Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Week 17 lineup advice, best matchups, DFS picks

Need help with filling out your fantasy football lineups for Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season? In many league formats, this is the championship round of the fantasy playoffs, so every decision becomes more crucial than ever.

Vinnie Iyer is here for you again, back with another edition of the Decider, a unique blend of positional rankings and start ‘em, sit, ‘em advice. Let's break down the best and worst plays in redraft based on matchups, usage, and other factors, plus some good players to target in DFS.

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Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks

Regular starts

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ)
2. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (vs. ATL)
3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (at HOU)
4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. DEN)
5. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)
6. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
7. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (at GB)
8. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at LAR)
9. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs. DET)
10. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at MIN)

Stronger starts

11. (DFS pick) Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (at NYG): He's getting warmed up as the fantasy dual threat he was expected to be earlier in the season and he can smash this spot.

12. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at CIN): He should be busy trying to beat Burrow against a bad defense.

13. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (vs. ARI): He needs a get-well game at home against a shaky defense and the Cardinals just got burned by Bryce Young.

14. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at PIT): He's surged into solid QB1 range of late despite the ankle injury and he might be once again taking over at the right time before a playoff run.

15. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (at CHI): TNF has some shootout potential with two reeling defenses.

16. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs. SEA): TNF has some shootout potential with two reeling defense and the rookie always does better at home.

17. (DFS pick) Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons (at WAS): You should want to deploy the rookie in the DFS main slate on FanDuel vs. Daniels with great weapons against a beatable secondary.

WEEK 17 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers

Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker starts

18. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at SF): The 49ers have become very stingy vs. QB scoring.

19. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. BAL): The Ravens' defense has been much improved vs. the pass since their bye.

20. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at CLE): An outdoor cold game for Tua after a clunker vs. the 49ers? No thanks.

21. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (at TB): Don't go chase recent weeks, including the earlier one vs. the Bucs, with the kid on the road.

22. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at NE): He won't need to do much of note in terms of volume.

23. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (at BUF): He stays cool after turning to ice vs. the Rams.

24. Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys (vs. PHI): Don't be in a hurry to stream him because Daniels' game was anomalous against that defense.

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Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Running backs

Regular starts

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (at SF)
2. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)
3. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (at WAS)
4. (DFS pick) Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (at NYG)
5. James Cook, Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ)
6. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at CLE)
7. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (vs. ARI)
8. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at MIN)
9. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (at HOU)
10. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. DEN)
11. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (at TB)
12. (DFS pick) Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
13. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
14. Breece Hall, New York Jets (at BUF)
15. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (vs. BAL)
16. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (vs. MIA)
17. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (if he plays, at LAR)

Stronger starts

18. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks (at CHI): It's not looking good for Kenneth Walker again health-wise and overall so he can go supersub in Chicago.

19. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR): There's room for him and Bucky to buck up on the Panthers' run defense.

20. (DFS pick) Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. IND): He scored last week and looked better when needed and the rookie can operate well on the Colts' defense.

21. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. SEA): His Lions revenge games stunk but now he can go nuts on a wilting run defense back at home.

22. Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN): He is the big man to run over this defense over another guy.

23. Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (at NE): The Gus Bus should dent the end zone on this defense to keep up the scoring run.

24. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. KC): He can be more valuable to their offense with needing a short-area receiving spark.

MORE WEEK 17 ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Usage Report

Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Running backs

Weaker starts

25. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at JAX): He's gotten Spears-ed pretty badly of late losing high-leverage touches.

26. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (vs. PHI): Zeke resurfaced with a score last week and he's unplayable against the Eagles' defense.

27. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. ATL): The Falcons remain stout against the run so it's TD or total bust.

28. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. LAC): Antonio Gibson is getting more love and this matchup is one to hate, anyway.

29. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN): Go Tank and don't look back.

30. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. KC): Fantasy managers are done with him and the Steelers might soon be, too.

31. Isiah Pacheco and 32. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (at PIT): Matt Nagy has ruined this running game for the regular season with a forced "cold-hand" approach.

Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Wide receivers

Regular starts

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. DEN)
2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
3. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (vs. ARI)
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (at SF)
5. Nico Collins, Houston Texans (vs. BAL)
6. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
7. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (vs. ATL)
8. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)
9. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (vs. PHI)
10. (DFS play) Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN)
11. Davante Adams, New York Jets (at BUF)
12. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (vs. SF)
13. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. DEN)
14. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (at WAS)
15. Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (at CHI)
16. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (at NE)
17. (DFS play) Malik Nabers, New York Giants (vs. IND)
18. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (at CIN)
19. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (at BUF)
20. D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears (vs. SEA)
21. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (at CHI)
22. Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (at JAX)
23. George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. KC)
24. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (vs. ARI)
25. (DFS play) Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (vs. DET)
26. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (vs. SEA)
27. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (at HOU)
28. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)
29. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
30. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at MIN)
31. Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (at WAS)
32. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (vs. DET)
33. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders (at NO)
34. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (at NYG)

Stronger starts

35. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (at PIT): He is starting to make key big plays with Mahomes and his speed can cause problems in this matchup.

36. Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR): Keep playing the dude with big tight end injury now in play for Mayfield.

37. Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (MIN): Show him some Love connection against this beatable secondary.

38. Marvin Harrison Jr, Arizona Cardinals (at LAR): He's been more Misery than than Maserati but here's thinking he gets it done in garbage with Kyler.

MORE NFL WEEK 17:

• Week 17 NFL Power Rankings
• Week 17 NFL picks straight-up
• Week 17 NFL picks against the spread
• Week 17 NFL playoff picture

Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers

Weaker starts

39. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (at SF): The 49ers are much stinger on wide outside receivers at this point than the Bears.

40. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (at CLE): Hill will do plenty of damage without needing much from him.

41. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ): The Jets will do their best to contain him after doing a number on Kupp.

42. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs (at PIT): He's getting crowded out by others veterans.

Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Tight ends

Regular starts

1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (at NO)
2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (vs. DET)
3. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at LAR)
4. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (at SF)
5. Jonnu Smith, MIami Dolphins (at CLE)
6. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
7. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (vs. MIA)
8. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at PIT)
9. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. KC)

Stronger starts

10. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans (at JAX): Get Chiggy with it as they are finally unlocking him with Rudolph the quarterback.

11. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ): He's been rather meh with them spreading it around but here's calling a TD this week.

12. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (vs. BAL): They need to use him with little behind Collins now.

13. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (at MIN): He should stay involved as a top target in a big game.

14. (DFS pick) Stone Smartt, Los Angeles Chargers (at NE): The Patriots can be very giving to the position so this is a sneaky "Smartt" play with no Dissly.

Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Tight ends

Weaker starts

15. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at HOU): The Texans cover the position very well so prepare to be disappointed.

16. Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN): It was strange for everyone to rush to play him so not again.

17. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs. LAC): Revenge game narrative leads to a terrible matchup, though.

18. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at WAS): A change at QB didn't change his fortunes at all.

19. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (vs. PHI): Fade Fergie hard on this coverage group.

Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em: Defense/special teams

Stronger starts

1. Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)
2. Los Angeles Chargers (at NE)
3. Miami Dolphins (at CLE)
4. Indianapolis Colts (at NYG)
5. Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
6. Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ)
7. Green Bay Packers (at MIN)

8. Las Vegas Raiders (at NO): It's officially save Antonio Pierce SZN against an injury-riddled offense that just got shut out.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (at PIT): You can keep rolling with them with Russ on the struggle bus.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR): They should fare better at home vs. Young.

11. Los Angeles Rams (vs. ARI): They've been awesome the past two weeks.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (at KC): They have been consistent with only last week being an exception.

Fantasy Football Week 17 Sit 'Em: Defenses

Weaker starts

13. Baltimore Ravens (at HOU): Not on the road with recent issues.

14. Cleveland Browns (vs. MIA): It's tempting vs. Tua in the cold, but no.

15. New Orleans Saints (vs. LV): The Saints can't stop anything, either.

16. Detroit Lions (at SF): The 49ers can light them up more than the Bears.

17. Washington Commanders (vs. ATL): Penix Jr. is a rookie home defense prime-time trap.

Get more of Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer's Week 17 fantasy football advice by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast