B/R's Week 17 PPR Fantasy Football Player Rankings
If you're reading this, then there's only one thing you want for Christmas: a fantasy championship.
A reward for all the work of the past several months to pay off. A shiny trophy. Maybe a few bucks. To be able to bag on all your leaguemates for far longer than is in any way appropriate.
Of course, getting that championship won't be easy. Your likely has a loaded roster. It may even be a better roster. For every Goliath rolling into the championship game, there's a David who barely made the postseason and then got hot.
However, just because a team looks unbeatable, it doesn't make it so.
All it takes is the right lineup...and a little luck.
The latter I can't help you with, but the former is covered here, with position-by-position PPR rankings, matchups to exploit and avoid, and a look at the top 100 overall players for Week 17.
No lumps of coal, Chia Pets or fruitcakes anywhere to be found.
Quarterbacks
The last thing fantasy managers need in the heart of the playoff run is a major injury. In fact, even a minor injury can derail a season if it happens early in the game.
Fantasy managers with Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles as their starting quarterback found that out the hard way in Week 16. Early in last week's loss to the Washington Commanders, he was ruled out of the game after suffering a concussion.
The two-time Pro Bowler is in the NFL's concussion protocol, and Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni is unsure if he will be able to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.
"When that happens, we just lean on the doctors to let us know on a daily basis where he is," he told reporters.
It's not unheard of for a player to clear the protocol without missing a game. It is, however, relatively rare. Hurts' early exit in Week 16 puts his status for Championship Week in real jeopardy.
Good Matchups
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,500]
Mayfield has at least 285 passing yards and multiple touchdowns in each of his last three games and ranks third among all fantasy quarterbacks over that span. This week in a must-win game, the Buccaneers face a Carolina Panthers defense that has given up the most fantasy points in the NFC to quarterbacks this season.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (at TB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]
Fantasy managers who could be short Hurts this week should take a look at Young. When the teams met a few weeks ago, he accounted for 315 total yards of offense and ranked eighth in fantasy points among quarterbacks for the week.
Bad Matchups
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,400]
Darnold has been solid for fantasy managers this year, and he ranks inside the top 10 for the season and has two games with over 300 passing yards over the past five weeks. But the Packers have been solid against the pass this season, including limiting Seattle's Geno Smith to less than 150 passing yards and no touchdowns in Week 15.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (at CHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500]
Smith hasn't been especially productive of late—last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings was the first time he has eclipsed 20 fantasy points since Seattle's Week 10 bye. Now he faces a Bears defense that ranks last in the NFC in fantasy points given up to quarterbacks.
Sleeper
Mason Rudolph, Tennessee Titans (at JAX) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]
To be clear, starting Rudolph in a one-QB season-long league is probably not the best of ideas. But he does have some superflex and DFS appeal going up against a Jaguars defense that ranks dead-last in pass defense and leads the league in fantasy points surrendered to quarterbacks in 2024.
Week 17 Quarterback Rankings
1. Lamar Jackson, BAL, (at HOU)
2. Josh Allen, BUF (vs. NYJ)
3. Jayden Daniels, WAS (vs. ATL)
4. Joe Burrow, CIN (vs. DEN)
5. Jordan Love, GB (at MIN)
6. Jared Goff, DET (at SF)
7. Anthony Richardson, IND (at NYG)
8. Brock Purdy, SF (vs. DET)
9. Baker Mayfield, TB (vs. CAR)
10. Bo Nix, DEN (at CIN)
11. Kyler Murray, ARI (at LAR)
12. Sam Darnold, MIN (vs. GB)
13. Caleb Williams, CHI (vs. SEA)
14. Patrick Mahomes II, KC (at PIT)
15. Justin Herbert, LAC (at NE)
16. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (at CLE)
17. Matthew Stafford, LAR (vs. ARI)
18. Geno Smith, SEA (at CHI)
19. C.J. Stroud, HOU (vs. BAL)
20. Bryce Young, CAR (at TB)
21. Drake Maye, NE (vs. LAC)
22. Russell Wilson, PIT (vs. KC)
23. Aaron Rodgers. NYJ (at BUF)
24. Michael Penix, ATL (at WAS)
25. Cooper Rush, DAL (at PHI)
26. Kenny Pickett, PHI (vs. DAL)
27. Aidan O'Connell, LV (at NO)
28. Drew Lock, NYG (vs. IND)
29. Mason Rudolph, TEN (at JAX)
30. Mac Jones, JAX (vs. TEN)
Running Backs
For the most part, the top-12 running backs in fantasy football leagues this year is a list of the usual suspects: Players such as Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles and Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens.
