Week 17 Fantasy Football Running Back Waiver Targets: Rhamondre Stevenson, Raheim Sanders and More

If you're reading this, congrats on making the fantasy football championship! (Unless you're reading this despite being eliminated or playing in a league that includes Week 18; in either case, it's time to reevaluate your life choices.) 

Because Week 17 is literally the only thing that matters at this point, I will keep this week's player running back waiver wire breakdowns short and to the point. If a player might make your lineup this week, add them. If they won't, don't (with rare exceptions if you are strong at a position and want to block your opponent from adding someone). It's that simple.

With that in mind, here are the top RB waiver pickups for Week 17. Good luck and happy holidays.

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

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (67.1% Rostered)

Patriots rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson suffered a head injury in New England's Sunday night win over the Ravens. In his absence, Stevenson claimed literally 100% of the snaps and touches in the Patriots' backfield. 

In leagues where he is available, Stevenson is the top RB add — he will be a borderline must-start if Henderson is out for New England's easy Week 17 matchup with the Jets. 

Raheim Sanders, Cleveland Browns (0.6% Rostered)

Henderson wasn't the only rookie RB out of OSU to suffer an injury on Sunday; Quinshon Judkins suffered a gruesome season-ending leg injury. With Dylan Sampson (hand) and Jerome Ford (shoulder, IR), out, Sanders stepped up as the Browns' RB1 after Judkins went down. The UDFA rookie handled 11 attempts to Trayveon Williams' three, although the latter did lead in routes (11 to five) and targets (four to one). 

The Browns take on the Steelers in Week 17, which isn't an ideal matchup. Their offense also remains one of the worst in the league. With these facts in mind, Sanders isn't too exciting. But he's an RB1, which might make him worth adding for desperate managers. (Keep an eye on Sampson as well, but he didn't practice at all last week so I'm currently guessing he won't return for Week 17). 

Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals (44% Rostered)

If he's available in your league, Carter is likely a better option than Sanders. He led the Cardinals' backfield in snaps (54%), route rate (52%), carries (11), and targets (two) this week. On the downside, his RB rush share was just 50%, as Emari Demercado and Corey Kiner combined for 11 carries. But Carter was still the clear RB1.

This is a particularly intriguing development because the Cardinals get to face the Bengals in Week 17. Cincinnati has been by far the best fantasy matchup for running backs this season, and Carter will be a viable flex play against them. 

Audric Estime, New Orleans Saints (23.6% Rostered)

With Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal both sidelined, Estime was the Saints' RB1 on Sunday … kind of. Estime led the team's RBs in snap share (57%), carries (five), route rate (55%), and targets (four). But 35-year-old TE Taysom Hill was actually the leading rusher, carrying the ball 14 times.

If we're trying to be optimistic, it appears the Saints were trying to feature Hill in what was likely the long-time fan favorite's final game in New Orleans. He set season highs in usage across the board, including six targets and a 38-yard passing TD. 

If Hill's usage goes back to normal next week, Estime could be a viable play against the very beatable Titans. Of course, we (probably) won't know before the game whether that will happen, so he's a risky option.   

Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (36.5% Rostered)

If you want a safer (but perhaps less high-upside) option for Week 17, check your waivers for Rodriguez. In his return from injury, he reclaimed his role as the Commanders' lead rusher, carrying the ball 15 times (63% share) on a 57% snap rate. 

Interestingly, he also led the backfield with a season-high 40% route participation rate. Especially if Quinnen Williams is sidelined again, he could be the unheralded player to save your fantasy season. 

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (43.1% Rostered)

Corum has now finished as a top-20 RB in four straight weeks. However, has done so mostly on the back of five rushing TDs, while clearly remaining the second fiddle behind Kyren Williams.

Still, he's seeing real work, with double-digit carries in each of the last three games. Especially given the Rams face the lowly Falcons next week, he could easily keep his hot streak going with another trip to pay dirt and another solid outing.  

Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals (3.8% Rostered)

Speaking of second fiddles who might still be useful, we have Perine. The veteran back trailed Chase Brown in every important stat on Sunday … but his final line of 39% snap share, 36% route rate, seven carries, and three targets for 11.1 half-PPR points wasn't terrible (although, like Corum, most of his production was thanks to a TD).

The main reason I'm even mentioning Perine with this meh usage is that the Bengals get to face the Cardinals in Week 17. Early lines have them with implied totals at or above 30. In that kind of environment, even a clear 1B can have value. Especially given Perine is available in over 95% of leagues, he might be just what your deepest team needs in championship weekend. 

Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers (40.6% Rostered)

Josh Jacobs fumbled late in the third quarter of the Packers' loss to the Bears, and he did not return. Even before that, the team's usual RB1 had been less involved than usual after beginning the day very questionable with a knee injury. Wilson led the team with 14 carries.

If we knew for sure that Jacobs would be absent for Week 17's matchup with the Ravens, Wilson would be much higher up this list. He's a borderline must-start as the RB1 in Matt LaFleur's offense. However, no reporting has indicated that Jacobs actually suffered a further setback on the injury front.

Right now, the most likely outcome is that the veteran will once again tough it out, leaving this backfield in a state of flux and Wilson essentially unplayable. So Wilson is more of a luxury add if you don't need RB help but would be able to start him if Jacobs were to be ruled out.