Fantasy Football Big Board: Complete 2023 PPR Player Rankings for Week 17
This is it.
After four months of setting lineups, playing waivers, bemoaning that guy who went ballistic on your bench and breaking a perfectly good remote when you lost in Week 6 by .4 points, you have navigated the minefield. Made the playoffs. Had postseason success.
In most leagues, just one game—and one opponent—stands between you and the goal that was set all the way back when you drafted your fantasy squad.
Winning the championship. Bringing home the trophy. Maybe even collecting a few bucks.
If ever there was week you need the optimal lineup, this is it. Rosters need to be milked for every possible point. Bad decisions made in Championship Week are the ones that haunt you for months.
Believe me.
This column aims to help you avoid making them with position-by-position rankings for PPR leagues, some matchups to target and avoid and a list of the top 100 players overall.
It's Championship Week. So, let's win some.
Fantasy points allowed and scored data courtesy of My Fantasy League.
Quarterbacks
1 of 6
Week 16 was actually rather short on high-end quarterback scores. There were no truly gaudy stat lines, and a couple of players finished the week toward the top of the leaderboard who weren't in may starting lineups.
However, there's one that might just appeal to some streamers and two-QB managers in Championship Week given his recent hot streak—but as Admiral Ackbar said in Return of the Jedi, "It's a Trap!"
Over the past three weeks, Joe Flacco of the Cleveland Browns has been a top-five fantasy quarterback. He has topped 300 passing yards in three straight games, with eight touchdowns over that span.
The problem this week is the matchup. The New York Jets might be a bad team, but they are a bad team with an excellent pass defense. Led by cornerback Ahmad Gardner, the Jets trail only the Browns in passing yards allowed per game, and the team ranks in the bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at PHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,300]
Murray has been up and down since returning to the lineup, and this would be an easier call to like if we knew that Cardinals wideout Marquise Brown would be back next week. But the Philly pass defense has been a liability this year, ranking at the bottom of the league.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco (at WAS) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,000]
In Week 16, Purdy had to face one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL in the Baltimore Ravens. In Week 17, the 49ers should have it easier through the air against a Washington Commanders team that leads the league in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.
BAD MATCHUPS
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NO) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,100]
The Buccaneers have peeled off four straight wins, in no small part because Mayfield has been a top-five fantasy quarterback over that span. But the New Orleans Saints have quietly been solid against the pass, ranking seventh in that regard this season.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at BAL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,400]
Tagovailoa's numbers have tailed way off of late—he ranks outside the top 15 fantasy quarterbacks since Week 12. His numbers in last week's win over the Dallas Cowboys were pedestrian, and the Baltimore Ravens are a bottom-five fantasy matchup for quarterbacks.
SLEEPER
Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants (vs. LAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,600]
Taylor replaced "Tommy Cutlets" at halftime of last week's loss to the Eagles and kept the Giants in the game. If he's out there again Sunday in a favorable matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, his ability to gain yardage with his legs makes him an interesting desperation option.
WEEK 17 QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
1. Dak Prescott, DAL (vs. DET)
2. Jalen Hurts, PHI (vs. AZ)
3. Josh Allen, BUF (vs. NE)
4. Lamar Jackson, BAL (vs. MIA)
5. Patrick Mahomes, KC (vs. CIN)
6. Brock Purdy, SF (at WAS)
7. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (at BAL)
8. Justin Fields, CHI (vs. ATL)
9. Jared Goff, DET (at DAL)
10. C.J. Stroud, HOU (vs. TEN)
11. Matthew Stafford, LAR (at NYG)
12. Jordan Love, GB (at MIN)
13. Kyler Murray, AZ (at PHI)
14. Gardner Minshew, IND (vs. LV)
15. Baker Mayfield, TB (vs. NO)
16. Joe Flacco, CLE (vs. NYJ)
17. Geno Smith, SEA (vs. PIT)
18. Jacoby Brissett, WAS (vs. SF)
19. Jake Browning, CIN (at KC)
20. Derek Carr, NO (at TB)
21. Jarrett Stidham, DEN (vs. LAC)
22. C.J. Beathard, JAX (vs. CAR)
23. Bryce Young, CAR (at JAX)
24. Taylor Heinicke, ATL (at CHI)
25. Nick Mullens, MIN (vs. GB)
26. Aidan O'Connell, LV (at IND)
27. Tyrod Taylor, NYG (vs. LAR)
28. Ryan Tannehill, TEN (at HOU)
29. Bailey Zappe, NE (at BUF)
30. Easton Stick, LAC (at DEN)
Running Backs
2 of 6
There hasn't been a lot to cheer about for the New York Jets this year. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down on the first series of the first game, and a very Jets season followed. But in Week 16, a Jet helped quite a few fantasy managers advance to the finals.
