Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: RB - Week 17

December 29, 2011 @ 13:05:16

By Tim Heaney
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: QB | RB | WR | TE | PK | DT

If you are serious about winning your fantasy league football championship, stay on top of your fantasy football team throughout the year.

Each week during the NFL fantasy football season, KFFL brings you its Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, which breaks down players to pick up. Be aggressive when picking up fantasy football free agents. Even if you do not need a player, you can tuck him away for depth or block others from adding him to their fantasy football team.

Note: Percentage of polled leagues in which player is available in parentheses

Fantasy football free agents: One-week plays

The following fantasy football pickups are for those who need injury or bye week replacements. They are not players you immediately acquire - unless your team is in dire straights. Some have, however, shown some life and should be followed in case they materialize as options beyond their temporary use.

Evan Royster, Washington Redskins (90 percent)

Ridley could be gold

Even if Roy Helu Jr. (toe, knee) plays in Week 17, Royster now is the sole recipient of secondary backup touches now that Ryan Torain was cut. Royster went for 132 yards on 19 totes, along with two catches for 15 yards, against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday. He's a solid option for goal line work along with his complementary role, at minimum.

He'll get a chance to run on a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has improved but still lets running backs produce ample stats. Philly's Wide 9 has allowed 103.3 rushing yards, 5.75 catches and 34.8 receiving yards per game to the position since Week 12. Royster looks comfortable in Washington's system and, even if he's the No. 2, should offer flex value.

Isaac Redman, Pittsburgh Steelers (74 percent)

Even if Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) starts the regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns, how much will he play? It'd probably be best for the Steelers to attack the Browns on the ground: Cleveland has been trampled for 152.5 rushing yards, 4.75 catches, 43.5 receiving yards and one offensive paydirt hit per game since Week 12. Redman can contribute through the air, so as a complement to Rashard Mendenhall, he could thrive.

Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots (86 percent)

Ridley has seen 24 carries over the last two weeks for 129 yards. This might not be just another case of New England backfield randomness; Ridley's fresher legs have outperformed BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead lately. The Pats have been known to run a bit more as the weather turns colder.

New England's Week 17 opponents, the Buffalo Bills, have little run resistance to speak of: 168.5 ground hashes, 4.25 receptions, 35.8 receiving yards and one offensive score allowed to carriers per game over the last month.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: QB | RB | WR | TE | PK | DT

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Tim Heaney

Since the Boston University alum joined KFFL in 2006, his work has been featured by USA Today/Sports Weekly and Yahoo! Sports, among numerous publications.

Tim competes in Tout Wars and LABR and appears every Wednesday on 1570 AM WNST in Baltimore, as well as frequently on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio.

Follow him on Twitter.

See More Articles by Author

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

Fantasy football players in the news (05/23)
Fantasy Football: Philadelphia Eagles D will fly again (05/22)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/22)