As the fantasy football championships approach, managers are scouring the waiver wire for potential sleepers who can provide a boost to their lineups. In Week 17, several players have emerged as high-upside options despite their previous inconsistencies. Let's take a closer look at four sleeper plays with significant upside for the final week of the fantasy football season.

Quarterback Derek Carr of the New Orleans Saints is a surprising choice as a streaming quarterback option. Carr has battled injuries throughout the season but enters Week 17 healthier and poised for success against the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary. The Buccaneers have been vulnerable to the passing game, allowing the fifth-most passing yards and sixth-most explosive passing plays since Week 10. Furthermore, starting cornerback Carlton Davis's potential absence due to a concussion could open up opportunities for Carr to exploit the Bucs' weakness in the deep passing game.

The Kansas City Chiefs may rely heavily on running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Week 17. With teammate Isiah Pacheco still in concussion protocol and Jerick McKinnon on injured reserve, Edwards-Helaire is likely to see an increased workload. Although he has struggled with efficiency this season, averaging just 3.25 yards per attempt, a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals could be the remedy. The Bengals defense has given up significant fantasy points to opposing running backs in recent weeks, including multiple outings of 20-plus fantasy points. If Edwards-Helaire receives the necessary volume and takes advantage of the Bengals' weakened defensive line, he could have a breakout performance.

Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed of the New Orleans Saints has quietly made an impact throughout the season. Despite being an undrafted free agent, Shaheed has outperformed former first-round pick Chris Olave in terms of fantasy production. Shaheed has had four games with 15.5 or more fantasy points compared to Olave's two. His efficiency on deep targets is particularly impressive, leading all wide receivers with 435 deep receiving yards. In Week 17, Shaheed faces the vulnerable Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, which has struggled against deep passes all season. With the potential absence of cornerback Carlton Davis, Shaheed could exploit the Bucs' weakness and deliver a big day for fantasy managers.

Tight end Gerald Everett of the Los Angeles Chargers is an intriguing option for fantasy managers in need of a streamer. With injuries to key receiving options Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Everett has become a crucial part of the Chargers' passing game. He leads the team in targets from backup quarterback Easton Stick and has maintained a steady floor with at least four receptions in each of the last five weeks. In Week 17, Everett faces the Denver Broncos, who have struggled against tight ends, allowing the second-lowest defensive success rate on targets to that position. Their vulnerability has resulted in giving up the most fantasy points to tight ends since Week 10. Given Everett's consistent target volume and the Broncos' defensive struggles, he could provide a significant boost for fantasy managers in the final week.

In conclusion, Week 17 presents an opportunity for fantasy managers to capitalize on sleeper plays with substantial upside. Quarterback Derek Carr, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, and tight end Gerald Everett all have favorable matchups and situations that could lead to breakout performances. While these sleeper plays come with some risk, their potential rewards make them strong options for fantasy managers looking to secure victory in their championship matchups.