Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings and Position-by-Position Outlook

Kristopher KnoxDec 23, 2025

Week 16 wrapped with Monday night's battle between the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers. Week 17 will open with a Christmas tripleheader on Thursday.

For most fantasy football managers still alive in season-long leagues, Thursday will also bring a championship matchup. Naturally, they'll be looking to avoid lineup mistakes at every turn.

Who can managers trust in Week 17? Let's run through some early point-per-reception rankings and identify a few potential sleepers to consider for streaming or fill-in duty.

Quarterback

1 of 5

AP Photo/Ella Hall

Saints QB Tyler Shough

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

3. Drake Maye, New England Patriots

4. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

5. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

6. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

7. Jalen Hurts, Buffalo Bills

8. Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

9. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

10. Tyler Shough, Tennessee Titans

11. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

12. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Sleeper: Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

Managers who need a spot starter for Week 17 should take a long look at New Orleans Saints rookie Tyler Shough. The Louisville product is a capable dual-threat who is starting to heat up in Kellen Moore's offense.

Shough has topped 17 fantasy points in four straight games and in five of his last six. This week, he has a terrific matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

While the Titans have won two of their last three, they remain underwhelming on defense. Tennessee has surrendered an average of 18.9 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season.

Shough is available in over 80 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Running Back

2 of 5

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Cardinals RB Michael Carter

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

2. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

3. James Cook, Buffalo Bills

4. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

5. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

6. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

7. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

8. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

9. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

10. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

11. Jaonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys

12. RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

13. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

14. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

15. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

Sleeper: Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals

Any manager in need of a running back or flex streamer this week should take a flier on Michael Carter. The Arizona Cardinals turned to Carter two weeks ago when Bam Knight exited with an ankle injury.

Knight recently joined Trey Benson and James Conner on injured reserve for the Cardinals.

While Carter didn't fare well against the Atlanta Falcons last week—he delivered just 6.5 fantasy points—he showed his potential in Week 15. He tallied 13.4 fantasy points against the Houston Texans and could fare even better against the Cincinnati Bengals.

No team has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing RBs than Cincinnati. Carter is available in over 50 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Wide Receiver

3 of 5

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

Jaguars WR Parker Washington

1. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

3. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

4. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

6. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

7. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys

8. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

9. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

10. Nico Collins, Houston Texans

11. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

12. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

13. Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

14. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

15. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

16. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

17. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

18. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

19. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

20. Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants

Sleeper: Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars

Parker Washington hasn't become a high-volume go-to receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he has become an integral piece of a Jags defense that seems to be improving each and every week.

Last week, Washington racked up 26.5 fantasy points. While that marked Washington's first double-digit fantasy outing since Week 12, it's worth noting that it came against an excellent Denver Broncos defense.

The third-year wideout should have a much easier task this week, as the Jaguars will visit the Indianapolis Colts. Washington missed the first meeting with a hip injury, but Jacksonville rolled in a 36-19 victory.

Washington is still available in over 75 percent of Yahoo leagues and 80 percent of ESPN leagues.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report14h

Bleacher Report4h

Bleacher Report17h

Tight End

4 of 5

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Bengals TE Mike Gesicki

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

3. Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

4. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

5. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

6. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

7. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

8. Colb Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams

9. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

10. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

11. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

12. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Sleeper: Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki hasn't been regularly featured in Cincinnati's offense. However, he's flashed fantasy upside in a couple of matchups and is a boom-or-bust streamer to consider this week.

Gesicki tallied 12.5 fantasy points in Week 16 and could have similar numbers this week against the Cardinals. Arizona has surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Against the Falcons on Sunday, Arizona allowed Kyle Pitts to go off for seven catches, 57 yards, and a touchdown. Gesicki is available in over 95 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.