For most seasonal fantasy football leagues, Week 17 represents championship week in the playoffs. For some, it's the semifinal round. Either way, it's important to keep trying to bolster your rosters with some insurance on the bench and your lineups with some upgrades where needed.
Injuries, ineffectiveness, and benchings have thrown more of a wrench into everything, and you have to be ready to adapt until the moment each game gets underway.
Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer is here to help again with his combination of rankings, recommendations, information, and insight to help you make the right calls with the Week 17 "Decider."
If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller's industry-leading "Who To Start?" tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
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Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must starts
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. ARI)
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. DET)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. MIA)
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. NE)
- Brock Purdy, 49ers (at WAS)
- Justin Fields, Bears (vs. ATL)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. CIN)
- Matthew Stafford, Rams (at NYG)
Stronger starts
9. Jared Goff, Lions (at DAL). Goff should see plenty of favorable one-on-one coverage playing off the running game to put up multiple scores and close to 300 yards in a shootout.
10. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. NO). Baker is in the oven, and he'll stay heated up against a Saints' secondary that's fallen apart behind a faded pass rush.
11. C.J. Stroud, Texans (if he returns, vs. TEN). Houston can feel good about this being a literal get-well at home for their desperately missed rookie passer.
12. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at PHI). Murray ran around and made plays with whoever was out there in Chicago, and it continues in a better matchup in Philly.
13. Derek Carr, Saints (at TB). Carr has strung together two good fantasy games when the running has been limited. The receiving corps now has more juice, and he'll need to throw often opposite Baker.
14. Jordan Love, Packers (at MIN). He's getting it done with arm, leg,s and whoever of the young receivers are available, and this is a good matchup indoors.
15. Tyrod Taylor, Giants (vs. LAR). The team is rolling with him over Tommy DeVito, and there will be some garbage big plays to be had in comeback mode.
DFS picks
Tyrod Taylor, Giants (vs. LAR, $4,600 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel). Take advantage of super-bargain pricing for a backup turned starter in a fair enough matchup.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. MIA, $7,700 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel). He should be starting to feel his second MVP and will be motivated to lock it down before Week 18 with another huge reality performance backed up by big stats.
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
16. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at BAL). Tagovailoa is down Jaylen Waddle (ankle) in a tough passing game matchup, so it's hard to go here on the road.
17. Joe Flacco, Browns (vs. NYJ). Don't go chase his points from the past three weeks or tap into the revenge-game narrative in an awful matchup.
18. Geno Smith, Seahawks (vs. PIT). You can't trust him in this spot after the Steelers' defense overachieved last week.
19. Gardner Minshew, Colts (vs. LV). He's been up-and-down, and they need to take a run-heavy, defensive-minded approach to beat the Raiders.
20. Mason Rudolph, Steelers (at SEA). Rudolph did guide the sleigh to aggressive QB1 numbers last week, but on the road vs. a good pass defense, no.
21. Will Levis, Titans (if he plays, at HOU). He may not even return, but you shouldn't worry about the rookie on the road anyway.
22. Jake Browning, Bengals (at KC). He's coming off a bad game, and the Chiefs won't set him up for rebound success.
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must starts
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at WAS)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (at NYG)
- Rachaad White, Buccaneers (vs. NO)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. LV)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at DAL)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. CAR)
- D'Andre Swift, Eagles (vs. ARI)
- James Cook, Bills (vs. NE)
- Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (vs. PIT)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at CHI)
- Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots (at BUF)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at TB)
- Ty Chandler, Vikings (vs. GB)
- Javonte Williams, Broncos (vs. LAC)
- Breece Hall, Jets (at CLE)
- Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. CIN)
- Zamir White, Raiders (at IND)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (at KC)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (at HOU)
Stronger starts
20. Najee Harris, Steelers (at SEA). He's running well with the passing game opened up, and the Seahawks are vulnerable to power.
21. Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at DEN). He has to get it going in a very favorable matchup with likely little time left with the team.
22. Jerome Ford, Browns (vs. NYJ). He'll be more of the key part of the game plan in beating the Jets.
23. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at JAX). The matchup seems tricky, but he's getting the volume and key big touches.
24. David Montgomery, Lions (at DAL). The Cowboys aren't easy to run against, but they can be gashed at times up front. That said, you do need to fade him well behind Gibbs with his more TD-dependent play.
25. Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. LAR). The Rams are pretty good vs. the run and stopping backs as receivers, but here's hoping volume pays off.
26. James Conner, Cardinals (at PHI). Conner is doing more than expected in the passing game, and his short-scoring potential makes up for the tough rushing matchup.
27. De'Von Achane, Dolphins (at DAL). When Jaylen Waddle (ankle) is out of the lineup, he tends to have a bigger extended role behind Mostert.
DFS Picks
Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at WAS, $9,600 DraftKings, $11,000 FanDuel). Breece Hall crushed this matchup as a dual threat with a massive receiving and rushing day against the Commanders, so CMC is worth a pay-up in cash games.
D'Andre Swift, Eagles (vs. ARI, $6,500 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel). We need to go back to being a Swiftie as he explodes for a big game against the weakest running back fantasy defense.
WEEK 17 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections
Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
28. Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs. DET). Look, this might be a reverse jinx, but the Lions do give up the fewest fantasy points to backs.
29. Aaron Jones, Packers (at MIN). The Vikings are pretty tough on the run in general, so no in a split with AJ Dillon.
30. Gus Edwards, Ravens (vs. MIA). The Dolphins can contain his running as Lamar Jackson works to beat them more with his arm.
31. Devin Singletary, Texans (vs. TEN). The Titans can still tighten up against the run despite injuries.
32. Khalil Herbert, Bears (vs. ATL). Don't chase last week from this committee that can go in a different direction should D'Onta Foreman (personal) return.
33. Antonio Gibson, Commanders (vs. SF). He'll cool off big time with Brian Robinson Jr. back and away from the Jets matchup.
34. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at SEA). Warren can be slowed down quite a bit here compared to Najee Harris thanks to Seattle's speedy LBs.
35. Tyjae Spears, Titans (at HOU). There won't be much change-of-pace juice available against the Texans in what can be an even game script.
WEEK 17 DFS: DK & FD lineup | Best values
Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must starts
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. DET)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at BAL)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at DAL)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at WAS)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at WAS)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. NO)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (at NYG)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. LAR)
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (at NYG)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. ARI)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. GB)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. ARI)
- Rashee Rice, Chiefs (vs. CIN)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. PIT)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. NE)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (at IND)
- DJ Moore, Bears (vs. ATL)
- Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (vs. CAR)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (at CLE)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (at KC)
- Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. LV)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (at HOU)
- Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. CIN)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. SF)
- Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. JAX)
- Nico Collins, Texans (vs. TEN)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. PIT)
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. MIA)
Stronger starts
29. Adam Thielen, Panthers (at JAX). He was delivering as Bryce Young started to ball on the Packers, and this is a good matchup inside-out.
30. Jayden Reed, Packers (vs. MIN). Reed was all over the field making plays before his toe injury, so he can pick it up in Minnesota inside.
31. Brandin Cooks, Cowboys (vs. DET). It seems like the Lions give it up to key wide receivers in every game now.
32. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (at TB). He has a shot at another long TD along with a fine day vs. the zone.
33. Romeo Doubs, Packers (at MIN). He's the last trusted outside wideout standing for Jordna Love, and the Vikings can be beaten.
34. Greg Dortch, Cardinals (at PHI). Dortch should be active with key targets should Marquise Brown (heel) miss this great cornerback matchup.
36. Jameson Williams, Lions (at DAL). Jared Goff will connect with him on a long scoring play.
37. Jordan Addison (if he plays) or K.J. Osborn, Vikings (vs. GB). One of these guys is worth a shot after what the Panthers' lesser receivers did against this reeling secondary.
38. Darius Slayton, Giants (vs. LAR). He didn't waste time connecting on a long scoring play with Tyrod Taylor, and the Rams can have those types of breakdowns.
39. DJ Chark, Panthers (at JAX). Go figure Chark resurfaces against the Packers right before a fine matchup in a revenge game.
DFS picks
Chris Olave, Saints (at TB, $6,800 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel). He is getting open everywhere, and he stays hot with more high volume vs. a shaky secondary
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at WAS, $7,000 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel). Speaking of shaky secondary, Aiyuk should explode again for a second straight week, this time on the Commanders.
Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
40. Drake London, Falcons (at CHI). London is outside in the Chicago wind, so he'll go back to a fog of production.
41. George Pickens, Steelers (at SEA). Don't go chasing those random big plays after a big drought, as the Seahawks can contain him better.
42. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (at IND). The matchup isn't too bad, but it's hard to feel much with Aidan O'Connell now.
43. Demario Douglas, Patriots (at BUF). The Bills can give it up a little in the slot, but this is a low-ceiling play.
44. Noah Brown, Texans (vs. TEN). Not with Nico Collins back.
45. Tyler Boyd, Bengals (vs. KC). This matchup really stinks overall for him.
46. Curtis Samuel, Commanders (vs. SF). It's a no-go for him with Jacoby Brissett throwing elsewhere.
47. Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. NE). Don't look for him to randomly produce again, as zero has been more the norm.
48. Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens (vs. MIA). We're not sure why OBJ suddenly went ... MIA!
Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. CIN)
- George Kittle, 49ers (at WAS)
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (at PHI)
- David Njoku, Browns (at NYJ)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (at DAL)
- Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. DET)
- Isaiah Likely, Ravens (vs. MIA)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. ARI)
- Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. CAR)
Stronger starts
10. Tucker Kraft, Packers (at MIN). He's been a fine Kraft beer with cheese and that keeps on happening in a solid spot.
11. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at CHI). He scored last week again at home, and the matchup is too good to have him sit.
12. Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. ATL). Assuming he's healthy, he can build on his massive game vs. the Cardinals, also at home.
13. Gerald Everett, Chargers (at DEN). He steps into the best tight end matchup possible, so he's worth a deep stream.
14. Juwan Johnson, Saints (at TB). He's looked good of late scoring and should see more key targets here.
15. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans (vs. HOU). Chiggy scored last week, and the Texans are very giving to his position.
DFS pick
Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. CIN, $7,000 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel). Kelce is now very overdue for a blow-up game that includes 100 yards and at least one TD. There's been a lot of talk about his demise, but the team needs to throw to him more, too. He can totally smash a Bengals' defense that cannot cover him anywhere on the field.
Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
16. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. TEN). He was solid last week, but it's not happening against the Titans' tight tight end defense.
17. Darren Waller, Giants (vs. LAR). Not with Daniel Bellinger and the wideouts more involved.
18. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. NE). The usage has cooled badly of late, so use at your own risk.
19. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at SEA). Not after a goose-egg with Mason Rudolph.
20. Taysom Hill, Saints (at TB). He's disappeared from game plans of late.
21. Tyler Conklin, Jets (at CLE). He won't do much of anything in this brutal road spot.
22. Logan Thomas, Commanders (vs. SF). He did connect with Jacoby Brissett for a score last week, but the 49ers cover the position very well.
Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Defenses
Stronger starts
- Browns (vs. NYJ)
- 49ers (at WAS)
- Bills (vs. NE)
- Chiefs (vs. CIN)
- Ravens (vs. MIA)
- Bears (vs. CHI)
- Broncos (vs. LAC)
8. Eagles (vs. ARI). They can make a few plays here with a big lead.
9. Colts (vs. LV). They can cause some problems for Aidan O'Connell.
10. Jets (at CLE). The revenge game vs. Joe Flacco works both ways.
11. Jaguars (vs. CAR). The Panthers did do something last week, but going home helps Jacksonville here.
12. Rams (at NYG). There will be some changes for big plays on Tyrod Taylor.
13. Texans (vs. TEN). They can get it done to rebound no matter the QB.
DFS pick
Bears (vs. ATL, $3,400 DraftKings, $3,400 FanDuel). Chicago has been a force with Matt Eberlfus and now gets a bad Falcons road offense in the elements, prime for some sacks and takeaways.
Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
14. Cowboys (vs. DET). They are hard to trust against better offenses.
15. Raiders (at IND). They will cool down after last week's scoring frenzy in KC.
16. Packers (at MIN). Not playing the way they have the past couple of weeks.
17. Seahawks (vs. PIT). They aren't great beyond sacks.
18. Patriots (at BUF). They are active, but not on the road vs. Josh Allen.
19. Falcons (at CHI). Don't look at Week 16 and take it on the road vs. Justin Fields.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly analysis by listening or watching the daily Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
