Most fantasy football leagues played for their championship in Week 16, but many leagues still run two-week championship matches that include Week 17. This piece is for teams locked into championship battles — or for those in meaningful consolation games in keeper/dynasty leagues.
As such, I’m recommending only select players at each position who I’d feel comfortable starting this week. I will also no longer be offering auction price recommendations — spend as much as you need to acquire players for your title run.
Below are the best streaming options, handcuffs and upside plays to help you take home your office’s plastic gold trophy. Every player is owned in fewer than 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Top Streaming Quarterback
Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
Foles garnered national acclaim when he led the Eagles to an unexpected road victory over the Rams in Week 15, then reprised that epic performance with 471 yards and four passing touchdowns in a win over the Texans this past Sunday.
The Eagles now have a legitimate path to a playoff berth if they beat the Redskins and if the Vikings lose to the Bears in Week 17. Philly’s continued playoff viability makes Foles an ideal streaming target in fantasy next week.
Dating back to last season’s playoffs, Foles has averaged 309 passing yards and 18 PPR points per game as the Eagles’ starter. He draws a nice matchup against a Washington team that has lost five of its past six games, ranks 18th in Football Outsiders’ defense DVOA and has allowed 27.4 points per game over the past five weeks.
Running Backs
C.J. Anderson, Los Angeles Rams
Anderson earned a surprise Week 16 start after the Rams ruled out Todd Gurley (knee) at the last minute. Anderson earned 20 rush attempts against the Cardinals and converted those carries into 167 yards, one touchdown and 23.2 PPR points.
Los Angeles is playing with house money at this point in terms of playoff positioning, and head coach Sean McVay is notorious for resting his players to close the regular season.
For these reasons, it’s reasonable to speculate that Gurley could be held out of the Rams’ Week 17 bout against the 49ers in preparation for the postseason. If that happens, Anderson should prove starting fantasy value once again.
Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: C.J. Anderson
San Francisco has allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game (20.0) to running backs this season.
Brian Hill, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons’ backfield has been ravaged by injury this season. It started with Devonta Freeman (Injured Reserve), then Ito Smith (IR). Now Tevin Coleman has a groin injury, left this past week’s game and failed to return, calling into question his status for Week 17.
In Coleman’s stead, Hill converted eight rush attempts into 115 yards and 9.5 PPR fantasy points. His performance was mixed: On one hand, he busted an impressive 60-yard run, but he also lost a fumble on an unnecessary hurdle late in the game.
Nonetheless, if Coleman sits the Falcons’ regular-season finale, Hill would be in line for sufficient volume to justify flex consideration. He’ll face a weak Buccaneers defense that ranks 31st in run defense DVOA. Tampa Bay has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game (23.4) to running backs this season.
Wide Receivers
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles
Agholor caught five passes for a season-high 116 yards and a touchdown on seven targets against the Texans. His 22.6 PPR points this past week was also a season-high.
He and Foles have demonstrated an excellent rapport. With Foles at quarterback, Agholor has averaged 7.8 targets, 5.5 receptions, 61.3 yards and 16.7 fantasy points per game. Contrast that with his averages in 10 games with Carson Wentz: 5.5 targets, 2.9 receptions, 41 yards and 7.6 fantasy points.
Additionally, both of Agholor’s receiving touchdowns this season have come from Foles; Agholor and Wentz have failed to hook up for a touchdown this season.
Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Nelson Agholor
Agholor draws a Week 17 matchup against a Redskins team with very little to play for behind fourth-string quarterback Josh Johnson. Washington has also allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game (24.7) to wide receivers this season.
Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins
Crowder has quietly put up respectable fantasy numbers since returning from injury in Week 13. He’s averaging 5.5 targets, 3.8 receptions, 61.8 yards and 0.3 touchdowns per game. Over that span, he leads the team in target share (22%) and PPR points per game (11.3).
He continued his solid play against the Titans in Week 16, catching five balls for 78 yards on seven pass targets. He does not offer high upside for Week 17, but he has a solid floor projection and could be viable in deeper leagues.
He draws an ideal matchup against the Eagles, who rank 20th in pass defense DVOA. They have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game (27.3) to wide receivers this season.
Top Streaming Tight End
Chris Herndon, New York Jets
Herndon posted an excellent receiving line against the Packers, snaring six receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown on seven pass targets. His 20.2 PPR points in Week 16 ranks third among tight ends heading into the Monday Night Football game.
Since Week 6, he’s averaged 4.6 targets, 3.3 receptions, 44.7 yards and 0.4 touchdowns per game. His 10.2 PPR points per game over that span ranks eighth among tight ends playing in at least six games this season.
He should be looking forward to the Jets’ regular-season closer against the Patriots. When he faced New England in Week 12, he caught seven receptions for 57 yards on a season-high eight targets. The Pats rank 18th in pass defense DVOA and have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game (8.6) to tight ends this season.
The Watch List
The following players could be worthy of consideration in deeper leagues. Current ESPN ownership percentage for each player is in parentheses:
- C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (26.4%)
- Curtis Samuel, WR, Carolina Panthers (42.7%)
- Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (6.8%)
- Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (39.2%)
- Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Green Bay Packers (1.2%)
- Ian Thomas, TE, Carolina Panthers (42.6%)
- Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills (38.7%)
- Kendrick Bourne, WR, San Francisco 49ers (0.3%)
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Green Bay Packers (23.0%)
- Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys (7.2%)
- Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts (26.4%)
- Rex Burkhead, RB, New England Patriots (7.6%)
- Robert Foster, WR, Buffalo Bills (21.4%)
- Sam Darnold, QB, New York Jets (5.3%)
- Zay Jones, WR, Buffalo Bills (10.5%)
Pictured: Nick Foles
Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
