Week 17 Fantasy WR Rankings: A.J. Brown, Greg Ward Jr. rise ahead of favorable matchups

Billy Heyen

Week 17 Fantasy WR Rankings: A.J. Brown, Greg Ward Jr. rise ahead of favorable matchups image

You probably didn't start Steven Sims Jr. in your fantasy football league in Week 16, but the question for those of you who play on into Week 17 is probably, "Should I start Sims now?" The answer is probably "no," but in the bizzarro world that is Week 17 fantasy football, no waiver wire pickup is too crazy to at least consider. And as I'll get into a little later in our Week 17 fantasy WR rankings article, Greg Ward Jr. is a whole different story.

While we may know the answer to it early in the week, the biggest Week 17 story for fantasy owners is Chris Godwin's health. He'll probably be ruled out for the season (because why wouldn't he be?), but still -- if you own Godwin (hamstring), you're surely holding out hope that he plays. Assuming he's out again, you can continue to count on Breshad Perriman and Justin Watson in a juicy matchup with the Falcons.

WEEK 17 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

The injury that could bring a new absence in Week 17 is to Julian Edelman's knee. The Pats still have playoff seeding to play for, but they're taking on the Dolphins and Edelman has been visibly in pain the last couple weeks. If Edelman were to sit, Mohamed Sanu, N'Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers would get rankings boosts. Also, keep an eye on D.J. Moore, who was concussed in Week 16. The Panthers have no great reason to rush him back. (Update: We've removed Moore from the rankings and added in Chris Hogan for Carolina.)

So, back to Sims and Ward. Sims actually seemed legit in terms of targets and finding the end zone twice Sunday (he almost scored a third time, as well), but Washington faces a stingier Dallas defense that could more easily slow down the Redskins offense. Ward, on the other hand, looks so talented it's a wonder the Eagles didn't use him until they were forced into it. But with Carson Wentz throwing him the ball against that same Giants defense that Sims made look silly, Ward could have a field day and is my favorite sleeper this week.

WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end

Week 16 taught us a few more things, as well: Play A.J. Brown against the Texans because he's just an absolute stud who will be made to look even better by a bad secondary. Be cautious with your Seattle WRs -- something weird is going on with that offense, and now they're without their best RBs. And if you're looking for non-Ward upside, it might come from Diontae Johnson, who looks like a big-play threat every time he touches the ball and will potentially have an easier time against Baltimore in Week 17 if the Ravens rest some players.

The final big question before you check out the rankings centers around DeVante Parker, who will match up with Stephon Gilmore in Week 17. Gilmore was burned once by John Brown in Week 16 for a long touchdown, but otherwise Gilmore held Brown to four total targets and just the one long catch. Ryan Fitzpatrick will certainly force feed Parker, but if you have a safer option, it might be best to use it.

MORE: Which players are sitting out Week 17?

Note: We'll continue to update these rankings all week, so check back for the latest changes. 

WEEK 17 DFS:
DK Cash | DK GPP | Y! GPP | FD Cash | Values

Week 17 Fantasy WR Rankings

These rankings are for standard, non-PPR leagues.

Rank Player
1 Julio Jones, ATL @ TB
2 Michael Thomas, NO @ CAR
3 DeAndre Hopkins, HOU vs. TEN
4 Davante Adams, GB @ DET
5 Amari Cooper, DAL vs. WAS
6 Courtland Sutton, DEN vs. OAK
7 Tyreek Hill, KC vs. LAC
8 Breshad Perriman, TB vs. ATL
9 Keenan Allen, LAC @ KC
10 A.J. Brown, TEN @ HOU
11 Julian Edelman, NE vs. MIA
12 Allen Robinson, CHI @ MIN
13 Tyler Boyd, CIN vs. CLE
14 Mike Williams, LAC @ KC
15 Stefon Diggs, MIN vs. CHI
16 Jarvis Landry, CLE @ CIN
17 Adam Thielen, MIN vs. CHI
18 Tyler Lockett, SEA vs. SF
19 T.Y. Hilton, IND @ JAX
20 Kenny Golladay, DET vs. GB
21 Cooper Kupp, LAR vs. ARZ
22 Odell Beckham Jr., CLE @ CIN
23 DJ Chark, JAX @ ATL
24 DeVante Parker, MIA @ NE
25 Golden Tate, NYG vs. PHI
26 John Brown, BUF vs. NYJ
27 Steven Sims Jr., WAS @ DAL
28 Justin Watson, TB vs. ATL
29 Emmanuel Sanders, SF @ SEA
30 Michael Gallup, DAL vs. WAS
31 Anthony Miller, CHI @ MIN
32 Greg Ward, PHI @ NYG
33 Robert Woods, LAR vs. ARZ
34 Russell Gage, ATL @ TB
35 DK Metcalf, SEA vs. SF
36 Deebo Samuel, SF @ SEA
37 Curtis Samuel, CAR vs. NO
38 Marquise Brown, BAL vs. PIT
39 Darius Slayton, NYG vs. PHI
40 Christian Kirk, ARZ @ LAR
41 Sterling Shepard, NYG vs. PHI
42 James Washington, PIT @ BAL
43 Chris Conley, JAX vs. IND
44 Danny Amendola, DET vs. GB
45 Keelan Cole, JAX vs. IND
46 Mohamed Sanu, NE vs. MIA
47 Kenny Stills, HOU vs. TEN
48 Diontae Johnson, PIT @ BAL
49 Corey Davis, TEN @ HOU
50 Tyrell Williams, OAK @ DEN
51 Tim Patrick, DEN vs. OAK
52 Cole Beasley, BUF vs. NYJ
53 Larry Fitzgerald, ARZ @ LAR
54 Jamison Crowder, NYJ @ BUF
55 Brandin Cooks, LAR vs. ARZ
56 Robby Anderson, NYJ @ BUF
57 N'Keal Harry, NE vs. MIA
58 JJ Arcega-Whiteside, PHI @ NYG
59 Zach Pascal, IND @ JAX
60 Alex Erickson, CIN vs. CLE
61 Dede Westbrook, JAX vs. IND
62 Chris Hogan, CAR vs. NO
63 Marcus Johnson, IND @ JAX
64 Sammy Watkins, KC vs. LAC
65 John Ross III, CIN vs. CLE
66 Kendrick Bourne, SF @ SEA
67 Allen Lazard, GB @ DET
68 Randall Cobb, DAL vs. WAS
69 Mecole Hardman, KC vs. LAC
70 Willie Snead, BAL vs. PIT
71 Ted Ginn Jr., NO @ CAR
72 Phillip Dorsett, NE vs. MIA
73 Tre'Quan Smith, NO @ CAR
74 Albert Wilson, MIA @ NE
75 Josh Reynolds, LAR vs. ARZ
76 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB @ DET
77 Demarcus Robinson, KC vs. LAC
78 Geronimo Allison, GB @ DET

Billy Heyen