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Week 17 Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings: Position by Position

We have made it to the championship round of the 2022 fantasy football season. Well, when I say “we”, I mean “hopefully you”, because I did not make any finals this year. It would be disingenuous of me to suggest that it is all skill when I win and all luck when I lose. So I will simply say that if you are reading this and have made it to your championship, you have my respect and you should pat yourself on the back. Hopefully, my advice and rankings have assisted you on your journey on some level. Now enough of that because you have a championship to win! Second place is just the first loser, if you’re not first, you’re last, and so on and so on.

Below are my updated playoff rankings. Please keep a couple of things in mind before citing these as gospel. First, these are only for this week and do not incorporate Week 18. Most leagues worth their salt have eliminated Week 18 due to the wonky nature of the proceedings. So in a manner of speaking, these are essentially my early Week 17 rankings. They are also based on half-PPR scoring. If you use a different scoring system, please adjust as needed. Finally, there is still quite a bit in the air concerning injuries and the like. Make sure you keep up with the latest news on the injury front regarding these players. Now that all of the formalities are out of the way, here are my updated playoff rankings. Go win yourself a championship!

Updated Playoff Rankings for Fantasy Football

Quarterback Notes and Playoff Rankings

Jared Goff, Gardner Minshew, and Sam Darnold were all top-eight fantasy quarterbacks in Week 16. As strange as those finishes may seem, none of them hold a candle to Chris Streveler outscoring Justin Herbert. As we head into Week 17, there are still some question marks surrounding some popular signal-callers. Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson may miss another week with their respective injuries. And Tua Tagovailoa is in the league’s concussion protocol for the second time this season. You could surmise with a quick gander at my rankings that I do not expect any of them to play on Sunday.

If they cannot go, Gardner Minshew is the only backup I would consider a potential fantasy starter in Week 17. I have him ranked as my QB14, and that may be a bit low. Minshew was the overall QB5 a week ago, putting up 360 total yards and three touchdowns against Dallas. A matchup against the New Orleans Saints is fairly neutral from a fantasy perspective. The Saints have only allowed 16 passing touchdowns on the year, tied for fourth-best in the NFL. However, they have also intercepted just four passes, which is tied for the fewest in the league. I have Tyler Huntley 18th and Teddy Bridgewater 23rd this week among quarterbacks. Neither is a recommended start against defenses who are top-three in interceptions this year.

RANKPLAYER TEAM
1Josh AllenBUF
2Patrick MahomesKC
3Justin FieldsCHI
4Joe BurrowCIN
5Justin HerbertLAC
6Trevor LawrenceJAC
7Daniel JonesNYG
8Tom BradyTB
9Aaron RodgersGB
10Jared GoffDET
11Dak PrescottDAL
12Kirk CousinsMIN
13Geno SmithSEA
14Gardner MinshewPHI
15Brock PurdySF
16Deshaun WatsonCLE
17Mike WhiteNYJ
18Tyler HuntleyBAL
19Mac JonesNE
20Derek CarrLV
21Russell WilsonDEN
22Colt McCoyARI
23Teddy BridgewaterMIA
24Desmond RidderATL
25Andy DaltonNO
26Kenny PickettPIT
27Davis MillsHOU
28Nick FolesIND
29Sam DarnoldCAR
30Baker MayfieldLA
31Malik WillisTEN
32Lamar JacksonBAL
33Carson WentzWAS
34Taylor HeinickeWAS
35Jalen HurtsPHI
36Jeff DriskelHOU
37Tua TagovailoaMIA

Running Back Notes and Playoff Rankings

For now, I am still treating Rhamondre Stevenson like the top-10 fantasy back he has been this season. However, there are a couple of factors to consider. First is the potential return of Damien Harris. Harris has missed a month with a thigh injury but could be back this week. On top of that, you could make the argument that Stevenson has cost the Patriots two games in a row due to his lack of ball security. New England is in a must-win scenario on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Miami has allowed 17 total touchdowns to opposing backs this year, including an NFL-high six through the air. If Harris cannot go, I think Stevenson is in line for a huge workload even with his recent struggles. No other Patriot running back besides Stevenson and Harris has more than 18 carries for the entire year.

