Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 17: Advice for Fringe Flex Fantasy Football Starters
Week 17 has arrived, which means that managers still afloat in season-long fantasy leagues are most likely playing in their championship games.
While there are no bye weeks to contend with, injuries could be a major factor. Jonathan Taylor is already done for the season, and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Christian Watson is "day-to-day" with a hip injury, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
We might see San Francisco 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel return to practice this week, but managers shouldn't expect him to play.
With plenty of injury uncertainty—and some teams possibly choosing to rest starters—managers should be prepared to start some second-tier players. Below, you'll find a look at four fringe starters, rostered in less than 80 percent of ESPN and/or Yahoo leagues, and the call on whether to start or sit them for championship week.
Start 'Em: Zonovan Knight, RB, New York Jets
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New York Jets running back Zonovan Knight may seem like a risky play after he and the Jets were shut down by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night. Knight finished the game with six carries for minus-two yards and one 15-yard reception.
However, the Jets are turning back to quarterback Mike White this week—over 2021 second overall pick Zach Wilson—which should help open things up for the offense and for Knight.
"There's a spark when he's on the field," linebacker C.J. Mosley said of White, per ESPN's Rich Cimini. "He knows how to manage the game well and make all the right throws,"
When White last started, in Week 14, Knight finished with 71 rushing yards, a touchdown and two receptions.
With the Jets visiting the Seattle Seahawks this week, Knight should be in store for a bounce-back game. Only the Houston Texans have allowed more fantasy points to opposing RBs this season than Seattle.
Sit 'Em: Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns
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Many managers have held on to Cleveland Browns backup running back Kareem Hunt because of his point-per-reception (PPR) upside. Nick Chubb is the unquestioned starter in Cleveland, but Hunt has 31 receptions on the season and will have the occasional good game.
This is not the week to trust Hunt.
The Browns offense has been sluggish since quarterback Deshaun Watson entered the starting lineup. Hunt had a solid outing in Watson's debut (75 scrimmage yards and two receptions), but he hasn't reached 30 scrimmage yards in a game since.
Hunt logged three receptions against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday but only provided 22 combined rushing and receiving yards.
Against the Washington Commanders, Hunt should be considered a touchdown-dependent play. That's a problem, as the Commanders have only allowed 10 rushing touchdowns on the season.
Washington has also allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2022. Hunt might provide a few reception points, but he should only be started by managers who are absolutely desperate.
Start 'Em: Jahan Dotson, WR, Washington Commanders
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The Browns have done a decent job of limiting opposing receivers this season, thanks to a secondary headlined by the likes of Greg Newsome II, Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr.
Cleveland has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.
However, we trust Washington Commanders rookie wideout Jahan Dotson this week as the Commanders host the Browns. Dotson has emerged as a go-to target in Washington's offense, and he's rattled off three straight standout games.
Over the last three weeks, the Penn State product has caught 15 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns.
The Browns have not fared well on the road this season (2-5) and they have nothing to play for, which will work in the Commanders' favor. Even if Cleveland plays hard, Dotson should see the workload necessary to reward managers with a decent floor.
The rookie has seen 24 targets over the last three weeks and should provide a solid PPR value, even if the high ceiling isn't there this week.
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Sit 'Em: Zay Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones had a down game against the Jets in Week 15, catching just one pass for 14 yards. However, he had a six-catch, 109-yard, three-touchdown game against the Dallas Cowboys the previous week.
Managers banking on a bounce-back performance from Jones should exercise caution. Jacksonville is visiting a suddenly scrappy Houston Texans team this week and will likely attack Houston on the ground.
The Texans have been horrible against the run, ranking 28th in yards per carry allowed and dead-last in rushing yards allowed. This should lead to a big day for Travis Etienne Jr. but may limit the number of times Jacksonville passes.
Opponents have only attempted fewer passes against two other teams this season—the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. The result has been pedestrian performances by opposing wideouts.
Houston has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs in 2022. Jones is unlikely to have much of a PPR floor this week.
*Fantasy roster and scoring information via FantasyPros.
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