FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Jake Ciely’s Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets For Week 17 (Ep. 1913)

Dec 22, 2025
Jake Ciely, a fantasy football analyst for The Athletic, joins Joe Pisapia to discuss critical waiver wire pickups for championship week. Jake highlights must-adds like Emmanuel Wilson due to Josh Jacobs' injury and analyzes how injuries affect the Browns' backfield with Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders. He also targets Luther Burden as a sleeper and discusses Jawhar Jordan's potential upside. Samaje Perine earns mention as a valuable spot-start option while Taysom Hill is labeled TE1-worthy, making this a treasure trove for fantasy managers!
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ADVICE

Grab Emmanuel Wilson Immediately

  • Do prioritize picking up Emmanuel Wilson if he's available because he'll see lead back work with Josh Jacobs injured.
  • Jake Ciely says Wilson can immediately enter RB2/FRinge RB1 conversations depending on the quarterback and Jacobs' status.
ADVICE

Target Browns Backups With Caution

  • Do target Dylan Sampson or Raheim Sanders in deeper leagues after Quinchon Judkins' season-ending injury.
  • Jake Ciely warns both are risky starts, with Sanders showing a 65-35 split in a previous game and Sampson dependent on injury recovery.
ADVICE

Pick Up Luther Burden If Starter Misses

  • Do add Luther Burden if Roman J. Dunsé (Diontae Johnson / Romello?) is out, especially in Week 17 lineups.
  • Jake Ciely says Burden saw more opportunities when the primary receiver missed games and could be a WR3/bye-week fill-in.
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