Tell your friends (just not your leaguemates until next week)

by Optimus Staff

Published On: December 22nd, 2025

You didn’t come this far to lose now. The season has been a grind, the bracket has thinned, and every last-minute tinkering decision along the way has led you here. Championship week isn’t about experimenting or getting cute. It’s about finding the one move that helps you land the final blow.

The waiver wire may look barren, but even the toughest bosses have weak spots. Whether it’s an injury replacement, a matchup play, or a last-minute flex upgrade, this is your chance to sharpen your loadout before the fight of your fantasy life. One smart move can turn a great season into a championship.

This week, we have not provided FAAB recommendations. If you need someone, go get them. Spend whatever you need to spend. You can’t take your FAAB with you into the offseason, but you can take a fantasy championship with you.

Week 17 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2025 Fantasy Football Team

Running Backs:

Raheim Sanders, Cleveland Browns | Sleeper 0% | ESPN 0.1% 

If you haven’t heard by now, rookie phenom Quinshon Judkins is out for the year thanks to a broken leg and dislocated ankle. Without going down that rabbit hole, reader beware: the video is not for the faint of heart. We need to examine the Cleveland backfield for Week 17 and what it will look like against Pittsburgh.

First off, we have a clear RB 1A with Raheim Sanders. If there’s one RB I want to target, it’s him, because he’s clearly the preferred RB on running downs. This matters because if a guy is getting the early-down work, he will usually get the goal-line work. As we know, this is where RBs get the majority of their points. We find this especially in bad offenses like Cleveland’s. 

Which brings us to the second point: the 1B part. Now, there’s a bit of uncertainty here as we open the week. Dylan Sampson has been out, and it matters because he has occupied the pass-catching role before injury. In his absence, it will be filled by Trayveon Williams. With Pittsburgh as an opponent, it’s reasonable to think the passing-down RB will see more work. The only question is whether it will be Sampson or Williams filling that role. If it’s Sampson, I’m more excited because we’ve already seen him Do The Thing once this year with a couple of 10-point games. 

None of these are more than flex plays, so don’t get too far out over your skis. We already saw this with Audric Estime and Evan Hull. Sometimes “next man up” doesn’t mean you just plug and play that next guy. In this case, both of these players can be usable, however. It’s just a matter of figuring out which you would need more. 

Wide Receivers:

It’s Week 17, and it’s Championship Week in a good amount of fantasy football leagues, but even if your league plays into Week 18, you’re luckily pretty set at most positions. In case you’re not set at wide receiver, we’ve got a couple of options for you that could be out there on the waiver wire to plug any gaps in your team for the finals or semifinals. We didn’t get any major injuries at the position to fantasy-relevant players on Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday, so the available options this week aren’t as fruitful as in previous weeks. That said, here are a couple of players that should be rostered (or started in a pinch) in your championship chase.

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars | Sleeper 33% | ESPN 12.9% 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been on a massive heater over the second half of this season, and after their trade-deadline acquisition of Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington’s every-down role in the offense in the early part of 2025 was likely a thing of the past. However, it turns out that all Washington needed to do was jump back in the slot for the Jaguars to post his best game of the season. In Week 16, in a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos, Washington earned nine targets and turned those looks into six catches for a season-high 145 yards and a touchdown to head into MNF’s game as the overall WR3.

After mixing evenly between playing out wide and in the slot for much of this season, 75% of Washington’s snaps came from the slot. With Meyers and Brian Thomas entrenched as the top two receivers, much of Washington’s utilization will come via 11 personnel. Similar to a Josh Downs or Jayden Reed, Washington has at least a puncher’s chance of rotating in on two-receiver sets. He’s been very productive, and on an offense that’s trending upwards with a game in Indianapolis on the horizon in Week 17, Washington is a solid flex play if you need to plug him into your lineup.