Breece Hall wasn't Week 16's leading rusher, although his 95 yards on 20 carries are nothing to sneeze at. But in addition to those rushing yards and two scores, Hall also caught a whopping 12 passes for 96 yards.
Add it all together, and you get a whopping 43.1 PPR points—a full 18 points more than Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers, who was the No. 2 back. If you started Hall, you probably advanced. If you went against him?
You probably aren't even reading this.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers (at DEN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,700]
The 2023 season has been a big-time letdown for Ekeler's fantasy managers. He's 16th among running backs in PPR points after 16 weeks. But no team in the AFC has allowed more rushing yards per game or PPR points to running backs than the Broncos.
Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,200]
For reasons known only to God and Doug Pederson, Etienne vanished from Jacksonville's offense last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But he should be a bigger part of the offense against a Panthers team allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs.
BAD MATCHUPS
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (at TB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,500]
Kamara has more than made up for any lost production during his three-week suspension at the beginning of the season, as he's third for the season in PPR points per game among running backs. But the Buccaneers are red hot and rank seventh in the league in run defense.
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins (at BAL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,000]
Mostert has been arguably the biggest single value in all of fantasy football this season—a later-round pick turned top-five fantasy running back. But the Ravens have allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points to running backs and a negative game script could cost the 31-year-old touches. He's also banged up.
SLEEPER
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (at SEA) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]
Harris hasn't been as productive as fantasy managers hoped this year, in part because he has ceded touches to Jaylen Warren as the season has worn on. But he posted a 19/78/1 line on the ground last week against Cincinnati and gets Seattle's 27th-ranked run defense.
WEEK 17 RUNNING BACK RANKINGS
1. Christian McCaffrey, SF (at WAS)
2. Travis Etienne, JAX (vs. CAR)
3. Austin Ekeler, LAC (at DEN)
4. Saquon Barkley, NYG (vs. LAR)
5. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (at DAL)
6. Kyren Williams, LAR (at NYG)
7. Raheem Mostert, MIA (at BAL) [INJURED]
8. Alvin Kamara, NO (at TB)
9. Tony Pollard, DAL (vs. DET)
10. Bijan Robinson, ATL (at CHI)
11. Jonathan Taylor, IND (vs. LV)
12. Breece Hall, NYJ (at CLE)
13. Joe Mixon, CIN (at KC)
14. De'Von Achane, MIA (at BAL)
15. Aaron Jones, GB (at MIN)
16. Derrick Henry, TEN (at HOU)
17. Rachaad White, TB (vs. NO)
18. D'Andre Swift, PHI (vs. ARI)
19. James Cook, BUF (vs. NE)
20. David Montgomery, DET (at DAL)
21. Kenneth Walker III, SEA (vs. PIT)
22. Isiah Pacheco, KC (vs. CIN)
23. Josh Jacobs, LV (at IND) [INJURED]
24. Jaylen Warren, PIT (at SEA)
25. Chuba Hubbard, CAR (at JAX)
26. James Conner, ARI (at PHI)
27. Ezekiel Elliott, NE (at BUF)
28. Gus Edwards, BAL (vs. MIA)
29. Javonte Williams, DEN (vs. LAC)
30. Jerome Ford, CLE (vs. NYJ)
31. Devin Singletary, HOU (at TEN)
32. Ty Chandler, MIN (vs. GB)
33. Khalil Herbert, CHI (vs. ATL)
34. Najee Harris, PIT (at SEA)
35. Antonio Gibson, WAS (vs. SF)
36. Tyjae Spears, TEN (at HOU)
37. Tyler Allgeier, ATL (at CHI)
38. Kareem Hunt, CLE (vs. NYJ)
39. Chase Brown, CIN (at KC)
40. Zamir White, LV (at IND)
41. AJ Dillon, GB (at MIN)
42. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI (vs. ARI)
43. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC (vs. CIN)
44. Zach Charbonnet, SEA (vs. PIT)
45. Roschon Johnson, CHI (vs. ATL)
46. Alexander Mattison, MIN (vs. GB)
47. Dameon Pierce, HOU (vs. TEN)
48. Samaje Perine, DEN (vs. LAC)
49. Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN (vs. LAC)
50. Justice Hill, BAL (vs. MIA)
Wide Receivers
3 of 6
There may not be a player in all of fantasy football who sent more fantasy managers on to the Championship Game (or home for the offseason) in Week 16 than Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Setting a franchise record will do that for you.
