Christmas is over and the new year is almost here, but first, you have a fantasy football championship to win. As lineup decisions get tougher, the more expert analysis, opinions, and projections you can find, the better it will make your Week 17 start 'em, sit 'em choices.
To prove we believe in the "more is better" approach to fantasy football research, we’re pleased to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning weekly projections and rankings. We'll also highlight players at each position who stand out in our rankings compared to theirs so you get multiple perspectives on a few of the biggest start-or-sit headaches. To see Draft Sharks' exclusive Week 17 3D floor-to-ceiling projections, become a Draft Sharks member today at the link below!
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Week 17 Fantasy Football Projections, Rankings from Draft Sharks
Week 17 fantasy QB projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Derek Carr, Saints @ Buccaneers (SN Ranking: 11 | DS Ranking: 14)
UPDATE: Draft Sharks moved Carr up a few spots throughout the week.
Carr has been on a roll lately, at least statistically, putting up 656 yards and eight total TDs over the past three games. He had his best fantasy day of the season last week (319 yards, three TDs), and even though garbage time was part of the reason why, we think he can have similar success against Tampa's last-ranked pass defense. Draft Sharks still clearly has doubts about his ability to deliver QB1-caliber numbers, but we're trusting the matchup.
SN's WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 17 fantasy RB projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Ravens (SN PPR Ranking: 10 | DS Ranking: 24)
The yardage has been unimpressive the past two games (93 total yards), but Mostert always finds a way to score (three TDs). Draft Sharks isn't betting on that streak continuing, instead focusing more on the process. We don't see De'Von Achane eating too much into Mostert's touches (just eight for Achane last week), especially around the goal line. Baltimore has a strong run defense, but Christian McCaffrey just had his way with it, and we think Mostert can get loose for a big run or two while adding at least one TD to give him another RB1-caliber finish.
Spotlight Player: Joe Mixon, Bengals @ Chiefs (SN PPR Ranking: 23 | DS Ranking: 12)
Mixon is somewhat of a similar player to Mostert -- he hasn't put up big yardage total over the past couple of games (111), but he has a nose for the end zone. He hasn't been as consistent as Mostert, though, which is why we're lower on him than Draft Sharks. The Chiefs just got gashed by Zamir White, so the matchup isn't that scary, but we're more worried about Cincinnati's overall offense struggling, thus limiting Mixon's touches and scoring opportunities.
SN's WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 17 fantasy WR projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: George Pickens, Steelers @ Seahawks (SN PPR Ranking: 22 | DS Ranking: 35)
We're not "all-in" on Pickens after his huge Week 16 (though that didn't hurt), but we just love the matchup against a Seahawks' defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to WRs. Draft Sharks is still a little leery about Pickens given his mostly season-long struggles and Pittsburgh's QB issues, but we'll err on the side of a big-play receiver in a favorable situation.
Spotlight Player: DJ Chark, Panthers @ Jaguars (SN PPR Ranking: 33 | DS Ranking: 52)
Here's another receiver where we probably "overcorrected" after a big Week 16, but once again, we love the matchup. Jacksonville allows the ninth-most fantasy points to WRs, and Chark should see ample targets after grabbing six-of-eight looks for 98 yards and two scores last week. Draft Sharks isn't convinced, instead looking at the fact that he hadn't received more than four targets in a game since Week 6. He's probably riskier than we're giving him credit for.
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Week 17 fantasy TE projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Darren Waller, Giants vs. Rams (SN PPR Ranking: 8 | DS Ranking: 12)
UPDATE: Draft Sharks moved up Waller a few spots throughout the week.
Waller is always tough to rank because of the Giants' shaky QB situation, but the targets are usually decent (five last week). This week, the matchup is, too, as L.A. allows the fifth-most fantasy points to TEs. Draft Sharks isn't sold on the disappointing tight end (and for good reason), instead opting to rank more reliable target-getters/producers like Dalton Schultz and Tucker Kraft, among others, over him. We're playing the matchup and the talent.
Week 17 fantasy defense projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Bengals (SN Ranking: 16 | DS Ranking: 5)
The Chiefs have a solid defense that can limit the Bengals, but we're not expecting a ton of sacks and turnovers. Draft Sharks is more optimistic, perhaps because Jake Browning just threw three INTs on the road, but Kansas City just hasn't been a big turnover defense all year. We like some other units in better matchups more, but Draft Sharks is going for a desperate, home D/ST, which usually isn't a bad move.