Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 17 of the NFL Season

Well RosterWatch fam, we’ve come to the culmination of all the hard work we’ve put into the season. Hopefully you can just roll with your studs for one more week, but some of you may not have the luxury. Here’s the fallout going into Week 17…

 

Jaguars – 19 @ Jets – 3

• Evan Engram(7/113) has been the Jags’ main form of offense through the air in recent weeks, and things aren’t likely to change this week against a stingy Texans secondary. Congrats if you picked him up in the last few weeks.

 

• Chris Streveler took over for a woeful Zach Wilson on Thursday, throwing for 90 yards and rushing for 54 yards. If Streveler starts this week, you can’t rely on any of the Jets RBs.

 

Bengals – 22 @ Patriots – 18

• Trenton Irwin caught his 2nd TD in 3 games, but he’s only averaging 2 targets a game and is benefitting from regular starters sustaining injuries. He’s a highly TD dependent DFS play this week against Buffalo.

 

• Mitch Wilcox’s production has gone up every game since he’s come in for Hayden Hurst(calf), but Hurst seemed like he was on his way to playing this past week, and there are too many mouths to feed in Cincy to rely on Wilcox in the finals.

 

• Kendrick Bourne(6/100/1) had his best game of the season with DeVante Parker(concussion) out and could be in for another big week against Miami if Parker continues to sit.

 

Bills – 35 @ Bears -13

• The run game was massively effective for the Bills so they ran with it. It may have been the death knell of teams with Stefon Diggs(2/26) on them, but if you survived, he should pay off for you in the finals in what should be a shootout with Cincy.

 

• James Cook(12/108/1) had the best game of his short career on Saturday, receiving 1 fewer touch than Devin Singletary in a run-heavy game. It’s encouraging, but I don’t see the game script unfolding the same way against Cincy. I expect it to be much more pass-heavy in nature. Cook is a low floor flex in this one.

 

• Khali Herbert(8/3) had 8 touches in his first game back from an extended absence, but he did little with his opportunities. The Bears play Detroit this week, so he should get his chances to flourish, but he’s too risky for the finals.

 

Giants – 24 @ Vikings – 27

• Darius Slayton was out-targeted by both Richie James and Isaiah Hodgins in this one, and he could get the shutdown treatment against the Colts this week, as he’s arguably the Giants no.1 WR. James and Hodgins are viable options in deeper leagues, but don’t be surprised if none of them pan out. You should have better options in the finals.

 

• Kj Osborn turned back into a pumpkin after his impressive Week 15 output, only catching 3 balls for 17 yards. Justin Jefferson and TJ Hockenson are the only Vikings pass-catchers I’m taking to the finals.

 

Saints – 17 Browns – 10

• It’s hard to imagine how the Saints pulled this off with their leading pass-catcher having only 41 yards, but it happened. David Johnson(8/24) had 8 touches, but it amounted to very little. Chris Olave(hamstring) may be shut down for the season, so Rashid Shaheed(4/41) has some juice going into Week 17 as the Saints no.1 receiving option.

 

• Amidst some truly terrible weather, The Browns were nothing doing outside of Amari Cooper(6/72) and Nick Chubb(25/102). Donovan Peoples-Jones( 1/2 ) has been pretty consistent, aside from the outing, and should be usable against Washington this week.

 

Seahawks 10 @ Chiefs – 24

• Tyler Lockett didn’t play in Week 16, and it wasn’t Penny Hart or Marquise Goodwin who stepped up, but none other than Laquon Treadwell(3/26). Well, he didn’t exactly do much, but he was second in targets(7) to DK Metcalf(9). If Lockett can’t play, Treadwell makes for a DFS special in Week 17.

 

• Noah Fant(2/12/1) managed to score for the 3rd game in 4 weeks, but you’re playing with fire as he only caught 2 balls. I’d feel a lot better about him this week if Lockett sits.

 

• Kadarius Toney finally made it back onto the field, and he caught a TD, but that was in fact his only catch on the day. Still limited, there’s no reason to get Toney back into your lineups for the finals.

 

• Jerick McKinnon(8/38/1) had only 8 touches, but he did score. I’ll chalk the low output to the inclement weather. He should be good to go against a Denver defense that is easier to run against.

 

Lions – 23 @ Panthers – 37

• And he’s back. DJ Chark(4/108) erupted in Week 16, after going for one 18 yard catch in Week 15. If Jamaal Williams(leg) can’t make it onto the field this week against Chicago, Chark is worth a gamble. The same can be said for D’Andre Swift, who definitely needs Williams to be out to rely on these days.

 

• TE Shane Zylstra(5/26/3) scored a hat trick on Saturday, with his only other TD coming in Week 9. He’s getting more involved in the offense, but he’s too TD dependent to use in the finals for most.

 

• Chuba Hubbard(12/125) and D’Onta Foreman(21/165/1) both ran roughshod over the Lions defense, but only Hubbard is available in over 60% of leagues. He’s a deep league flex this week against Tampa.