However, there's at least one name that's a bit of a surprise—a young runner who didn't even open the season as his team's lead back.
Since Zack Moss went down with an injury, Chase Brown has stepped into an every-down role for the Cincinnati Bengals—and stepped up to become a big-time producer for fantasy managers.
The 24-year-old has tallied double-digit PPR fantasy points in every game in which he's played. He's fifth at the position in points over that span.
"Zero RB" adherents will point to Brown as the sort of back who validates that strategy. There are others as well, like Bucky Irving of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But as a whole, 2024 was a good season for chalk at the position.
Good Matchups
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,700]
Irving has been solid for the Buccaneers as a rookie, averaging a robust 5.5 yards per carry. He should surpass 1,000 rushing yards this week against a porous Panthers run defense that has allowed a massive 175.2 yards per game this year.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (at JAX) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,400]
Spears shared backfield work with Tony Pollard last week and averaged less than three yards per carry. But he tallied 13 total touches, scored a pair of touchdowns and now faces a Jaguars defense allowing the most PPR points to running backs this season.
Bad Matchups
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (at PHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]
Dowdle's string of 100-yard games on the ground came to a screeching halt last week against Tampa with just 23 rushing yards and a miserable 1.8 yards per carry. Things may not improve much against the Eagles, who have given up the fewest PPR points in the NFC to running backs this season.
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at MIN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $8,100]
Jacobs has been mostly solid for fantasy managers this season. He's a top-five fantasy back over the second half of this season in PPR points per game. In Week 17, though, he draws a Minnesota run defense that has surrendered an NFC-low 87.1 yards per game on the ground.
Sleeper
Devin Singletary, New York Giants (vs. IND) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,200]
Tyrone Tracy Jr. scored last week on a sweet backline catch, but he also aggravated his injured ankle. If the running back can't go this Sunday, Singletary would be the Giants' featured back against a Colts run defense that has allowed the fourth-most PPR points to RBs this year.
Week 17 Running Back Rankings
1. Saquon Barkley, PHI (vs. DAL)
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (at SF)
3. Bijan Robinson, ATL (at WAS)
4. Derrick Henry, BAL (at HOU)
5. Jonathan Taylor, IND (at NYG)
6. Kyren Williams, LAR (vs. ARI)
7. De'Von Achane, MIA (at CLE)
8. Chase Brown, CIN (vs. DEN)
9. Josh Jacobs, GB (at MIN)
10. James Conner, ARI (at LAR)
11. Joe Mixon, HOU (vs. BAL)
12. James Cook, BUF (vs. NYJ)
13. Chuba Hubbard, CAR (at TB)
14. Breece Hall, NYJ (at BUF)
15. Aaron Jones, MIN (vs. GB)
16. Bucky Irving, TB (vs. CAR)
17. Zach Charbonnet, SEA (at CHI)
18. Brian Robinson Jr., WAS (vs. ATL)
19. Rachaad White, TB (vs. CAR)
20. Jerome Ford, CLE (vs. MIA)
21. Rico Dowdle, DAL (vs. PHI)
22. Tyjae Spears, TEN (at JAX)
23. Isaac Guerendo, SF (vs. DET)
24. D'Andre Swift, CHI (vs. SEA)
25. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (vs. LAC)
26. Najee Harris, PIT (vs. KC)
27. Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG (vs. IND)
28. Tony Pollard, TEN (at JAX)
29. Travis Etienne Jr., JAX (vs. TEN)
30. Kendre Miller, NO (vs. LV)
31. Tank Bigsby, JAX (vs. TEN)
32. Jaylen Warren, PIT (vs. KC)
33. Alexander Mattison, LV (at NO)
34. Ameer Abdullah, LV (at NO)
35. JK Dobbins, LAC (at NE)
36. Kareem Hunt, KC (at PIT)
37. Javonte Williams, DEN (at CIN)
38. Isiah Pacheco, KC (at PIT)
39. Antonio Gibson, NE (vs. LAC)
40. Tyler Allgeier, ATL (at WAS)
41. Raheem Mostert, MIA (at CLE)
42. Roschon Johnson, CHI (vs. SEA)
43. Audric Estime, DEN (at CIN)
44. Ray Davis, BUF (vs. NYJ)
45. Devin Singletary, NYG (vs. IND)
46. Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN (at CIN)
47. Isaiah Davis, NYJ (at BUF)
48. Cam Akers, MIN (vs. GB)
49. Ty Johnson, BUF (vs. NYJ)
50. Kimani Vidal, LAC (at NE)
Wide Receivers
Over the summer, there was some debate as to who the top rookie wide receiver would be in 2024.