Against the Houston Texans, Cooper exploded for 265 yards on 11 catches with two touchdowns and a two-point reception—production that netted him a clean 51.5 PPR points. That was 16 points higher than any other wideout.
Prior to that explosion, Cooper was WR27 in PPR points. Now, with one more game to go in most leagues, Cooper has rocketed all the way to the top 12. Of course, he also draws a terrible fantasy matchup this week—Sauce Gardner and the New York Jets are dead last in PPR points allowed to wide receivers in 2023.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (at WAS) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,000]
Aiyuk was a bright spot on a dark day against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, catching six of seven targets for 113 yards. This week's matchup with the Commanders is about as good as it gets—only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allowed more passing yards per game.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans (vs. TEN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,200]
Collins disappointed last week, but that had a lot more to do with poor quarterback play than Collins himself. With C.J. Stroud likely to come off concussion protocol this week and a tasty matchup with the Titans looming, Collins should rebound in Week 16.
BAD MATCHUPS
Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders (at IND) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,400]
To be fair, Adams does indeed have an unfavorable matchup with the Colts, who are 26th in PPR points surrendered to wideouts this year. But this is also about Aidan O'Connell and the Raiders' non-existent passing game. Adams had one reception for four yards on Christmas against the Chiefs.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (at KC) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,500]
If Ja'Marr Chase is sidelined again, then Higgins becomes Cincinnati's No. 1 wide receiver in a game with high stakes for both teams. But the Chiefs aren't an easy team to throw on this season, ranking third in the league in pass defense this season.
SLEEPER
Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (at NYG) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,800]
Robinson has caught a touchdown pass in four consecutive games, and over that span the veteran journeyman has quietly ranked among the top 10 fantasy wideouts. The Giants have surrendered the sixth-most PPR points to receivers this year.
