If you compete in leagues that run through Week 17, you're a braver person than me. Any number of top-10 positional players could sit for some or all of their games. There's still so much we don't know and can't know. And of course, I'm not about to recommend the obvious, like RB Dwayne Washington with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram expected to sit. Even though Washington is the week's expert-consensus 74th ranked fantasy RB. Because what's the fun in that call?
No, as with every week, the calls today have to be truly against-the-grain. They have to elicit some kind of "Huh?" or "Um, no" reaction. And that's hard to do when 50 or more weekly starters are questionable or worse.
So we'll start with Eli Manning (expert-consensus 22nd ranked Week 17 QB). His shortcomings should be obvious to all, particularly with Odell Beckham, Jr. out once again. But here's what I like about Eli: he's not guaranteed a starting job next season, and no Dallas defender wants to risk getting hurt in a meaningless game. This should open the field a bit for all key Giants, and should give Eli a little more time in the pocket. He'll finish the season with the fourth most passing yards of his career and the fewest interceptions in a decade. I'd still put his odds of starting any games beyond next October at below 50-50. Elsewhere, Josh Allen (14th) is a QB1 waiting to happen in a meaningless game against a meaningless Miami defense. On the flip side, despite his poor ranking (17th), I'd steer clear of Mitch Trubisky even in two-QB leagues. With the Rams likely to defeat San Francisco and claim the NFC 2 seed, we could see Chase Daniel at halftime rather than risk an injury to Mitch. Remember, the opposing Vikings lead the league with 50 sacks. It takes only one hit to upend the Bears' Super Bowl aspirations.
At RB, I'm willing to give Dion Lewis (39th) a look as a solid dart-throw RB3. I'd also take a chance on adept pass-catcher Jalen Richard (29th) in a contest where Oakland should be playing from behind early and often. On the flip side, Chris Carson is incredibly risky at his #3 ranking. Seattle will top out as a 5 seed with a victory, and they're facing an Arizona squad that shouldn't put up much of a fight. Expect a light load for Carson as the team gears up for much bigger game next week. The same goes for the #2 ranked Melvin Gordon, as the Chargers need a Chiefs defeat at the hands of the Raiders to have a shot at the AFC 1 seed. Expect a lot more Justin Jackson and a little bit of Austin Ekeler.
At WR, DeAndre Carter (74th) is a solid flyer assuming Keke Coutee sits again. Chris Hogan (47th) is a nice desperation WR3 with Josh Gordon suspended and Rob Gronkowski looking like Antonio Gates. And Taywan Taylor (46th) offers boom-bust potential as Tennessee's #2 receiver. Also give me a little Robert Foster (36th) versus the aforementioned horrendous Dolphin D. On the flip side, Stephon Diggs (13th) is more of a WR2/3 this week at best, while the recently healthy Doug Baldwin (17th) won't be asked to do much in a game Seattle should win comfortably.
At TE, I'll briefly jump on the Jeremy Sprinkle (35th) bandwagon, but only in very deep 16-team leagues. In other words, if you don't a top 16-18 TE handy, Sprinkle is worth tossing out there against a lacking Philly defense. On the flip side, it's a sad state of affairs when the seventh-ranked TE (Cameron Brate) is averaging just under 10 yards in each of the last three weeks. Don't trust the ranking. Trust his usage; Brate remains a TD-dependent Hail Mary, and I wouldn't recommend him even against a beatable Atlanta defense.
No, as with every week, the calls today have to be truly against-the-grain. They have to elicit some kind of "Huh?" or "Um, no" reaction. And that's hard to do when 50 or more weekly starters are questionable or worse.
So we'll start with Eli Manning (expert-consensus 22nd ranked Week 17 QB). His shortcomings should be obvious to all, particularly with Odell Beckham, Jr. out once again. But here's what I like about Eli: he's not guaranteed a starting job next season, and no Dallas defender wants to risk getting hurt in a meaningless game. This should open the field a bit for all key Giants, and should give Eli a little more time in the pocket. He'll finish the season with the fourth most passing yards of his career and the fewest interceptions in a decade. I'd still put his odds of starting any games beyond next October at below 50-50. Elsewhere, Josh Allen (14th) is a QB1 waiting to happen in a meaningless game against a meaningless Miami defense. On the flip side, despite his poor ranking (17th), I'd steer clear of Mitch Trubisky even in two-QB leagues. With the Rams likely to defeat San Francisco and claim the NFC 2 seed, we could see Chase Daniel at halftime rather than risk an injury to Mitch. Remember, the opposing Vikings lead the league with 50 sacks. It takes only one hit to upend the Bears' Super Bowl aspirations.
At RB, I'm willing to give Dion Lewis (39th) a look as a solid dart-throw RB3. I'd also take a chance on adept pass-catcher Jalen Richard (29th) in a contest where Oakland should be playing from behind early and often. On the flip side, Chris Carson is incredibly risky at his #3 ranking. Seattle will top out as a 5 seed with a victory, and they're facing an Arizona squad that shouldn't put up much of a fight. Expect a light load for Carson as the team gears up for much bigger game next week. The same goes for the #2 ranked Melvin Gordon, as the Chargers need a Chiefs defeat at the hands of the Raiders to have a shot at the AFC 1 seed. Expect a lot more Justin Jackson and a little bit of Austin Ekeler.
At WR, DeAndre Carter (74th) is a solid flyer assuming Keke Coutee sits again. Chris Hogan (47th) is a nice desperation WR3 with Josh Gordon suspended and Rob Gronkowski looking like Antonio Gates. And Taywan Taylor (46th) offers boom-bust potential as Tennessee's #2 receiver. Also give me a little Robert Foster (36th) versus the aforementioned horrendous Dolphin D. On the flip side, Stephon Diggs (13th) is more of a WR2/3 this week at best, while the recently healthy Doug Baldwin (17th) won't be asked to do much in a game Seattle should win comfortably.
At TE, I'll briefly jump on the Jeremy Sprinkle (35th) bandwagon, but only in very deep 16-team leagues. In other words, if you don't a top 16-18 TE handy, Sprinkle is worth tossing out there against a lacking Philly defense. On the flip side, it's a sad state of affairs when the seventh-ranked TE (Cameron Brate) is averaging just under 10 yards in each of the last three weeks. Don't trust the ranking. Trust his usage; Brate remains a TD-dependent Hail Mary, and I wouldn't recommend him even against a beatable Atlanta defense.