For most fantasy pundits, the pick was Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals. Others were in the camp of Malik Nabers of the New York Giants. But not many had their chips on Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Um…oops?
Thomas hasn't just been the top rookie wideout by a sizable margin, he's been a highly productive fantasy receiver period. Through 16 weeks, he has 112 targets—14th in the league. He's 15th in the league with 73 catches. His 1,088 yards ranks sixth in the NFL. He is tied for fifth in the league with nine scores. And the LSU product ranks seventh at his position in PPR points.
It's been a dismal season for the Jaguars in just about every way imaginable. But Thomas has been a highlight, both for the team and fantasy managers.
Good Matchups
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (at CLE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800]
Hill admitted his performance in Sunday's win over the San Francisco wasn't up to his standards, and his numbers for the season have been disappointing. But if there's one team that has a habit of making opponents look good this year, it's the Cleveland Browns.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at MIN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,900]
The Green Bay wide receivers can be a frustrating lot, and fantasy managers never know if the Wheel-Of-Wideouts will land on their guy in a given week. But Reed is due for a big game, the stakes are incredibly high for the Packers here, and the Minnesota pass defense has struggled mightily this season.
Bad Matchups
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (vs. MIA) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,500]
Jeudy has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time this year, and he's been a top-10 fantasy wideout since Week 8. But he did most of his damage with Jameis Winston at quarterback. With Dorian Thompson-Robinson at the helm of Cleveland's offense last week, Jeudy caught all of two passes.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]
Shakir has quietly put together a solid season and has an outside shot at cracking 1,000 yards. But he also has a quarterback with an injured throwing hand and faces a Jets pass defense that heads into Week 17 giving up just 188.3 passing yards per game in 2024.
Sleeper
Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins (at CLE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000]
Washington was relatively quiet last week against the Miami Dolphins—three receptions for 28 yards. As mentioned, though, the Browns have struggled defending wide receivers this season, allowing the eighth-most PPR points to the position this year.
