the other hand, Darrell Bevell showed a greater willingness to involve the running backs in the game plan. With James Robinson out of the season with an Achilles tendon injury, Ogunbowale took the backfield lead during the match against the Jets. The third-year RB can get points purely based on game volume. Ogunbowale is also an option as a receiver, which increases the Jaguars player value. The matchup against the New England Patriots defense, at first glance, is not the most encouraging, but it is worth remembering that the unit already has some games with more than one hundred yards given up.
Other RB options: Ke’Shawn Vaughn – TB (0,1%), Devontae Booker – NYG (21,6%), Rex Burkhead – HOU (8,4%), Justin Jackson – LAC (44,3%)
*Percentage of teams in official NFL Fantasy leagues that have this athlete in the roster
WIDE RECEIVERS
Isaiah Mckenzie – Buffalo Bills (0,1% rostered)
The Bills returnee got an unexpected chance thanks to the absences of Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis. Neither recipient is vaccinated, and Davis is already out of the game against the Falcons. Beasley is still able to play but will not train during the week and will have a short window to be released from Covid-19 protocols. The trend, therefore, is for McKenzie to have one more chance to show service in the home position. Taking over Beasley’s spot and lining up primarily in the slot, McKenzie was the most fired-up target by Josh Allen and wreaked havoc working underneath and also with passes behind the scrimmage line. The tendency is for the receiver to continue taking advantage of spaces against formations aimed at preventing Allen’s deep passes.
K.J. Osborn – Minnesota Vikings (10,6% rostered)
Adam Thielen even tried, but he couldn’t stay on the field against the Rams. Again, KJ Osborn took over as the team’s number 2 wide receiver. Despite missing a well-aimed touchdown that still resulted in an interception, Osborn remained a trusted target for Kirk Cousins in the red zone. The sophomore player has amassed at least seven targets in three of the last four games, scoring three TDs. Should Thielen’s absence be confirmed, it’s worth considering adding Osborn – even in a matchup against the Packers.
Other WR options: Allen Lazard – GB (2.9%), TY Hilton – IND (9.8%), Cyril Grayson – TB (0%), Jerry Jeudy -DEN (57.8%)
TIGHT ENDS
Foster Moreau – Las Vegas Raiders (2,6% rostered)
Darren Waller defrauded the Raiders for the fourth consecutive game, and was not even able to train. Foster Moreau has taken over, and over the past two weeks he has finally managed to convert the high number of targets into points. The Colts defense has struggled against tight ends, yielding at least six catches and 50 yards in four of the last five games. Should Waller stay away for another week, Moreau will have a favorable matchup ahead of him.
Gerald Everett – Seattle Seahawks (25,7% rostered)
Apart from the disastrous performance against the San Francisco 49ers, Everett is one of the most consistent targets in the Seahawks’ attack. The veteran has scored double digits in five of the seven games since the return of Russell Wilson, also scoring three touchdowns. The Lions’ defense has allowed opposing tight ends to hit double-digit scores in all of their last five games – a trend that will likely continue against the Seahawks.
Other oppositions of TEs: Pat Freiermuth or Zach Gentry – PIT (41.4% and 0.1%), Cole Kmet – CHI (38.9%), Tyler Conklin – MIN (26%), Brevin Jordan – HOU (0.1%)
QUARTERBACKS
Davis Mills – Houston Texans (0,2% rostered)
Finding good quarterbacks available on waiver wire is never a simple task, but Mills is an interesting option. Discreetly, the rookie has fitted in a good streak of games since he was made the Texans starter. Showing an even better command of the playbook, Mills had a wonderful showing against the Chargers – even without Brandin Cooks. With just one turnover in his last three games, the Houston signal-caller has taken good care of the ball, as well as offering a floor of points quite reasonable. Facing the 49ers, don’t expect the rookie to go head-to-head with the best scorers in the position. But, in the worst case, Mills is a more than valid alternative – and in Texans games, there is always the possibility to count on the garbage time.
Other QB options: Jimmy Garoppolo – SF (26,3%), Mac Jones – NE (28,1%), Carson Wentz – IND (38,7%), Jared Goff (3,5%)
