Before fantasy football owners set their lineup for championship week, using one of their open starting spots on a potential breakout candidate could yield significant dividends. Our Week 17 fantasy sleepers list, which includes injury-replacements Josh Oliver, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Greg Dortch, could ultimately help you win a fantasy championship.
We always stress that any of our sleeper picks could disappoint in Week 17. We like to take some chances with our sleeper picks because recommending a bunch of "must-starts" simply isn't needed. You shouldn't start our sleeper picks over proven, early-round studs, but if your roster is already loaded with stars, then you don't need our advice anyway. If nothing else, our sleeper picks can help you find DFS values, as the prices of these players should be affordable.
Starting our suggestions Tyler Allgeier, Baker Mayfield, Nick Mullens, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Demario Douglas, and the Texans' D/ST in Week 16 paid dividends, and we aim to formulate another strong group of sleepers for championship week.
Take a chance on these potential breakouts to help you earn fantasy football greatness.
Fantasy RB Sleepers Week 17
Justice Hill, Ravens vs. Dolphins (Nick Musial). Without Keaton Mitchell, Hill ended up out-snapping Gus Edwards 42-29 last week, giving him low-end RB2/flex appeal in Sunday's showdown against the Dolphins. Although the 'Phins have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game (FPPG) to RBs, a potential double-digit-carry day negates some concerns we have in Hill's ability to produce against a solid Miami front seven.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs vs. Bengals (Vinnie Iyer). CEH gets the beautiful matchup for power running with Isiah Pacheco battling a concussion and Jerick McKinnon (groin) on IR. They need to trust the run more to get the offense back on track. (UPDATE: Even with Pacheco expected to play, CEH has flex upside in a favorable matchup.)
Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles vs. Cardinals (Matt Lutovsky). Gainwell has played at least 40 percent of snaps in each of the past four weeks, and if he gets that much time on the field against an Arizona defense allowing the most fantasy points to RBs, he’ll likely have a flex-worthy day. He put up 79 total yards on just nine touches against the Giants last week, and he’ll do more damage this time around as the Eagles start to ease back their starters once the game is in hand.
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy QB Sleepers Week 17
Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Steelers (Musial). Coming off a strong second-half performance in Seattle's come-from-behind win in Tennessee, Smith is a relatively safe bet to put up fringe QB1 numbers. It's been tough to run on Pittsburgh over the past few weeks, with the Steelers' defense posting the fifth-lowest rushing success rate since Week 10 (32.3%). Less running for KW3 and Zach Charbonnet plays into Geno's hands, as a 250-yard, multi-TD output is well within reach.
Tyrod Taylor, Giants vs. Rams (Iyer). Taylor should get the nod over struggling Tommy DeVito, and his big arm bodes well for putting up some negative game-script passing points. He can also run to some decent numbers, too.
Derek Carr, Saints vs. Buccaneers (Lutovsky). Carr has eight touchdowns over his past three games, and he’s coming off his best fantasy day of the season. Getting the Bucs’ last-ranked pass defense in a must-win game should bring out the best in him, especially with his receivers getting healthier each week.
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy WR Sleepers Week 17
Demario Douglas, Patriots @ Bills (Musial). Douglas led the Patriots with eight targets in their upset win over the Broncos last week, ending his night with five catches for 74 yards. Another high-target showing feels likely against a susceptible Bills pass defense.
Greg Dortch, Cardinals @ Eagles (Iyer). Dortch should retain a key role in a plus matchup against the Eagles' secondary as Kyler Murray likely needs to throw often as a big underdog opposite Jalen Hurts.
K.J. Osborn, Vikings vs. Packers (Lutovsky). With Jordan Addison (ankle) and T.J. Hockenson (ankle) both ailing, Osborn will be called on to do more in a must-win rivalry game. The Packers’ pass defense is reeling right now, getting burned by No. 2 receiver DJ Chark (98 yards, two TDs) last week and secondary receivers Chris Godwin (155 yards) and David Moore (68 yards, TD) the week before.
Fantasy TE Sleepers Week 17
Kyle Pitts, Falcons @ Bears (Musial). The Falcons' passing offense looked competent with Taylor Heinicke back under center, boosting Pitts' appeal for championship week. Good luck running on a Bears' defense that has allowed the third-lowest rushing success rate (34.3 percent), so there's a chance Heinicke will be tasked with consistently bailing the offense out on obvious passing downs. Hopefully, he'll look for Pitts enough for a TE1 fantasy showing.
Tucker Kraft, Packers @ Vikings (Iyer). Kraft is feeling it now as an integral part of the passing game with the reshuffling because of receiver injuries, allowing the team to be careful with fellow rookie tight end Luke Musgrave (kidney).
Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Broncos (Lutovsky). Easton Stick peppered Everett with eight targets last week, making good on the whole “young-QB-TE-security-blanket” cliche. We expect more of the same this week against a Broncos defense that allows the most fantasy points to TEs, giving Everett a nice floor.
BONUS: Josh Oliver, Vikings vs. Packers (Lutovsky). T.J. Hockenson averaged 8.5 targets per game, and Oliver figures to soak up the majority of those. The athletic TE has flashed in limited opportunities this year, and facing a Packers' defense allowing 10 fantasy points per game to TEs should help him post fringe-TE1 numbers.
Fantasy Defense Sleepers Week 17
Houston Texans vs. Titans (Musial). Ryan Tannehill didn't do much in his first start since Week 6, as the Titans' inability to stretch opposing defenses vertically with him under center likely leads to an underwhelming offensive day. The Texans sacked Will Levis seven times in their most recent meeting, and another multi-sack game is feasible regardless of who's under center.
Chicago Bears vs. Falcons (Iyer). This is a great matchup for the Bears, as they can contain the run and tee off on Taylor Heinicke thanks to some strong downfield coverage.
Los Angeles Rams @ Giants (Lutovsky). Whether it’s Tommy DeVito or Tyrod Taylor, we expect the Rams to wreak havoc on the Giants’ offense. New York allows by far the most sacks in the NFL (77), and the Rams can rack up sacks and turnovers against either QB.