Sneaky Waiver Wire Adds for Week 17

I’m going to keep this short and sweet for obvious reasons. It’s Christmas Eve, a time for family, and it’s Week 17, a time for fantasy football dumpster fires.

I typically do my 15 Transactions article at this point in the week, but with he majority of fantasy owners not active, I figured it’d be more helpful to just give you a few players to add if your league is still going. Be prepared: It’s not pretty.

Knile Davis, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Perhaps the most intriguing option off the wire this week is Knile Davis, who should see significant action with the Chiefs having the five seed locked up in the AFC. Jamaal Charles got you to the championship, but he’s not going to be able to help you win one.

There’s opportunity against San Diego, who rank 31st according to our rush defense metrics. The problem is that the Chargers have seen the second-fewest rushing attempts against this year, so they’ve been above average in terms of allowing fantasy points to the position. That being said, Davis still should have a decent day when he inevitably gets the rock over Charles.

Kyle Orton, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo’s doubtful this weekend with a back injury, and backup Kyle Orton will more than likely be starting for the Cowboys in a game against the Eagles that will determine the NFC East winner. Advantage Philly, sure, but Romo owners playing in Week 17 may want to look Orton’s way if the league is a deep one.

Kyle Orton’s kind of like a box of chocolates – you really have no idea what you’re going to get. Historically, he’s had a season with a -99.94 Passing NEP, one of the worst we’ve seen since the year 2000. But he also had decent 2009 and 2010 campaigns in Denver, posting 29 Passing Net Expected Points.

The main reason Orton should get looks this week, however, is because of the matchup. Philadelphia ranks 24th in the league against the pass according to our metrics, and they’ve allowed the sixth-most fantasy points this year to signal-callers. If you’re in a bind, Orton may be able to bail you out. Just don’t get silly and start him over proven commodities.

James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers

Rookie running back Eddie Lacy won’t be practicing until Thursday because of an ankle injury, making Starks a security add this week. If Lacy doesn’t end up running out onto the field, Starks will face the absolute best matchup imaginable against Chicago. The Bears continue to struggle against the run, and aside from a Week 14 game against the hapless Browns, they’ve allowed at least 123 running back rushing yards in each game since Week 6. Get Starks just in case.

Terrelle Pryor, QB, Oakland Raiders

Pryor is getting the start for Oakland this week in a game that means nothing but pride for the Raiders. They’ll take on the Broncos in an attempt to play first-seed spoiler, a rematch between these teams from Week 3.

And Terrelle Pryor started that game 13 weeks ago, compiling 20.8 standard fantasy points, his second-highest total of the season. Pryor’s always a threat with his legs, and could be a high-upside quarterback play for a fantasy team facing an uphill battle in the championship. We have him listed as the 15th-best quarterback option this week.

Ryan Griffin, TE, Houston Texans

With Garrett Graham (and Owen Daniels) sidelined, rookie tight end Ryan Griffin has stepped up by catching 11 passes for 128 yards in his two starts for the Texans. It’s unclear who will be starting at quarterback for Houston this week, but whoever is under center will be looking Griffin’s way in a tight end-friendly offense. He’s a decent streamer for the final regular season week.

Miami Dolphins Defense

Miami’s defense has been mediocre-at-best over the last three weeks, capturing just a single turnover in each game. But they’ll be facing the Jets in Week 17, a team that scored just three points against the Dolphins in Week 13, turning it over three times.

Miami needs a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and I’d expect them to, in Miami, take advantage of a bad Jets offense.