The goal is never to get too high after a good week or too low after a bad one. But I’m not going to lie – I felt like I needed a good showing last week. The week prior was a complete trainwreck, and it could not have come at a worse time, with the fantasy playoffs beginning. Thankfully, I hit on six of my nine sneaky starts last week. And even though I technically missed with Anthony Richardson, I don’t think anyone who started him (21.2 fantasy points, good for QB14) would complain. Again, though, the job is unfinished until I reveal my Week 17 sneaky starts.
As always, these players are currently starting in less than 50 percent of Fantrax leagues. All the players below should exceed expectations and, in most cases, are viable starting candidates this week. Best of luck this week in your fantasy football championships!
Week 17 Sneaky Starts for Fantasy Football
Quarterback
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Current Start Percentage: 44 Percent (19th among Quarterbacks)
My Current Week 17 Rank: QB11
With five different days of football featured in Week 17, some gamesmanship could occur in fantasy football championship matchups. By that, fantasy managers could alter who they start at a certain position based on what has already taken place by the time each player starts. For example, if you are facing Derrick Henry and Xavier Worthy, you may have to take more risks than you would if you are facing Joe Mixon and George Pickens. With that in mind, Bo Nix and Anthony Richardson are viable Week 17 sneaky starts at the quarterback position. I have both quarterbacks ranked inside my top 12 this week.
I recommend Nix as the official pick because he will likely provide a safer floor. The Cincinnati Bengals have allowed over 4,000 total yards and 30 touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this season. They also have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. That could force the Broncos to open things up offensively. A potential shootout would increase the likelihood of production from the rookie quarterback. The Colts are facing the hapless New York Giants this week. The odds of that game being a shootout are slim, and none. If this game gets out of hand, Richardson could perform well on the ground and still not surpass 20 fantasy points. Though I like both quarterbacks, Bo Nix should have a higher floor and ceiling than Richardson.
Other Quarterbacks to Consider
- Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
- Current Start Percentage: 47 Percent (16th among quarterbacks)
- My Current Week 17 Rank: QB12
Running Backs
Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
Current Start Percentage: 30 Percent (38th among Running Backs)
My Current Week 17 Rank: RB19
San Francisco running back Isaac Guerendo missed last week’s game due to a hamstring injury. Because of that, fantasy managers have kept him on the bench to start Week 17. However, reports suggest Guerendo will be ready for this week’s game. With Guerendo out last week, quarterback Brock Purdy led the team in rushing. The 49ers cannot afford a repeat of that against the Detroit Lions. They will look to run the ball and keep Detroit’s dynamic offense off the field. Fantasy managers must monitor Guerendo’s injury status, as San Francisco does not play until Monday night. But the rookie fourth-rounder should provide starter-worthy fantasy production if there are no setbacks between now and Monday.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
Current Start Percentage: 49 Percent (28th among Running Backs)
My Current Week 17 Rank: RB22
I was surprised to see Tyrone Tracy Jr. below the 50 percent starting threshold. That may be because the rookie running back has an ankle injury. Many running backs are questionable heading into Week 17, so I am not holding that against Tracy Jr. He has finished as a top-20 fantasy running back in three of New York’s last four games. And if he suits up, he has a great chance of continuing that trend. The Giants face the Indianapolis Colts this week. Indianapolis has allowed the fifth-most scrimmage yards to opposing running backs this season. There is no way New York will want to put the ball in Drew Lock’s hands, so expect them to feed Tracy Jr. in this matchup. He should be a volume-based RB2/Flex in 12-team leagues this week.
Other Running Backs to Consider
- Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders
- Current Start Percentage: 33 Percent 35th among Running Backs)
- My Current Week 17 Rank: RB23
- Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
- Current Start Percentage: 23 Percent (46th among Running Backs)
- My Current Week 17 Rank: RB24
This ranking is contingent on starting running back Alvin Kamara not playing in Week 17. Kendre Miller disappointed us last week, totaling just 31 yards on 10 touches. However, the Saints allowed touchdowns on their first three defensive drives and were down 21-0 early. That shifted the focus away from the run game. New Orleans faces the Las Vegas Raiders this week. They are not likely to fall behind similar to Las Vegas. If Kamara is out, Miller should be a borderline Flex play in this matchup.
