Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Lineup Advice: Week 17 (2025)

Week 16 of the NFL season had its ups and downs. We saw some big plays on both sides of the ball, but the injury monster continues to ravage NFL locker rooms. Week 17 is here, and unfortunately, the Christmas Day games were marred by injured quarterbacks missing the contests and turning what was supposed to be an exciting day of football into an afterthought. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 17

Start em

Tuli Tuipulotu (DE/LB – LAC)
Tuli Tuipulotu was at it again in Week 16, reeling off two solos, two assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery. Tuli is up to 13 sacks on the season, which ties him for third in the league. Fire Tuipulotu up as a top-10 option for a plus Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans.

Troy Dye (LB – LAC)
Troy Dye will get the start this week with Denzel Perryman suspended for the final two games of the season. Dye filled in admirably earlier this season when Perryman was sidelined, particularly during a three game span from Week 4 to Week 6, where he checked in as the LB12 in fppg. Tap Dye as an LB3/flex option in leagues of all sizes for a plus Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans.

John Franklin-Myers (DE – DEN)
John Franklin-Myers showed up in Week 16, tallying two solos, one assist, two sacks, and one tackle for loss. Franklin-Myers has snuck his way up to a career high 7.5 sacks and makes for a solid flex/flex2 option for those in 12-team leagues. Start JFM where needed for a tasty Week 17 matchup against a tattered Kansas City Chiefs offense.

Marlon Humphrey (CB – BAL)
Marlon Humphrey was excellent in Week 16, posting six solos, one interception, and two passes defended. Humphrey has really turned it on since Week 9, checking as the DB1 in fppg during that timeframe. Tap Humphrey as an elite DB1 with obvious DB1 upside for a plus Week 17 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Cam Bynum (S – IND)
Cam Bynum was excellent in Week 16, posting five solos, two assists, one interception, and one pass defended. Bynum has put together plus outings in three of his last four games and can be counted as a top-20 option for a tasty Week 17 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Start Cam in all competitive leagues.

Sit em

Barrett Carter (LB – CIN)
Barrett Carter showed up in Week 16, tallying one solo, four assists, one interception, and two passes defended. Carter has struggled in the solo department recently and should probably be left on benches where at all possible for Week 17 despite the plus matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Look elsewhere for championship week.

Truman Jones (LB/DE – TEN)
Truman Jones showed up in Week 16, racking up two solos, one assist, 1.5 sacks, and one tackle for loss. Truman saw an expanded role with the Titans thin at linebacker and likely made enough of an impression to get another look on defense. With that said, Jones is an ocean deep league stash only and should not be started in leagues of any size under any circumstances. Look elsewhere for Week 17.

Chauncey Golston (DT/DE – NYG)
Chauncey Golston showed up in Week 16, tallying four solos, two assists, one sack, and three tackles for loss. Golston got extra burn with Kayvon Thibodeaux done for the season and is worth a look in 32-team DT leagues. With that said, those in 12-team leagues should leave him on the waiver wire.

Jonathan Allen (DT – MIN)
Jonathan Allen showed up in Week 16, notching four solos, four assists, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Allen is up to a solid 3.5 sacks, but should only be considered a Week 17 option for those in DT leagues. Look elsewhere for championship week.

Josh Wallace (CB – LAR)
Josh Wallace made his presence felt in Week 16, racking up six solos, one interception, and one pass defended. Wallace actually saw his snap share decrease this week, as he was around the 75 percent mark in each of the previous two games, and dropped to 46 percent against Seattle. Wallace has been a non factor even when seeing over 70 percent of the snaps and can safely be ignored outside of 32-team leagues. Look elsewhere for Week 17.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.