Fantasy Football Week 17 Rankings: Examining Lineup Options After Injury Reports

Happy new year, football fans! While the calendar has changed over to 2022, the 2021 NFL season is still going strong. Two weeks of regular-season action remain, and Week 17 is set to get underway on Sunday.

For most season-long fantasy leagues, Week 17 will represent the championship week. Some larger leagues will inevitably run the course of the regular season. However, the final slate is often skipped in fantasy because of the danger of resting starters.

While no top seeds are locked up—and therefore, teams won't be inclined to rest healthy starters—injuries and COVID-19-related absences will still impact player availability. Here, we'll dive into the latest buzz from Friday's injury report, check out updated flex rankings and examine a couple of potential waiver-wire replacements.

All rankings and picks are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Notable Injuries Heading into Saturday (Offense Only)

Justin Berl/Associated Press

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens (ankle)—did not practice

Marquise Brown, WR, Baltimore Ravens (illness)—did not practice

Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears (ankle)—questionable (Andy Dalton expected  to start)

Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns (ankle)—limited in practice

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Denver Broncos (concussion)—out

Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions (knee)—doubtful

James O'Shaughnessy, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars (hip)—out

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (shoulder)—questionable

Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams (Achilles)—questionable (unlikely to play)

Nelson Agholor, WR, New England Patriots (concussion)—out

Tre'Quan Smith, WR, New Orleans Saints (chest)—out

Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets (calf)—doubtful

Kadarius Toney, WR, New York Giants (shoulder)—out

Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (hand)—out

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers (thumb)—doubtful

             

*A full list of injury updates can be found at NFL.com.

Week 17 Flex Top 50

Ashley Landis/Associated Press

1. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

2. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

3. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers

4. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

5. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

6. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

7. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

8. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

9. Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

10. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

11. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

12. Antonio Brown, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

13. A.J. Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans

14. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

15. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

16. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

17. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

18. David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears

19. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

20. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

21. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

22. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

23. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

24. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

25. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

26. Ronald Jones II, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

27. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

28. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

29. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks

30. Hunter Renfrow, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

31. Darrell Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

32. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

33. Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys

34. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

35. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

36. Damien Harris, RB, New England Patriots

37. Sony Michel, RB, Los Angeles Rams

38. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

39. Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans

40. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

41. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Los Angeles Rams

42. Chase Edmonds, RB, Arizona Cardinals

43. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers

44. Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals

45. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

46. Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks

47. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Football Team

48. Zach Ertz, TE, Arizona Cardinals

49. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

50. Devin Singletary, RB, Buffalo Bills

Waiver Targets: Boston Scott and Jordan Howard, RBs, Philadelphia Eagles

Rich Schultz/Associated Press

With starter Miles Sanders out for this week's game against the Washington Football Team, Philadelphia Eagles backs Boston Scott and Jordan Howard become viable flex options off the waiver wire. Scott carried 12 times for 41 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants last week. Howard carried nine times for 37 yards and caught two passes for 19.

Scott is the healthier of the two backs, as Howard is officially questionable with a stinger.

"We obviously do not have to make that decision yet," head coach Nick Sirianni said, per Chris Franklin of NJ.com. "He still has two more days to get better, so he is questionable right now."

Managers only able to roster one of the backs should target Scott first because of Howard's uncertain status. However, both could see significant action—if healthy—against a middle-of-the-road run defense.

Washington has allowed the 16th-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs, but if the Eagles get an early lead, they could look to salt away the game on the ground. Given how well Philadelphia has been playing lately (5-1 in the last six games), that's precisely how I see things unfolding.

Howard is rostered in 24 percent of Yahoo leagues and 13 percent of ESPN leagues. Scott is rostered in 29 percent and 20 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues, respectively. The New York Giants have allowed the 12-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

            

*Fantasy roster information and points allowed via FantasyPros.  

Waiver Target: Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

Managers scrambling to find a tight end for the fantasy playoffs—perhaps those who have missed Darren Waller over the last month—should look to Chicago Bears pass-catcher Cole Kmet.

While the second-year tight end isn't a fantasy star just yet, he's been fairly reliable over the past month. He's had at least three receptions in each of his last five games and has topped the 40-yard mark in four of those.

It'll be back to Andy Dalton at quarterback for the Bears this week, as rookie Justin Fields is questionable but unlikely to play.

"We'll continue to get Justin going and do everything that he can to get ready for next week," coach Matt Nagy said, per Larry Mayer of the team's official website.

In his past two games with Dalton under center (Weeks 12 and 13), Kmet caught a combined 11 passes for 106 yards. He should have a fair PPR floor this weekend, though managers shouldn't bank on touchdown upside.

Kmet has just two professional touchdowns and none this season. He is rostered in 31 percent of Yahoo leagues and 38 percent of ESPN leagues.