There are many other quality candidates available on the wire outside my write-ups. Players like 49ers RB Kendall Hunter, Raiders WR Denarius Moore, Eagles TE Brent Celek and even Vikings QB Joe Webb, if he starts. Be sure you check the waiver wire carefully before assuming it's empty. This is it, and you want to make every move count.

QUARTERBACKS

Kyle Orton, Chiefs (19 percent ownership)
Orton threw for 300 yards, one TD and two interceptions and is facing his former team this week. Despite the Broncos doing him a favor and releasing him, I'm sure he would savor a little payback against a team that really never had faith in him entering the season. Orton has a two-game average of 299.5 yards and is still a little bit of a high-risk pickup and play against a Broncos team determined to get into the playoffs.

Matt Flynn, Packers (2 percent ownership)
Flynn almost beat the Patriots on national television, and some say he could start for another team. If the Packers do indeed begin to rest their players, Flynn is worth a shot considering how deep the offense is with talent. However, it's only a recommendation for owners in deep or two-QB leagues. With the Lions coming to town, it could be exciting.

RUNNING BACKS

Toby Gerhart, Vikings (43 percent ownership)
Gerhart (11-109-0) was let go by many when Adrian Peterson returned, but they'll scramble to try to reclaim him. Adrian Peterson (knee) is out long-term, leaving Gerhart as the Week 17 starter and probably the starter entering 2012. From Week 12-16 he has averaged 17.8 utilizations for 94.4 yards from scrimmage and 0.8 TDs and has done it with both his legs and hands. He has value against the Bears this week.

Kahlil Bell, Bears (34 percent ownership)
Bell (23-121-0 rushing and 4-38-0 receiving on four targets) has probably passed Marion Barber on the depth chart and faces a Vikings defense that gives up yardage to pass receiving backs and is a demoralized team after losing RB Adrian Peterson (knee) long-term.

Evan Royster, Redskins (5 percent ownership)
Royster (19-132-0 rushing and 2-15-0 on four targets receiving) had a huge game and makes a one-week play against the Eagles if Roy Helu (ankle, toe) can't start. Make sure you check Helu's status before assuming he's a pickup and play.

Donald Brown, Colts (25 percent ownership)
Brown (11-35-0 rushing and 2-13-0 on three targets) did not have much upside against the Texans, and these results were expected. However, he does have fantasy value in Week 17 against a Jaguars team that has struggled with injuries. His Week 15 performance (16-161-1) was not a fluke in terms of his ability to be a playmaker, but the team is so bad, you should view him as a flex back with minimal upside as Joseph Addai (19-59-0 rushing and 1-8-0 receiving) is back to full health.

Dexter McCluster, Chiefs (38 percent ownership)
McCluster (3-15-0 rushing and 5-89-0 receiving on seven targets) has a high risk/reward as this is what we expected could happen with Kyle Orton at quarterback, but it's a committee backfield, limiting his touches. However, as a pass receiver, he has value in PPR leagues. 

Stevan Ridley, Patriots (4 percent ownership)  
Ridley (13-64-0) leads the team the last two weeks in carries with 24. We could be seeing the team transition to fresher legs for the playoff run, and he's facing the Bills. He's available in almost all leagues and warrants a pickup. 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (41 percent ownership)
Thomas (4-76-0 on eight targets) continues to show he's the team's No. 1 today and next year. He has a four-game average of 5.5 catches for 103.5 yards and 0.75 TDs and is a must-start in Week 17. Remember, despite the four-game run here, he's been defying the statistical odds of a goose-egg based on QB Tim Tebow's lack of accuracy and teams focusing on him. He's still worth a shot while he's hot.

Malcom Floyd, Chargers (57 percent ownership)
Floyd (6-95-1 on 13 targets) had his third-best fantasy game of the year, and if you remove his Week 14 performance (2-29-0), he has a three-game average of five catches for 99.7 yards and one TD. He's available in a number of leagues, and if Vincent Jackson (groin) continues to struggle, he could be the go-to WR this week. 

Jabar Gaffney, Redskins (58 percent ownership)
Gaffney (6-77-1 on eight targets) was a recommended play this past week because he's simply so steady. Since the Week 13 game where he didn't have a catch on three targets, he has a three-game average of six catches for 84.7 yards and 0.7 TDs. Against the Eagles he warrants fantasy consideration despite a Week Six performance of 2-55-0.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders (31 percent ownership)
Heyward-Bey (4-70-0 on five targets) has a chance to end the season on a high note. He has a three-game average of 5.7 catches for 101 yards and 0.3 TDs. He also has two TDs the past four games, so he warrants fantasy consideration against the Chargers.

Nate Burleson, Lions (43 percent ownership)
Burleson (6-83-0 on seven targets) couldn't get it done this season with TDs as he only had three, but he did end the season for most fantasy owners on a high note with a two-game average of 6.5 catches for 82 yards and 0.5 TDs on nine targets. Those are solid low-end No. 1 or No. 2 fantasy numbers, but his consistency has left much to be desired, with eight games of 39 yards or fewer. That includes a stretch from Weeks Three through Eight that saw only one TD and his best yardage output at 34 yards, making him a bit of a risk, despite his recent play.

James Jones, Packers (55 percent ownership)
Jones (4-50-2 on six targets) was this week's fantasy star from the Packers, but he could give you a goose egg next week just the same. However, the team could rest its starters and give players like Donald Driver, TE Jermichael Finley and even Jordy Nelson rest, allowing Jones more snaps.

TIGHT ENDS

Jared Cook, Titans (28 percent ownership)
Cook (8-169-1) has a two-game average of 8.5 catches for 136 yards and 0.5 TDs, showing the talent many of us always believed he had. He has fantasy value in larger leagues, but it's a tough matchup against the Texans. He would be a high-risk, high-reward pickup and play.