The crapshoot that is Week 17 begins shortly. After reeling off five straight DFS 50/50 wins, I'm taking the biggest leaps of the season in recommending the following guys. Any of them could be pulled today at any time. So my lineup targets players based on their talent, usage, and likelihood of remaining on the field 'til the final whistle.
QB Ben Roethlisberger ($8,700) -- Arguably no QB has more upside today, particularly if Cleveland keeps things close in Baltimore. Ben enters the week as the #2 scoring fantasy QB. It's been an incredible season statistically for a guy who's considered retiring more than once in recent years.
RB Saquon Barkley ($8,500) -- As mentioned yesterday, I don't see Dallas putting up much of a fight with no room to maneuver as the NFC's locked-in 4 seed. Barkley is primed to finish strong.
RB Jamaal Williams ($6,800) -- Can he thrive again? He's got a good shot against Detroit, and the price is right for a bellcow in a favorable matchup.
WR Julio Jones ($8,600) -- Love his matchup and the notion that he's on the verge of leading all receivers in yards. A strong showing could place him in the top 3 among fantasy WRs.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster ($7,900) -- Incredible upside and a nice floor, and I can't afford Antonio Brown without changing some things up.
WR Sterling Shepard ($5,500) -- Eli Manning's clear-cut #1 wideout with Odell Beckham, Jr. sidelined. I could go cheap WR here and start Evan Engram instead, but prefer Shepard's upside.
TE Jeremy Sprinkle ($4,500) -- Why not. He's facing the Eagles, after all.
FLEX Ryan Switzer ($4,800) -- Assuming Antonio Brown sits. A last-minute switch after having T.J. Yeldon on this spot. If Brown starts, I’d roll with Yeldon.
DST Seahawks ($4,700) -- Savvy fantasy managers in 17-week leagues should have circled this game months ago. While Seattle is a miserable 17th among all fantasy DSTs, they could crack the top 12 by tonight.
Good luck today. I'll be back one last time tomorrow to wrap up the season.
QB Ben Roethlisberger ($8,700) -- Arguably no QB has more upside today, particularly if Cleveland keeps things close in Baltimore. Ben enters the week as the #2 scoring fantasy QB. It's been an incredible season statistically for a guy who's considered retiring more than once in recent years.
RB Saquon Barkley ($8,500) -- As mentioned yesterday, I don't see Dallas putting up much of a fight with no room to maneuver as the NFC's locked-in 4 seed. Barkley is primed to finish strong.
RB Jamaal Williams ($6,800) -- Can he thrive again? He's got a good shot against Detroit, and the price is right for a bellcow in a favorable matchup.
WR Julio Jones ($8,600) -- Love his matchup and the notion that he's on the verge of leading all receivers in yards. A strong showing could place him in the top 3 among fantasy WRs.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster ($7,900) -- Incredible upside and a nice floor, and I can't afford Antonio Brown without changing some things up.
WR Sterling Shepard ($5,500) -- Eli Manning's clear-cut #1 wideout with Odell Beckham, Jr. sidelined. I could go cheap WR here and start Evan Engram instead, but prefer Shepard's upside.
TE Jeremy Sprinkle ($4,500) -- Why not. He's facing the Eagles, after all.
FLEX Ryan Switzer ($4,800) -- Assuming Antonio Brown sits. A last-minute switch after having T.J. Yeldon on this spot. If Brown starts, I’d roll with Yeldon.
DST Seahawks ($4,700) -- Savvy fantasy managers in 17-week leagues should have circled this game months ago. While Seattle is a miserable 17th among all fantasy DSTs, they could crack the top 12 by tonight.
Good luck today. I'll be back one last time tomorrow to wrap up the season.