Each week I'll list the best widely available free agents for fantasy football — I define "widely available" as being owned in around half of all ESPN or Yahoo leagues — and some guys who are probably better off in the free agent pool than collecting dust on your roster.
Follow me on Twitter @UTEddieBrown if you have questions throughout the week.
Here are my best bets off the waiver wire for Week 17:
ADD
— RB Rashaad Penny, Seahawks (ESPN: 44%; Yahoo: 70%): Dropping Penny after his dud against the Rams would've been a mistake (one I advised against). He has 311 yards on 44 carries (7.1 yards per attempt) and three touchdowns in the last three games and has a matchup at home against the Lions for Championship Week.
— WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (ESPN: 62%; Yahoo: 69%): St. Brown shouldn't be available in this many leagues. Since Week 13, only Cooper Kupp, Tee Higgins, Justin Jefferson and Davante Adams have been better in standard formats.
— QB Trey Lance, 49ers (ESPN: 5%; Yahoo: 12%): The No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft will likely get the start at home against the Texans. If you're not confident in your starter and a big underdog in your matchup, Lance is your lottery ticket.
— TE Gerald Everett, Seahawks (ESPN: 17%; Yahoo: 43%): Russell Wilson is looking more and more like himself and Everett has been a top-eight option at tight end across all formats since Week 10.
— RB Dare Ogunbowale, Jaguars (ESPN: <1%; Yahoo: 2%): Ogunbowale finished with 72 total yards and a touchdown on 19 touches in relief of an injured James Robinson. His opponent this week, the Patriots, are much more vulnerable against the run than they are the pass.
— BONUS: WR Josh Palmer, Chargers (ESPN: 7%; Yahoo: 5%): Palmer has at least five receptions, 43 yards and a touchdown in two of the last three games. Mike Williams (COVID-19) has already been ruled out this week.
— BONUS: RB Justin Jackson, Chargers (ESPN: 48%; Yahoo: 68%): Jackson will return to his complimentary role with Austin Ekeler activated of the COVID-19 reserve list, but there's still flex value here because he was being utilized in high-leverage red-zone situations recently with a healthy Ekeler.
— BONUS: WR Allen Lazard, Packers (ESPN: 16%; Yahoo: 24%): Lazard has a touchdown in five of his last eight games and will face a very bad Vikings secondary this week. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (ESPN: 15%; Yahoo: 40%) has at least four receptions, 50 yards or a touchdown in three of his last four games if he's activated off the COVID-19 reserve list. Both are solid flex options with this matchup if both are available.
— BONUS: RB Rex Burkhead, Texans (ESPN: 24%; Yahoo: 14%): If David Johnson is out another game, Burkhead becomes a viable flex option with at least 15 touches in five of the last six games.
— BONUS: WR Isaiah McKenzie, Bills (ESPN: <1%; Yahoo: 2%): The unvaccinated Cole Beasley isn't guaranteed to return this week. McKenzie smashed against a really good pass defense as Beasley's replacement in the slot — 11 receptions (12 targets) for 125 yards and a score.
— BONUS: RB Boston Scott, Eagles (ESPN: 13%; Yahoo: 16%): I imagine Jordan Howard (ESPN: 9%; Yahoo: 17%) will play a role if he's healthy enough, but Scott is a proven commodity when he receives double-digit touches (something he will almost certainly get against Washington).
— BONUS: WR Kadarius Toney, Giants (ESPN: 24%; Yahoo: 22%): Toney garnered nine targets in his return. Sometimes you bet on talent winning the day.
— BONUS: D/ST Panthers (ESPN: 36%; Yahoo: 22%): Who knows who will suit up for the Saints this week, but Carolina matched up well with them when they were closer to full strength to the tune of seven points, four sacks and two interceptions in a Week 2 win.
— BONUS: D/ST Bears (ESPN: 13%; Yahoo: 17%): The Giants are already in offseason mode and opposing defenses have double-digit points in four of the last six games.
— BONUS: D/ST Patriots (ESPN: 85%; Yahoo: 91%): If this squad is available in your league — 15% of ESPN leagues and nine percent of Yahoo leagues — you better pounce because they could be a difference maker against the Jaguars.
DROP
— RB James Robinson, Jaguars: Robinson tore his Achilles in Sunday's loss to the Jets.
— RB Darrell Henderson, Jr., Rams: Henderson was placed on injured reserve because of a right MCL sprain.
— RB Miles Sanders, Eagles: Sanders won't play Sunday due to suffering a broken right hand against the Giants.
— RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs: Edwards-Helaire's collarbone injury wasn't season-ending, but he'll likely miss at least one game.
— WR Mike Evans, Buccaneers: Evans has an uphill battle to play in Week 17 since he has to clear COVID-19 protocols and his hamstring has to be healthy. It makes the most sense for a championship contender like Tampa Bay to rest one of its superstars until the playoffs.
