As we approach championship week, finding a gem off your bench or waiver wire is the dream of every fantasy football owner. One sensational fantasy showing from a newly appointed starter could give you bragging rights for the next several months. Our Week 17 fantasy sleeper picks, including Khalil Herber, Romeo Doubs, and Brock Purdy, aims to do exactly that, as all three players could turn out to be league-winning starts.
Please remember that any of our sleeper picks could disappoint this week. We take chances with our sleeper picks because recommending a bunch of obvious "must-starts" doesn't help anyone. You shouldn't use the players below over proven stars, but if your roster is full of studs, then you likely don't need our help anyway. If nothing else, our sleeper picks can help you find DFS values, as the prices of these players should be affordable.
Last week, we were near perfect with our RB, QB, and WR sleepers, calling breakout games from Rachaad White, James Cook, Daniel Jones, Gardner Minshew, Jared Goff, DJ Chark, Isaiah Hodgins, and Hunter Renfrow. Hopefully, that was good enough to keep your title hopes alive, and this week our goal is to lead you toward fantasy greatness.
WEEK 17 FANTASY PICKS: Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Without further ado, here are our Week 17 sleeper picks.
Week 17 Fantasy Sleepers: Running backs
Justin Jackson, Lions vs. Bears (Nick Musial). If Jamaal Williams (leg) can't go, Jackson's in line for a high-usage day against a Bears defense allowing the sixth-highest EPA/rush (0.016) and rushing success rate (44 percent). D'Andre Swift will likely log a higher snap share, but a double-digit touch day is sufficient enough for Jackson to post flex-worthy numbers. If Williams is active, a similar pivot would be Washington's Jonathan Williams, who should see 10-plus touches against Cleveland's 25th-ranked run defense with Antonio Gibson (knee, foot) out.
Zonovan Knight, Jets at Seahawks (Vinnie Iyer). They should get him going in a great matchup with Mike White back to legitimize the passing game.
Khalil Herbert, Bears @ Lions (Matt Lutovsky). Herbert (hip) made it through last week unscathed, which is more important than this six-carry, seven-yard line. He’ll have more success against a porous Lions’ run defense that allowed a pair of 100-yard rushers last week. In the four full games before Herbert’s injury, he averaged 10.8 touches and 70.8 total yards per outing. If he gets that many opportunities against Detroit, he’ll easily pay off as a 12-team flex.
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 17 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Quarterbacks
Gardner Minshew, Eagles vs. Saints (Piva). Had Philadelphia not committed some untimely turnovers, the Eagles had a good shot of notching a road win over the Cowboys sans Jalen Hurts (right shoulder). Philadelphia's offensive output wasn't the issue, as the NFC's most efficient offense (0.130 EPA/play) should once again have its way. An above-average Saints' defense could limit Minshew's ceiling, but his floor is stable enough to finish as a top-15 QB.
Mac Jones, Patriots vs. Dolphins (Iyer). He can put up decent, high-end QB1 numbers at home against a reeling secondary.
Brock Purdy, 49ers @ Raiders (Lutovsky). Purdy continues to exhibit a high floor, posting four-straight games with at least two scores. That should continue against a Raiders’ defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs. You might want a higher ceiling in your fantasy championship game, but if the rest of your lineup is strong and you're just looking for a potential Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), Lamar Jackson (knee), or Jalen Hurts (right shoulder) fill-in, Purdy can get the job done.
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 17 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide receivers
Romeo Doubs, Packers vs. Lions (Musial). Doubs has drawn 11 targets over the past two weeks since returning from an ankle injury, which is a good sign for his Week 17 prospects considering he hasn't logged a high snap rate. Doubs will likely see a 70-plus percent snap share this week as the team's de-facto No. 2 WR with Christian Watson's (hip) status up in the air. It also doesn't hurt that the Vikings' defense sports the sixth-highest drop-back success rate (49.1 percent) since Week 10 and is one of the weakest pass defenses in the league.
George Pickens, Steelers at Ravens (Iyer). Fellow rookie Drake London thrived in this spot, which will help Pickens as he stays away from the toughest matchups outside.
Demarcus Robinson, Ravens vs. Steelers (Lutovsky). In Weeks 11-15, Robinson averaged 5.6 catches and 53.4 yards on 6.6 targets per game. We’re not worried about last week’s one-target effort in the cold and wind, though it was nice to see his lone look go for a TD. Robinson should bounce back against a Steelers’ defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to WRs, especially if Lamar Jackson (knee) returns.
WEEK 17 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Week 17 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Tight ends
Tyler Conklin, Jets @ Seahawks (Musial). Conklin and the rest of the Jets' offense gets a boost with Mike White (ribs) making his return this Sunday. Conklin also draws a juicy matchup against a Seahawks defense that's allowed the most fantasy points to TEs, sporting the fifth-highest EPA/drop-back.
Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Panthers (Iyer). Look for him to get more involved down the seam with a good shot at a short TD from the GOAT.
Jordan Akins, Texans vs. Jaguars (Lutovsky). Akins is playing around 50 percent of snaps for Houston, and in his past five games, he’s averaged three catches, 4.4 targets, and 29.6 yards while scoring two total touchdowns. Would you like bigger numbers in your fantasy championship? Of course, but the point is Akins has a regular role. Against Jacksonville, who allows the eighth-most fantasy points to TEs, the potential is there for much bigger stats.
Week 17 DFS: Best values
Week 17 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Defense
Atlanta Falcons vs. Cardinals (Musial). Even if Colt McCoy (concussion) returns this week, Atlanta's defense is capable of holding the Cardinals in check by racking up a handful of sacks along with forcing a couple of turnovers. The Falcons pass rush isn't anything special, but it could fare well against a beat-up Cardinals offensive line. If McCoy's unable to return and Trace McSorley makes his second straight start, that's even better news for the Falcons D/ST.
Arizona Cardinals at Falcons (Iyer). J.J. Watt emotions and energy will flow here with some big plays vs. Desmond Ridder.
New York Giants vs. Colts (Lutovsky). Nick Foles on a short week? Yes, please. New York will bring steady pressure, as it did last week (four sacks), only this time, it will cash in with takeaways, as it did two weeks ago (two fumble recoveries, D/ST touchdown).