Week 17 Wide Receiver Rankings
1. Justin Jefferson, MIN (vs. GB)
2. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (vs. DEN)
3. Nico Collins, HOU (vs. BAL)
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (at SF)
5. Mike Evans, TB (vs. CAR)
6. Puka Nacua, LAR (vs. ARI)
7. Brian Thomas Jr., JAX (vs. TEN)
8. A.J. Brown, PHI (vs. DAL)
9. Terry McLaurin, WAS (vs. ATL)
10. Davante Adams, NYJ (at BUF)
11. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (at CHI)
12. Malik Nabers, NYG (vs. IND)
13. Drake London, ATL (at WAS)
14. Cooper Kupp, LAR (vs. ARI)
15. Courtland Sutton, DEN (at CIN)
16. Tee Higgins, CIN (vs. DEN)
17. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (at BUF)
18. Tyreek Hill, MIA (at CLE)
19. Jauan Jennings, SF (vs. DET)
20. DJ Moore, CHI (vs. SEA)
21. DK Metcalf, SEA (at CHI)
22. Ladd McConkey, LAC (at NE)
23. Zay Flowers, BAL (at HOU)
24. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI (at LAR)
25. Adam Thielen, CAR (at TB)
26. Keenan Allen, CHI (vs. SEA)
27. Calvin Ridley, TEN (at JAX)
28. DeVonta Smith, PHI (vs. DAL)
29. Jayden Reed, GB (at MIN)
30. Deebo Samuel Sr., SF (vs. DET)
31. Jakobi Meyers, LV (at NO)
32. Jordan Addison, MIN (vs. GB)
33. Khalil Shakir, BUF (vs. NYJ)
34. Xavier Worthy, KC (at PIT)
35. Jameson Williams, DET (at SF)
36. Jalen McMillan, TB (vs. CAR)
37. Jaylen Waddle, MIA (at CLE)
38. Darnell Mooney, ATL (at WAS)
39. Christian Watson, GB (at MIN)
40. Jerry Jeudy, CLE (vs. MIA)
41. Rome Odunze, CHI (vs. SEA)
42. Rashod Bateman, BAL (at HOU)
43. DeAndre Hopkins, KC (at PIT)
44. Romeo Doubs, GB (at MIN)
45. Brandin Cooks, DAL (at PHI)
46. Josh Downs, IND (at NYG)
47. Quentin Johnston, LAC (at NE)
48. Michael Pittman Jr., IND (at NYG)
49. Amari Cooper, BUF (vs. NYJ)
50. Jalen Coker, CAR (at TB)
51. Hollywood Brown, KC (at PIT)
52. Keon Coleman, BUF (vs. NYJ)
53. Malik Washington, MIA (at CLE)
54. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, NO (vs. LV)
55. Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG (vs. IND)
56. Joshua Palmer, LAC (at NE)
57. Parker Washington, JAX (vs. TEN)
58. DeMario Douglas, NE (vs. LAC)
59. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, TEN (at JAX)
60. Dontayvion Wicks, GB (at MIN)
Tight Ends
It's been a dismal season for the Las Vegas Raiders. Their Week 16 win over the equally putrid Jacksonville Jaguars snapped a 10-game skid.
However, there has been at least one bright spot in Sin City this season: tight end Brock Bowers.
With 11 catches for 99 yards against the Jaguars, he became the third tight end in NFL history to top 1,000 yards as a rookie. He also has 101 receptions for the season, a feat no first-year TE has ever accomplished.
After the game, the Georgia product told reporters that while the individual achievement was nice, the win was even better.
"I couldn't do it without all the other guys," Bowers said. "Aidan (O'Connell) was slinging that thing and everyone was making plays so it felt good. ... Just coming here and [winning], the vibes are just way better."
Fantasy managers care more about another 20-point win in PPR leagues. It was Bowers' fourth such game of the year, and he will likely be the second straight rookie tight end to finish first in PPR points.
Good Matchups
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,500]
Hockenson has been relatively quiet since returning from injury, but Sunday's showdown with the Packers is one of Week 17's biggest games, and Green Bay has been generous to opposing tight ends from a fantasy perspective this season.
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (vs. CLE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]
Smith went from a complete afterthought during fantasy draft season to the highest-scoring tight end of the second half of the campaign on the way to setting multiple team records for the Dolphins at his position. He should finish the season strong against the Browns.
Bad Matchups
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,300]
Kincaid hasn't come close to replicating his success from a year ago, and he barely ranks inside the top-20 tight ends in PPR points per game. That's not likely to change in a bad matchup for his position with New York's bad pass defense.
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000]
Two weeks ago, Strange exploded with 11 catches on 12 targets against the New York Jets. But he came crashing back to earth with just two receptions a week ago, and the Titans have allowed the seventh fewest PPR points to tight ends this season.
Sleeper
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans (at JAX) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,600]
Okonkwo had a big game last week with Mason Rudolph at quarterback, reeling in nine of 11 targets for 81 yards. That came after six receptions the week before once the backup QB entered the game. The Jaguars have surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2024.
