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Fantasy Football Discord AMA & Mailbag
So, without further ado, let’s dive into some of the questions and answers from my Week 17 Discord AMA.
Lineup Questions
Which quarterback should I start this week between Drake Maye and Dak Prescott?
Both quarterbacks are appealing starting options in Week 17. Furthermore, both will likely be in the top eight of my quarterback rankings this week. I would play Prescott if Marcus Mariota starts for the Washington Commanders. My concern is that Washington’s offense will struggle if Josh Johnson starts, meaning Prescott won’t have to put up points to get the win. Meanwhile, Maye has the safer floor but lacks upside against a New York Jets team that the New England Patriots should have no trouble running all over.
Can I trust Tyler Warren or Travis Kelce in Week 17, given their quarterback situations?
Ideally, fantasy players can avoid starting either tight end in Week 17. Kelce will be catching passes from Chris Oladokun or Shane Buechele against an elite Denver Broncos defense. Meanwhile, Warren has struggled to connect with Philip Rivers. However, if forced to pick between the two, I would start Warren. The rookie faces the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. They have struggled to defend tight ends this year. I would be tempted to start Darren Waller against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over both of these tight ends.
Would you play Javonte Williams on Thursday or wait and hope Emanuel Wilson starts on Saturday?
The only way I would play Wilson over Williams this week is if Williams doesn’t play or the Green Bay Packers rule out Josh Jacobs on Thursday. Green Bay plays on Saturday. Therefore, their final day of practice will be Thursday, unlike if they played on Sunday, where the final day of practice is Friday. However, I wouldn’t expect that to happen. Jacobs played in Week 16 despite not practicing once during the week. Hopefully, Williams can take advantage of a solid matchup against the Washington Commanders on Christmas.
How do you feel about Harold Fannin Jr. this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers?
I will have three tight ends ranked ahead of Fannin this week, assuming they play. Those three tight ends are Trey McBride, George Kittle, and Brock Bowers. However, Fannin will clearly be the TE4 in my Week 17 rankings. Last week, the rookie was outstanding despite facing a Buffalo Bills defense that has shut down tight ends this season. He had four receptions on six targets for 34 receiving yards and 13.4 PPR fantasy points in the air while adding 6.1 more on the ground thanks to a rushing score.
Should I start D’Andre Swift or Rhamondre Stevenson in Week 17?
While he only scored nine PPR fantasy points last week in the win over the Green Bay Packers, Swift has quietly been outstanding lately. The veteran averaged 95.3 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 18.2 fantasy points per game over his previous three contests, totaling 20.8 or more twice. Meanwhile, Stevenson had 78 scrimmage yards and 17.8 fantasy points on Sunday night, as TreVeyon Henderson left the game with a head injury. This call is a close one if Henderson misses the Week 17 contest. Yet, I would still start Swift.
Waiver Wire Questions
Is Alec Pierce a viable waiver wire target to start this week?
There isn’t much on the waiver wire this week, so Pierce is a solid option if available. The veteran had two receiving touchdowns in the first half of Monday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. However, he only had four targets in the game. Yet, the former Cincinnati star is an appealing boom-or-bust flex option in Week 17 because of the matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pierce had five receptions for 80 receiving yards and 13 fantasy points against the division rivals three weeks ago.
Which D/ST is your top target off the waiver wire?
I would love to have the Denver Broncos against the Kansas City Chiefs with either Chris Oladokun or Shane Buechele under center on a short week. However, my two favorite waiver wire D/ST targets are the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions. The Saints have played well lately and face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Lions take on the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day. They had a solid performance against the Vikings in Week 9 with J.J. McCarthy under center. Yet, Detroit could end up facing Max Brosmer.
Who are your top deep league waiver wire targets for Week 17?
You can read more about my top deep league waiver wire targets this week on the site, but my two favorite targets are Chimere Dike and Taysom Hill. The rookie wide receiver has averaged 5.2 targets and 10.8 PPR fantasy points per game since Week 6, totaling 13 or more in 55.6% of the contests, including on Sunday. Meanwhile, Hill was a do-it-all weapon in Week 16, totaling 15.3 fantasy points, throwing a touchdown pass, recording 12 rushing attempts, and pulling in four of his six targets.
Should I hold onto DK Metcalf, or is he droppable following his suspension?
Unfortunately, Metcalf was suspended for two games by the NFL on Monday following his altercation with a fan on Sunday in Detroit. While the star wide receiver plans to appeal his suspension, fantasy players shouldn’t expect him on the field on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Yet, I would wait until we get official word on Metcalf’s appeal before dropping him. While he struggled last week, the veteran had four receptions on nine targets for 95 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 19.5 fantasy points against the Brown in Week 6.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.