Early Waiver Wire Week 17: Best fantasy championship week pickups include Malik Willis, Olamide Zaccheaus, Tyler Shough, FAAB tips

Early Waiver Wire Week 17: Best fantasy championship week pickups include Malik Willis, Olamide Zaccheaus, Tyler Shough, FAAB tips originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With the fantasy playoffs in full swing, it's essential to stay alert when managing the waiver wire. NFL news and performances continually create new opportunities and challenges.

Staying updated with the fallout from each week's games can help you spot missed waiver-wire pickups. This can give you a massive advantage for your fantasy football championship.

Keep scrolling for every player pickup suggestion in our Week 17 fantasy football waiver wire report.

Week 17 waiver wire: Best fantasy pickups

Consider spending a few of your FAB dollars on these one-week plays for your fantasy football playoffs.

Malik Willis, QB, Packers (0%)

With Jordan Love going down with a concussion, Malik Willis was thrown into a game with a challenging environment and huge playoff implications.

Outside of the costly fumble in OT, Willis looked solid as the Packers' starter. The fourth-year QB out of Liberty completed a beautiful 33-yard touchdown to Romeo Doubs.

Another element to Willis' game is his rushing upside. He had 10 attempts for 44 yards, which is fantastic for fantasy football. Due to the chance Love misses, Willis could be a valuable asset if you are weak at the QB position. Malik Willis FAAB: 5% 

Olamide Zaccheaus, WR, Bears (2%)

While the fantasy points did not necessarily come in the Bears' thrilling win over the Packers, the potential is there for Olamide Zaccheaus. 

Zaccheaus played 86% of the snaps for the Chicago offense. This can be explained by Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, who are dealing with injuries and missing time.

Zaccheaus is a clear top-two WR for the Bears behind DJ Moore. In Saturday's game, he was targeted like it, placing second on the team in targets. Olamide Zaccheaus FAAB: 5%

Raheim Sanders, RB, Browns

With Quinshon Judkins suffering what seemed to be a season-ending injury, Raheim Sanders took over the backfield. 

While the matchup in Week 17 is against the Pittsburgh Steelers, if the workload stays the same, Sanders is someone to keep an eye on if you are weak at the position. Raheim Sanders FAAB: 5%

Best fantasy championship week streamers

QB Fantasy Streaming Pickups

Tyler Shough, Saints (13%)

Since Week 13, Shough has been awesome for fantasy football. The rushing upside is on full display in these games for the rookie quarterback. In Week 17, he'll face the Titans defense, which has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (41%)

This season has been all over the place for McCarthy. However, he's shown glimpses of being able to produce for fantasy football. In Week 18, the second-year QB out of Michigan will face the Detroit Lions. Last time McCarthy played the Detroit defense, he scored three total touchdowns.

Max Brosmer (0%): With McCarthy going down in Week 17, Brosmer can be a potential answer in a solid matchup with the Lions. 

TE Fantasy Streaming Pickups

Colston Loveland, Bears (43%)

While Loveland has a quiet game in Week 17, his usage has noticeably changed since the bye week. In Week 18, he'll get to play a San Francisco defense that is in the bottom 10 in allowing fantasy points to TEs.

AJ Barner, Seahawks (12%)

There is legit upside in starting Barner if you have no better options at the position. While he may not be a consistent option like McBride or Bowers, Barner has shown the ability to have big games. Why not take the dart throw in the championship round?

Team Defense (D/ST) Fantasy Streaming Pickups

Pittsburgh Steelers (65%)

Not only is the Browns' offense nothing to write home about, but Cleveland has also shown an inability to play good special teams. The Steelers are an excellent defense to start in Week 18.

New England Patriots (48%)

This game means a lot for the Patriots' playoff seeding. Following their Week 15 loss to the Bills, New England cannot slip up if they want to win the AFC East. The Patriots won't play with their food in this one, and they'll handle the Jets in Week 18.

Kicker Fantasy Streaming Pickups

Daniel Carlson, Raiders

Indoor matchups are your best friend when it comes to picking a kicker in December. Not only does Carlson get a dome, but the Raiders face the Giants in what should be a decent game, all things considered.

Will Reichard, Vikings

That indoor matchup is ever so important. On top of that, the last time Reichard faced the Lions, he had an outstanding performance, drilling a 50-yarder and other kicks.