Another situation to keep an eye on is in Dallas, where Tony Pollard is also dealing with a thigh injury. The Cowboys play on Thursday night, so at least we will know what to do with Pollard. I ranked Pollard lower than I normally would if he had a clean bill of health. Still, I would imagine that if he is a-go, you would be starting him in most instances. His possible absence would give a boost to Ezekiel Elliott, but I also think you are staring Elliott anyway. There is a narrative that suggests that the Tennessee Titans will rest some key players on Thursday, as they only need to win their Week 18 matchup against Jacksonville to secure a playoff berth. I don’t know if I buy into that, but such a scenario could also benefit both Cowboys’ backs.

RANKPLAYERTEAM
1Christian McCaffreySF
2Saquon BarkleyNYG
3Austin EkelerLAC
4Derrick HenryTEN
5Dalvin CookMIN
6Travis EtienneJAC
7James ConnerARI
8Rhamondre StevensonNE
9Josh JacobsLV
10Alvin KamaraNO
11Joe MixonCIN
12Kenneth WalkerSEA
13Aaron JonesGB
14Nick ChubbCLE
15Cam AkersLA
16Miles SandersPHI
17David MontgomeryCHI
18Brian RobinsonWAS
19Tyler AllgeierATL
20Isiah PachecoKC
21Ezekiel ElliottDAL
22Leonard FournetteTB
23D'Andre SwiftDET
24Zonovan KnightNYJ
25Tony PollardDAL
26Najee HarrisPIT
27AJ DillonGB
28D'Onta ForemanCAR
29Jamaal WilliamsDET
30Rachaad WhiteTB
31Latavius MurrayDEN
32Jerick McKinnonKC
33Zack MossIND
34Devin SingletaryBUF
35J.K. DobbinsBAL
36Cordarrelle PattersonATL
37Raheem MostertMIA
38Michael CarterNYJ
39Jeff WilsonMIA
40Antonio GibsonWAS
41Chuba HubbardCAR
42James CookBUF
43Royce FreemanHOU
44Deon JacksonIND
45Gus EdwardsBAL
46Kareem HuntCLE
47Khalil HerbertCHI
48Samaje PerineCIN
49Dare OgunbowaleHOU
50Damien HarrisNE
51Joshua KelleyLAC
52Kenneth GainwellPHI
53Jaylen WarrenPIT
54Chase EdmondsDEN
55Justin JacksonDET
56Marlon MackDEN
57Jordan WilkinsIND
58JaMycal HastyJAC
59Kyren WilliamsLA
60Jordan MasonSF
61Alexander MattisonMIN
62David JohnsonNO
63DeeJay DallasSEA
64Keaontay IngramARI
65Matt BreidaNYG
66Rex BurkheadHOU
67Hassan HaskinsTEN
68Boston ScottPHI
69Ameer AbdullahLV
70Clyde Edwards-HelaireKC
71Kyle JuszczykSF
72Raheem BlackshearCAR
73Nyheim HinesBUF
74Julius ChestnutTEN
75Tyrion Davis-PriceSF
76Alec IngoldMIA
77Jonathan WilliamsWAS
78Pierre StrongNE
79Benny SnellPIT
80Kevin HarrisNE
81Patrick RicardBAL
82Ty JohnsonNYJ
83Darrel WilliamsARI
84Justice HillBAL
85Avery WilliamsATL
86Kenyan DrakeBAL
87Travis HomerSEA
88Gary BrightwellNYG
89Malik DavisDAL
90Trey SermonPHI
91Taiwan JonesBUF
92Malcolm BrownLA
93Trayveon WilliamsCIN
94Eno BenjaminNO

