Fantasy Football: Joseph Randle Among Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups
It’s the final week of the NFL regular season, and we don’t know whether we feel good or bad for you.
The good news, of course, is that you’ve made it to the fantasy football championships, with glory and bragging rights just one successful Sunday from your grasp. The bad news is that you now have to navigate the treacherous waters of Week 17, where teams with guaranteed playoff spots can ruin your title hopes by sitting their star players.
But don’t worry, help is on the way. If an elite skill-position player is held out, someone has to start in their place, and in some cases, the backup’s production could be a valuable boost when you need it most.
Take, for example, the Dallas Cowboys. DeMarco Murray has been an absolute beast all season, but with a playoff spot already clinched, the Cowboys might sit him down in Week 17 to rest his injured hand. That could pave the way for a guy like backup Joseph Randle to take advantage of Dallas’ powerful offensive line and rack up the yardage.
Scenarios like these are risky, as it’s tough to determine exactly who will play until later in the week. But when it comes to the waiver wire, there’s really nothing to lose in taking a chance on a player with high upside.
So with your fantasy championship on the line, it’s time to head to the trusty waiver wire one more time and see if you can snag the ultimate difference-maker.
Quarterback: Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings
Chances are you won’t find a top-tier arm on the waiver wire this week, and if you’ve come this far, you probably don’t need one. But if you’re in a multiple-QB format or deeper league, Bridgewater could be just the guy. The Chicago Bears have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, and with both teams out of the playoff hunt, the Vikings should let their rookie stay on the field to gain extra experience, and hopefully extra fantasy points.
Other quarterbacks to watch: Jay Cutler, Andy Dalton, Robert Griffin III, Johnny Manziel, Alex Smith
Running Back: Joseph Randle, Dallas Cowboys
This is a bit of a gamble, but the upside is huge. The Cowboys clinched the NFC East with their win Sunday, so there’s really no need to test the limits of Demarco Murray’s injured hand. Randle is next in line, which could mean plenty of touches in Dallas’ season finale against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins have a stout front seven, but Murray put up 141 rushing yards against them earlier this season. If Randle can duplicate that, you’ll be in fantasy heaven.
Other running backs to watch: Matt Asiata, Devonta Freeman, Dan Herron, Toby Gerhart, Stepfan Taylor
Wide Receiver: Eddie Royal, San Diego Chargers
Exit Keenan Allen, enter Eddie Royal. With his top wide receiver likely out for another week with a broken collarbone, Philip Rivers turned his attentions to Royal on Sunday, feeding him 10 receptions for 94 yards and a score. The Chargers have a postseason berth on the line when they face the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday, so they’ll bust out all the stops in an attempt to win. Expect Royal to figure heavily in that attempt.
Other wide receivers to watch: Hakeem Nicks, Greg Jennings, Malcolm Floyd, Allen Hurns, Cole Beasley
Tight End: Mychal Rivera, Oakland Raiders
If you’re reaching for a tight end in the championship round, you’re either in a very deep league, or your other skill positions are loaded. But if that’s the case, Rivera might be your best bet. The Raiders finish their season against the Denver Broncos, a team that Rivera notched 64 receiving yards and a touchdown against earlier this season. Oakland has absolutely nothing to lose, either, so expect the ball to fly through the air all game.
Other tight ends to watch: Charles Clay, Tim Wright, Kyle Rudolph, Jermaine Gresham
Have a fantasy/NFL question for Darren? Send it to him via Twitter at @darren_hartwell
Thumbnail photo via Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports Images
