NFL Waiver Wire: Week 17 Pickups

You need to reassess being in a league if you're still playing for a championship this week. There are leagues that reward overall points totals, so the waiver wire might be useful in those formats. Hopefully, everyone had a fun season and this will be me signing off, until next season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone.

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget.

QUARTERBACK

SECONDARY TARGETS

Robert Griffin, BAL - The Ravens said Monday that Lamar Jackson won't play this week with the top seed in the AFC already locked up. That means Griffin likely will be under center and his skill set somewhat mirrors that of Jackson. He should get more points rushing than the average quarterback in the league, though his receivers (Mark Andrews is banged up) likely will be less than stellar. Still, this has been a fantasy-friendly offense this season, and Griffin should put up fantasy points at home. Keep in mind Trace McSorley might play as well. FAAB: $4-$8

HAIL MARY

Matt Barkley, BUF - Like the Baltimore situation, the Bills are locked into the five seed and there's no reason to play Josh Allen. As a result, Barkley should be under center in a good home matchup against the Jets. Barkley has a whole week to prepare and is a solid backup with 7.9 YPA this season and a 9.3 YPA last season in a  limited sample. FAAB: $2-$4

RUNNING BACKS

PRIMARY TARGETS

Gus Edwards, BAL - Mark Ingram has a calf injury, and there's no reason for the Ravens to play him this week. Edwards should be the main running back with a little of bit of Justice Hill sprinkled in. Edwards has averaged 5.2 yards per carry this season (same as last season) and will benefit from playing alongside a rushing quarterback. Pencil him in for at least 12 touches this week. FAAB: $10-$15

Travis Homer, Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin, SEA - The running back situation in Seattle is a mess with Rashaad Penny, Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise done for the season due to injury. "It's happening ..." — Lynch is back, but it's tough to know what shape he's in and how much gas is left in the tank. Homer looked serviceable  in relief Sunday and should carry most of the workload this week. Turbin is familiar with the offense and provides depth. Logic would suggest Lynch or Turbin handle the the goal-line work, but Homer likely will get the most touches. However, it's actually a good matchup as the 49ers have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs this season. FAAB: Homer $5-$10, Lynch $4-$8, Turbin $2-$4

SECONDARY TARGETS

Kerryon Johnson, DET - Johnson returned from IR to post 43 yards from scrimmage on 11 touches. It's worth noting Bo Scarbrough got eight carries, so it's turned into a timeshare with Johnson getting the slight edge. It is a good matchup for the Lions this week against the Packers, the team giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to  running backs. FAAB: $3-$6

WIDE RECEIVERS

SECONDARY TARGETS

Hunter Renfrow, OAK - The Raiders are somehow still alive, and there's clearly a rapport between Derek Carr and Renfrow, who had a 9-7-107-1 line Sunday. This is a must-win situation for the Raiders in a slightly below average matchup with the Broncos. Renfrow has 14.4, 16.8 and 20.2 fantasy points in three of his last five games. FAAB: $3-$6

Steven Sims Jr., WAS - Terry McLaurin is still the top dog for the Redskins, but Sims has put himself on the fantasy radar. He had a 10-6-64-2 line Sunday in the overtime loss to the Giants and gets the reeling Cowboys this week. The switch to Case Keenum at quarterback isn't a significant downgrade, and Sims has 10, 11 and seven targets in his last three games. FAAB: $3-$6

TIGHT END

PRIMARY TARGETS

Dallas Goedert, PHI - I'm breaking my "less than 50 percent owned" rule here as Goedert is owned in 60 percent of Yahoo leagues. However, if Zach Ertz ends up missing the crucial game against the Giants with his rib injury, there's an argument Goedert is a top-3 play at the position this week. Even with Ertz playing most of the game Goedert posted a 12-9-91-1 line and led the  the team in targets. FAAB: 20-plus

Jonnu Smith, TEN - The injury to Delanie Walker has opened the door to a more significant role for Smith, who has 13.8, 14.2 and 10.4 fantasy points in his last three games. This is a must-win game for the Titans this week who get a porous defense in the Texans. Houston has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends, and the Titans think highly enough of Smith that they'll give him the occasional rushing attempt. FAAB: $8-$16

SECONDARY TARGETS

Mike Gesicki, MIA - Gesicki had a monster game in the overtime win against the Bengals, finishing with two touchdowns and six catches for 82 yards. He's scored 23.2, 10.3 and 16.4 fantasy points in three of his last five games, showing he's earned the trust of Ryan Fitzpatrick. At first glance it doesn't appear to be a good matchup against the Patriots, but they've only been league-average in points allowed to tight ends this season. FAAB: $3-$6

Any question about anyone I missed or someone I might have mentioned last week and is still available? Hit up the comments.