Wide Receiver Notes and Playoff Rankings

More Week 17 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex Rankings

Saints rookie standout Chris Olave missed last week’s game due to a hamstring injury. Fantasy managers did not miss much based on how that game played out. The game was played in brutal weather conditions and quarterback Andy Dalton threw just 15 times for 92 yards. While it is safe to assume that Dalton will be busier on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, we do not yet know Olave’s status. Olave has not had many “ceiling” games of late. In his last seven games, he has only scored one touchdown. That came back in Week 11, which was also his last double-digit fantasy output. However, he has consistently shown a relatively high floor. He has at least three catches and 40 yards in every game in which he has played. If he plays on Sunday, I think Olave is a mid-range WR3 in 12-team leagues.

Another wide receiver whose Week 17 status is in doubt is Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks. Lockett broke a finger less than two weeks ago and had surgery immediately thereafter. Head coach Pete Carroll was optimistic about Lockett’s ability to return after missing just one game. We have not heard anything definitive from Carroll or the training staff since last week’s game. Lockett has been one of the most consistent fantasy wideouts this year, a far cry from previous campaigns. He has at least 60 yards in six of seven ballgames and had scored in six straight before the game in which he broke his finger. I currently have Lockett outside my top 50, but he is likely a top-20 fantasy wide receiver this week if we get good news in the next couple of days.

RANKPLAYERTEAM
1Tyreek HillMIA
2Justin JeffersonMIN
3Ja'Marr ChaseCIN
4Amon-Ra St. BrownDET
5Davante AdamsLV
6Stefon DiggsBUF
7CeeDee LambDAL
8DK MetcalfSEA
9A.J. BrownPHI
10Jaylen WaddleMIA
11Garrett WilsonNYJ
12Tee HigginsCIN
13DeAndre HopkinsARI
14Keenan AllenLAC
15Christian KirkJAC
16Chris GodwinTB
17Christian WatsonGB
18Jerry JeudyDEN
19Mike WilliamsLAC
20Terry McLaurinWAS
21Michael PittmanIND
22Mike EvansTB
23DeVonta SmithPHI
24JuJu Smith-SchusterKC
25Amari CooperCLE
26Zay JonesJAC
27DJ MooreCAR
28Drake LondonATL
29Brandon AiyukSF
30Brandin CooksHOU
31Jakobi MeyersNE
32Marquise BrownARI
33Gabe DavisBUF
34Allen LazardGB
35Diontae JohnsonPIT
36Darius SlaytonNYG
37Chris OlaveNO
38Courtland SuttonDEN
39Tutu AtwellLA
40George PickensPIT
41Corey DavisNYJ
42Curtis SamuelWAS
43Chris MooreHOU
44Jahan DotsonWAS
45Richie JamesNYG
46Adam ThielenMIN
47DJ CharkDET
48Donovan Peoples-JonesCLE
49Michael GallupDAL
50Van JeffersonLA
51Mack HollinsLV
52Tyler LockettSEA
53Chase ClaypoolCHI
54Tyler BoydCIN
55Joshua PalmerLAC
56Rashid ShaheedNO
57Elijah MooreNYJ
58Parris CampbellIND
59Isaiah HodginsNYG
60Alec PierceIND
61Isaiah McKenzieBUF
62K.J. OsbornMIN
63Terrace MarshallCAR
64Olamide ZaccheausATL
65Marquez Valdes-ScantlingKC
66Russell GageTB
67Demarcus RobinsonBAL
68Romeo DoubsGB
69Marvin JonesJAC
70Treylon BurksTEN
71Noah BrownDAL
72Marquise GoodwinSEA
73Josh ReynoldsDET
74Brandon PowellLA
75Tyquan ThorntonNE
76Randall CobbGB
77Hunter RenfrowLV
78Jauan JenningsSF
79Quez WatkinsPHI
80DeVante ParkerNE
81Robert WoodsTEN
82Julio JonesTB
83Byron PringleCHI
84Greg DortchARI
85DeSean JacksonBAL
86Phillip DorsettHOU
87Deebo SamuelSF
88Laquon TreadwellSEA
89Dante PettisCHI
90Nick Westbrook-IkhineTEN
91Trent SherfieldMIA
92Tre'Quan SmithNO
93Kendrick BourneNE
94Kendall HintonDEN
95Damiere ByrdATL
96Kalif RaymondDET
97Steven SimsPIT
98David BellCLE
99Nelson AgholorNE
100Jamal AgnewJAC
101Kadarius ToneyKC
102Laviska ShenaultCAR
103Robbie AndersonARI
104Justin WatsonKC
105Ray-Ray McCloudSF
106Equanimeous St. BrownCHI
107Sammy WatkinsBAL
108A.J. GreenARI
109Marquez CallawayNO
110Shi SmithCAR
111Ashton DulinIND
112Jameson WilliamsDET
113Amari RodgersHOU
114Skyy MooreKC
115Mecole HardmanKC
116Velus JonesCHI
117Trenton IrwinCIN
118DeAndre CarterLAC
119Khalil ShakirBUF
120KhaDarel HodgeATL
121Braxton BerriosNYJ
122Austin TrammellLA
123Cedrick WilsonMIA
124Denzel MimsNYJ
125Zach PascalPHI
126N'Keal HarryCHI
127T.Y. HiltonDAL
128Lance McCutcheonLA
129Freddie SwainDEN
130James ProcheBAL
131Chris ConleyTEN
132Danny GraySF
133Samori ToureGB

