Having a good fantasy draft sets a team up really well, but most of the time to win a fantasy football league, acquisitions need to be made during the season. Each week there are several players worth exploring on the waiver wire. Here are fantasy football players to add week 17.
(Note: These are best used for standard scoring leagues. All players are rostered in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues)
*Stats and figures from before Monday Night Football.
1. Dare Ogunbowale, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have suffered plenty of injuries to the running back position. Travis Etienne was lost for the season early in the year. Now James Robinson is out for the season with a torn Achilles. Ogbunwale filled in for Robinson during week 16. He rushed for 57 yards and a touchdowns in relief of Robinson.
For the rest of the season, Ogbunwale should be the lead back for the Jaguars. That warrants being added. The Jags play two good defenses, so playing him might be a stretch, unless COVID thins out available players. He is rostered in just 0.2 percent of ESPN leagues.
2. Rex Burkhead, RB, Houston Texans
With the Texans’ backfield dealing with injuries and shipping out several players who were on the roster to start the season, Rex Burkhead got a chance to shine. He rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns against the Chargers in week 16.
Despite having nothing to play for, the Texans are still playing hard. David Johnson could return with a calf injury, but Burkhead has earned the right to some of the work out of the Texans’ backfield. He is rostered in just 24.2 percent of ESPN leagues.
3. Boston Scott, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Miles Sanders has injured his hand. It isn’t the first time he has been injured this season and the Eagles have had several running backs fill in. This time, Boston Scott was the one to be the most productive in his absence. He had 41 rushing yards and a touchdown in week 16.
If Sanders has to miss more time, Scott and Jordan Howard will likely get most of the work. Scott is more of a do-it-all back and got more opportunity in week 16, so he is the player to add. He is rostered in just 12.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. Duke Johnson, RB, Miami Dolphins
With the Dolphins having COVID issues in their backfield for week 15, Johnson filled in well against the Jets. He had 22 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson also had a catch for 20 yards. The Dolphins haven’t had the best running game this season, so Johnson may have earned more time on the field even when the Dolphins are healthier.
The Dolphins haven’t played the Saints yet, so monitor his usage on Monday Night Football. If he gets a decent amount of work, he is worth adding for the last few weeks of the season. He is currently available in over 91 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Buffalo Bills
The Bills had some major COVID issues against the Patriots in week 16. That gave Isaiah McKenzie a chance to start. He ran with his opportunity, finishing the game with 11 receptions fo 125 yards and a touchdown.
Buffalo will have COVID issues moving forward. Cole Beasley is out 10 days, which means he’ll miss the week 16 game. Gabriel Davis may clear protocols and be eligible to play, but even so McKenzie will get some run down the stretch. He is available in virtually all ESPN leagues.
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