This final installment of the waiver wire column will be shorter than previous versions, like the Week 16 article. The main reason is that few teams are remaining…only two for each league that wraps up with the Week 17 championship matchup.
A quick look back at our Week 16 recommendations: we hit with Brock Purdy and his big day to George Kittle. We hit with Chuba Hubbard as he logged well over 100 yards on the ground. The strange thing to me is he did not catch a single pass which must have been game-script based since CAR rolled in Week 16. Also, the rushing TDs went to other players, which is a little disappointing, but I will happily take the dub when a waiver wire add pops for 100+ yards.Â
We hit (again) with D.J. Chark, who also went for 100+ yards but did not find the end zone. Look for him to continue to shine in Week 17. Next, we hit Evan Engram, who almost cost me a spot in the finals when he blew up again on Thursday Night Football. Alas, I survived, thanks to a huge Christmas game for Jaylen Waddle. Note: Speed Kills! Finally, we hit both the Chargers and Rams DST calls. It is possible the Chargers won your matchup last night, just as they did for me.
We missed on Mike White because he was ruled out shortly after we published the article. Word out of the Jets front office is White has been cleared and will start Week 17 with Zach Wilson being inactive. Oh, how the early draft pick has fallen. We also whiffed on Marlon Mack, K.J. Osborn, Elijah Moore, and the DET DST. Keep the faith as it pertains to the Lions’ defense, and keep reading for a sneaky DST waiver add that has not appeared in the columns since we have included defenses.
If you made it this far, remember the job is not done. You need not rest until after the final whistle of the Bills/Bengals game on Monday night. You have made it this far following our advice, and Mitch is here to get you over the final hump so you can lift the trophy, pop some bottles, and collect that cash!
OK, folks, let’s get to it!
NOTE: Rostered percentages and scoring system are based on Yahoo! PPR league scoring.
Waiver Add of the Week: DST – New York Giants (NYG DST, 11% rostered) – Did you watch the Monday Night Football game? Nick Foles looked like a statue, and the Chargers’ DST collected seven sacks and three interceptions while only giving up three points. I know this DST won the week for me, and if you followed my advice, they probably won a close matchup for you as well. Now, the Colts will travel to the Giants, outdoors, in the cold with that same Foles or Matt Ryan’s backup, Sam Ehlinger. I am happily starting the Giants against any one of those three QBs at this point. The Colts’ offensive line looked atrocious, and the Giants can rush the passer just enough that they are a solid add for the week purely based on their opponent.
QB: Mike White (NYJ, 17% rostered): Our guy Mike White is officially cleared to play and will start at Seattle on Sunday. If you made it this far, you probably have a stud QB, but if you do not, then I like Mike White with the soft matchup.
QB: Brock Purdy (SF, 37% rostered) Purdy keeps throwing two TDs per week and winning games. I love his matchup against a Raiders defense that simply cannot stop the pass. The SF offense is loaded and is playing lights-out right now, and the Raiders are probably going to get boat-raced on Sunday.Â
QB: Gardner Minshew (PHI, 28% rostered) – Buyer beware with Minshew for a couple of reasons. (1) Hurts has not been ruled out. (2) The Saints are tough against the pass. (3) The former Washington State Cougars QB is unlikely to repeat 355 yards, two passing, and one rushing TD, regardless of who he is playing.
RB: Chuba Hubbard (CAR; 38% rostered) – It is hard to argue with 125 yards on the ground from a free waiver addition who is still available in 62% of leagues. Before you hit me with “but the Bucs run defense is so tough” comments, remember that the Lions’ defense had been shutting down opposing RBs and the Panthers’ double-headed backfield of Hubbard and Foreman gashed them for well over 200 yards on the ground. Carolina’s DNA is power running, and they will look to upset the Bucs on the road for a chance at winning the NFC South.
RB: Cam Akers (LAR; 68% rostered) – Did you see what Akers did to the vaunted Broncos’ defense? WOW! Now, like Minshew, buyer beware with Akers. He is not as good as his most recent performance, but if you are struggling at RB, there are many worse options. The Colts were able to run a little on the Chargers, and I think Akers will get his on Sunday, but I am also betting the Under on three rushing TDs this week. In fact, I am probably betting the Under on 100 rushing yards, too.
WR: D.J. Chark (DET; 51% rostered) – With 15+ points (Full PPR) in three of his past five games and a tasty matchup against the Bears, in the dome, with playoff implications on the line, with indoor Goff, I say give me all the Chark you’ve got!
WR: Isaiah Hodgins (NYG, 2% rostered) – Can you believe there is a viable NYG WR on this list? For anyone who watched the Giants play at Minnesota, it became obvious Hodgins is Daniel Jones’ favorite target. I do believe the offense still runs through Barkley and think there is enough meat on the bone for Hodgins to get his fair share of targets, and the Colts certainly looked Swiss Cheese enough on the back end last night to make him a nice option. While you are out there looking at Hodgins, peek at Richie James, Jr. You may be surprised to see how valuable this WR can be in PPR leagues.
WR: Elijah Moore (NYJ, 32% rostered) – Mike White is back, and Zach Wilson is inactive. End of analysis.
TE: Cade Otton (TB; 10% rostered) & Greg Dulcich (DEN, 50% rostered) had seven and eight targets, respectively. It is the same old story at TE in a terrible 2022 fantasy season for the position. You want volume while hoping for the best…that your TE finds a way to fall into the end zone. If Evan Engram (JAX, 77% rostered) is somehow still available, he is the obvious add here, but his availability has dwindled as the season moved forward.
We discussed defenses for the second straight week in last week’s column, and the position begs repeating. These are teams lining up against offenses that are not good right now. However, there are three you must consider streaming headed into your title game, all of which could help bring you the big win you covet.
DST:  Los Angeles Chargers (35% rostered) – LAR
           Detroit Lions (3% rostered) – CHI
           New York Giants (11% rostered) – IND
If you followed Razzball and the waiver wire column this year, I hope the advice helped you move on to the championship game. Now is not the time to stop your research. You can both add players to help your lineup and grab players from the wire that your opponent may be eyeing. You cannot take your FAAB to the bank, so now is the time to spend it all! Â
Reply to this article, and I will address all questions now and throughout the week. I am here for you!
Best of luck in the championship game, and may the wire be with you!