Tight End Notes and Playoff Rankings

There was almost a sense of normalcy at the tight end position last week. Almost. We had double-digit performances from T.J. Hockenson, George Kittle, Evan Engram, Travis Kelce, Greg Dulcich, Taysom Hill (of course), Dawson Knox, and Pat Freiermuth. Others such as Dallas Goedert, Darren Waller, and Mark Andrews fell a bit short of expectations. But even they provided fantasy managers with a decent floor. Then, of course, you have Shane Zylstra scoring twice and finishing as the TE4. Or Marcedes Lewis going for 32 yards and a score when he entered the game with just 36 yards and a score on the year. Such is life in fantasy football, but seemingly more so at the tight end position.

I think my tight end rankings this week are pretty standard. One player whom I have dropped in my fantasy football playoff rankings compared to two weeks ago is Chigoziem Okonkwo of the Tennessee Titans. Before last week, Okonkwo had seven straight games of at least 30 receiving yards as well as four straight with at least three receptions. That is not anything to scoff at when it comes to the tight end position. However, the loss of quarterback Ryan Tannehill hurts Okonkwo’s stock. The Titans simply do not trust rookie Malik Willis to throw the football. And honestly, it’s hard to blame them. Willis has made three starts and has yet to throw for 100 yards. That feels almost impossible to accomplish, regardless of outside factors. Okonkwo has exactly one catch in each of Willis’ three starts, making it difficult for fantasy managers to trust him.

RANKPLAYERTEAM
1Travis KelceKC
2George KittleSF
3T.J. HockensonMIN
4Evan EngramJAC
5Mark AndrewsBAL
6Pat FreiermuthPIT
7Tyler HigbeeLA
8Dallas GoedertPHI
9David NjokuCLE
10Dalton SchultzDAL
11Cole KmetCHI
12Dawson KnoxBUF
13Darren WallerLV
14Juwan JohnsonNO
15Greg DulcichDEN
16Gerald EverettLAC
17Hayden HurstCIN
18Tyler ConklinNYJ
19Noah FantSEA
20Hunter HenryNE
21Jordan AkinsHOU
22Daniel BellingerNYG
23Logan ThomasWAS
24Cade OttonTB
25Trey McBrideARI
26Chigoziem OkonkwoTEN
27Robert TonyanGB
28Jelani WoodsIND
29Taysom HillNO
30Austin HooperTEN
31Isaiah LikelyBAL
32Jonnu SmithNE
33Shane ZylstraDET
34Mike GesickiMIA
35Tommy TrembleCAR
36Colby ParkinsonSEA
37Foster MoreauLV
38Noah GrayKC
39Kylen GransonIND
40Ian ThomasCAR
41Brycen HopkinsLA
42Donald ParhamLAC
43MyCole PruittATL
44Josh OliverBAL
45Brevin JordanHOU
46Anthony FirkserATL
47Cameron BrateTB
48C.J. UzomahNYJ
49Brock WrightDET
50Adam TrautmanNO
51Teagan QuitorianoHOU
52Mo Alie-CoxIND
53Harrison BryantCLE
54James MitchellDET
55Durham SmytheMIA
56Marcedes LewisGB
57Will DisslySEA
58Ko KieftTB

