X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

10 Lineup Busts and Avoids for Week 17

It feels like there are even more teams than usual sitting their key players this year in Week 17. The Steelers, a team that just needs to beat the Browns and have New England lose to the Jets to secure home field advantage, are even thinking of getting in on the action, which is wild. Here are the situations where I think resting starters is fine: if you have clinched a playoff berth AND your seeding can't change (because why risk getting anyone hurt!) or if you are playing on the road (can't disappoint the home fans!) in a game with no playoff implications and the players you are resting are important long term pieces who are already a little banged up (like Houston wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who is dealing with a calf issue and is too important for the team to risk it with.) Any other situation? Play the starters. Young guys need playing time to get better. Old guys need playing time if they're about to hit free agency, and not giving them a chance to increase their value is really, really unfair. Guys in the middle probably should play if healthy because they like football, but they can be sat for young players if coaches want to see what they have.

Okay, I'm getting off track. It's Week 17 and who even know what players will be taking the field this week. I've tried to have a mix on this week's list of players who are for sure playing and back-ups who should get more playing time but might not be able to take advantage of it.

Below are ten lineup busts and avoids for Week 17 of NFL action. Not included below but likely to not see the field are the starters on the following teams, which makes them guys to avoid too: Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles (Rams). Jacksonville says they aren't resting theirs, but take that with a grain of salt since there's no playoff positioning at stake for them.

Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.

 

Top 10 Busts - NFL Week 17

Marcus Mariota (Quarterback, Tennessee Titans)

I'm hesitant to put Mariota here for a couple of reasons--the Jaguars defense showed cracks last week against the 49ers and Jacksonville has nothing at stake this week as they're locked into the three seed, so they might not be playing as hard as they could. But then I remembered that Jacksonville is STILL allowing the least points to opposing quarterbacks, that Tom Coughlin is in the Jaguars front office and that means there won't be any players resting, and Marcus Mariota has been disappointing all season. I'll keep avoiding him this week. (This also feels like a game where the Titans are going to go heavy on the Derrick Henry to see how he can handle a full workload.)

Patrick Mahomes (Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs)

DON'T. OVER. THINK. IT. With a handful of quarterbacks set to sit this week out, you might need to go to the waiver wire to grab someone and you might spot Patrick Mahomes there, the former Texas Tech quarterback with the cannon for an arm who'll be making his first career start. Nah. Mahomes very well could be the future for the Chiefs, a quarterback that can take his team to heights Alex Smith can't, but his first career start on the road at Denver and (likely) without the Kansas City skill position players that make the team so dangerous? I'm not trusting my fantasy season to a rookie throwing the ball to Albert Wilson and Orson Charles.

Bilal Powell (Running Back, New York Jets)

Jets/Patriots has blowout written so largely on it that the Steelers are planning to rest their starters on Sunday because they don't think there's a chance New England loses when a win gives the Patriots the number one seed and home field. I tend to agree. Blowouts aren't good for running backs. Plus, rumors that Christian Hackenberg might see time at quarterback, and you don't do an experiment like that if all you plan on doing is handing the ball off, right?

Jordan Howard (Running Back, Chicago Bears)

The Vikings have the best fantasy defense against opposing running backs and are playing for a first round bye. Jordan Howard over his past five games can do one of two things: score two touchdowns or run for less than forty yards. This one feels like one of the latter. If that's the case, it might be worth exploring other options.

Leonard Fournette (Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars)

I know Doug Marrone said he's playing the starters, but Fournette feels like the exception to that. He's been banged up all season and this team needs the rookie to be healthy for a playoff run to happen. It would make NO sense for Fournette to have more than a handful of touches in this game, even if Marrone is saying otherwise. Don't make the mistake of plugging in a guy who could very likely play just a series or two.

Devin Funchess (Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers)

It feels like there's a group of wide receivers (I'm thinking of Amari Cooper and Stefon Diggs specifically) who struggle unless they're at 100 percent. I'm starting to wonder if Funchess belongs on that list. He's been a complete non-factor over the past two weeks and I'm not sold on his shoulder being fully healed.

Will Fuller (Wide Receiver, Houston Texans)

DeAndre Hopkins is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Colts, which would make Fuller Houston's number one receiver. Hold on a minute, though, because that doesn't seem like a role Fuller's going to be able to fill, especially with T.J. Yates still starting for the Texans. Remember how bad Tom Savage was? Yates has been worse. Fuller isn't going to have time to get down field to make plays and will likely end up posting another dud of a game. Don't worry, though! Fuller will be back to relevance next season with Deshaun Watson back at quarterback.

