StatChat Waiver Wire — Week 17 (2025): One last push for the trophy

Waiver wire plan for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season. Updated December 30, 2025.

Quick note on timing: NFL Week 17 games ran Dec 25–29, 2025. If your league processes waivers today (Tuesday, Dec 30) for late adds or multi-week finals, these are the best sub‑60% rostered options from the freshest news and usage trends. Each blurb includes why they’re a priority, Week 17 context, and key contingencies to monitor.

[Tier 1 — Priority RB volume you can start]

Backs with lead or 1B roles tied to recent injuries/usage spikes.

Blake Corum, RB — LAR

• →FAAB: 15–25% (a bit more if you needed MNF points or to block)
• →Availability: ~42% rostered (Rotoballer)
• →Monitor: Monitor Kyren Williams’ health and any post-MNF practice notes; if Williams had a setback, Corum’s role would spike. citeturn5search6

Corum has carved out a weekly 1B role behind Kyren Williams and has scored in four straight, averaging strong explosive-run and missed-tackle rates. The Rams’ heavy personnel has fed both RBs, and Corum’s red-zone usage keeps him in the RB2/FLEX mix, especially in favorable fronts like Atlanta’s. Priority add for touchdown equity even in a split. citeturn5search2turn5search3

• →Source: FantasyPros Week 17 Outlook; Sharp Football Worksheet (Rams-Falcons)

Michael Carter, RB — ARI

• →FAAB: 12–18%
• →Availability: ~42–44% rostered (Rotoballer)
• →Monitor: Confirm Cardinals’ injury report through the week; if a back is unexpectedly activated, Carter’s target/carry share could dip. citeturn4search0

Arizona elevated Carter and leaned on him after a rash of RB injuries (James Conner, Trey Benson, Bam Knight all on IR). Carter has handled 14–15 touches per game lately and projects as the lead back in a backfield that funnels checkdowns; matchup with Cincy was exploitable on the ground. Volume-driven RB3/FLEX. citeturn4search6turn4search2

• →Source: Cardinals place Conner on IR, promote Michael Carter; FantasyPros Week 17 Outlook

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB — WAS

• →FAAB: 10–15%
• →Availability: ~51% rostered (Rotoballer)
• →Monitor: Check mid‑week illness/availability for Rodriguez Jr.; if he’s back, expect more of a split. Washington’s QB situation (Mariota banged up; Josh Johnson starting) can also swing RB game scripts. citeturn11news13turn11news12

With Chris Rodriguez Jr. inactive (illness), Croskey‑Merritt ripped Dallas for 105 yards and two TDs on Christmas, showcasing big‑play juice in a thin backfield. Even if Rodriguez returns, Croskey‑Merritt has earned a sizable slice and goal‑line looks. Priority depth with immediate upside. citeturn11search1turn11search4

• →Source: ESPN recap: Cowboys 30, Commanders 23 (Croskey‑Merritt 2 TD); Commanders.com stats & snaps

[Tier 2 — WRs on the rise]

Late‑season usage spikes with immediate startable appeal.

Parker Washington, WR — JAX

• →FAAB: 8–12%
• →Availability: ~23–32% rostered (Rotoballer)
• →Monitor: Jacksonville’s WR room is healthy again (Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr.), so target volatility exists week to week; still, Washington’s role has grown. citeturn7search5

Back‑to‑back 100‑yard games and double‑digit targets with Trevor Lawrence humming. Led the Jags with 8/115 vs. IND and continues to be a trusted intermediate/YAC option. Strong PPR play. citeturn7search3turn7search5

• →Source: CBS: Parker Washington 8-115 vs. Colts; Jaguars Wire standout recap

Troy Franklin, WR — DEN

• →FAAB: 5–8%
• →Availability: ~51% rostered (Rotoballer)
• →Monitor: Game plan can skew run‑heavy in positive script; Franklin’s ceiling tied to 6–8+ targets. citeturn10search5

A steady target earner for Denver with eight of his last 15 games over 38.5 yards and recent 60–80+ yard games. Continued full‑time role with Bo Nix keeps him in the WR3/FLEX streaming mix. citeturn10search2

• →Source: DraftKings Network: Troy Franklin Week 17 prop profile

[Tier 3 — Streamer QBs for late‑week pivots]

If you needed a championship streamer, these were the best sub‑60% options.

