The conclusion of the fantasy football season is a lot like the end of summer in a beach town.
Despite the eerie, grey feeling that can surround the shore in the offseason, waves continue to crash. But it’s enjoyed by mostly the year-round residents, instead of the steadfast tourists. Life is finally still and calm, but soon, when summer comes, it’ll come alive once again.
Week 17 Water Tower DFS Picks
RB: Myles Gaskin (Miami at Buffalo) — $6,500
I can’t quit Myles Gaskin. He’s the Points Per Reception (PPR) RB10 on a points-per-game basis this season. He’s averaging 16.3 points per game and was a league winner last week going for a career-high 34.4 fantasy points.
In Week 17, the Dolphins find themselves in a win-and-get-in situation facing the division-rival Buffalo Bills. With mixed results so far from rookie Tua Tagovoloia, I expect Miami to run Gaskin hard against the Bills who allowed the forgotten Sony Michel loose for 69 yards on just 10 carries last week. Gaskin for $6,500 looks to be a sure value in my rose-tinted glasses. – Seth Woolcock
WR: Mike Evans (Atlanta at Tampa Bay) — $7,500
Despite finishing as a low-end WR1, Mike Evans has been a mixed bag of fantasy production this year. While averaging a decent 16.9 PPR points per game this season, he has had some disappointing weeks where he was barely able to scratch double-digit output. In Week 16, we saw his most impressive performance of the year against a terrible Detroit defense where he dropped an eye-popping 43.1 PPR points.
Looking forward to Week 17, Tampa Bay is hosting an Atlanta team that is actually worse against the wide receiver position than Detroit. All signs point to another massive game for Evans. With Atlanta allowing an average of 35.5 points to the wide receiver position, Evans is a mid-range priced lineup anchor to get you in the money. – Nate Polvogt
RB: Jonathan Taylor (Jacksonville at Indiana) — $7,400
This game means everything to the Colts and absolutely nothing to their opponents from Jacksonville. While the Jaguars have already clinched the No. 1 pick in the draft, Indianapolis needs to win to get to the playoffs. With Jacksonville having the third-worst defense against the run game, it’ll be a golden opportunity for Jonathan Taylor to take over and run the Colts into their best chance at a playoff spot. – Elliot Hicks
QB: Tom Brady (Atlanta at Tampa Bay) — $7,200
Last week against Detroit, Tom Brady had more fantasy points in the first half than most quarterbacks had in their entire games. Brady is on a mission. He feels like he has a lot to prove at 43-years-old, and that makes him a dangerous start in DFS matchups.
Heading into Week 17 against a weak Atlanta defense that bleeds fantasy points to quarterbacks – giving up an average of 25.5 points per game to the position – Brady is primed to have yet another monster performance. Not only would I jump on getting him into your lineup, but also consider the Brady/Evans stack to separate yourself from the competition. – Polvogt
Week 17 Typewriter DFS Picks
WR: Nelson Agholor (Las Vegas at Denver) — $5,400
Nelson Agholor is the PPR WR33 this season.
Nelson Agholor has been something like a rollercoaster when it comes to scoring in fantasy football this year. Since having a mini breakout performance in Week 4 where he had 14.4 fantasy points, it’s been one week on one week off.
Last week, Agholor was on, scoring 29.5 PPR points against a good Miami defense. While it seems to go against common sense to fire him up this week, sometimes trends aren’t always the best way to make a decision.
Las Vegas has a prime matchup against a banged-up Denver secondary in a division rivalry. Jon Gruden isn’t going to let off the gas, and Agholor has been a prime target for Derek Carr as of late. I fully expect Agholor to have another monstrous week to cap off the season. At a value of $5,400, he gives you a high ceiling for cheap and the ability to spend more on marquee players to anchor your squad. – Polvogt
TE: Austin Hooper (Pittsburgh at Cleveland) — $3,800
I’m going back to the watering hole with Austin Hooper this week after back-to-back TE1 performances in Weeks 15 and 16. And while Cleveland should get their receivers back this week, lowering some of Hooper’s volume, they too find themselves in a win-bad-get-in situation against their rival, The Pittsburgh Steelers.
Since the loss of linebackers Devin Bush, Vince Williams and Bud Dupree, Pittsburgh is bleeding points to the tight end position – including eight total receptions to Indianapolis tight ends last week and a 24.8 PPR point performance to Washington’s Logan Thomas in Week 13. – Woolcock
RB: Malcolm Brown (Arizona at Los Angeles Rams) — $4,300
In one of this week’s win-and-in playoff games, the Rams have quite a challenge ahead of them. Starting quarterback Jared Goff is out and two out of the three lead running backs for Los Angeles are also recovering from injury.
Darrell Henderson is definitively out and Cam Akers is likely not going to be at 100 percent even if he is active. That leaves Malcolm Brown as the best healthy back the Rams have, and with basically an unknown playing under center, Brown should have the chance to run wild against the Cardinals’ defense. It won’t be easy, but Brown could have quite the upside. – Hicks
RB: AJ Dillon (Green Bay at Chicago) — $4,900
Last week, In what felt like his Packers debut, AJ Dillon, rushed 21 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. With Jamaal Williams‘ status still unknown for Sunday and the Packers likely looking to be diligent with starter Aaron Jones’ touches, Dillon could be a nice value once again here in Week 17 when the Packers try to secure the NFC No.1 seed in Chicago.
Chicago’s run defense has been suspect of late, most recently allowing Jacksonville’s Dare Ogunbowale to go for 71 yards on 14 carries. Yes, it’s a risky play if the Packers do stick with Jones. But, for the price of $4,900 on DraftKings, I’m happy with Dillon as my RB2 this week. – Woolcock
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