Week 17 QB and TE Waiver Adds: Derek Carr, Joe Flacco, Chigoziem Okonkwo, and More!

The fantasy playoffs are in full swing and I hope this article finds you still alive. We're very much in win-or-go-home mode, so any waiver adds need to be in service of this week. If you don't win this week...there is no tomorrow. It's time to stop thinking about bye week depth and time to start thinking "will I start this guy this week?" or "will adding this guy keep my opponent from potentially starting him?"

With running backs and wide receivers coming in a separate article, let's take a look at the quarterbacks and tight ends you should be scooping off the waiver wire for Week 17.

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Quarterback

(ownership percentages are based on ESPN leagues)

Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns (12.8 percent)

Flacco is an even weirder add for the fantasy playoffs, but again, here we are. With the Browns in position for a surprising AFC playoff spot, Flacco has put up at least 16 fantasy points in all four of his games this season and is coming off a 24-point fantasy performance that was good for QB3 in Week 16. He has a tough matchup against the Jets this week, but the Jets have one foot in the offseason so I'm not too worried about their tough defense. While interceptions have popped up for Flacco over the last two games (he has five touchdowns to five picks during that span), I think he's still worth an add for this week. 

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (22.4 percent)

I didn't think I'd be writing about Derek Carr being a good add for the fantasy playoffs/championships, but here we are. Carr has put up back-to-back 20-plus point games and has the Saints in position for a playoff spot as they face the Buccaneers this week. Carr is always a bit of an adventure, so I don't know if we can ever feel good about starting him, but he's in position to be a QB1 against a mediocre Bucs defense this week. Over his last two games, Carr has thrown for six touchdowns and zero interceptions, and he just threw for 319 yards in Week 16. I know it doesn't feel good, but Carr is worth scooping off your waiver wire if he's out there.

Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers (0.5 percent)

We're getting into VERY risky territory here, but I can't ignore what Rudolph did against a Bengals team that is playing for its playoff life. Rudolph put up 290 yards on the Bengals on Saturday and added two touchdowns to George Pickens. I will never tell you that Rudolph is a good quarterback, but he has a pretty decent supporting cast around him and will get to play a Seahawks defense that hasn't been able to stop anyone lately. While I most definitely wouldn't feel good about using Rudolph as my starting quarterback in the fantasy playoffs, it's worth adding him just to keep him away from someone else in your league. 

Tight End

(ownership percentages are based on ESPN leagues)

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (8.1 percent) 

Kraft has been on here for the last two weeks, and I'm keeping him here as he is still producing -- and is still available in a lot of leagues. With the Packers wide receiver room dealing with injuries, Kraft has stepped in with six targets in three of his last four games and double-digit fantasy points in each of his last three. There's no reason for Kraft to be on waivers at this point, and he's a borderline TE1 against the Vikings this week. 

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans (30.9 percent)

We're getting Chiggy with it again?!? Yes, we've been fooled a few times, but I'm a glutton for punishment. Okonkwo was TE2 in Week 16 with Ryan Tannehill back under center and should have the same quarterback this week. He's been seeing consistent targets with at least six in three of his last four games and just scored his first touchdown of the season. Okonkwo is a little risky, but has a solid matchup against the Texans. And which waiver tight end isn't risky at this point?

Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers (25.9 percent) 

We've all been trying to chase the wide receiver who will gobble up vacated targets for the Chargers, but Everett has been the answer. He's seen eight targets in three straight games and has quietly been putting up solid fantasy numbers. He's scored double-digit fantasy points in two of his last five games, and has put up at least eight fantasy points in all five. That isn't league-winning stuff, but it's also a very high floor if you're looking to just get by at tight end. 

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