Week 17 Tight End Rankings
1. Brock Bowers, LV (at NO)
2. George Kittle, SF (vs. DET)
3. Trey McBride, ARI (at LAR)
4. Travis Kelce, KC (at PIT)
5. Sam LaPorta, DET (at SF)
6. Mark Andrews, BAL (at HOU)
7. Jonnu Smith, MIA (at CLE)
8. T.J. Hockenson, MIN (vs. GB)
9. Jake Ferguson, DAL (at PHI)
10. Hunter Henry, NE (vs. LAC)
11. Tucker Kraft, GB (at MIN)
12. Pat Freiermuth, PIT (vs. KC)
13. Dalton Kincaid, BUF (vs. NYJ)
14. Cade Otton, TB (vs. CAR)
15. Dalton Schultz, HOU (vs. BAL)
16. Kyle Pitts, ATL (at WAS)
17. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN (at JAX)
18. Cole Kmet, CHI (vs. SEA)
19. Brenton Strange, JAX (vs. TEN)
20. Juwan Johnson, NO (vs. LV)
21. Zach Ertz, WAS (vs. ATL)
22. Noah Fant, SEA (at CHI)
23. Stone Smartt, LAC (at NE)
24. Noah Gray, KC (at PIT)
25. Isaiah Likely, BAL (at HOU)
26. Mike Gesicki, CIN (vs. DEN)
27. Tyler Conklin, NYJ (at BUF)
28. Dawson Knox, BUF (vs. NYJ)
29. Ja'Tavion Sanders, CAR (at TB)
30. Jordan Akins, CLE (vs. MIA)
Kickers and Team Defenses
Raise your hand if you thought Chris Boswell of the Pittsburgh Steelers would be fantasy's No. 1 kicker after 16 weeks.
Now, unless your last name is Boswell, put your hand down—lying is wrong.
That's no knock on Boswell as a player. He's been a fine kicker for a decade in Pittsburgh. But he doesn't have the reputation of a Justin Tucker or the cannon leg of Brandon Aubrey (who has a slim chance of catching Boswell this week).
However, it's been something of a perfect storm season for the 33-year-old. The Pittsburgh offense has been good but not great, so Boswell has had more field-goal chances than any kicker in the AFC. And while he may not have Aubrey's leg, he has been more accurate, with just three misses in 42 field-goal attempts.
Chris Boswell is why you should always wait until the final round to draft a kicker. Or you can overpay for Tucker and watch him miss eight of 29 attempts. Whatever you prefer.
Good Matchups
Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
McLaughlin has been a solid fantasy kicker this season and is sixth in fantasy points at the position for the season. The Panthers lead the league in fantasy points allowed to kickers, and McLaughlin hit four the first time these teams met a few weeks ago.
Miami Dolphins Defense (at CLE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,200]
The Dolphins aren't an especially good fantasy defense—the team actually ranks outside the top 25 in fantasy points at the position. But if you have ever watched Dorian Thompson-Robinson play quarterback, then you'll know why Miami is listed here.
Bad Matchups
Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
Reichard has been decent in terms of points per game—ninth among all kickers in that regard. But no team has given up fewer fantasy points this year to kickers, less than six points per game. This should be a good contest, but we may see more extra points than field goals.
Minnesota Vikings Defense (vs. GB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,300]
The Vikings have ridden sacks and takeaways to the most fantasy points in the NFC through 16 weeks. But the Packers rank 29th in fantasy points surrendered to defenses, and Minnesota's first meeting with Green Bay was a high-scoring affair.
Sleeper
Las Vegas Raiders (at New Orleans Saints) [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,900]
Despite not having edge-rusher Maxx Crosby out there last week, the Raiders allowed just 14 points to the Jaguars a week ago. This week, they face an offense that may actually be worse, as the Saints are the only NFL team to be shut out this season.
