Week 17 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Waiver Adds: Quentin Johnston, Parker Washington 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 wide receiver 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 WR waiver pickups for Week 17. Good luck and happy holidays.

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Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (48% Rostered)

Time is a flat circle. The season ends as it began. Johnston has a huge game just when everyone has written him off. Do I think QJ will score 18 fantasy points again in Week 17? No. He only saw five targets this week (17% share) on a 69% route participation rate. 

But QJ clearly has a role as a big-play threat in this Chargers' offense. That role makes him a potential boom/bust flex option … although the move from facing the Cowboys' defense to facing the Texans' defense is a massive step in the wrong direction, so proceed with caution. 

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (12.4% Rostered)

Like with QJ, I honestly don't feel great about Washington heading into Week 17. But I simply have to acknowledge the third-year slot receiver popping off for six catches, 145 yards, and a TD on 10 targets against an elite Broncos' defense. 

At the very least, Trevor Lawrence is cooking right now, and Washington has a role as his slot receiver. The Jaguars face the Colts in Week 17, who do rank as the third-softest matchup for wide receivers. Washington is another risky play, but that's what is available on waivers at this time of year. 

Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (55.7% Rostered)

Don't look now, but Reed actually played a full-time(ish) role on Saturday. His 84% route participation rate led the Packers and was nearly 20% above his previous season high. Of course, routes are no guarantee of fantasy points — he saw just three targets (13%), catching all three for 35 yards. 

But Reed has always been productive on a per-route basis. I trust that larger sample more than I trust this one week. If he can maintain this higher route share next week against the Ravens, he has a great chance to come through with a clutch fantasy performance.

The Packers' WR room is crowded as ever, and both Romeo Doubs (50% rostered) and Christian Watson (49%) are also worth considering, but Reed as a full-time player is the best bet of the bunch.  

Olamide Zaccheaus, Chicago Bears (3% Rostered)

Speaking of players who ran routes without much to show for it on Saturday night, we have Zaccheaus. With both Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze sidelined, the journeyman posted an 87% route participation rate, second only to D.J. Moore. He saw four targets (12% share), catching two for 33 yards.

Obviously, the results weren't great last week, but Zaccheaus has had some decent fantasy outings this year. He's worth considering in deeper formats if Odunze and Burden remain out for the Bears' Week 17 matchup with the 49ers.  

Mack Hollins, New England Patriots (2.9% Rostered)

Over the Patriots' last three games, Hollins has averaged a 21% target share and a 35% air yards share. Of course, he has also averaged just 6.8 half-PPR points. Stefon Diggs returning to a more full-time role last night (a 78% route rate up from below 60% each of the previous two weeks) also hurts his outlook. 

But the Patriots have an elite offense and face a terrible team in the Jets next week. They might also be looking to let Drake Maye pad his stats a bit to help his MVP case. Hollins having a role in this offense is enough to make him a viable dart throw flex option, especially if Kayshon Boutte (head injury) is sidelined.