Luther Burden, Chicago Bears | Sleeper 33% | ESPN 14.4% 

Luther Burden might be somewhat off your radar, considering he didn’t suit up in Week 16 due to his ankle injury. The Bears may have clinched a playoff spot, but they still can clinch the NFC North in Week 17. They can actually do this without playing, and they’ll know by the time the Ravens and Packers play on Saturday night. One Packers loss and Chicago will wrap up the division, so even if the top seed in the NFC is up for grabs, a Green Bay loss could still affect Burden’s playing status in Weeks 17 and 18.

In Week 15, Burden put up season highs across the board with a team-leading seven targets, six receptions, and 84 yards en route to 14.4 fantasy points in the Bears’ 31-3 rout of the Cleveland Browns. If the Packers win on Saturday, it puts pressure on Chicago to get their guys out there against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. If Burden is active in Week 17, his increased role over the last month will play very well as an upside flex option in fantasy lineups.

Quarterbacks:

If you’re hunting for a QB right now, we’re assuming you’re looking for a one-week fix because of injury, or you’ve been streaming your QB2/Superflex roster spot all season. These recommendations are for one-week rentals to get you through your first fantasy playoff matchup. If you’re hunting for a QB in 1QB leagues, you likely have much better options not covered here.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints| Sleeper 21% | ESPN 10.9% 

I’ve waxed poetic on Saints QB Tyler Shough over the last few weeks in the article, and for good reason. The rookie signal caller has been very good since taking over for Spencer Rattler in Week 9, logging only one sub-10-point fantasy output in that span. Since Week 13, Shough is the overall QB7.

Week 17 has Shough and Company up against a Titans defense giving up the eighth most fantasy points per game to QBs (20.3). Whether you’re looking for a fill-in for your Superflex slot, limped in with Lamar Jackson in a 1QB league, or have been streaming all season, Shough is your priority on the waiver wire this week. He has QB1-tier upside this week, and given the matchup, he could be an unlikely league-winner pickup in Week 17. 

Tight Ends:

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 3% | ESPN 1.4%

First of all, you need to check your league settings to see what positions Taysom Hill qualifies for. There are no right or wrong answers, so please, don’t torment your commissioner if he’s not listed as a TE. But if he is….

Listen, I get it; Taysom Hill is infuriating. And the Saints get the Titans in Week 17, so you can’t get a much juicier matchup than that. We already know you’re starting Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson, but Taysom Hill needs to be a part of the conversation, too. In Week 16, Hill had 18 opportunities – rushing attempts plus targets – in addition to his one passing attempt. Olave was second on the week with 16. So the real answer all along to “which New Orleans RB should I start in Week 16” was Taysom Hill.

Again, Hill may not qualify as a TE in your league, and he kinda doesn’t in real life, either, so let’s walk through some numbers together. Tennessee allows the 5th most fantasy points to TEs over the last month, at just over 15. They’re actually much better vs RBs over the same time frame, as they allow the 5th fewest fantasy points to RBs over that span. But that’s where Hill’s versatility comes in, because even though he runs the ball, it’s not like he does so in a traditional way. And finally, because Hill will throw some passes as well, Tennessee also allows the 5th most fantasy points for opposing QBs.

But what does it all mean?! Well, you put it together, and we have a player who will see plenty of volume in a variety of ways in the most important fantasy football weekend of the year, who you might be able to play at your TE position. Unless you have one of the top four or five options at TE for this week, you should see if Taysom Hill qualifies there in your league, and if so, pick him up.

Defense/Special Teams (D/STs):

New York Giants | Sleeper 5% | ESPN 9.1%

If you made it to the fantasy football championship this weekend while streaming defenses all season, you deserve a high-five. That’s no easy feat. Now that you’re here, an unlikely unit is gracing these pages as the one you want to grab for your final shot at greatness this season: The New York Giants.

On paper, this unit should have been good all season. They haven’t, but that doesn’t matter this week. What matters is that the Giants D/ST is coming off a week where they harassed the Minnesota Vikings for 16 fantasy points, and have the Las Vegas Raiders on deck for Week 17.

