Fantasy Football Quarterback Waiver Wire Adds for Week 17: Trevor Lawrence, Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold and More

Another week of fantasy football is nearly in the books, so let's start looking over some waiver wire options, starting at the quarterback position.

Check back later for more waiver wire stories as week 16 wraps up and week 17 nears.

Check out fantasy football waiver wire targets all season on FantasySP. 

Should You Add Trevor Lawrence?

Lawrence was good again this week as a fantasy QB, this time against a good Denver defense. He was 23-of-36 passing for 279 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, while adding 20 rushing yards and a score on six carries.

He has a below-average matchup coming against the Colts in week 17, but with how he's been playing of late, I don't know how you don't start Lawrence in all leagues in week 17. At least consider him heavily.

Lawrence was 17-of-30 for 244 yards, two TDs and no picks in week 14 against the Colts. He added 16 rushing yards on four scrambles.

He's not available in a ton of leagues, and he should be scooped up in every league before week 17 kicks off.

Should You Add Caleb Williams?

Williams led another comeback win to help the Bears top the Packers and earn a playoff spot. He was 19-of-34 passing for 250 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Williams added 30 rushing yards on three carries.

He will have an above-average matchup against the Niners in week 17 to take advantage of. I like Lawrence over him, but Williams is another pretty solid starting option for all leagues.

For those playing in week 18 as well, he has a favorable matchup in that week against the Lions, so he can be held through the end of the season most likely.

Should You Add Sam Darnold?

Darnold was mostly good in a huge Thursday win over the Rams. He was 22-of-34 passing for 270 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. Darnold added seven rushing yards on three carries.

His week 17 matchup will be a tougher test against the Panthers, but Darnold is at least a good deep-league asset in that one. I think there's better standard league adds for week 17, but he can at least be part of the conversation.

Darnold is just a bit too up and down for my liking.

Should You Add the Washington QB?

Marcus Mariota has been starting for Washington, but it was Josh Johnson" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#player-pop-up" href="/nfl_player_news/Josh_Johnson/">Josh Johnson" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#player-pop-up" href="/nfl_player_news/Josh_Johnson/">Josh Johnson who finished week 16 for the Commanders. 

Whoever starts in week 17 will have a great matchup against Dallas. It's the most favorable matchup a quarterback can have this season.

Mariota completed half of his 14 passes this week before leaving with hand and quadriceps injuries. He threw for 95 yards, no scores and no interceptions, while adding nothing as a rusher.

Johnson was 5-of-9 as a passer, throwing for 43 yards, no scores and a pick. He also added nothing as a rusher.

Mariota is the safer fantasy option of the two, but his injuries will knock him down a peg, even if he ends up starting and getting through the game. Both are just deep-league assets, but in really deep leagues, that super favorable matchup could really help some fantasy owners out.

Should You Add Quinn Ewers?

Ewers had an OK passing day, but no scores and some turnovers hurt his fantasy score. He was 20-of-30 passing for 260 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Ewers added five rushing yards on two carries.

It wasn't a very good showing in a great fantasy matchup. Ewers will get a chance at redemption this coming week, as he's got a favorable test against the Buccaneers.

Ewers is just a deep-league asset, but with a start under his belt now, maybe the rookie could deliver some better fantasy results in week 17.

Should You Add Geno Smith?

Smith had a surprisingly decent fantasy score in week 16 against a top-end Houston defense. He was 16-of-23 passing for 201 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while not adding anything as a runner.

It was one of his better fantasy showings over the past six starts. And after showing up against a better defense, his stock is a bit improved for week 17.

He has a good matchup coming against the Giants, so Smith has some deep-league appeal. Smith is still a very risky fantasy starting option, but there's reason to give him a chance in some deeper setups in week 17.

Should You Add Jacoby Brissett?

Brissett finally struggled as a fantasy QB, and it came at a terrible time, as it was the semifinal round of the playoffs for many last week. He was 16-of-31 for 203 yards, one touchdown and one interception - he rushed for five yards on his lone carry.

He has a chance to bounce back in week 17, so I'm not ready to banish him to the bench. The Bengals are one of the better fantasy matchups a QB could have, so I'd be happy to fire Brissett up in a lot of leagues again in week 17.

Check back later in the week to see where Brissett ranks in my week 17 fantasy QB rankings!

Should You Add Shedeur Sanders?

Sanders was decent in week 16 against the Bills, but his fantasy score wasn't all that good. He was 20-of-29 passing for 157 yards, a score and two interceptions - Sanders rushed for 49 yards on four carries.

So really, if you take out the interceptions, Sanders was a pretty solid fantasy QB in week 16. 

He will make his first career start against the Steelers in week 17. Pittsburgh is one of the better fantasy matchups a quarterback could have, so Sanders will be a deep-league option.

Should You Add the Minnesota QB?

J.J. McCarthy started the team's win over the Giants in week 16, but it was Max Brosmer who finished the contest off. 

Whoever makes the week 17 start will have a good matchup coming against the Lions on Thursday. 

McCarthy was 9-of-14 passing for 108 yards, no touchdowns and a pick before leaving with a hand injury. He rushed for 20 yards and a score on two carries.

Brosmer was 7-of-9 passing for 52 yards, no scores and no picks. He didn't add anything as a rusher.

McCarthy is the far safer fantasy starting option, but with an injury to worry about now, he'll be a better deep-league option. Brosmer would be just a deep, deep league option if he ends up starting. The favorable matchup against the Giants is at least reason to consider whoever starts for Minnesota though.

Should You Add Tyler Shough?

Shough led the Saints to another win in week 16 over the Jets. He was 32-of-49 passing for 308 yards, a score and no interceptions. Shough rushed for eight yards on two carries.

The 49 attempts were easily the most he's had this season, but his fantasy production was up again - he has 17 or more fantasy points in four straight, and five of his past six appearances.

He's trending up as the season winds down and he has another pretty favorable test against the Titans in week 17. Shough is already a good deep-league starting option, and I don't think it's crazy to consider him in standard leagues for the final couple weeks of play.

Should You Add Cameron Ward?

Ward delivered one of his better fantasy outings of the season as his Titans took down the Chiefs. He was 21-of-28 passing for 228 yards, two scores and no picks - Ward rushed for nine yards on four rushing attempts.

Ward has a couple nice fantasy outings in a row, so he too is showing some promise late.

A tougher test (on paper) against the Saints awaits in week 17, but after a couple nice outings in a row, Ward has some deep-league starting upside. 

Should You Add Aaron Rodgers?

Rodgers had his worst fantasy showing in the past three weeks, but still had over 15 fantasy points. He was 27-of-41 as a passer, going for 266 yards, a score and no interceptions. He rushed for nine yards on two attempts.

He has a tougher test in week 17 against the Browns, but with how he's been playing of late, Rodgers is a deep-league starter with standard league upside to some.

He was 21-of-30 passing for 235 yards, two touchdowns and no picks, plus added a rushing yard in his first start against Cleveland this season. Another similar outing is doable this coming week, so consider Rodgers again for week 17.