Fantasy Football Week 17 Waiver Wire Scoops

The last week of the season is usually a pretty sad time, so hopefully you were able to lock down some titles in Week 16. Some of you guys may have your Super Bowl this week (or possibly the second week of a two-week Super Bowl) and there could still be things to be settled.

This week is a bit mild as far as Week 17s go with so many teams having something to play for. The Packers and Texans are the two biggest teams that are locked into their position. Oddly enough those two teams have some serious assets as far as fantasy goes and their backups are more likely to see some more snaps than their accustom to. The other interesting situation is if the Lions are able to knock off the Packers (and their backups), the Falcons would not have anything to play for in their late game and will be locked up as the sixth seed.

Another thing I just wanted to point out is that if you know for a fact you know you're not going to start a guy, but you're slightly worried your opponent considering him, it's best to cut him so that he will be on waivers until after Sunday. Personally, I cut all my guys that I know I won't start the first thing Saturday morning and pick up other guys that could emerge with value by Sunday morning. Fantasy Keep Away is one of my favorite games.

Before we get to the guys to add, I just want to thank everyone for all the awesome questions and comments throughout the season in my first year in covering Fantasy Football. I've been playing for 10 years and covering all the details and watching all the games on Directv Short Cuts which made covering my favorite activity such a joy. All the people on Twitter have been awesome and I've enjoyed all the debates and struggling with the tough decisions all year. I can't believe I used to make fun of people on Twitter and it has totally changed the way I enjoy fantasy sports for the better (Note: if you're not on Twitter, you're missing out on some awesome knowledge from hundreds of writers!)

Let's get to it:

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Quarterbacks

Matt Flynn (5)

Kyle Orton (14)

Joe Webb (15)

Chris Redman (16)

Running Backs

Toby Gerhart (1)

Evan Royster (2)

Maurice Morris (3)

Kendall Hunter (6)

Jacquizz Rodgers (7)

Stevan Ridley (11)

Brandon Saine (12)

Dion Lewis (13)

Wide Receivers

James Jones (4)

Jacoby Ford (8)

Randall Cobb (9)

Tight End

Jared Cook (10)

Quarterbacks

Matt Flynn- The Packers are probably going to sit Aaron Rodgers against the Lions. The Lions have an effective pass rush and putting the MVP in harm's way would be a risk that Mike McCarthy should not be willing to take. The Lions have a very soft secondary and with the Packers O designed for the big-strike plays, Flynn could prove to be a great asset in the last week of the season.

Bottom Line: If you own Rodgers, you have to pick up Flynn. He's also a guy that should be owned in most leagues because your opponent might get the itch to start him with all the press he'll get over the week for his free-agent campaign.

Kyle Orton- Orton hit the 300-yard mark on the nose and added a TD against the Raiders on Saturday. He looked to improve on his rapport with former stud Dwayne Bowe and his other targets. The Chiefs get Denver in a big division showdown and one would think the Chiefs would let their guy get his best chance to serve up a nice plate of revenge against his former team. The Broncos were just smoked by the Bills last week and gave up 43 to the Pats in Week 16. If Orton can get protection, he could have a repeat-type performance.

Joe Webb- The Vikings are entertaining giving Joe Webb the start on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Webb has been a very effective fantasy QB in the brief time we've seen him at the helm. He was the main QB for Percy Harvin's breakout game and Webb also had over 100 yards rushing in that Week 14 contest vs. Detroit. Keep your eye on him.

Bottom Line: Webb has nice upside as a poor man's Cam and is worth a look for those in a bit of a QB pickle.

Chris Redman- The Falcons might not have anything to play for by the time their game kicks off. Redman could get a lot of work against the joke of a defense of the Bucs.

Running Backs

Toby Gerhart- Gerhart is really an easy add in all leagues since he'll start and get a featured load against the Bears.

Evan Royster- Evan Royster became the newest Shanahan nobody to have some fantasy value. Royster had 132 yards on the ground with two catches for 15 yards against a Minnesota defense that usually keeps backs in check. The Eagles defense was essentially a turnstile, but they've turned up the heat in stopping the running game quite a bit. Nevertheless, Ryan Torain was cut today and if Roy Helu can't go, you'll want to start Royster as a flex in almost any league.

Bottom Line: He should be owned in just about every league.

Maurice Morris- All signs indicate that Kevin Smith will be inactive with his gimpy ankle for Sunday's tilt with the Pack. Morris probably won't get a featured load with youngster Joique Smith likely to contribute. Morris has nice value in PPR leagues since he caught nine balls back on Thanksgiving against the Pack and could have a similar impact. The Lions are playing for the fifth seed and giving Morris most of the RB work makes a ton of sense.

Bottom Line: The Lions should be scoring a lot against the GB backups and Morris seems like a lock for double-digit points this week. He should be more valuable than some guy on your bench.

Kendall Hunter- The Niners are get an awesome matchup against the 32nd-ranked St. Louis run defense. This situation compares favorably to Big Ben and how the Steelers sat him. The Niners may do just that with their best player in Frank Gore. Hunter is probably already owned in your league, but if he's not be sure to grab him since he would be an RB1 should the Niners decide to keep Gore inactive.

Bottom Line: Crazier things have happened and it wouldn't be a total shock to see Gore in NFL approved sideline gear.

Jacquizz Rodgers- Michael Turner is running out of gas, folks. As mentioned above, the Falcons could have nothing to play for and this could lead to the Quiz Show. Yes, that was lame. I know.

Stevan Ridley- The Patriots rotation in the backfield is about as predictable as Magic 8 Ball. Ridley seems to have a firm grasp on the top spot with his 13 carries compared to BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Bottom Line: Green-Ellis is trash and Ridley could be a sleeper for a big game on Sunday against the weak Buffalo D.

Brandon Saine- Ryan Grant is a bit old and James Starks isn't quite healthy. Brandon Saine would be useful in the event that those two fellows are inactive. If either guy is active, it would be tough to start him though.

Dion Lewis- LeSean McCoy is banged up a bit and the Eagles have nothing to play for. They might want to see what they have in Lewis against a division foe. This is obviously only for owners that are extremely desperate.

Wide Receivers

James Jones- He had a monster two-TD game and is a no-brainer add with how he's likely to lead the team in targets. Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley might see a little rest and Greg Jennings is out. James is a WR2 at this point of the week.

Jacoby Ford- J-12 could see his first action since November with a foot sprain and could resume his old duties of starting. The Raiders are in a must-win situation against the Chargers. Coincidentally, Ford was going off against the Chargers in the game where he hurt his foot and could be a very sneaky play this week.

Randall Cobb- Cobb should see nearly triple the amount of snaps at wide receiver this week. Even though the Packers will not have all of their high-powered passing attack active, they shouldn't deviate too much from their usual game plan. I'd expect Cobb to have a big game.

Tight End

Jared Cook- Where the heck was this all year? Cook absolutely exploded on Saturday with 169 yards and a TD. Cook was a major part of the the preseason plans, but for some reason it took until this point of the season to make him a primary contributor. There aren't many better options at TE this week as they take on the Texans who have nothing to play for.

If you have any questions about which guys to add or drop (including some guys that I might not have listed in this edition because I don't like writing about the same guys for three weeks in a row), send them to me on Twitter or post them below!

Thanks again for reading all season and it has truly been my pleasure!