NFL.com offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy football team. The number listed in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent.
Sam Bradford, QB, Rams (69.0 percent)
Bradford hasn't been a consistent contributor for fantasy owners, but he's still had an impressive rookie season overall. He was solid against the 49ers, putting up 292 yards and one touchdown in a 25-17 win. This week Bradford faces a terrible Seahawks defense with the NFC West crown on the line, so he'll be motivated to produce a nice stat line.
David Garrard, QB, Jaguars (65.9 percent)
Garrard has been i this column multiple times, but no one wants to trust him on their fantasy team. Well, it's hard to argue with the level of production he's had over the last three weeks. In that span, he's averaged a stout 19.9 fantasy points on NFL.com. With a matchup against a bad Texans pass defense up next, Garrard has some serious starting appeal.
Tim Tebow, QB, Broncos (81.4 percent)
Let the Tebow fantasy mania begin! The rookie quarterback put up his second consecutive monster stat line in Week 16, throwing for 308 yards with two total touchdowns in a win over the Texans. Those totals were good enough to score more fantasy points than both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady! Clearly, Tebow needs to be added if you play in Week 17.
Michael Bush, RB, Raiders (36.5 percent)
The Raiders have nothing to play for in Week 17, so there's a chance Darren McFadden (ankle) will be held out when the team faces the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City has already clinched the AFC West title, but they could still earn the No. 3 seed in the conference. Regardless, Bush hwill have added value if McFadden is forced to miss the season finale.
Brian Westbrook, RB, 49ers (60.3 percent)
In the five games since Frank Gore was injured and lost for the season, Westbrook has recorded double-digit fantasy points twice and scored a total of three touchdowns. The veteran runner isn't about to re-capture his past fantasy glory, but he can still be a useful flex option against a Cardinals defense that has been dreadful against the run all season.
James Jones, WR, Packers (90.2 percent)
Jones has seen more opportunities to produce in the Packers offense in recent weeks, scoring a touchdown in each of his last two games. He's also scored averaged a solid 12.5 fantasy points on NFL.com in those contests. The Packers need to beat the Bears to clinch a postseason berth in Week 17, so James has some appeal in fantasy leagues.
Jerome Simpson, WR, Bengals (99.9 percent)
If I had told you that Simpson would be the highest-scoring fantasy wide receiver in Week 16, you'd have thought I had a little too much egg nog on Christmas Day. But shockingly, it was true. With Terrell Owens done for the season and Chad Ochocinco injured, Simpson has sudden value for those owners who play their title game in Week 17.
Mike Thomas, WR, Jaguars (77.7 percent)
Thomas, a Week 16 sleeper on NFL.com, more than met expectations with six catches, 96 yards and one touchdown in a loss to the Redskins. While he can be unreliable in the stat sheets, his increase in targets with Mike Sims-Walker at less than 100 percent is cause for continued optimism in Week 17. So is a very favorable matchup against the Texans.
Owen Daniels, TE, Texans (50.0 percent)
Daniels has had a tough 2010 campaign overall, but he's clearly getting healthy and can now be a solid option for owners still playing in Week 17. The veteran had 13.30 fantasy points against the Broncos, and he'll remain a top option in the pass attack for Matt Schaub in the finale - especially if Andre Johnson's bum ankle keeps him out of action.
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots (56.3 percent)
With Aaron Hernandez out of action, Gronkowski became a popular target in the pass attack for Tom Brady against the Bills. The rookie finished with 54 yards and two touchdowns, giving him an impressive nine scores on the season. The Pats have nothing to play for in Week 17 and could decide to rest Hernandez again, so Gronkowski could be a nice option again.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question for Michael on anything fantasy football related? Leave it in our comments section or send it to **AskFabiano@nfl.com**!
