NFL Waiver Wire Workout: Week 17

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Because league formats vary, one size doesn't fit all when it comes to your waiver wire. That's why I break possible free agent adds into three categories, all of whom are available in fewer than one-third of Yahoo! leagues. Follow me on Twitter for the latest on possible additions to your fantasy roster.

Adam Thielen, WR, MIN (owned in 29% of Yahoo! leagues). Don't bet into a winning streak! I guess! Heading into Week 16, Thielen was a question mark because he'd suffered a neck injury on a big hit against the Colts. But he shrugged off such concerns with a 202-yard, two-TD effort as he single-handedly tried to keep the Vikings competitive with the Packers. Minnesota's Week 17 game versus the Bears means nothing, but with Stefon Diggs still battling a hip/groin issue, Thielen gets one more chance to shine.

Brandon LaFell, WR, CIN (25% owned). A.J. Green is officially out for Week 17, and the player I affectionately call "Uncle Duck" is a legit fantasy starter if your league rolls with a two-week final. (Which it should not do!) LaFell's usually-variable hands have been reliable since Green's injury and he looks pretty fast on the field, too. Just in time to fool another franchise in free agency!

Alfred Blue, RB, HOU (8% owned). The Texans have the AFC South locked up, and will be the conference's No. 4 seed. That means Lamar Miller gets a week to rest his injured ankle, and Blue will probably handle a big workload against the Titans. He's not great, but volume counts!

Alex Collins, RB, SEA (1% owned). The Seahawks still have plenty to play for in Week 17. This early in the week, we don't know whether Thomas Rawls, who left last week's loss with an injured shoulder, will play against the 49ers or rest for the playoffs, which means Collins is worth adding in all formats. If he gets the start against a historically bad San Francisco run defense, he could be a Week 17 hero.

Darren McFadden, RB, DAL (5% owned). At least he's fresh! The Cowboys probably won't ask Zeke Elliott to do much in Week 17, and once the rookie hits the bench, DMC could be first in line for a monster workload mopping up the regular season. Alfred Morris (10% owned) could also be in play.

Titans Defense (25% owned). The Titans spit the bit in a big situation against the Jaguars and now are eliminated from playoff contention, but in Week 17 they get a Texans offense that will rest it players and not do anything too crazy before heading into the playoffs. I hate Tennessee's secondary, but trust the front seven to give a surprisingly positive year a decent send-off. Similar logic could also lead you to using the Washington Defense (13% owned) against the resting Giants.

Players listed in previous weeks who are still adds: J.J. Nelson, WR, ARI (26%).

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, TB (18% owned). Dirk Koetter got cute in Week 16, benching All-Pro Doug Martin and rolling with 'Quizz as his starter. Rodgers was okay—he powered in for a short score and had a couple short catches—but the Buccaneers lost and Koetter may have lost Martin in the process. Martin's contract isn't cuttable in '17, but I'm a fan and wish he could get away from Tampa. Regardless, not knowing which back Koetter might ride Sunday against the Panthers, I'd be apt to stay away from all of 'em. Still, if Martin is out again, Rodgers would at least get some work.

DeAngelo Williams and Fitzgerald Toussaint, RBs, PIT (19% and 1% owned, respectively). D-Willy was active Sunday night in Pittsburgh's big win over Baltimore, though he never saw the field. If the Steelers rest their guys in a meaningless Week 17 tilt against the Browns, who comes in at running back? Would it be Williams, in an effort to get him ready for a backup role in the playoffs? Or would it be Toussaint, who's healthy and who won't be a playoff factor?

Carson Wentz, QB, PHI (29% owned). With the NFC's No. 1 seed wrapped up, how long will the Cowboys play their defensive starters? This feels like a game filled by garbage time with lots of juicy attempts for the rookie Wentz to get more experience.

Jermaine Kearse, WR, SEA (4% owned). Tyler Lockett suffered a gruesome-looking broken leg Sunday, whereupon Doug Baldwin exploded as Seattle's only remaining reliable receiver. But doesn't somebody else have to see an uptick in targets? The erratic Kearse is a candidate, and his great plays are great. But he can also disappear at a moment's notice.

Shaun Draughn, RB, SF (1% owned). Carlos Hyde tore an MCL on a nasty hit Sunday and won't play in Week 17 versus the Seahawks. You'd rather not have to use anybody on the woeful 49ers, but Draughn could get double-digit touches and he's not an awful player. Realize that DuJuan Harris and even Mike Davis could also get looks.

Zach Zenner, RB, DET (2% owned). Zenner pretty much played the Theo Riddick role Monday night against the Cowboys, and if Riddick can't return for the Lions' Sunday night showdown against the Packers, Zenner will probably do it again. He's proven to be a good receiver and he gets what's blocked. He'll be a dart throw, but not a horrendous one.

Charcandrick West, RB, KC (13% owned). You'd only think about adding West if we discover that Spencer Ware's rib injury will prevent him from playing Week 17 against the Chargers, and even then, I'd worry Tyreek Hill would out-touch West.

Players listed in previous weeks who are still speculative adds: Colin Kaepernick, QB, SF (32%); Mike Gillislee, RB, BUF (24%); Chris Thompson, RB, WAS (21%); Paul Perkins, RB, NYG (14%); Charles Sims, RB, TB (18%); Dwayne Washington, RB, DET (12%); Marqise Lee, WR, JAC (17%); Eli Rogers, WR, PIT (9%); Robby Anderson, WR, NYJ (10%); Phillip Dorsett, WR, IND (17%); Vernon Davis, TE, WAS (27%); Charles Clay, TE, BUF (18%).

Tony Romo, QB, DAL (8% owned). The Cowboys will have nothing to play for in Week 17 in Philly. So why the hell not? It seems unlikely Dak Prescott will make more than a cameo appearance. Romo! Leading your two-QB team to a title! (Okay, probably not really.)

Corey Grant, RB, JAC (0% owned). T.J. Yeldon re-injured his ankle and Chris Ivory seemed to tweak his bad hamstring in Week 16's win against Tennessee, If both veterans have to miss the finale in Indy and Denard Robinson is still out with his ankle problem, Grant could get a great big workload.

DuJuan Harris, RB, SF (2% owned). Draughn was the initial choice to replace Carlos Hyde in Week 16, though Harris was also active. Mike Davis could also be a factor.

Rod Streater, WR, SF (0% owned). With Torrey Smith done for the season, Streater has TDs in back-to-back games. He probably won't keep that up against Seattle.

C.J. Uzomah, TE, CIN (1% owned). Tyler Eifert won't play Week 17, so Uzomah could get five targets or so against the Ravens.

Players listed in previous weeks who are still addable in deep leagues: Matt Barkley, QB, CHI (5%); Matt Moore, QB, MIA (2%); Tom Savage, QB, HOU (1%); Rex Burkhead, RB, CIN (6%); Kenjon Barner, RB, PHI (0%); Kenny Stills, WR, MIA (12%); Ted Ginn, WR, CAR (29%); Deonte Thompson, WR, CHI (0%); Dion Sims, TE, MIA (1%).