Yes, Las Vegas put up a valiant effort last week against a stout Houston defense, ultimately losing 23-21. However, despite being pushed to the brink, Houston’s D/ST unit still managed 12 fantasy points against the Raiders’ offense. 

The Giants D/ST presents the best option likely available on your waiver wire this weekend, and they appear to have a safe double-digit point floor. Don’t overthink it. Get them rostered for your championship matchup.

Kickers:

Andy Borregales, New England Patriots | Sleeper 10% | ESPN 38.2% 

The New England Patriots are rolling hard towards the NFL playoffs, and kicker Andy Borregales has been on a roll as well. Since Week 11, the rookie placekicker is the overall K5, with only one game below 10 fantasy points, and two of 15 or more. 

This week, New England faces off against the New York Jets, who are allowing the most points per game to fantasy kickers this season (12.4). Furthermore, the Jets will again roll out QB Brady Cook, which could have them out of this contest early. If/when that happens, expect New England to shift to a run-heavy scheme and give Borregales more than enough opportunity to thrive again.

Given the ineptitude of the Jets’ offense, I expect this one to be in the books very early. Borregales should be a busy man this coming Sunday, with a top-5 finish in the cards and a safe double-digit fantasy point floor. 

Charlie Smyth, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 0% | ESPN 0.2% 

I couldn’t help myself with this one. How can I pass up an opportunity to highlight a feel-good story that can help you win right before the holidays?

New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth isn’t just any NFL kicker. Smyth, 24 and a former Gaelic Football star, came to the United States in 2024 through the International Pathway Program and signed a Futures contract with the Saints at the beginning of this year. After spending most of the season on the practice squad, the Irish national was signed to the active squad – with a three-year contract – ahead of Week 13. 

Smyth isn’t just a feel-good story, though. Since being activated, he has been good. The Saints placekicker has made nine of his 11 field goal attempts – including two from 50-plus yards and a total of nine from 30-plus yards. Week 16 was his best game by far, seeing him log 20 fantasy points, going five of six on field goal attempts and making both of his extra point attempts.

Since his debut, Smyth has been the overall K5. Since settling into his role over the last two weeks, he has been the overall K2. This weekend, the Saints are up against a Titans team that allows the eighth most points per game (10) to fantasy kickers. I’m not going to say Smyth is a league winner – kickers rarely have that power, folks. What I will say is, unless you’re one of the micro-fraction of leagues where Smyth is rostered, run to the wire and get your bid in now. The Saints kicker has overall K1 upside in the fantasy championships, and you cannot pass that up.

For more wavier wire advice, head over to our Discord channel and ask our analysts! For breaking news and injury updates, follow Optimus Fantasy News on Bluesky!

You didn’t come this far to lose now. The season has been a grind, the bracket has thinned, and every last-minute tinkering decision along the way has led you here. Championship week isn’t about experimenting or getting cute. It’s about finding the one move that helps you land the final blow.

The waiver wire may look barren, but even the toughest bosses have weak spots. Whether it’s an injury replacement, a matchup play, or a last-minute flex upgrade, this is your chance to sharpen your loadout before the fight of your fantasy life. One smart move can turn a great season into a championship.

This week, we have not provided FAAB recommendations. If you need someone, go get them. Spend whatever you need to spend. You can’t take your FAAB with you into the offseason, but you can take a fantasy championship with you.

Week 17 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2025 Fantasy Football Team

Running Backs:

Raheim Sanders, Cleveland Browns | Sleeper 0% | ESPN 0.1% 

If you haven’t heard by now, rookie phenom Quinshon Judkins is out for the year thanks to a broken leg and dislocated ankle. Without going down that rabbit hole, reader beware: the video is not for the faint of heart. We need to examine the Cleveland backfield for Week 17 and what it will look like against Pittsburgh.