Robby Anderson (Wide Receiver, New York Jets)

Like Fuller, Anderson is a guy who depended a lot on a particular quarterback. Without Josh McCown, he's putting up below average numbers and can't be trusted.

Trey Burton (Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles)

We're expecting Zach Ertz to sit for at least a chunk of Sunday's game. Nick Foles too. I'd trust Burton if Foles was quarterbacking the whole game and Burton was playing the whole game--he's been impressive this season in games that Ertz missed--but I'm not sure I'd trust him with Nate Sudfeld throwing him the ball. This is another in the "don't overthink it" category.

Jason Witten (Tight End, Dallas Cowboys)

And pulling up the rear (again!) is Jason Witten, who essentially has a permanent place on this list. Witten can't be trusted as a fantasy starter again--not this week and not if he returns in 2018.

 

More Week 17 Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Baltimore Ravens

Emery Jones to Start Training Camp on NFI List
Von Miller

Signs With Commanders
Alfred Collins

Agrees to Four-Year Rookie Deal
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Rashawn Slater

Likely Practicing During Extension Talks
Stefon Diggs

Trending Towards Being Available Week 1
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Cleveland Browns

Elerson Smith Retires From Football
Justyn Ross

Chiefs Waive Justyn Ross
Tre Harris

Chargers Hope to Get Tre Harris on the Field Soon
Najee Harris

Likely to Begin Training Camp on NFI List
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Darren Waller

Signs $2 Million Deal With Dolphins
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
C.J. Stroud

Working on Speed, Pocket Mobility Entering Year 3
Daiyan Henley

Daiyan Henley Full-Go for Training Camp
Bradley Beal

Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Kurtis Rourke

Starting Training Camp on NFI List
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
Micah Parsons

Not Worried About Extension Talks
Jahdae Barron

Broncos Agree to Terms With Jahdae Barron on Rookie Deal
Tyrone Broden

Seahawks Place Tyrone Broden, Montorie Foster on NFI List
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Landon Jackson

Lands on PUP List
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Ja'Kobe Walter

Produces Big Numbers at Both Ends Against Nuggets
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Ajay Mitchell

Outstanding Against Magic Tuesday
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
VJ Edgecombe

Busy in Las Vegas Summer League Debut
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Dominick Barlow

to Sit Out Rest of Summer League
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
NBA

Oshae Brissett Links Up with Maccabi Tel Aviv
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Charlotte Hornets

Josh Okogie Waived by Hornets
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Hit In Pinky In All-Star Game, X-Rays Negative
MLB

NL All-Stars Win On Tie-Breaker Home Run Swing-Off
Junior Colson

Competing for Starting Job
Isaiah Likely

Ravens Looking to Extend Isaiah Likely
Kyle Pitts

Not in Falcons' Long-Term Plans?
Quinshon Judkins

Browns in "No Rush" to Sign Quinshon Judkins to Rookie Deal
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
Dereck Lively II

Undergoes Right-Foot Surgery Tuesday
Isaiah Collier

Logs a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Monday
Devin Carter

Posts 17 Points Versus Suns
Bronny James Jr.

Scores 17 Points in Summer League Loss
Harrison Ingram

has Impressive Outing Against Jazz
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Kyle Filipowski

Records 35-Point Double-Double Against Spurs
Kel'el Ware

Dominates Against Celtics
Oneil Cruz

Ties Home Run Derby Distance Record
Cal Raleigh

Wins 2025 Home Run Derby
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Michael Lorenzen

Royals Put Michael Lorenzen on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Junior Tafa

Unsuccessful in his Light-Heavyweight Debut
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Tosses Gem Against Giants
Shota Imanaga

Shuts Down Yankees on Sunday
Nathan Eovaldi

Dominant Again in Seventh Win
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Chicago White Sox

Billy Carlson Goes 10th Overall to White Sox
Cincinnati Reds

Steele Hall Selected Ninth by Cincinnati
Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays Select JoJo Parker with Eighth Overall Pick
Miami Marlins

Marlins Select Aiva Arquette With Seventh Overall Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates Select Seth Hernandez with Sixth Overall Pick
Kyle Stowers

Punishes Former Team with Three-Homer Game
St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Select Liam Doyle with Fifth Overall Pick
Colorado Rockies

Rockies Select Ethan Holliday Fourth Overall
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF