Week 17 Waiver Wire: Breakout Pickups, Targets and Tips for Fantasy Football

If your fantasy league is still going ahead of Week 18, you have a tricky task ahead of you.

Most championships have been decided given that in Week 18, teams could be resting starters ahead of the playoffs.

But whether it be for seeding or even home-field advantage and a first-round bye, some teams still have plenty to play for. And those players tend to be prime options to plug into your lineup in the final week of the regular season.

Other teams will have to start unheralded players because of injuries or having to unexpectedly cut a player who walked out mid-game. More on that in a minute.

After Sunday's afternoon games, we have identified some of the breakout players from Week 17 action, as well as players who are smart starts for Week 18, to analyze what you can expect from them as you close out your fantasy season.

Ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 17 game against the Washington Football Team, which they won 20-16, CBS Sports' Ben Schragger reported running back Boston Scott was taking reps over Jordan Howard in warm-ups and advised fantasy managers to start the former.

Those who listened got a heck a day from Scott, who, prior to Sunday Night Football, was the third-highest-scoring running back in fantasy in Week 17. Scott had 14 attempts for 47 yards and two touchdowns and also went 4-of-4 in the receiving game with another 39 yards through the air. It was all good enough for 24.60 points.

The good news for anyone still playing fantasy in Week 18 is that Scott is only rostered in 31 percent of leagues, so there's a decent chance he's available in yours.

Scott's snap-count share is obviously not easy to judge, but the team clearly knows it has something special with him. NBC Sports Philadelphia's Reuben Frank called him the "best short-yardage and goal-line back on the team."

Braxton Berrios broke out in Week 16 with his 102-yard kickoff return touchdown. But on Sunday, he proved to fantasy managers that he's worthy of a spot in your lineup even outside of his special teams contributions. 

Berrios logged two touchdowns before the first half of the Jets' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was out, finishing his day with two rushes for 12 yards and a touchdown and eight receptions for 65 yards and the second score. It was good enough for 25.70 points.

His heroics in the Jets' near upset of the Bucs helped to create the tension that saw Tampa Bay wideout Antonio Brown walk out mid-game. He was consequently cut from the team.

Berrios' sudden production has come as the Jets while Elijah Moore has been absent from the lineup, which is a situation fantasy managers should monitor heading into Week 18. But if your team is dealing with COVID-19 issues or injuries, Berrios, who is rostered in just 6 percent of leagues, is a great breakout target.

With the Buccaneers cutting Brown in dramatic fashion and Chris Godwin missing action Sunday, the stage was set for wideout Cyril Grayson Jr. to have himself a day. 

And that's exactly what he did, catching six of his eight targets for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Right now, Scotty Miller and Grayson are keeping the Bucs' passing game afloat. The Bucs are still competitive heading into Week 18, but they couldn't rest any starters even if they wanted to—there simply aren't enough bodies.

None of that, however, is to take away from what Grayson accomplished. The 28-year-old, who did not play college football, was not rostered in any league heading into Sunday's action, and we can be sure that isn't going to be the case for Week 18.

Even if he doesn't match his Week 17 total of 20.10 points, he's a perfect example of circumstance and production meeting in the middle.

All scores are points-per-reception (PPR), and all rankings are via FantasyPros. Roster percentages via FantasyPros and based on Yahoo leagues.