First off, we have a clear RB 1A with Raheim Sanders. If there’s one RB I want to target, it’s him, because he’s clearly the preferred RB on running downs. This matters because if a guy is getting the early-down work, he will usually get the goal-line work. As we know, this is where RBs get the majority of their points. We find this especially in bad offenses like Cleveland’s. 

Which brings us to the second point: the 1B part. Now, there’s a bit of uncertainty here as we open the week. Dylan Sampson has been out, and it matters because he has occupied the pass-catching role before injury. In his absence, it will be filled by Trayveon Williams. With Pittsburgh as an opponent, it’s reasonable to think the passing-down RB will see more work. The only question is whether it will be Sampson or Williams filling that role. If it’s Sampson, I’m more excited because we’ve already seen him Do The Thing once this year with a couple of 10-point games. 

None of these are more than flex plays, so don’t get too far out over your skis. We already saw this with Audric Estime and Evan Hull. Sometimes “next man up” doesn’t mean you just plug and play that next guy. In this case, both of these players can be usable, however. It’s just a matter of figuring out which you would need more. 

Wide Receivers:

It’s Week 17, and it’s Championship Week in a good amount of fantasy football leagues, but even if your league plays into Week 18, you’re luckily pretty set at most positions. In case you’re not set at wide receiver, we’ve got a couple of options for you that could be out there on the waiver wire to plug any gaps in your team for the finals or semifinals. We didn’t get any major injuries at the position to fantasy-relevant players on Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday, so the available options this week aren’t as fruitful as in previous weeks. That said, here are a couple of players that should be rostered (or started in a pinch) in your championship chase.

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars | Sleeper 33% | ESPN 12.9% 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been on a massive heater over the second half of this season, and after their trade-deadline acquisition of Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington’s every-down role in the offense in the early part of 2025 was likely a thing of the past. However, it turns out that all Washington needed to do was jump back in the slot for the Jaguars to post his best game of the season. In Week 16, in a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos, Washington earned nine targets and turned those looks into six catches for a season-high 145 yards and a touchdown to head into MNF’s game as the overall WR3.

After mixing evenly between playing out wide and in the slot for much of this season, 75% of Washington’s snaps came from the slot. With Meyers and Brian Thomas entrenched as the top two receivers, much of Washington’s utilization will come via 11 personnel. Similar to a Josh Downs or Jayden Reed, Washington has at least a puncher’s chance of rotating in on two-receiver sets. He’s been very productive, and on an offense that’s trending upwards with a game in Indianapolis on the horizon in Week 17, Washington is a solid flex play if you need to plug him into your lineup.

Luther Burden, Chicago Bears | Sleeper 33% | ESPN 14.4% 

Luther Burden might be somewhat off your radar, considering he didn’t suit up in Week 16 due to his ankle injury. The Bears may have clinched a playoff spot, but they still can clinch the NFC North in Week 17. They can actually do this without playing, and they’ll know by the time the Ravens and Packers play on Saturday night. One Packers loss and Chicago will wrap up the division, so even if the top seed in the NFC is up for grabs, a Green Bay loss could still affect Burden’s playing status in Weeks 17 and 18.

In Week 15, Burden put up season highs across the board with a team-leading seven targets, six receptions, and 84 yards en route to 14.4 fantasy points in the Bears’ 31-3 rout of the Cleveland Browns. If the Packers win on Saturday, it puts pressure on Chicago to get their guys out there against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. If Burden is active in Week 17, his increased role over the last month will play very well as an upside flex option in fantasy lineups.

Quarterbacks:

If you’re hunting for a QB right now, we’re assuming you’re looking for a one-week fix because of injury, or you’ve been streaming your QB2/Superflex roster spot all season. These recommendations are for one-week rentals to get you through your first fantasy playoff matchup. If you’re hunting for a QB in 1QB leagues, you likely have much better options not covered here.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints| Sleeper 21% | ESPN 10.9% 

I’ve waxed poetic on Saints QB Tyler Shough over the last few weeks in the article, and for good reason. The rookie signal caller has been very good since taking over for Spencer Rattler in Week 9, logging only one sub-10-point fantasy output in that span. Since Week 13, Shough is the overall QB7.