WEEK 17 WIDE RECEIVER RANKINGS
1. Tyreek Hill, MIA (at BAL)
2. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (vs. DET)
3. Justin Jefferson, MIN (vs. GB)
4. A.J. Brown, PHI (vs. ARI)
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (at DAL)
6. Mike Evans, TB (vs. NO)
7. Puka Nacua, LAR (at NYG)
8. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (at KC) [INJURED]
9. Michael Pittman Jr., IND (vs. LV) [INJURED]
10. Chris Olave, NO (at TB)
11. Stefon Diggs, BUF (vs. NE)
12. DJ Moore, CHI (vs. ATL)
13. Deebo Samuel, SF (at WAS)
14. DK Metcalf, SEA (vs. PIT)
15. Cooper Kupp, LAR (at NYG)
16. Amari Cooper, CLE (vs. NYJ)
17. Davante Adams, LV (at IND)
18. Brandon Aiyuk, SF (at WAS)
19. DeVonta Smith, PHI (vs. ARI)
20. Tee Higgins, CIN (at KC)
21. Calvin Ridley, JAC (vs. CAR)
22. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (at CLE)
23. DeAndre Hopkins, TEN (at HOU)
24. Adam Thielen, CAR (at JAC)
25. Terry McLaurin, WAS (vs. SF)
26. Courtland Sutton, DEN (vs. LAC) [INJURED]
27. Zay Flowers, BAL (vs. MIA)
28. Nico Collins, HOU (vs. TEN)
29. Chris Godwin, TB (vs. NO)
30. Tyler Lockett, SEA (vs. PIT)
31. Rashee Rice, KC (vs. CIN)
32. Drake London, ATL (at CHI)
33. Jayden Reed, GB (at MIN)
34. George Pickens, PIT (at SEA)
35. Brandin Cooks, DAL (vs. DET)
36. Diontae Johnson, PIT (at SEA)
37. Gabe Davis, BUF (vs. NE)
38. Jakobi Meyers, LV (at IND)
39. Joshua Palmer, LAC (at DEN)
40. Curtis Samuel, WAS (vs. SF)
41. Demario Douglas, NE (at BUF)
42. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (vs. PIT)
43. Josh Downs, IND (vs. LV)
44. Romeo Doubs, GB (at MIN)
45. Demarcus Robinson, LAR (at NYG)
46. Odell Beckham Jr., BAL (vs. MIA)
47. Noah Brown, HOU (vs. TEN)
48. Jerry Jeudy, DEN (vs. LAC)
49. Zay Jones, JAC (vs. CAR)
50. Michael Wilson, ARI (at PHI)
51. Tyler Boyd, CIN (at KC)
52. Elijah Moore, CLE (vs. NYJ)
53. Jahan Dotson, WAS (vs. SF)
54. DeVante Parker, NE (at BUF)
55. Rashid Shaheed, NO (at TB)
56. DJ Chark Jr., CAR (at JAC)
57. Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG (vs. LAR)
58. Dontayvion Wicks, GB (at MIN)
59. Robert Woods, HOU (vs. TEN)
60. Greg Dortch, ARI (at PHI)
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Tight Ends
4 of 6
The race to be the No. 1 tight end in fantasy football for 2023 has come down to three players—one of whom will all but certainly not win the title.
That rookie Sam LaPorta of the Lions is even in the mix is a testament to just how good he has been. But LaPorta is also mired in something of a slump, as he's failed to record even five PPR points in two of his past three games.
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs wasn't just supposed to be the top-scoring tight end in fantasy football, he was supposed to lead the position in PPR points by a wide margin ala last year. That he hasn't makes him something of a disappointment relative to his first-round price tag in most drafts.
The current leader in fantasy points at the position is T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings. But odds are he's scored as many fantasy points this year as he's going to—Hockenson suffered a knee injury last week that has ended his season.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at PHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,900]
McBride has effectively been Arizona's No. 1 passing game target over the past few weeks. He's third in PPR points among tight ends over the past month. The Eagles have struggled stopping the pass all season long, ranking 27th against the pass.
Darren Waller, New York Giants (vs. LAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,500]
Waller didn't get involved in the Giants offense until the second half of last week's loss to the Eagles, but assuming Tyrod Taylor draws the start in Week 17, Waller could thrive against a Rams team that has allowed the sixth-most PPR points to tight ends this season.
BAD MATCHUPS
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]
When C.J. Beathard has been pressed into service at quarterback for the Jaguars, he has peppered Engram with targets. But this week, the Jaguars face a Panthers team that has been surprisingly stingy to tight ends, ranking 28th in PPR points given up to the position.
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (vs. NE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,900]
Kincaid had a nice mid-season hot streak, but when he scored 8.8 PPR points in Week 12 it was a harbinger of things to come. As it happens, Kincaid has 8.8 PPR points total in the month since. He just can't be counted on in a must-win game.
SLEEPER
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at CHI) [DraftKings PPR Value: $4,100]
Maybe this is just the pathological hope that the modicum of momentum Pitts has built up in recent weeks actually means something. But at least he gets a plus matchup to close the season. The Bears have allowed the third-most PPR points to tight ends this year.
