AJ Barner, Brenton Strange highlight the top waiver wire wide receiver targets entering Week 17.
Hello! Happy holidays and welcome to the Week 17 waiver wire watch for tight ends!
This is the end of the line. Championship week is here for most fantasy leagues and whether you’re gunning for the title or trying to avoid the humiliation of finishing last, your fantasy season comes down to one final matchup. So its time to start looking for ways to fortify your rosters for the grand finale.
We’ll go over some performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 17 and as always, we’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at the max. There are three games set for Christmas on Thursday and two games set for Saturday, so make sure to get your lineups situated early this week.
AJ Barner, TE, Seattle Seahawks (18.2%)
Many playmakers played a hand in the Seahawks’ frantic 38-37 overtime victory over the Rams on Thursday and chief among them was Barner. He maneuvered his way around the Rams defense and got open for a 26-yard fourth-quarter touchdown that ended up tying the game for Seattle. He ended his night with a respectable line of four receptions for 49 receiving yards and the aforementioned score.
This marked the first time the second-year Michigan product had found the end zone since his two-touchdown day against the Buccaneers way back in Week 5. They’re going up against a Panthers team that has given up the 10th-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends this year, so there’s a chance for him to have a repeat performance from last Thursday.
Week 17 matchup: @ Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars (37.6%)
Six straight wins for the Jaguars makes for a team that is hitting their stride just in time for the playoffs and they’re getting quality performances from multiple playmakers on offense. Strange is in that camp and he came away with five catches for 39 receiving yards and a second-quarter touchdown in their 34-20 victory over the Broncos on Sunday.
Trevor Lawrence has spread the wealth around his offense and Strange has popped up as a beneficiary from time to time, recently posting a 93-yard performance against the Cardinals in Week 11. If you’re in your championship game and need a waiver option that will give you a shot in the arm, then you’d want to seek out Jags playmakers like Strange.
Week 17 matchup: @ Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET
Chig Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans (15.1%)
The Chiefs’ season is effectively over and the Titans took advantage of the state of the fallen AFC power with a 29-9 victory on Sunday. It was the best game of the season for Cam Ward and one of the guys that he leaned on was Okonkwo, who caught six of eight targets for 44 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Okonkwo continues to lead the Titans in receiving and he entered Week 16 with the third-highest catch rate among starting tight ends at 76.3%. He’s bound to keep getting fed targets in these final weeks, so keep him in mind.
Week 17 matchup: vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints (42.5%)
Don’t look now, but the Saints have rattled off three straight victories and may be creating some momentum heading into the offseason. Their 29-6 burial of the Jets on Sunday saw a strong effort from Johnson, who was a reliable hand for Tyler Shough throughout the afternoon by catching eight of nine targets for 89 receiving yards in the big win.
Johnson has quietly been a top-10 fantasy tight end in all scoring formats all season long and has been the second-leading receiving option for the Saints this year. If tight end is what you’re lacking for your championship showdown, why not lean towards the veteran.
Week 17 matchup: @ Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
Category: General Sports