Week 17 has Shough and Company up against a Titans defense giving up the eighth most fantasy points per game to QBs (20.3). Whether you’re looking for a fill-in for your Superflex slot, limped in with Lamar Jackson in a 1QB league, or have been streaming all season, Shough is your priority on the waiver wire this week. He has QB1-tier upside this week, and given the matchup, he could be an unlikely league-winner pickup in Week 17. 

Tight Ends:

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 3% | ESPN 1.4%

First of all, you need to check your league settings to see what positions Taysom Hill qualifies for. There are no right or wrong answers, so please, don’t torment your commissioner if he’s not listed as a TE. But if he is….

Listen, I get it; Taysom Hill is infuriating. And the Saints get the Titans in Week 17, so you can’t get a much juicier matchup than that. We already know you’re starting Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson, but Taysom Hill needs to be a part of the conversation, too. In Week 16, Hill had 18 opportunities – rushing attempts plus targets – in addition to his one passing attempt. Olave was second on the week with 16. So the real answer all along to “which New Orleans RB should I start in Week 16” was Taysom Hill.

Again, Hill may not qualify as a TE in your league, and he kinda doesn’t in real life, either, so let’s walk through some numbers together. Tennessee allows the 5th most fantasy points to TEs over the last month, at just over 15. They’re actually much better vs RBs over the same time frame, as they allow the 5th fewest fantasy points to RBs over that span. But that’s where Hill’s versatility comes in, because even though he runs the ball, it’s not like he does so in a traditional way. And finally, because Hill will throw some passes as well, Tennessee also allows the 5th most fantasy points for opposing QBs.

But what does it all mean?! Well, you put it together, and we have a player who will see plenty of volume in a variety of ways in the most important fantasy football weekend of the year, who you might be able to play at your TE position. Unless you have one of the top four or five options at TE for this week, you should see if Taysom Hill qualifies there in your league, and if so, pick him up.

Defense/Special Teams (D/STs):

New York Giants | Sleeper 5% | ESPN 9.1%

If you made it to the fantasy football championship this weekend while streaming defenses all season, you deserve a high-five. That’s no easy feat. Now that you’re here, an unlikely unit is gracing these pages as the one you want to grab for your final shot at greatness this season: The New York Giants.

On paper, this unit should have been good all season. They haven’t, but that doesn’t matter this week. What matters is that the Giants D/ST is coming off a week where they harassed the Minnesota Vikings for 16 fantasy points, and have the Las Vegas Raiders on deck for Week 17.

Yes, Las Vegas put up a valiant effort last week against a stout Houston defense, ultimately losing 23-21. However, despite being pushed to the brink, Houston’s D/ST unit still managed 12 fantasy points against the Raiders’ offense. 

The Giants D/ST presents the best option likely available on your waiver wire this weekend, and they appear to have a safe double-digit point floor. Don’t overthink it. Get them rostered for your championship matchup.

Kickers:

Andy Borregales, New England Patriots | Sleeper 10% | ESPN 38.2% 

The New England Patriots are rolling hard towards the NFL playoffs, and kicker Andy Borregales has been on a roll as well. Since Week 11, the rookie placekicker is the overall K5, with only one game below 10 fantasy points, and two of 15 or more. 

This week, New England faces off against the New York Jets, who are allowing the most points per game to fantasy kickers this season (12.4). Furthermore, the Jets will again roll out QB Brady Cook, which could have them out of this contest early. If/when that happens, expect New England to shift to a run-heavy scheme and give Borregales more than enough opportunity to thrive again.

Given the ineptitude of the Jets’ offense, I expect this one to be in the books very early. Borregales should be a busy man this coming Sunday, with a top-5 finish in the cards and a safe double-digit fantasy point floor. 

Charlie Smyth, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 0% | ESPN 0.2% 

I couldn’t help myself with this one. How can I pass up an opportunity to highlight a feel-good story that can help you win right before the holidays?

