RADIO
James Cook's fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 17 (2023). Our advice on whether you should start or sit James Cook for fantasy lineups.
BALLER MOVE: Start in all leagues
POSITIONAL VALUE: High-end RB2 with low-end RB1 upside
ANALYSIS: James Cook produced just seven fantasy points in Week 16 on 20 touches. That came a week after putting up a career-high 36.1 fantasy points in Week 15 vs. the Cowboys. We know the upside is there.
Now, in Week 17, the Bills get a matchup with the Patriots. On paper, this looks like a good spot for Cook with Buffalo favored by 14 at home. However, if there's one area the Patriots are good this season it's against the run. Despite their 4-11 record, they've allowed the 5th-fewest rushing yards per game to opposing running backs.
Last week, for the first time this season, the Bills activated Leonard Fournette with Ty Johnson out. Lenny only got five carries, which was likely the result of a close game against the Chargers. But with a 14-point spread this week, the backups could get some more run in the second half.
This isn't to say sit James Cook. It's to simply temper expectations in what looks like a great spot for the second year back. And remember, Cook has just two rushing touchdowns all season. Consider him a top-15 back this week with upside to finish inside the top 10 in Week 17.
More Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups - Tre Tucker, Alec Pierce, Chimere Dike Fantasy Football Outlooks
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker, Indianapolis Colts wideout Alec Pierce, and Tennessee Titans WR Chimere Dike are three players likely on the roster bubble in many fantasy football leagues. They're unlikely to have much value in shallower leagues, as none of them are their teams' starting receivers, but they could be valuable to […]
Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups - Keon Coleman, Troy Franklin, Kayshon Boutte Fantasy Football Outlooks
Week 8 of NFL action is almost fully in the books. Aside from a Monday Night Football matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders, there are no more games left to play this week. This means we have all the information we need to evaluate waiver wire pickups for Week 9, aside from […]
Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups - Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, Kyle Monangai Fantasy Football Outlooks
During Week 8 of the fantasy football season, Philadelphia Eagles Saquon Barkley (groin) exited the game with a groin injury. While the Eagles are off in Week 9, this injury could linger, opening the door for their depth options to become must-start fantasy options. In Chicago, a late-round rookie running back has seen his role […]
Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups - Woody Marks, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Trey Benson Fantasy Football Outlooks
The running back position has seen numerous injuries throughout the first half of the campaign. In this piece, we will spotlight three backfields that have dealt with various injuries, allowing backup options to emerge as must-start options. Ahead of Week 9, managers should prioritize these three running backs on the waiver wire as they could […]
Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups - Brashard Smith, Jaydon Blue, Kyle Monangai Fantasy Football Outlooks
Week 7 of the fantasy season featured several rookies logging career-high snaps and delivering their best performances as pros so far. We’ve reached that point in the season where the roles of these young players start to expand. Some of this year’s rookie running backs have struggled to earn consistent volume, but three in particular […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
