Fantasy Football Week 17: Final Rankings, Projections, Early Waiver-Wire Tips

Week 16 of the NFL season still hasn’t wrapped up, but it’s never too early to start investigating potential difference-makers who could swing fantasy championships in one way or another.

And if you were bold enough to embrace a title tilt in Week 17, as opposed to the conventional Week 16 championship duel, setting your lineup will require some extra effort and diligence. 

Not only have a slew of injuries (see: Marcus Mariota and Derek Carr) altered the fantasy landscape entering the regular season’s final week, but the Dallas Cowboys could throw a wrench into the plans of prospective fantasy title hopefuls since they have the ability to rest their starters with the NFC’s No. 1 seed locked up. 

As a result, the rankings below will reflect updated circumstances. 

Therefore, players like Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott won’t be present. The same holds true for Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Manning, who could see their snaps severely limited or cut entirely since the New York Giants can’t move out of the NFC’s No. 5 seed. 

In addition to some fresh rankings, you’ll also find a few waiver-wire tips that could come in handy during a tricky close to the fantasy season. 

Before we get going, here’s a rundown of the updated Week 17 schedule, courtesy of NFL director of football communications Randall Liu:  

Week 17 scheduleGB-DET to 8:30 PM ET (NBC)NO-ATL & NYG-WAS to 4:25 PM ET (FOX)NE-MIA at 1 PM (if PIT & KC win today) or 4:25 PM ET (CBS) pic.twitter.com/nsX2YWNUnu

— Randall Liu (@RLiuNFL) December 25, 2016 Quarterbacks

Arguments can be made for Tom Brady as fantasy’s top quarterback in Week 17 since the New England Patriots need a win to wrap up the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

But based on the way Aaron Rodgers has played over the past six weeks, it’s hard to justify ranking any signal-caller ahead of him. 

Just look at the raw numbers he’s churned out during that stretch, according to The MMQB’s Albert Breer: 

Aaron Rodgers’ last 6 games (this one included): 141-202, 1718 yards, 14 TDs, 0 INTs.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 24, 2016

Beyond Rodgers, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford should also be considered a clear-cut QB1 play in Week 17.

Matched up against the Packers, Stafford will have a chance to make his fantasy owners happy one last time when he goes up against one of the league’s more porous secondaries. 

As if his 385-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Packers in Week 3 wasn’t encouraging enough, Stafford should be salivating after Sam Bradford—who has fewer weapons and a considerably weaker arm—carved up Green Bay’s secondary to the tune of 382 yards and three scores in Week 16. 

NFC North showdowns may not classically be considered shootouts, but the Lions and Packers should put up points aplenty to keep fantasy owners in good spirits when the New Year rolls around. 

               

Running Backs

With Elliott likely out of the Week 17 picture, the focus has to be on the top-ranked David …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com