Wide Receivers
Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current Start Percentage: 30 Percent (50th among Wide Receivers)
My Current Week 17 Rank: WR38
Fantrax fantasy managers have made it a challenge for me to find sneaky starts at each position throughout the season. However, I feel like I have caught them slipping on this one. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Jalen McMillan has recorded at least 50 receiving yards and a touchdown in three straight games. The only other wide receivers currently enjoying such streaks are Justin Jefferson and Davante Adams. McMillan may not have the sustained track record of either of those players. But he should not be less popular than Tank Dell (34 percent). The Buccaneers have the third-most passing yards in the NFL and have a favorable Week 17 matchup against a Carolina defense that ranks 30th in the NFL in DVOA versus the pass. Jalen McMillan is an excellent Flex option this week.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Current Start Percentage: 32 Percent (48th among Wide Receivers)
My Current Week 17 Rank: WR39
If recent results indicate anything, Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has a wide range of outcomes this week. Since the team re-inserted Anthony Richardson at quarterback, Downs has finished inside the top-24 fantasy wide receivers two times in four games. However, he has finished 60th or worse in the other two outings. Neither outcome would completely shock me this week. On the bright side, the Colts face a New York Giants pass defense that ranks 29th in DVOA in the NFL. Downs scored a touchdown or earned seven or more targets in his last four games. If Indianapolis is throwing the ball, Downs should be heavily involved. The downside (no pun intended) is that the Colts may not need to throw very often to defeat the lowly Giants. Richardson threw the ball just 11 times in last week’s win.
Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Current Start Percentage: 31 Percent (49th among Wide Receivers)
My Current Week 17 Rank: WR41
I have the guy for you if you want the ultimate high-floor, low-ceiling player. Let me introduce you to Wan’Dale Robinson of the New York Giants. Robinson has earned 32 targets over his last three games. That is tied for the sixth-most in the NFL during that span. The problem is that New York’s offensive woes (particularly at quarterback) have hindered the production of their wide receivers. Despite the high volume, Robinson has finished outside the top 30 fantasy wide receivers in all three games. The good news is that Robinson should see plenty of targets again in Week 17. The Indianapolis Colts lead the NFL in zone coverage rate but rank in the bottom 10 in several metrics in that alignment. Robinson has 45 receptions versus zone coverage this year and should be a solid source of receptions in this matchup.
Other Wide Receivers to Consider
- Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
- Current Start Percentage: 49 Percent (42nd among Wide Receivers)
- My Current Week 17 Rank: WR42
- Quentin Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers
- Current Start Percentage: 39 Percent (46th among Wide Receivers)
- My Current Week 17 Rank: WR43
- Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
- Current Start Percentage: 29 Percent (52nd among Wide Receivers)
- My Current Week 17 Rank: WR45
Tight End
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Current Start Percentage: 44 Percent (13th among Tight Ends)
My Current Week 17 Rank: TE10
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry scored a touchdown last week and finished sixth among all tight ends in fantasy points. It was his first top-12 weekly finish since way back in Week 7. But Henry has earned enough volume to warrant streaming consideration, depending on your other options. Henry has had at least eight targets in four of his last five games. This week, New England faces the Los Angeles Chargers. Los Angeles ranks fourth in DVOA versus opposing number-one receivers and first against running backs in the passing game. That should filter targets Henry’s way. Henry has four or more receptions in five straight games and eight of his last nine. Even if he does not score, Henry is a viable streamer at tight end and one of my top Week 17 sneaky starts.
Other Tight Ends to Consider
- Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
- Current Start Percentage: 30 Percent (20th among Tight Ends)
- My Current Week 17 Rank: TE11
Kicker
Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings
Current Start Percentage: 37 Percent (13th among Kickers)
My Current Week 17 Rank: K6
The Minnesota Vikings have been a continued source of kicker fantasy points throughout the 2024 campaign. Vikings kickers have scored double-digit fantasy points in nine of 15 games this season. That includes five of eight games played at home. There are not a ton of weather concerns on the Week 17 slate. But it certainly does not hurt that Will Reichard will kick in a dome. The Vikings host a Green Bay Packers team tied for 20th in the NFL in red-zone touchdown percentage allowed. They have not given up much fantasy production to kickers this year, but Reichard should get enough opportunities to warrant starting consideration this week.
Other Kicker to Consider
Joshua Karty, Los Angeles Rams
Current Start Percentage: 31 Percent (16th among Kickers)
My Current Week 17 Rank: K8
Defense/Special Teams
Miami Dolphins
Current Start Percentage: 48 Percent (8th among D/STs)
My Current Week 17 Rank: D/ST2
As anyone who has read this column over the year can attest, streaming defense/special teams units has been extremely successful. So, we will keep that energy going with the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. Miami is facing the Cleveland Browns this week. Last week, Cleveland allowed the Cincinnati Bengals D/ST to score 18 fantasy points. That was good for second-most in the league. It was the fourth consecutive week that Cleveland’s opponent has finished as a top-two fantasy D/ST. Cleveland has yet to name a starting quarterback for this week. But it does not matter much who is under center. Miami has been an average fantasy defense over the past several weeks but should be able to improve on that based on this matchup.
Other Defense/Special Teams to Consider
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current Start Percentage: 45 Percent (10th among D/STs)
My Current Week 17 Rank: D/ST6
Make sure to check out all of our Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!