WEEK 17 TIGHT END RANKINGS
1. Travis Kelce, KC (vs. CIN)
2. Trey McBride, ARI (at PHI)
3. David Njoku, CLE (vs. NYJ)
4. George Kittle, SF (at WAS)
5. Evan Engram, JAX (vs. CAR)
6. Sam LaPorta, DET (at DAL)
7. Darren Waller, NYG (vs. LAR)
8. Jake Ferguson, DAL (vs. DET)
9. Isaiah Likely, BAL (vs. MIA)
10. Dallas Goedert, PHI (vs. ARI)
11. Kyle Pitts, ATL (at CHI)
12. Cole Kmet, CHI (vs. ATL) [INJURED]
13. Dalton Kincaid, BUF (vs. NE)
14. Dalton Schultz, HOU (vs. TEN)
15. Gerald Everett, LAC (at DEN)
16. Hunter Henry, NE (at BUF) [INJURED]
17. Juwan Johnson, NO (at TB)
18. Logan Thomas, WAS (vs. SF)
19. Pat Freiermuth, PIT (at SEA)
20. Cade Otton, TB (vs. NO)
21. Tyler Higbee, LAR (at NYG)
22. Michael Mayer, LV (at IND)
23. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN (at HOU)
24. Taysom Hill, NO (at TB)
25. Jonnu Smith, ATL (at CHI)
26. Tyler Conklin, NYJ (at CLE)
27. Tanner Hudson, CIN (at KC)
28. Josh Oliver, MIN (vs. GB)
29. Noah Fant, SEA (vs. PIT)
30. Tucker Kraft, GB (at MIN)
Kickers and Defenses
5 of 6
You never can tell sometimes with team defenses.
Over the first 15 weeks of the regular season, no defense in the AFC had scored more fantasy points than the Baltimore Ravens. But while the Ravens had been productive, they faced a tough matchup in Week 16—one of the toughest in the league, in fact. The San Francisco 49ers came into the week having allowed the fewest fantasy points in the league to defenses.
But the Ravens didn't falter against the 49ers or just do OK. They thrived. Baltimore amassed four sacks, intercepted Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold five times, posted the second-highest defensive point total of the week and overtook the Dallas Cowboys for the top spot overall among defenses.
It won't get any easier for the Ravens in Week 17 as they face a potent Miami offense that has given up the ninth-fewest fantasy points to defenses in 2023.
But at this point, it's hard to justify betting against them.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Ka'imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans (vs. TEN)
Assuming C.J. Stroud is back under center this week, the entire Houston offense should get a sizable jolt in what is essentially a must-win game against a Tennessee Titans team that has allowed the most fantasy points to kickers this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars Defense (vs. CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,800]
The Jaguars haven't offered fantasy managers much to be confident about on either side of the ball of late. But if ever there was a matchup to make a defense look good, it's a Panthers team that has struggled mightily on offense most of the season.
BAD MATCHUPS
Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals (at KC)
The Cincinnati offense came crashing back to earth last week under Jake Browning. This is partly about that, but it's mostly a simple matter of Chiefs surrendering the second-fewest fantasy points to kickers this year.
Baltimore Ravens (vs. MIA) [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,800]
If you've been riding the Ravens this long, you're probably going to roll them out again. This AFC showdown is in Baltimore, and the Ravens lead the league in sacks. But there's no denying the risk involved in this matchup in a must-win week.
SLEEPER
Houston Texans Defense (vs. TEN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,000]
The Texans aren't a great defensive football team, and their best edge-rusher (Jonathan Greenard) left last week's loss to Cleveland with an injured ankle. But the Titans are something of a mess offensively and have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to defenses.
