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Hey there RotoBallers! In this article, I will be taking a look at some of my favorite Yahoo DFS lineups picks for the Week 17 slate. These DFS picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, Vegas odds, and pricing on Yahoo.
Week 17 brings its own special set of circumstances because we will see teams with playoff spots locked up sit their stars. We already know the Rams plan to sit Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, the Chiefs will rest Alex Smith, and news just broke on Thursday that the Steelers won't use Ben Roethlisberger or Le'Veon Bell. Not only will you want to avoid using these stars, but their absences will also open up value via their backups.
You will also want to pay attention to which teams actually still have something to play for as that will affect daily fantasy lineups. Some of the teams with nothing to play for include: Jacksonville, Kansas City, the Rams, and Philadelphia. The news out of Pittsburgh tells us the Steelers are happy heading into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Again, I'm focusing mostly on players with a combination of good value and high upside who you can build around with the high-priced studs of your choice. On to the picks!
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Quarterback Picks for Yahoo DFS
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks vs. ARI, $39
Wilson is expensive but he has also been worth paying up to get most weeks this season. The Seahawks are one of the teams that should be motivated to win on Sunday considering they need a win and a Falcons loss to get into the playoffs as a Wild Card. Fortunately, both Seattle and Atlanta kick off at 4:00 PM EST so we can expect full effort from Seattle the entire game (while perhaps keeping one eye on the scoreboard). Wilson was solid the last time these two teams met, back in Week 10, passing for 238 yards and two touchdowns. As always, Russ is an excellent tournament play as he has massive upside and many daily leaguers will be looking to play a cheaper quarterback.
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens vs. CIN, $22
Flacco sets up as an excellent value option for those looking for some salary relief, especially in cash games. Flacco hasn't really exhibited much of a ceiling this season, which precludes him from GPP consideration, but he has been rock-solid over the past four games, passing for seven touchdowns and just one interception over that span. Cincinnati's season-long stats look solid against quarterbacks but their defense is extremely banged up and has been declining over the second half of the season. Flacco is just $2 over the quarterback minimum on Yahoo and should provide a solid floor for fantasy gamers this weekend. For what it's worth, the Ravens have plenty to play for as they can lock up a Wild Card berth with a win.
Running Back Picks for Yahoo DFS
Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers @ DET, $23
Williams should have the Green Bay backfield all to himself on Sunday as it doesn't appear Aaron Jones will be active. This isn't official just yet so be sure to check back, but Williams is a fine play if Jones sits. Williams will square off against a Detroit run defense that has slipped sharply since losing run-stuffing star nose tackle Haloti Ngata after Week 5. Detroit has now allowed a running back touchdown, either rushing or receiving, in every game except in Week 2 against the Giants, a team that doesn't actually use running backs.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans vs. JAX, $21
With DeMarco Murray expected to be sidelined due to a torn MCL, look for Henry truthers to finally get what they want, a full workload for the 247-pound size/speed freak. The Titans are still calling Murray a game-time decision but don't expect the veteran to suit up. The matchup against the Jaguars isn't a great one, but Jacksonville is one of the teams with nothing to play for as they have the No. 3 seed in the AFC no matter what the outcome is on Sunday.
Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams vs. SF, $10
Brown sets up as a free square this week as he will take over for a resting Todd Gurley in the Los Angeles backfield. While he can't be expected to put up Gurley numbers, he is minimum-priced on Yahoo and should see around 15-20 touches against a San Francisco run defense that is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season.
Wide Receiver Picks for Yahoo DFS
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts vs. HOU, $23
Hilton has really missed quarterback Andrew Luck this season but, periodically, he has still shown his explosive play-making ability with Jacoby Brissett under center. This week, Hilton draws one of the best matchups in the league as he will face off against a Houston pass defense that ranks 24th in DVOA and is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Even with Luck, Hilton has always had a boom/bust element to his game but this matchup is too good to pass up. The last time these two teams met, back in Week 9, Hilton caught five balls for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
Golden Tate, Detroit Lions vs. GB, $21
Tate is coming off two slow weeks which has brought down his price on Yahoo, but look for him to bounce back against a Packers team that he loves to torment. Over his last four meetings with Green Bay, Tate is averaging 6.25 catches for 73.25 yards with one touchdown. He is a bit of a risky play with Matthew Stafford spreading the ball around a lot more this season than in the past, but Tate is worth firing up in some tournament lineups against a Packers pass defense that ranks 22nd in DVOA this season.
Tight End Picks for Yahoo DFS
Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts vs. HOU, $20
Doyle has been an extremely reliable fantasy tight end this season. He has been one of Jacoby Brissett's favorite targets this season, averaging 7.36 targets per game, which has helped keep his floor high in fantasy. He doesn't have tons of upside but he is definitely worth considering in cash games. The Texans have been a mess against tight ends this season, allowing the seventh-most fantasy points. Doyle makes for an interesting stack partner with Brissett if you don't want to use the more highly-owned Brissett/Hilton pairing.
Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions vs. GB, $15
Ebron has been on some kind of run lately. After frustrating fantasy owners for years, the fourth-year tight end has roared to life at the end of the season. Over the past three weeks, Ebron has 20 catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers don't represent much of a concern for Ebron's chances as they rank 21st in DVOA against the position. Despite his recent strong play, Ebron remains a great value at just $15 on Yahoo.
Defense/Special Teams Pick for Yahoo DFS
Denver Broncos vs. KC, $12
Denver's defense, and the team as a whole, has disappointed this season. That being said, they have a good shot at finishing on a high note as they welcome the Chiefs to town to finish the season. Normally, the Kansas City offense would not be one to target with a fantasy defense, but the Chiefs will give rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes his first career start as they already have a playoff spot locked up. Denver still has plenty of talented players on defense and is a three-point home favorite against a Chiefs offense with an implied total of just 17.5 points. At $12 on Yahoo, this is a great defense to use in fantasy this weekend.
