While Week 16 sees the majority of fantasy seasons end, some leagues continue into Week 17 of the NFL season, and therefore so does our start ’em and sit ’em advice. If your traditional season has finished, then you can also view these picks as potential options for your DFS lineups in Week 17.
Week 17 Start or Sit Fantasy Quarterbacks | Start ’em
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (at Detroit Lions)
Once again, Kirk Cousins finished this fantasy season as a top-10 quarterback. He should continue to crush it in Week 17 against a Lions defense giving the second-most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Cousins is an easy selection to kick off our NFL Week 17 start ’em sit ’em article.
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (at Houston Texans)
Ryan Tannehill gets a rebound game this week against a Texans defense ranked 30th in passing points allowed each game to opposing quarterbacks. Heck, they allowed Bengals QB, Brandon Allen, to pass for over 350 yards. Yes…you read that correctly!
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at Kansas City Chiefs)
The Chiefs are resting players this week, setting up an immensely favorable matchup for this rookie stud. Expect his gaudy stats to get a big boost and for Justin Herbert to lock in that Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Other quarterbacks to consider starting in Week 17
- Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
- John Wolford, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
Quarterback sit ’em options in Week 17
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at Buffalo Bills)
There is not much in Tua’s favor in this game. The rookie QB will not have played in the weather he will face in this game much in his career. Additionally, the Bills have been a relatively tough defense for QBs to be consistent against. Therefore, look for the Dolphins to try and control this game on the ground, only working through the passing game to move the chains when they need to.
- Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at Los Angeles Rams)
- Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Week 17 Start or Sit Fantasy Running Backs | Start ’em
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
It took a little while, but Jonathan Taylor has delivered for fantasy managers in 2020. Taylor finished the season as the eighth-best RB in our Consistency Score rankings. I expect that gift of giving to continue into the first week of 2021. The Colts need a win Sunday to stay alive in the 2020 NFL playoff race. Taylor should carry the load against a Jaguars defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Wayne Gallman, New York Giants (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
The Giants are still alive in the playoff hunt, and to beat the Cowboys, they will need to be able to run the ball. Dallas is allowing five yards per carry and rank 31st in points allowed to opposing ball carriers. Gallman has seen competition for touches this season, but the Giants cannot afford for this to be a shootout. The best way for the Giants to win is by controlling the ball on offense. Gallman is their best RB, and I expect them to lean on him in Week 17.
Other running backs to consider starting in Week 17
- Jeff Wilson, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
- Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
- J.K Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens (at Cincinnati Bengals)
- Myles Gaskins, Miami Dolphins (at Buffalo Bills)
- J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team (at Philadelphia Eagles)
Running back sit ’em options in Week 17
Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
There is no real knowing how much of a role Ronald Jones will play this week. The Falcons have been one of the toughest defenses against the run this season. There is also a risk that the Buccaneers’ starters bail in the second half if this game is out of reach.
- Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Washington Football Team)
Week 17 Start or Sit Fantasy Wide Receivers | Start ’em
Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Cooks saw 10 targets last week, and there is no reason he should not see plenty again this week. There should be plenty of points in this game, with the Titans playing for a playoff spot and Texans looking to play spoiler. Tennessee has allowed 11 receiving touchdowns to number one WRs this season. According to our Defensive Points Allowed Consistency Score, they also rank as the eighth-best defense for opposing wide receivers.
Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers (vs. New Orleans Saints)
Christian McCaffrey and Mike Davis are both out this week, and Robby Anderson is dealing with a groin injury. Samuel could be utilized as the Panthers Swiss army knife Sunday against the Saints. Last week he put up over 160 total yards. I expect more of the same this week. The Saints have been a tough defense to face in 2020, but they have shown frailties in recent weeks.
Other wide receivers to consider starting in Week 17
- Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
- Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers (at Kansas City Chiefs)
- Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans (at Houston Texans)
- Richie James, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
- Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills (vs. Miami Dolphins)
- Lynn Bowden, Miami Dolphins (at Buffalo Bills)
Wide receiver sit ’em options in Week 17
Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas Raiders (at Denver Broncos)
With so much uncertainty regarding who will play for how long, it is hard to sit anyone who could play the entire game. However, the Broncos defense is a solid unit, and Agholor is now starting to see coverage as if he is the number one receiver.
- Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Washington Football Team)
Week 17 Tight Ends
Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings (at Detroit Lions)
Kyle Rudolph is out again this week, which elevates Smith to “must start status” in fantasy. The Lions defense has been weak defending the position all season and are ranked 31st in touchdowns allowed to tight ends.
Other tight ends to consider starting in Week 17
- Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins (at Buffalo Bills)
Tight end sit ’em options in Week 17
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
Fant really struggled against the Raiders last time out. In the past five weeks, his fantasy points have ranged from zero to 12.8 in standard formats. He is a relative unknown in terms of what he will produce, and for that reason, I am staying clear in a game with little real meaning.
Week 17 Fantasy Defenses
- Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
- Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles
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