 

Falcons – 9 @ Ravens – 17

• Dare we say Tyler Allgeier(22/117) has usurped Cordarrelle Patterson(9/31) as the lead back in Atlanta? I think so. The rookie seems to have come into his own at this point, though the implications extend more into dynasty. He’ll still be a solid RB2 with upside against Arizona this week.

 

• Drake London(7/96) has come alive over his last 3 games, going over 70 yards in all of them. He’s tough to depend on in the finals regardless, though the Falcons are probably going to be playing catch up.

 

• Lamar Jackson will test his knee this week and will give it a go if there are no setbacks. Jackson’s return may actually put JK Dobbins(12/59) and Gus Edwards(11/99) at a disadvantage, as Jackson becomes the team’s goal line back when he’s in. I feel ok about Dobbins if Jackson returns, but I’m not taking a chance on Edwards in that case, even with his strong showing in week 16.

 

Texans – 19 @ Titans – 14

• Brandin Cooks(4/43/1) saw his most targets(9) since Week 2, and with Nico Collins on IR, he may actually be a decent PPR flex this week against the Jags.

 

• Malik Willis(99/0/2) looks like he’s in over his head right now, and things probably won’t get better against the Cowboys this week. You can’t start Titans pass-catchers. On the flipside, the Dallas D is a must start.

 

Commanders – 20 @ 49ers – 37

• Carson Wentz took over for Taylor Heinicke at the half and didn’t put up better numbers, but he also didn’t turn the ball over on consecutive drives like Heinicke did. It’s simple. If Heinicke remains, you can play Terry McLaurin. If Wentz starts, you can play Curtis Samuel. Either way, Jahan Dotson is a go.

 

• Tyrion Davis-Price had 9 touches for 30 yards as Christian McCaffrey‘s backup, with Jordan Mason out with a hamstring injury. I don’t care if Mason misses again, I’m not touching TDP. He’s just not very good.

 

• Brandon Aiyuk(5/81) has been up and down with Brock Purdy under center, but he got his most targets(7) from him yet in Week 16, and Aiyuk has a favorable matchup with the Raiders this week. He’s worth a shot in PPR formats.

 

Eagles – 34 @ Cowboys – 40

• Jalen Hurts(shoulder) might have a miraculous recovery this week in time to play the Saints. Either way, I like the Eagles dynamic duo of Smith and Brown and also Dallas Goedert even with Gardner Minshew under center. With elite options like them and a stout O-line, it’s hard to fail.

 

• Ty Hilton only had one target, but it was a 52 yard bomb. If this is a sign of things to come, Hilton is worth adding in deeper formats. He’s the definition of boom or bust in this offense though, as there are multiple ways to skin a cat the arsenal of weapons Dallas has.

 

Raiders – 10 @ Steelers – 13

• Hunter Renfrow‘s number got called for the first time this season, as he scored from 14 out, but you can’t look to him or any Raiders WR not named Adams this week against San Fran, though Adams was a let down this week – I am inclined to think it was mostly due to Derek Carr‘s inaccuracies on that arctic day.

 

• Kenny Pickett is back under center, meaning that George Pickens(5/57/1) is viable in fantasy again, wee. Pickens, Diontae Johnson and Pat Friermuth are all high floor plays this week, though their upsides are all limited.

 

Packers – 26 @ Dolphins – 20

• To be honest, AJ Dillon(13/48/1) hasn’t been playing that much better, he’s just getting more scoring opportunities. Dillon has scored at least once in each of his last 4 games, and with Aaron Jones nursing an injured ankle, he’s a good bet to score again this week.

 

• All the Packers starting WRs are getting enough targets to flex against Minnesota, but I’m not taking the risk beyond Allen Lazard(5/61) and Christian Watson(6/49). I feel like Romeo Doubs(3/36) is the odd man out here.

 

• Raheem Mostert(10/49) had the same number of touches(10) as Jeff Wilson(10/40/1) and 9 more yards. Wilson got the score though, and that’s why he’s the Miami back I’m more keen on in Week 17. Mostert is a high risk play this week.

 

Broncos – 14 @ Rams – 51

• The Broncos RBs canceled each other out here, and I’m not taking a chance on any of them this week. The Broncos did have their highest point total earlier this season against this week’s opponent the Chiefs, but I’m banking on Jerry Jeudy(6/117) and Courtland Sutton(5/64) to do most of the heavy lifting.

 

• Cam Akers(25/147/3) had the best game of his career on Sunday, and with Baker Mayfield being more of a game manager, Akers should get plenty of run against the Chargers this week. I hate to say it, but you start him. Tyler Higbee(9/94/2) is the only other Rams I can say that about.

 

Buccaneers – 19 @ Cardinals – 16

• Tom Brady is playing some abysmal football, but playoff Lenny Fournette(29/162) and Rachaad White(11/53/1) bailed him out on Sunday night. With Brady struggling right now, it makes sense for the Bucs to continue to lean into the run game. I feel good playing both Fournette and White this week against Carolina.

 

• Greg Dortch(10/98) led the Cardinals in receiving in this one, in what may be chalked up to the second team connection he has with QB Trace McSorley. If Colt McCoy(concussion) can’t make it this week, Dortch is a solid PPR flex option.