New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth isn’t just any NFL kicker. Smyth, 24 and a former Gaelic Football star, came to the United States in 2024 through the International Pathway Program and signed a Futures contract with the Saints at the beginning of this year. After spending most of the season on the practice squad, the Irish national was signed to the active squad – with a three-year contract – ahead of Week 13. 

Smyth isn’t just a feel-good story, though. Since being activated, he has been good. The Saints placekicker has made nine of his 11 field goal attempts – including two from 50-plus yards and a total of nine from 30-plus yards. Week 16 was his best game by far, seeing him log 20 fantasy points, going five of six on field goal attempts and making both of his extra point attempts.

Since his debut, Smyth has been the overall K5. Since settling into his role over the last two weeks, he has been the overall K2. This weekend, the Saints are up against a Titans team that allows the eighth most points per game (10) to fantasy kickers. I’m not going to say Smyth is a league winner – kickers rarely have that power, folks. What I will say is, unless you’re one of the micro-fraction of leagues where Smyth is rostered, run to the wire and get your bid in now. The Saints kicker has overall K1 upside in the fantasy championships, and you cannot pass that up.

For more wavier wire advice, head over to our Discord channel and ask our analysts! For breaking news and injury updates, follow Optimus Fantasy News on Bluesky!

You didn’t come this far to lose now. The season has been a grind, the bracket has thinned, and every last-minute tinkering decision along the way has led you here. Championship week isn’t about experimenting or getting cute. It’s about finding the one move that helps you land the final blow.

The waiver wire may look barren, but even the toughest bosses have weak spots. Whether it’s an injury replacement, a matchup play, or a last-minute flex upgrade, this is your chance to sharpen your loadout before the fight of your fantasy life. One smart move can turn a great season into a championship.

This week, we have not provided FAAB recommendations. If you need someone, go get them. Spend whatever you need to spend. You can’t take your FAAB with you into the offseason, but you can take a fantasy championship with you.

Week 17 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2025 Fantasy Football Team

Running Backs:

Raheim Sanders, Cleveland Browns | Sleeper 0% | ESPN 0.1% 

If you haven’t heard by now, rookie phenom Quinshon Judkins is out for the year thanks to a broken leg and dislocated ankle. Without going down that rabbit hole, reader beware: the video is not for the faint of heart. We need to examine the Cleveland backfield for Week 17 and what it will look like against Pittsburgh.

First off, we have a clear RB 1A with Raheim Sanders. If there’s one RB I want to target, it’s him, because he’s clearly the preferred RB on running downs. This matters because if a guy is getting the early-down work, he will usually get the goal-line work. As we know, this is where RBs get the majority of their points. We find this especially in bad offenses like Cleveland’s. 

Which brings us to the second point: the 1B part. Now, there’s a bit of uncertainty here as we open the week. Dylan Sampson has been out, and it matters because he has occupied the pass-catching role before injury. In his absence, it will be filled by Trayveon Williams. With Pittsburgh as an opponent, it’s reasonable to think the passing-down RB will see more work. The only question is whether it will be Sampson or Williams filling that role. If it’s Sampson, I’m more excited because we’ve already seen him Do The Thing once this year with a couple of 10-point games. 

None of these are more than flex plays, so don’t get too far out over your skis. We already saw this with Audric Estime and Evan Hull. Sometimes “next man up” doesn’t mean you just plug and play that next guy. In this case, both of these players can be usable, however. It’s just a matter of figuring out which you would need more. 

Wide Receivers:

It’s Week 17, and it’s Championship Week in a good amount of fantasy football leagues, but even if your league plays into Week 18, you’re luckily pretty set at most positions. In case you’re not set at wide receiver, we’ve got a couple of options for you that could be out there on the waiver wire to plug any gaps in your team for the finals or semifinals. We didn’t get any major injuries at the position to fantasy-relevant players on Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday, so the available options this week aren’t as fruitful as in previous weeks. That said, here are a couple of players that should be rostered (or started in a pinch) in your championship chase.

