One could make a strong argument that Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard failed to live up to the lofty expectations fantasy football managers had for him heading into the 2023 season.
After failing to score eight fantasy points in a full-PPR format in both of his last two games, should fantasy managers even trust Pollard near their starting lineup against the Detroit Lions in Week 17?
Should You Start Tony Pollard in Week 17?
If not for Pollard’s breakout 2022 campaign, where he went for 1,378 total yards and 12 TDs, his place as the RB13 in PPR formats through the first 16 weeks may be considered a massive fantasy success for the former Memphis Tiger.
Unfortunately, he set the bar astronomically high for himself after his performance working alongside RB Ezekiel Elliott last year, which has made 1,181 total yards with only five scores on a career-high 271 total touches this season such a disappointment for fantasy managers who had him as a potential top-five fantasy back this season.
On paper, the explosion of the Cowboys’ offense should’ve done wonders for Pollard.
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey has just three more red-zone carries than Pollard this year, but McCaffrey has 13 rushing scores inside the opponents’ 20-yard line this season, compared to Pollard’s four. Yikes.
Pollard simply hasn’t been able to cash in on his golden opportunities this year, which has made him a frustrating fantasy asset.
His upside is as high as any player at the position, but his simple lack of production in such a favorable situation has fantasy managers wanting so much more from him.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
The Cowboys have been averaging close to 40 points per game at home this year and will face off against a Detroit Lions team that is giving up an average of 25 points per game on the road this season.
Pollard still figures into the top-15 conversations at the RB position this week, but his recent lack of production makes him very tough to trust if you have other quality options.
Trending Start/Sit Searches for Pollard
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network? It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup.
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, so we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity.
Should You Start Pollard or Austin Ekeler?
Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler has had just about nothing go right in 2023. He started the season off with an ankle injury, and things have essentially spiraled from there.
LA WR Mike Williams is injured, QB Justin Herbert is injured, and now WR Keenan Allen has missed the last two games because of an injury. Additionally, his head coach got fired after an embarrassing loss to a division rival.
All of the instability within the organization, combined with a big downgrade at quarterback and a big drop in efficiency and production for Ekeler, have all made him a tough start this week.
As frustrating as Pollard has been, Ekeler’s fantasy floor and ceiling both feel lower than Pollard’s in Week 17.
Should You Start Pollard or Joe Mixon?
Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon appeared to be trending in the right direction, with backup QB Jake Browning seeming to be a reliable replacement for Joe Burrow, but the young QB’s performance in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers now has fantasy managers potentially hesitant to roll Mixon out as a bonafide RB1 on Sunday.
The matchup may be tougher, but Mixon has been a far more reliable fantasy producer than Pollard when the Bengals get in near the end zone this season, which has me wanting to go with Mixon in a big spot in Week 17.
Derek Tate’s Week 17 RB Rankings
1) Christian McCaffrey | SF (at WAS)
2) Kyren Williams | LAR (at NYG)
3) Alvin Kamara | NO (at TB)
4) Rachaad White | TB (vs. NO)
5) Isiah Pacheco | KC (vs. CIN)
6) Jonathan Taylor | IND (vs. LV)
7) James Cook | BUF (vs. NE)
8) Bijan Robinson | ATL (at CHI)
9) Raheem Mostert | MIA (at BAL)
10) Travis Etienne Jr. | JAX (vs. CAR)
11) Tony Pollard | DAL (vs. DET)
12) Kenneth Walker III | SEA (vs. PIT)
13) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET (at DAL)
14) Joe Mixon | CIN (at KC)
15) Ezekiel Elliott | NE (at BUF)
16) Breece Hall | NYJ (at CLE)
17) Derrick Henry | TEN (at HOU)
18) D’Andre Swift | PHI (vs. ARI)
19) Chuba Hubbard | CAR (at JAX)
20) De’Von Achane | MIA (at BAL)
21) Javonte Williams | DEN (vs. LAC)
22) Aaron Jones | GB (at MIN)
23) Ty Chandler | MIN (vs. GB)
24) Saquon Barkley | NYG (vs. LAR)
25) David Montgomery | DET (at DAL)
26) Austin Ekeler | LAC (at DEN)
27) Devin Singletary | HOU (vs. TEN)
28) Josh Jacobs | LV (at IND)
29) James Conner | ARI (at PHI)
30) Najee Harris | PIT (at SEA)
31) Gus Edwards | BAL (vs. MIA)
32) Jerome Ford | CLE (vs. NYJ)
33) Jaylen Warren | PIT (at SEA)
34) Antonio Gibson | WAS (vs. SF)
35) Roschon Johnson | CHI (vs. ATL)
36) Tyjae Spears | TEN (at HOU)
37) Chase Brown | CIN (at KC)
38) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS (vs. SF)
39) Tyler Allgeier | ATL (at CHI)
40) Zach Charbonnet | SEA (vs. PIT)
41) Kareem Hunt | CLE (vs. NYJ)
42) AJ Dillon | GB (at MIN)
43) Chris Rodriguez Jr. | WAS (vs. SF)
44) Khalil Herbert | CHI (vs. ATL)
45) Justice Hill | BAL (vs. MIA)
46) Dameon Pierce | HOU (vs. TEN)
47) Zamir White | LV (at IND)
48) Alexander Mattison | MIN (vs. GB)
49) Jamaal Williams | NO (at TB)
50) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI (vs. ARI)
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