Free Agents and Waivers for 2021 Fantasy Football, Week 17

Here we are faithful readers, the fantasy championship round. If you are here looking for a replacement or to block for your opponent because you are playing in the game of games this upcoming week: Congratulations! You have just one step left before you can grab the idol and run like mad from the falling temple. If you have been reading all season, I wanted to take a second to thank you all for making my first season as a fantasy analyst and writer with Razzball a (I think?) success. Special thank you’s to my faithful weekly commenters William Hung, Water Boy, Mike, OldMilwaukeePounders, Miles Proudfoot, JC, Packers2018, toolshed, Ralph, Russowl, Achilles, William Trill Cauley-Stein, and I Am Not A Smart Man. Helping you and all our readers has been a privilege and the absolute joy of my year. Before I hop in Jock Lindsey’s UBF-2 seaplane and ride off into the off season, here are a few recommendations for players you might find worth adding for the final week.

QUARTERBACK

Tua Tagovailoa | Miami Dolphins | 41% Rostered

If you are reading this statement, Tua Tagovailoa escaped the Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints without injury. If you are not reading this statement, wait, what that makes no sense. Tagovailoa is the only some what widely available quarterback I would trust this week with a championship on the line if you need a quarterback. The Tennessee Titans have been abysmal against opposing quarterbacks in 2021 and Tagovailoa has really started to take form. I am not worried about Tagovailoa’s seemingly unimpressive statline against the Saints Monday night. The Dolphins defense was seemingly in control the entire game which allowed Tagovailoa to manage the game rather than take it over.

RUNNING BACK

Boston Scott | Philadelphia Eagles | 15% Rostered

Jordan Howard | Philadelphia Eagles | 16% Rostered

Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders left the game Sunday with a fractured bone in his hand. I would venture to say he will not be suiting up in Week 17, even though there is still a chance he plays. Boston Scott did not see much work in the game until Sanders left. He ended up outcarrying him though and fellow back Jordan Howard, who also left with an injury. Howard should be back next week as his injury was a stinger. The Eagles play the Washington Football Team who allowed multiple touchdowns to the Cowboys in last Sunday’s blowout loss.

Darrel Williams | Kansas City Chiefs | 60% Rostered

Another week and another injury to Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s troublesome sophomore campaign. Whether in tandem or in relief, Darrell Williams still seemed to outshine him on Sunday. If Edwards-Helaire were to miss the game on Sunday, Williams would shoulder the work with a matchup against the Bengals who are allowing 23.9 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.

Rex Burkhead | Houston Texans | 14% Rostered

I wouldn’t put your fantasy championship hopes squarely in the lap of Rex Burkhead. Still with the amount of players headed to the COVID list, it might not be a terrible idea to use a bench spot on the veteran back in case one of your studs is declared out last minute. Burkhead continued the running back dominance of the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday with 149 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. The 49ers are a much better team against the run, but Burkhead has shown a good floor when given the workload.

WIDE RECEIVER

Zay Jones | Las Vegas Raiders | 1% Rostered

Zay Jones has quietly been a target machine the last five weeks, averaging just over seven per game. The Raiders will face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17 who are giving up just over thirty-five fantasy points per game to opposing receivers. During the five game stretch, Jones has yet to score a receiving touchdown and it could very well be his time come Sunday.

KJ Osborn | Minnesota Vikings | 34% Rostered

It is a tale as old as time, Adam Thielen is injured, so go pick up KJ Osborn. Five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown last Sunday for the second-year receiver from the University of Miami. Thielen is expected to miss Week 17’s must-win matchup with their division rival Green Bay Packers. Osborn should be a dependable WR3 in his absence.

Marquez Vales-Scantling | Green Bay Packers | 40% Rostered

Allen Lazard | Green Bay Packers | 16% Rostered

I am expecting a shoot-out, weather permitting, on Sunday between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. It is a must-win game for both teams as the Packers are trying to lock up the number one seed in the NFC and the Minnesota Vikings are hanging on to their wildcard hopes. If Valdes-Scantling returns from the COVID list, I am firing him up without hesitation. Lazard would have WR3 upside if MVS misses his second straight game.

TIGHT END

Cole Kmet | Chicago Bears | 34% Rostered

Cole Kmet has really started to break out for the Chicago Bears. I sang his praises earlier in the preseason in my A Man For Early Seasons series. He decided to show up late to the party which listen, I am just glad he is here. Heading into next year, with the retirement of Jimmy Graham looming, he will be a tight end I will target in drafts. As it pertains to this season, his matchup against the Giants in Week 17 has me ranking him as a borderline TE1. Leading up to last week’s matchup against the Eagles, the Giants had allowed touchdowns to tight ends in back to back weeks.

Gerald Everett | Seattle Seahawks | 42% Rostered

Gerald Everett has back to back games with over sixty yards and touchdowns in two out of the last three weeks. For managers streaming tight end, Everett is an excellent option this week against the Detroit Lions. The Lions give up the tenth most fantasy points to tight ends this season.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

Seattle Seahawks | 50% Rostered

Detroit has given up the 7^th most fantasy points to opposing DSTs and a home game against the dome savvy Lions should be an exploitable matchup for the Seattle Seahawks. If you are streaming DSTs, which who isn’t these days? The Seahawks are an excellent matchup for Week 17.

Chicago Bears | 16% Rostered

As long as the New York Giants keep rolling out Mike Glennon and/or Jake Fromm, I’ll keep recommending you start the DST opposing them. The Bears get the free space this week and should perform nicely in the last home game of their season.