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars | Sleeper 33% | ESPN 12.9% 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been on a massive heater over the second half of this season, and after their trade-deadline acquisition of Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington’s every-down role in the offense in the early part of 2025 was likely a thing of the past. However, it turns out that all Washington needed to do was jump back in the slot for the Jaguars to post his best game of the season. In Week 16, in a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos, Washington earned nine targets and turned those looks into six catches for a season-high 145 yards and a touchdown to head into MNF’s game as the overall WR3.

After mixing evenly between playing out wide and in the slot for much of this season, 75% of Washington’s snaps came from the slot. With Meyers and Brian Thomas entrenched as the top two receivers, much of Washington’s utilization will come via 11 personnel. Similar to a Josh Downs or Jayden Reed, Washington has at least a puncher’s chance of rotating in on two-receiver sets. He’s been very productive, and on an offense that’s trending upwards with a game in Indianapolis on the horizon in Week 17, Washington is a solid flex play if you need to plug him into your lineup.

Luther Burden, Chicago Bears | Sleeper 33% | ESPN 14.4% 

Luther Burden might be somewhat off your radar, considering he didn’t suit up in Week 16 due to his ankle injury. The Bears may have clinched a playoff spot, but they still can clinch the NFC North in Week 17. They can actually do this without playing, and they’ll know by the time the Ravens and Packers play on Saturday night. One Packers loss and Chicago will wrap up the division, so even if the top seed in the NFC is up for grabs, a Green Bay loss could still affect Burden’s playing status in Weeks 17 and 18.

In Week 15, Burden put up season highs across the board with a team-leading seven targets, six receptions, and 84 yards en route to 14.4 fantasy points in the Bears’ 31-3 rout of the Cleveland Browns. If the Packers win on Saturday, it puts pressure on Chicago to get their guys out there against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. If Burden is active in Week 17, his increased role over the last month will play very well as an upside flex option in fantasy lineups.

Quarterbacks:

If you’re hunting for a QB right now, we’re assuming you’re looking for a one-week fix because of injury, or you’ve been streaming your QB2/Superflex roster spot all season. These recommendations are for one-week rentals to get you through your first fantasy playoff matchup. If you’re hunting for a QB in 1QB leagues, you likely have much better options not covered here.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints| Sleeper 21% | ESPN 10.9% 

I’ve waxed poetic on Saints QB Tyler Shough over the last few weeks in the article, and for good reason. The rookie signal caller has been very good since taking over for Spencer Rattler in Week 9, logging only one sub-10-point fantasy output in that span. Since Week 13, Shough is the overall QB7.

Week 17 has Shough and Company up against a Titans defense giving up the eighth most fantasy points per game to QBs (20.3). Whether you’re looking for a fill-in for your Superflex slot, limped in with Lamar Jackson in a 1QB league, or have been streaming all season, Shough is your priority on the waiver wire this week. He has QB1-tier upside this week, and given the matchup, he could be an unlikely league-winner pickup in Week 17. 

Tight Ends:

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 3% | ESPN 1.4%

First of all, you need to check your league settings to see what positions Taysom Hill qualifies for. There are no right or wrong answers, so please, don’t torment your commissioner if he’s not listed as a TE. But if he is….

Listen, I get it; Taysom Hill is infuriating. And the Saints get the Titans in Week 17, so you can’t get a much juicier matchup than that. We already know you’re starting Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson, but Taysom Hill needs to be a part of the conversation, too. In Week 16, Hill had 18 opportunities – rushing attempts plus targets – in addition to his one passing attempt. Olave was second on the week with 16. So the real answer all along to “which New Orleans RB should I start in Week 16” was Taysom Hill.

