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Scott Engel breaks down his Week 17 fantasy football lineup rankings, spotlighting key NFL players to start and tougher lineup start/sit decisions to make.
Welcome to Week 17, RotoBallers! Below you will find some of my spotlight plays and tough lineup decisions for the upcoming week of the fantasy football playoffs.
It is with mixed feelings that I greet you this week, as I am glad you made it to your league Super Bowl. But I also honestly angry at your commissioner for putting you in a bigger spot of uncertainty to decide the title. No legitimate Fantasy championship game should be held in Week 17.
These player selections are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Note that all skill position picks and analyses here are based on my PPR ranks.
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Spotlight RB Starters for Week 17
Miles Sanders vs. NYG: He may cede a few touches to Boston Scott and the returning Jordan Howard. But Sanders will still be the Eagles’ lead RB as they try to clinch the NFC Least. You must lean toward using players that are competing in games of true significance this week.
Raheem Mostert vs. SEA: If the 49ers win this game, you can bet Mostert will be a key contributor. He has clearly emerged as San Francisco’s best RB and is a danger to the defense no matter where and how he gets the ball. The Seahawks are vulnerable to large chunk gains by opposing RBs.
Deandre Washington vs. DEN: He is a must-start as the Raiders try to keep their long-shot playoff hopes alive. Josh Jacobs is out again and Washington has already shown he can be an adequate fill-in.
Spotlight WR Starters for Week 17
A.J. Brown vs. HOU: The Texans may not play for anything by the time their game starts, and the Titans simply must win this game. Brown is the clear WR1 for the Titans, and Bradley Roby’s hamstring problem can only boost the outlook of the Tennessee passing game.
Amari Cooper vs. WAS: He has been completely unreliable and it’s hard to start him with any level of comfort right now. But the Washington secondary has been completely decimated and this just too good of a draw for Cooper and Michael Gallup.
Tyler Lockett vs. SF: No WR has been a bigger fantasy disappointment in the second half of the season than Lockett, who flamed out again in Week 16. But the Seahawks staff and Russell Wilson are going to devise many ways to get him the ball in the most important game of the week.
Spotlight QB Starters for Week 17
Ryan Tannehill vs. HOU: The No. 1 QB start of Week 17. He has been dependable for quality performances and has been outstanding at times, and he is in a must-win situation against a team that may not come to play at all.
Jimmy Garoppolo vs. SEA: This is the biggest game of Garoppolo’s career so far, and he is playing better than he did the last time these teams met. He has the opportunity to come through in the most important spot of his life and won’t disappoint.
Spotlight TE Starters for Week 17
Jonnu Smith vs. HOU: He has arrived as a top fantasy starter at his position just in time for your final game. If you are playing in a championship game this week, starting choices are very dicey, and you should go with a player like this, who has momentum, playoff incentive, and faces an opponent that can be easily taken advantage of.
Jacob Hollister vs. SF: Players in the passing game on both sides of the ball should get strong starting consideration this week. Hollister may be the Seahawks’ best possession receiver right now.
Tough Week 17 Lineup Decisions
Travis Homer over Marlon Mack: Despite all the Marshawn Lynch hoopla, Homer may be Seattle’s best RB for fantasy purposes this week. Mack could see his workload reduced in a meaningless game.
Latavius Murray over Marshawn Lynch: Murray may not start, and Lynch likely will, but we already are more certain of the playing shape Murray is in. Even with Alvin Kamara suddenly looking rejuvenated, Murray can rip off a big gain or score even with a limited workload.
D.K. Metcalf over Breshad Perriman: The Tampa Bay WR should finish the season with another quality outing as he heads into free agency. But Metcalf is playing in a game of far greater significance, and the Seahawks have to put increased emphasis on getting him into the offensive flow again.
Greg Ward over Courtland Sutton: Again, it comes down to who is competing in the more important game here. Ward is going to play a very large role in the depleted Philadelphia passing game, and he has a very good matchup vs. the Giants.
O.J. Howard over Mike Gesicki: Howard really needs to finish well after a disappointing year. Gesicki gets a very daunting matchup against a Patriots team with a formidable defense, looking to hammer down a first-round bye.
Matt Ryan over Patrick Mahomes: The Falcons have played well recently, and will not lay down after Arthur Blank confirmed his satisfaction by announcing Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff will be back next season. Mahomes may not play a full game if the Patriots jump out to a big lead quickly on the Dolphins and any chance at the No. 2 seed in the AFC has apparently vanished.
