Week 17 of the 2025 season is here, and the waiver wire is buzzing with genuine intrigue. Injuries, depth chart shuffles, and a pair of high-profile quarterback battles are reshaping rosters across the league. PlayCaller's beat reporter signals have been lighting up all week, so let's cut through the noise and get you the names worth adding before your deadline hits.
Tagovailoa is pushing hard for the starting job in Atlanta after the Falcons' offseason shake-up. Michael Penix is dealing with a knee injury that is bearing close monitoring, and if Tua wins the competition outright, he steps into an offense with Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and a supporting cast built to produce fantasy points. The upside here is enormous if the injury news on Penix worsens over the next few days.
Pitts just wrapped a bounce-back season with an 88-928-5 line and is locked in for 2026 at top tight end money. His value is tied to the Falcons' quarterback outcome, but regardless of whether Penix or Tua wins the job, Pitts figures to remain a focal point in this offense. He is worth stashing now before his price rises further.
Murray was signed by Minnesota this offseason and is locked in a genuine competition with J.J. McCarthy for the starting role. McCarthy himself has acknowledged the battle is real. If Murray wins the job, he becomes an immediate streaming option with rushing upside and a solid offensive supporting cast around him. Add him in deeper leagues and monitor camp reports closely.
Love projects as Arizona's featured back heading into the new season with real big-play ability as both a runner and a receiver. The Cardinals' backfield is crowded with Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, and Trey Benson also in the mix, but Love has the highest ceiling of the group. Benson is widely expected to be traded before Week 1, which would thin out the competition. Love is a speculative but high-upside add in any format.
Daniels is working back from injury and drew positive remarks from head coach Dan Quinn about his mental sharpness upon return. If he is healthy and locked in as Washington's starter, Daniels is one of the more dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the game. He warrants a pickup in any league where he remains available, with the caveat that his health should be monitored through the week.
Branch arrives in Atlanta after a breakout college season at Georgia posting 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns. He brings slot versatility and return value that could earn him early snaps. There is off-field risk to note after an arrest on misdemeanor charges this past Sunday, so proceed with caution, but the talent and opportunity in Atlanta make him worth a speculative add in deeper leagues.
Robinson joined Atlanta this offseason and is expected to serve as Bijan Robinson's top handcuff. His role mirrors what he did in San Francisco last season as a reliable complementary back. In deeper leagues or best ball formats, he is worth a pickup purely as insurance behind one of the more valuable running backs in fantasy football.
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