Defense/Special Teams Notes and Playoff Rankings

If you have an elite fantasy defense such as Dallas or Philadelphia, you are likely riding the wave in Week 17. Those teams will be facing Malik Willis and Andy Dalton, respectively. If you are playing the streaming game, there are a couple of interesting options this week. Only five fantasy defenses have scored fewer points than the New York Giants this season. However, New York hosts an Indianapolis squad that is limping toward the finish line. They have lost five straight and have scored fewer than 20 points in four of the five. The Colts turned to Nick Foles last week, but he threw three interceptions and failed to generate a touchdown drive. The Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns have underwhelmed from a fantasy D/ST point but could be in line for good weeks as well.

RANKTEAM
1Kansas City Chiefs 
2Dallas Cowboys 
3Jacksonville Jaguars 
4Detroit Lions 
5Philadelphia Eagles 
6Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
7Baltimore Ravens 
8San Francisco 49ers 
9Washington Commanders 
10Los Angeles Chargers 
11Atlanta Falcons 
12New England Patriots 
13New York Giants 
14New York Jets 
15Cleveland Browns 
16Buffalo Bills 
17Green Bay Packers 
18Miami Dolphins 
19Pittsburgh Steelers 
20Seattle Seahawks 
21Los Angeles Rams 
22Indianapolis Colts 
23Cincinnati Bengals 
24Tennessee Titans 
25Arizona Cardinals 
26Las Vegas Raiders 
27Minnesota Vikings 
28Houston Texans 
29New Orleans Saints 
30Carolina Panthers 
31Chicago Bears 
32Denver Broncos 

Kicker Notes and Playoff Rankings

What a difference a week makes. Last week we had bomb cyclones and frigid temperatures throughout much of the land. This week, not a single game is projected to be played in freezing weather. And none are expected to have high winds either. That means it should be status quo on the kicking front. It seems that half the league is playing in must-win games this week. The advent of analytics has been tricky for fantasy managers to navigate when it comes to kickers. Many coaches go for it on fourth down more than ever, forgoing field goal attempts or even punts. I wonder how many will continue to do so with their season potentially on the line this week. I have a feeling we will see more field goal attempts than usual this week.

RANKPLAYERTEAM
1Harrison ButkerKC
2Justin TuckerBAL
3Evan McPhersonCIN
4Brett MaherDAL
5Younghoe KooATL
6Mason CrosbyGB
7Graham GanoNYG
8Robbie GouldSF
9Michael BadgleyDET
10Jake ElliottPHI
11Ryan SuccopTB
12Jason MyersSEA
13Nick FolkNE
14Cameron DickerLAC
15Riley PattersonJAC
16Tyler BassBUF
17Cairo SantosCHI
18Daniel CarlsonLV
19Greg JosephMIN
20Ka’imi FairbairnHOU
21Joey SlyeWAS
22Greg ZuerleinNYJ
23Jason SandersMIA
24Chase McLaughlinIND
25Chris BoswellPIT
26Cade YorkCLE
27Eddy PineiroCAR
28Matt GayLAR
29Matt PraterARI
30Wil LutzNO
31Brandon McManusDEN
32Randy BullockTEN
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