Week 17 Kicker Rankings
1. Chris Boswell, PIT (at KC)
2. Brandon Aubrey, DAL (at PHI)
3. Jake Bates, DET (at SF)
4. Cameron Dicker, LAC (at NE)
5. Chase McLaughlin, TB (vs. CAR)
6. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU (vs. BAL)
7. Brandon McManus, GB (at MIN)
8. Tyler Bass, BUF (vs. NYJ)
9. Will Reichard, MIN (vs. GB)
10. Justin Tucker, BAL (at HOU)
11. Harrison Butker, KC (at PIT)
12. Jason Myers, SEA (at CHI)
13. Jake Moody, SF (vs. DET)
14. Jason Sanders, MIA (at CLE)
15. Zane Gonzalez, WAS (vs. ATL)
16. Cade York, CIN (vs. DEN)
17. Jake Elliott, PHI (vs. DAL)
18. Riley Patterson, ATL (at WAS)
19. Joshua Karty, LAR (vs. ARI)
20. Wil Lutz, DEN (at CIN)
21. Chad Ryland, ARI (at LAR)
22. Matt Gay, IND (at NYG)
23. Daniel Carlson, LV (at NO)
24. Cairo Santos, CHI (vs. SEA)
25. Eddy Pineiro, CAR (at TB)
Week 17 Team Defense Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. DAL)
2. Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ)
3. Los Angeles Chargers (at NE)
4. Indianapolis Colts (at NYG)
5. Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
6. Kansas City Chiefs (at PIT)
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. KC)
8. Washington Commanders (vs. ATL)
9. Cleveland Browns (vs. MIA)
10. Dallas Cowboys (at PHI)
11. Denver Broncos (at CIN)
12. Seattle Seahawks (at CHI)
13. Las Vegas Raiders (at NO)
14. Baltimore Ravens (at HOU)
15. Tennessee Titans (at JAX)
16. Miami Dolphins (at CLE)
17. Green Bay Packers (at MIN)
18. New England Patriots (vs. LAC)
19. Los Angeles Rams (vs. ARI)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
21. Arizona Cardinals (at LAR)
22. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. DEN)
23. Detroit Lions (at SF)
24. Chicago Bears (vs. SEA)
25. New Orleans Saints (vs. LV)
Top 100 Overall/Flex Rankings
Before we get to the top 100 players overall for PPR fantasy football leagues in Week 17 (a list that can help with flex lineup decisions), here are our obligatory notes and whatnot.
The note is the same as always. This list is like the New York Giants—not a quarterback to be found. If your league has a superflex spot and you have a decent QB2, he should be in that spot. Lest it go unsaid, Dorian Thompson-Robinson should never be anywhere a starting fantasy lineup.
I actually started him in Week 16. It went about like you'd expect.
The whatnot is: Most of the time, it doesn't matter who your opponent starts. The notion of sitting a wide receiver because your opponent has the same team's quarterback is complete goofiness. Start the guys you believe will score the most points. Period.
However, in this one-week season, it's not a bad idea to take a peek at your enemy—if only to get a feel for whether you're a favorite or an underdog. If you're the former, playing it safe(r) with higher-floor flex plays makes sense. If you're a flying dog trying to save Polly Purebred from Simon Bar Sinister, let it rip. Go for broke. Losing by 20 is no different than losing by 90.
Finally, no matter what you celebrate or how you do it, may the holiday season bring happiness and joy to you and your families.
A championship to go with it would be a nice touch.
Week 17 Top 100 Players Overall/Flex Rankings
1. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN (vs. GB)
2. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN (vs. DEN)
3. Saquon Barkley, RB, PHI (vs. DAL)
4. Nico Collins, WR, HOU (vs. BAL)
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET (at SF)
6. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, DET (at SF)
7. Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL (at WAS)
8. Mike Evans, WR, TB (vs. CAR)
9. Derrick Henry, RB, BAL (at HOU)
10. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND (at NYG)
11. Puka Nacua, WR, LAR (vs. ARI)
12. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, JAX (vs. TEN)
13. Kyren Williams, RB, LAR (vs. ARI)
14. A.J. Brown, WR, PHI (vs. DAL)
15. Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (vs. ATL)
16. De'Von Achane, RB, MIA (at CLE)
17. Davante Adams, WR, NYJ (at BUF)
18. Chase Brown, RB, CIN (vs. DEN)
19. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA (at CHI)
20. Malik Nabers, WR, NYG (vs. IND)
21. Josh Jacobs, RB, GB (at MIN)
22. Drake London, WR, ATL (at WAS)
23. James Conner, RB, ARI (at LAR)
24. Brock Bowers, TE, LV (at NO)
25. Joe Mixon, RB, HOU (vs. BAL)
26. Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR (vs. ARI)
27. Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN (at CIN)
28. Tee Higgins, WR, CIN (vs. DEN)
29. James Cook, RB, BUF (vs. NYJ)
30. George Kittle, TE, SF (vs. DET)
31. Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ (at BUF)
32. Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA (at CLE)
33. Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR (at TB)
34. Jauan Jennings, WR, SF (vs. DET)
35. DJ Moore, WR, CHI (vs. SEA)
36. Breece Hall, RB, NYJ (at BUF)
37. DK Metcalf, WR, SEA (at CHI)
38. Trey McBride, TE, ARI (at LAR)
39. Ladd McConkey, WR, LAC (at NE)
40. Aaron Jones, RB, MIN (vs. GB)
41. Bucky Irving, RB, TB (vs. CAR)
42. Zay Flowers, WR, BAL (at HOU)
43. Travis Kelce, TE, KC (at PIT)
44. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, ARI (at LAR)
45. Zach Charbonnet, RB, SEA (at CHI)
46. Adam Thielen, WR, CAR (at TB)
47. Keenan Allen, WR, CHI (vs. SEA)
48. Brian Robinson Jr., RB, WAS (vs. ATL)
49. Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN (at JAX)
50. Rachaad White, RB, TB (vs. CAR)
51. DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI (vs. DAL)
52. Sam LaPorta, TE, DET (at SF)
53. Jayden Reed, WR, GB (at MIN)
54. Jerome Ford, RB, CLE (vs. MIA)
55. Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, SF (vs. DET)
56. Mark Andrews, TE, BAL (at HOU)
57. Jakobi Meyers, WR, LV (at NO)
58. Rico Dowdle, RB, DAL (vs. PHI)
59. Tyjae Spears, RB, TEN (at JAX)
60. Jordan Addison, WR, MIN (vs. GB)
61. Khalil Shakir, WR, BUF (vs. NYJ)
62. Jonnu Smith, TE. MIA (at CLE)
63. Xavier Worthy, WR, KC (at PIT)
64. Isaac Guerendo, RB, SF (vs. DET)
65. Jalen McMillan, WR, TB (vs. CAR)
66. Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA (at CLE)
67. Darnell Mooney, WR, ATL (at WAS)
68. D'Andre Swift, RB, CHI (vs. SEA)
69. Christian Watson, WR, GB (at MIN)
70. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE (vs. LAC)
71. Najee Harris, RB, PIT (vs. KC)
72. T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN (vs. GB)
73. Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, NYG (vs. IND)
74. Jerry Jeudy, WR, CLE (vs. MIA)
75. Rome Odunze, WR, CHI (vs. SEA)
76. Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL (at HOU)
77. Tony Pollard, RB, TEN (at JAX)
78. Jameson Williams, WR, DET (at SF)
79. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, KC (at PIT)
80. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, JAX (vs. TEN)
81. Romeo Doubs, WR, GB (at MIN)
82. Brandin Cooks, WR, DAL (at PHI)
83. Kendre Miller, RB, NO (vs. LV)
84. Josh Downs, WR, IND (at NYG)
85. Quentin Johnston, WR, LAC (at NE)
86. Jake Ferguson, TE, DAL (vs. PHI)
87. Tank Bigsby, RB, JAX (vs. TEN)
88. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND (at NYG)
89. Jaylen Warren, RB, PIT (vs. KC)
90. Amari Cooper, WR, BUF (vs. NYJ)
91. Jalen Coker, WR, CAR (at TB)
92. Alexander Mattison, RB, LV (at NO)
93. Ameer Abdullah, RB, LV (at NO)
94. Hollywood Brown, WR, KC (at PIT)
95. Hunter Henry, TE, NE (vs. LAC)
96. JK Dobbins, RB, LAC (at NE)
97. Keon Coleman, WR, BUF (vs. NYJ)
98. Kareem Hunt, RB, KC (at PIT)
99. Malik Washington, WR, MIA (at CLE)
100. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, NO (vs. LV)
Looking for more insight to help make some tough roster or lineup decisions? Check out all the latest B/R Fantasy Football essentials here.
Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on X at @IDPSharks.