WEEK 17 KICKER RANKINGS
1. Brandon Aubrey, DAL (vs. DET)
2. Justin Tucker, BAL (vs. MIA)
3. Tyler Bass, BUF (vs. NE)
4. Jason Myers, SEA (vs. PIT)
5. Jake Elliott, PHI (vs. ARI)
6. Jake Moody, SF (at WAS)
7. Jason Sanders, MIA (at BAL)
8. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU (vs. TEN)
9. Cairo Santos, CHI (vs. ATL)
10. Matt Gay, IND (vs. LV)
11. Nick Folk, TEN (at HOU)
12. Evan McPherson, CIN (at KC)
13. Brandon McManus, JAX (vs. CAR)
14. Harrison Butker, KC (vs. CIN)
15. Daniel Carlson, LV (at IND)
16. Michael Badgley, DET (at DAL)
17. Wil Lutz, DEN (vs. LAC)
18. Younghoe Koo, ATL (at CHI)
19. Greg Joseph, MIN (vs. GB)
20. Blake Grupe, NO (at TB)
21. Anders Carlson, GB (at MIN)
22. Chris Boswell, PIT (at SEA)
23. Cameron Dicker, LAC (at DEN)
24. Greg Zuerlein, NYJ (at CLE)
25. Chase McLaughlin, TB (vs. NO)
WEEK 17 DEFENSE RANKINGS
1. San Francisco 49ers (at WAS)
2. Cleveland Browns (vs. NYJ)
3. Buffalo Bills (vs. NE)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CAR)
5. Indianapolis Colts (vs. LV)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. ARI)
7. Los Angeles Rams (at NYG)
8. New York Jets (at CLE)
9. Denver Broncos (vs. LAC)
10. Dallas Cowboys (vs. DET)
11. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. CIN)
12. Chicago Bears (vs. ATL)
13. Seattle Seahawks (vs. PIT)
14. Houston Texans (vs. TEN)
15. Green Bay Packers (at MIN)
16. Atlanta Falcons (at CHI)
17. Baltimore Ravens (vs. MIA)
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NO)
19. New Orleans Saints (at TB)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (at SEA)
21. Las Vegas Raiders (at IND)
22. Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
23. Cincinnati Bengals (at KC)
24. Miami Dolphins (at BAL)
25. Detroit Lions (at DAL)
Top 100 Players Overall
6 of 6
Before we break down the top 100 players overall for this most important of weeks, a couple of quick notes.
The first is the same as always—you won't find any quarterbacks listed here. If you play in a "superflex" league and have two startable quarterbacks, then start them. Joe Flacco probably isn't a bad idea, even in a tough matchup. Nick Mullens probably is.
The second note is this—if you have gotten this far you either know what you are doing or you have been very lucky. Either way, there's only so much I can do for you at this point. I will say this though—this week more than any other, I study my opponent's lineup—study each position to see where my strengths and weaknesses lie. If I feel like I have a big edge at running back, starting a high-floor wideout makes more sense. If I'm a decided underdog (and in at least one league I am—in my first meeting this year I got tubthumped), then I'm going to be more amenable to rolling the dice on riskier high-ceiling plays.
This is it. In most leagues, it's one game for all the marbles.
Go get the marbles, y'all.
WEEK 17 TOP 100 PLAYERS OVERALL
1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF (at WAS)
2. Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA (at BAL)
3. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (vs. DET)
4. Travis Etienne, RB, JAX (vs. CAR)
5. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN (vs. GB)
6. Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC (at DEN)
7. Saquon Barkley, RB, NYG (vs. LAR)
8. A.J. Brown, WR, PHI (vs. ARI)
9. Amon-Ra St. WR, Brown, DET (at DAL)
10. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, DET (at DAL)
11. Kyren Williams, RB, LAR (at NYG)
12. Mike Evans, WR, TB (vs. NO)
13. Puka Nacua, WR, LAR (at NYG)
14. Raheem Mostert, RB, MIA (at BAL)
15. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN (at KC) [INJURED]
16. Alvin Kamara, RB, NO (at TB)
17. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND (vs. LV) [INJURED]
18. Tony Pollard, RB, DAL (vs. DET)
19. Chris Olave, WR, NO (at TB)
20. Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL (at CHI)
21. Stefon Diggs, WR, BUF (vs. NE)
22. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND (vs. LV)
23. Breece Hall, RB, NYJ (at CLE)
24. DJ Moore, WR, CHI (vs. ATL)
25. Deebo Samuel, WR, SF (at WAS)
26. Joe Mixon, RB, CIN (at KC)
27. De'Von Achane, RB, MIA (at BAL)
28. DK Metcalf, WR, SEA (vs. PIT)
29. Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR (at NYG)
30. Amari Cooper, WR, CLE (vs. NYJ)
31. Aaron Jones, RB, GB (at MIN)
32. Travis Kelce, TE, KC (vs. CIN)
33. Davante Adams, WR, LV (at IND)
34. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SF (at WAS)
35. Derrick Henry, RB, TEN (at HOU)
36. DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI (vs. ARI)
37. Tee Higgins, WR, CIN (at KC)
38. Rachaad White, RB, TB (vs. NO)
39. Trey McBride, TE, ARI (at PHI)
40. Calvin Ridley, WR, JAC (vs. CAR)
41. David Njoku, TE, CLE (vs. NYJ)
42. Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ (at CLE)
43. D'Andre Swift, RB, PHI (vs. ARI)
44. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, TEN (at HOU)
45. James Cook, RB, BUF (vs. NE)
46. Adam Thielen, WR, CAR (at JAC)
47. David Montgomery, RB, DET (at DAL)
48. Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (vs. SF)
49. George Kittle, TE, SF (at WAS)
50. Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN (vs. LAC) [INJURED]
51. Kenneth Walker III, RB, SEA (vs. PIT)
52. Zay Flowers, WR, BAL (vs. MIA)
53. Evan Engram, TE, JAX (vs. CAR)
54. Nico Collins, WR, HOU (vs. TEN)
55. Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC (vs. CIN)
56. Josh Jacobs, RB, LV (at IND) [INJURED]
57. Chris Godwin, WR, TB (vs. NO)
58. Sam LaPorta, TE. DET (at DAL)
59. Jaylen Warren, RB, PIT (at SEA)
60. Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA (vs. PIT)
61. Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR (at JAX)
62. Rashee Rice, WR, KC (vs. CIN)
63. James Conner, RB, ARI (at PHI)
64. Drake London, WR, ATL (at CHI)
65. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, NE (at BUF)
66. Darren Waller, TE, NYG (vs. LAR)
67. Jayden Reed, WR, GB (at MIN)
68. Gus Edwards, RB, BAL (vs. MIA)
69. George Pickens, WR, PIT (at SEA)
70. Brandin Cooks, WR, DAL (vs. DET)
71. Diontae Johnson, WR, PIT (at SEA)
72. Javonte Williams, RB, DEN (vs. LAC)
73. Jake Ferguson, TE, DAL (vs. DET)
74. Gabe Davis, WR, BUF (vs. NE)
75. Jerome Ford, RB, CLE (vs. NYJ)
76. Devin Singletary, RB, HOU (at TEN)
77. Jakobi Meyers, WR, LV (at IND)
78. Joshua Palmer, WR, LAC (at DEN)
79. Ty Chandler, RB, MIN (vs. GB)
80. Khalil Herbert, RB, CHI (vs. ATL)
81. Curtis Samuel, WR, WAS (vs. SF)
82. Isaiah Likely, TE, BAL (vs. MIA)
83. Demario Douglas, WR, NE (at BUF)
84. Najee Harris, RB, PIT (at SEA)
85. Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI (vs. ARI)
86. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA (vs. PIT)
87. Josh Downs, WR, IND (vs. LV)
88. Antonio Gibson, RB, WAS (vs. SF)
89. Romeo Doubs, WR, GB (at MIN)
90. Tyjae Spears, RB, TEN (at HOU)
91. Demarcus Robinson, WR, LAR (at NYG)
92. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, BAL (vs. MIA)
93. Tyler Allgeier, RB, ATL (at CHI)
94. Kareem Hunt, RB, CLE (vs. NYJ)
95. Noah Brown, WR, HOU (vs. TEN)
96. Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL (at CHI)
97. Chase Brown, RB, CIN (at KC)
98. Jerry Jeudy, WR, DEN (vs. LAC)
99. Zamir White, RB, LV (at IND)
100. AJ Dillon, RB, GB (at MIN)
Eligibility restrictions apply. See DraftKings.com for details.
Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on Twitter, @IDPSharks.
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