Trevor Lawrence, QB — JAX

• →FAAB: 5–10% (or use remaining FAAB)
• →Availability: ~51–52% rostered (NFL.com/Rotoballer)
• →Monitor: None beyond standard QB volatility; Jaguars’ playoff seeding could influence Week 18, but Week 17 usage was elite. citeturn7search4

Lawrence entered Week 17 on a torrid run (14–16 total TDs over his previous four) and again delivered in a divisional win at Indy (263 yards, two rushing TDs). If somehow still available, he’s a plug‑and‑play every‑week starter. citeturn9search4turn7search4

• →Source: NFL.com Week 17 Waiver Wire (Lawrence sub‑60%); FOX box score JAX–IND

Tyler Shough, QB — NO

• →FAAB: 3–7%
• →Availability: ~3–15% rostered (PlayerProfiler/NFL.com)
• →Monitor: Saints are thin at WR/OL, which can raise volatility week to week. Track practice reports. citeturn3news14

Rookie has led four straight wins and just set a career high (333 yards, 2 TD) at TEN while completing 81% of his passes. Viable streamer with a hot hand. citeturn3search0turn3search2

• →Source: AP/ESPN recap: Saints 34, Titans 26 (Shough 333-2)

Jacoby Brissett, QB — ARI

• →FAAB: 3–5%
• →Availability: ~47% rostered (NFL.com)
• →Monitor: Arizona RB injuries can keep pass volume high; weather in Cincy was a consideration. citeturn9search0

High drop‑back volume Arizona offense plus return of Marvin Harrison Jr. buoyed Brissett’s streaming case vs. a forgiving Cincinnati pass defense. Solid floor play for late adds. citeturn9search4

• →Source: RotoBaller Week 17 Waivers: Brissett outlook

[Tier 4 — Tight end help (routes and red‑zone)]

If you were streaming TE, this rookie surged into weekly relevance.

Colston Loveland, TE — CHI

• →FAAB: 6–10%
• →Availability: ~43–46% rostered (NFL.com/Rotoballer)
• →Monitor: Monitor Luther Burden III’s quad (initially not thought serious); if he sits or is limited, Loveland’s target share stays elevated. citeturn2news12turn2search0

Rookie first‑rounder delivered 6/94/1 in the SF shootout and has earned steady targets from Caleb Williams in the red zone. With Chicago’s rookies surging, Loveland is a viable late‑season streamer. citeturn8search2

• →Source: Bears.com Week 17 recap (Loveland 94 yards & TD); NFL.com Week 17 Waiver List (Loveland sub‑60%)

[Deep League Radar & Streaming Watch]

• →

  Dalton Schultz (TE — HOU) — Volatile but still a volume route‑runner on a playoff offense; floor play if you were stuck at TE. Note: only 3-19 in Week 17 vs LAC, but usage remained. citeturn12search1 (FAAB: 3–6%)

  • →Source: CBS Fantasy blurb: Schultz 3-19 in Week 17
  • →Monitor: TD‑or‑bust tendencies; Houston’s WRs soaking up explosives limit ceiling. citeturn12news14
  • →Availability: ~53–54% rostered (Rotoballer)
• →

  Emanuel Wilson (RB — GB) — Change‑of‑pace back who could see expanded Week 18 work if Josh Jacobs is managed; minimal Week 17 usage but remains a speculative stash. citeturn6search1 (FAAB: 1–3% (deep benches))

  • →Source: CBS: Wilson four touches in Week 17; Packers.com RB health context
  • →Monitor: Track Packers’ RB health and any rest decisions for Jacobs. citeturn6search0
  • →Availability: ~37–38% rostered (Rotoballer)
• →

  Jayden Reed (WR — GB) — If he was cut during injury/inactivity, Reed’s target earning makes him a worthwhile add when healthy, especially with Packers’ QB injuries forcing underneath volume. citeturn9search3turn6news13 (FAAB: 5–8% if dropped)

  • →Source: RotoBaller Week 17 Rankings (Reed sub‑60%)
  • →Monitor: Monitor practice reports (foot/shoulder earlier in Dec) and GB’s QB status. citeturn6news14
  • →Availability: ~48–50% rostered (Rotoballer)

[Close it out]

Housekeeping: double‑check your league’s waiver timing and any Week 18 settings. If your championship concluded last night, congrats — but if you’re in a two‑week final or your league runs through Week 18, stash Tier 1 now and monitor the risk flags above. We’ll update again if any late‑week injury/designation changes shift roles.

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Good luck on the wire—let's build championship depth.