Fantasy football waiver wire: Best running backs available in Week 17

For most of the fantasy football world, their season is over. The championships were in Week 16, so congratulations if you won, and condolences if you lost. Now we sit back, prepare for the real-world NFL playoffs, and maybe start talking to our families again.

That is, unless you’re in one of those leagues that plays into Week 17, which is weird, but we’ll try to help you out anyway. Week 17 can be tricky from a fantasy standpoint, given the number of playoff teams likely to rest starters, and non-contenders phoning it in with nothing to play for.

Therefore, the main focus should be on targeting teams still fighting for a playoff spot, especially if they’re playing one of those checked-out teams. If you play in a keeper or dynasty league, it’s also not too early to start planning for 2018, so take a look at some young names on the waiver wire who could be next year’s breakout stars.

With that in mind, for one final time this season, let’s look at the top waiver wire running backs, owned in 50 percent or less of Yahoo! leagues.

Bernard’s been an afterthought for most of the year, but he re-emerged in recent weeks with Joe Mixon struggling to stay healthy. He had by far his best game of the season in Week 16, racking up 168 total yards and a touchdown as the Bengals shocked the Detroit Lions. Mixon might be back for Week 17, but it’s possible the Bengals shut him down after he suffered multiple injuries in a short amount of time. If Mixon sits, Bernard will be a risky flex against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Cardinals have been more or less playing for pride since November, but Williams is still chugging along as the lead back. He had another quiet-but-efficient game in Week 16, getting 65 total yards on 18 touches against the New York Giants. With Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert under center, Arizona hasn’t been afraid to feed Williams. He’ll be back on the RB2 radar against the Seattle Seahawks, whose run defense has been suspect in recent weeks.

Having fully replaced Doug Martin as the starter, Barber once again led the Bucs’ backfield. He mostly struggled against the Carolina Panthers front seven, but still managed 55 total yards on 15 touches. Although the Bucs are just playing out the string, they nearly pulled the upset win over Carolina and will surely be motivated to cost the New Orleans Saints a division title. Barber had 54 total yards against the Saints when these teams played in Week 9.

Mack had some waiver wire buzz early in the year, but cooled off while taking a backseat to Frank Gore down the stretch. Maybe that will change in the finale if the Colts decide to give 34-year-old Gore some rest. Mack hasn’t seen 10 touches in a game since Week 8, and he’s too risky of a starter for Week 17 leagues. Nevertheless, he’s shown some flashes of promise and will enter 2018 as a popular sleeper candidate if the Colts move on from Gore.