This is probably the worst week for waiver adds all season. Of course a lot depends on your league and your needs but as far as overall general additions I’d say there are no must pickups like Helu last week. For that fact I’d like to talk a lot about week 17 plays for those of you in leagues that are crazy enough to play all 17 weeks. But really it does add another wrinkle that you need to account for so you might as well account for it. Not every player here is only for week 17 of course but I think we can figure out the difference.
Ben Tate: Tate is most likely gone but there may be a slight chance he was dropped after Schaub went down so grab him now. With Yates looking capable there’s a good chance they’ll be able to continue to sustain drives and they face some pretty easy rush defenses in Carolina and Indianapolis weeks 15 and 16.
Marion Barber: I’m not high on Barber but he will be the #1 guy while Forte is out. He gets @Denver, Seattle, @Green Bay and @Minnesota. Not the best matchups but not unbelievably daunting either. Kahil Bell will be his backup if you need to handcuff Barber in deep leagues.
Damian Williams: He keeps putting together halfway decent games but nothing to make you lose your mind (in a good way). He is doing well enough on average that he needs to be owned if he he happens to still be on the wire.
Ricky Williams: With Indianapolis, @San Diego and Cleveland on the horizon and the Ravens understanding that they can run the ball it might be a good time to add old man Williams to your playoff bound team.
Brad Smith: He’s been getting a ton of work the last two weeks with 17 targets 11 receptions 149 yards and a touchdown. And if you are in a week 17 league they get the Patriots.
Demaryius Thomas: I would say to let DT stay on the wire if it wasn’t for a nice upcoming schedule. I’m sure the Broncos will try to run for the most part when they can but last week against Minnesota the path of least resistance was the pass defense so they did throw more than usual and gave Thomas a huge game. They get New England and Buffalo in weeks 15 and 16 and Tebow will be able to throw more than usual again.
Brandon Saine: You’ll see below why I like some Packers guys for week 17 but Saine could have value before that. James Starks is hurting and Ryan Grant is pretty much washed up so Saine will most likely continue to see some work and in week 17 could see a whole lot of work.
Andre Roberts: Kevin Kolb seems to like Roberts more than Early Doucet and maybe more than Larry Fitzgerald since he seemed to look for Roberts as his first read. He’s worth a look
Stevan Ridley: It looked like Shane Vereen had beat out Ridley but he wasn’t even active last week and Ridley outplayed BenJarvus Green-Ellis in limited action. Of course Law Firm will most likely continue to get goal line carries but like many of the other guys on this list could see a bunch of work in week 17 against the Bills.
Golden Tate: This might be a good time to see what they have in Golden Tate.He has a ton of ability but has yet to show he can do anything with any kind of consistency. I think they will at least give him a chance and you might want to as well.
Matt Flynn: Will the Packers go for an undefeated season against Detroit in week 17 if they are 15-0? I think they will but with Matt Flynn. I cannot stand Mercury Morris and his posturing to not be completely irrelevant and washed up but I still don’t see the Packers risking their starters in a meaningless game.
Randall Cobb: Cobb would be in line for a lot of work week 17 for the reasons stated above and his big play ability is a nice addition to any squad.
Isaac Redman: Week 17 the Steelers face the Browns who have been giving up a ton of yards to running backs. The Steelers may not need to win to help their position.
Kendall Hunter: The Niners face the Rams in week 17 and most likely will have the #2 seed wrapped up. So yeah, just see what I wrote above. My fingers are tired!
Guys you can look at in deeper leagues: T.J. Yates, Christian Ponder, Dan Orlovsky, Marcel Reece, Chaz Schillens, Kyle Williams, Donald Driver, Jacob Tamme, Logan Paulson