Again, Hill may not qualify as a TE in your league, and he kinda doesn’t in real life, either, so let’s walk through some numbers together. Tennessee allows the 5th most fantasy points to TEs over the last month, at just over 15. They’re actually much better vs RBs over the same time frame, as they allow the 5th fewest fantasy points to RBs over that span. But that’s where Hill’s versatility comes in, because even though he runs the ball, it’s not like he does so in a traditional way. And finally, because Hill will throw some passes as well, Tennessee also allows the 5th most fantasy points for opposing QBs.

But what does it all mean?! Well, you put it together, and we have a player who will see plenty of volume in a variety of ways in the most important fantasy football weekend of the year, who you might be able to play at your TE position. Unless you have one of the top four or five options at TE for this week, you should see if Taysom Hill qualifies there in your league, and if so, pick him up.

Defense/Special Teams (D/STs):

New York Giants | Sleeper 5% | ESPN 9.1%

If you made it to the fantasy football championship this weekend while streaming defenses all season, you deserve a high-five. That’s no easy feat. Now that you’re here, an unlikely unit is gracing these pages as the one you want to grab for your final shot at greatness this season: The New York Giants.

On paper, this unit should have been good all season. They haven’t, but that doesn’t matter this week. What matters is that the Giants D/ST is coming off a week where they harassed the Minnesota Vikings for 16 fantasy points, and have the Las Vegas Raiders on deck for Week 17.

Yes, Las Vegas put up a valiant effort last week against a stout Houston defense, ultimately losing 23-21. However, despite being pushed to the brink, Houston’s D/ST unit still managed 12 fantasy points against the Raiders’ offense. 

The Giants D/ST presents the best option likely available on your waiver wire this weekend, and they appear to have a safe double-digit point floor. Don’t overthink it. Get them rostered for your championship matchup.

Kickers:

Andy Borregales, New England Patriots | Sleeper 10% | ESPN 38.2% 

The New England Patriots are rolling hard towards the NFL playoffs, and kicker Andy Borregales has been on a roll as well. Since Week 11, the rookie placekicker is the overall K5, with only one game below 10 fantasy points, and two of 15 or more. 

This week, New England faces off against the New York Jets, who are allowing the most points per game to fantasy kickers this season (12.4). Furthermore, the Jets will again roll out QB Brady Cook, which could have them out of this contest early. If/when that happens, expect New England to shift to a run-heavy scheme and give Borregales more than enough opportunity to thrive again.

Given the ineptitude of the Jets’ offense, I expect this one to be in the books very early. Borregales should be a busy man this coming Sunday, with a top-5 finish in the cards and a safe double-digit fantasy point floor. 

Charlie Smyth, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 0% | ESPN 0.2% 

I couldn’t help myself with this one. How can I pass up an opportunity to highlight a feel-good story that can help you win right before the holidays?

New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth isn’t just any NFL kicker. Smyth, 24 and a former Gaelic Football star, came to the United States in 2024 through the International Pathway Program and signed a Futures contract with the Saints at the beginning of this year. After spending most of the season on the practice squad, the Irish national was signed to the active squad – with a three-year contract – ahead of Week 13. 

Smyth isn’t just a feel-good story, though. Since being activated, he has been good. The Saints placekicker has made nine of his 11 field goal attempts – including two from 50-plus yards and a total of nine from 30-plus yards. Week 16 was his best game by far, seeing him log 20 fantasy points, going five of six on field goal attempts and making both of his extra point attempts.

Since his debut, Smyth has been the overall K5. Since settling into his role over the last two weeks, he has been the overall K2. This weekend, the Saints are up against a Titans team that allows the eighth most points per game (10) to fantasy kickers. I’m not going to say Smyth is a league winner – kickers rarely have that power, folks. What I will say is, unless you’re one of the micro-fraction of leagues where Smyth is rostered, run to the wire and get your bid in now. The Saints kicker has overall K1 upside in the fantasy championships, and you cannot pass that up.

For more wavier wire advice, head over to our Discord channel and ask our analysts! For breaking news and injury updates, follow Optimus Fantasy News on Bluesky!

By Published On: December 22nd, 2025

Related Posts