Good evening. If you’re reading this, you probably made the finals in at least one league, further proof that you are special. Let’s gooo!! Big congrats.

And yes, we are late with this email. We made the mistake of asking Brock Purdy to throw this to your inbox. Guess where we found it?

Note: With handcuff RBs no longer relevant, today’s newsletter highlights the Week 17 adds. If you roster any handcuffs without a starting role (in non-keeper/dynasty), drop them to block your opponent at other positions, including D/ST.

WEEK 17 WAIVERS

RB: Fresh Prince Of Helaire

Clyde Edwards-Helaire should be the Chiefs’ workhorse for the fantasy championships. An underwhelming talent, expect CEH to see a heavy amount of touches against a struggling Bengals run defense. If he is available, don’t overthink this one. Use the rest of your FAAB to secure a viable RB2, per Samuel Sherman of EstablishtheRun.

Zamir White: Unlikely to be available, but White now has two games of 20+ touches with an average of 16 PPR points per game. We don’t know if Josh Jacobs (quad) returns this week.

• Chris Rodriguez: The Commanders rookie RB out-carried Antonio Gibson and is a strong start (if healthy… he rolled his ankle late in Week 16 and was spotted in a boot).

• Gus Edwards: After he rushed nine times for 31 yards and a TD, it’s clear Edwards is a TD or bust RB against the Dolphins in what could be a high-scoring Week 17 matchup.

• Khalil Herbert: The Bears RB had 20 rushes for 112 yards and a TD in Week 16, making him an intriguing dart throw. The only risk is the return of D’Onta Foreman (personal).

• Justice Hill: Hill led the Ravens backfield in carries and targets. While Gus Edwards is the goal line back, Hill offers a decent floor in PPR leagues.

PASS CATCHERS

WR: Demario Douglas ⏰ 

Patriots rookie WR Demario Douglas caught 5-of-8 targets for 74 yards in Week 16. Per Samuel Sherman of EstablishtheRun, since Week 7 Douglas has an impressive target share of 23% and a targets-per-route-run rate of 25%. He’s the WR1 in this (weak) offense and offers the highest floor among WRs available.

Romeo Doubs: Doubs had five targets and 18.0 fantasy points in Week 16. With Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks all injured and uncertain for Week 17, Doubs could have a strong target share. Great catches and TD grabs (8 this season) are his calling card.

• Jameson Williams: Williams caught 5-of-6 targets for just 43 yards. But with back-to-back weeks of target shares of 22% and 16%, per ETR, Williams is looking less like I hope he catches a deep ball and more like he might catch two… 

• K.J. Osborn: He had five catches for 95 yards and a TD last week, and now both Jordan Addison (ankle) and T.J. Hockenson (knee) are likely out in Week 17. High floor/upside combo for this WR4.

• Josh Palmer: With Keenan Allen likely out for the season, the Chargers WR1 should continue to be the main receiving threat for the depleted offense. It’s a tough matchup this week (Broncos), but Palmer has enough volume to be a starter.

• Rashid Shaheed: You know the drill. Either 18+ points or under 7 points.

TE Gerald Everett has three straight games of 20+% target shares, and is quietly averaging 10 PPR points over his last five games, per Samuel Sherman of EstablishtheRun. He’s a no-brainer streamer TE for anyone desperate for a TE.

TE Tyler Conklin is another option, as the Jets TE has now seen 6+ targets in four straight and faces the Browns defense giving up 17 fantasy points per game to TEs over the last four weeks, per the Fantasy Points Staff.

• TE Logan Thomas had 36 yards and a TD, most of it coming very late with Jacoby Brissett at QB. If Brissett starts in Week 17, Thomas is a potential streamer. Yes, Sam Howell is bad.

QB: Not Sam Howell

The case for Jacoby Brissett. In his last three games, Sam Howell has completed just 32.4% of his passes for just 4.0 yards per attempt (YPA), 1 TD, and 4 INTs. Yikes. Brissett has completed 78.3% of his attempts for 9.7 YPA and 3 TDs. Best of all, Commanders’ might even win with Brissett under center. Despite a tough 49ers matchup this week, Brissett could be a streamer.

Of course, we still need Riverboat Ron to sign off.

• Joe Flacco now has the second-best odds (+400) to win Comeback Player of the Year. The Browns QB was QB5 in Week 16 with 23.8 points on 368 passing yards and 2 TDs. He now has straight Top 10 QB games. Despite facing a tough Jets defense in Week 17, Flacco is firmly on the streaming radar in a revenge game against the team that didn’t want him.

• Jake Browning: He’s had two tough outings in his five starts, both against the Steelers. Still, Browning has been good for 16.4+ FP and 275+ passing yards in four straight games heading into a tougher matchup against the Chiefs this week, per the Fantasy Points Staff.

This is a crazy throw for Joe Flacco to make 👇️ 

Keep an eye on:

A helpful review of major injuries suffered by skill-players this weekend.

D/ST

Defense Wins Championships

Raiders (@ Colts). The Raiders went into Arrowhead and locked down Patrick Mahomes and now have an outside shot to win their division. Meanwhile, the Colts are giving up the 10th-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses over that last month, per Eric Samulski of NBC Sports.

• Chiefs (vs Bengals)

• Jets (@ Browns)

• Broncos (vs Chargers): Broncos should come out swinging against Easton Stick with their playoff chances on the line.

• Bills (vs Patriots): Pats are giving up the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing defense over the last month.

• Texans (vs Titans): Titans offense has given up 13 sacks in their last two games and has given up the 2nd-most fantasy points to opposing defense over the last month, per Eric Samulski of NBC Sports.

• Rams (@ Giants): It’s the Giants.

• Jaguars (vs Panthers): It’s the Panthers.

• Packers (@ Vikings): The Vikings allow the 3rd-most fantasy points to opposing defenses over the last month and can’t decide on a starting QB for Week 17.

Tweet of the Day

Not true, right? Asking for a dynasty holder of Purdy.

Goodluck this week, hope you are enjoying the holidays. And GOODLUCK with those waiver claims!

And remember: if you ever need motivation, don’t watch Jonathan Gannon’s offseason speech.

Jake, Eddie, Marcus & Sean