Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 17: Examining Fringe Fantasy Football Flex Starters
Week 17 of the fantasy football season is an entirely different animal than Weeks 1 through 16, requiring specialized advice and a thorough knowledge of the NFL playoff picture and which teams still have something to play for.
Most leagues, of course, have their fantasy championships in Week 16, given all the unusual situations that can occur in Week 17, with playoff-bound teams resting starters to keep them fresh or teams with nothing to gain resting starters to avoid heading into the offseason.
If you're still playing this week, however, chances are your team has suffered some injuries this season or had a player whose status has been uncertain due to COVID-19. If you're looking for some players who you're just not sure are worth starting this week, we'll take a look at your best flex options in Week 17 outside the obvious choices.
All scoring and projections are for points-per-reception (PPR) leagues. Rostered percentage information via FantasyPros.
Wide Receiver
Start 'Em: Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have nothing to play for (except an outside shot at the No. 3 overall pick), but even if they do rest some of their key players, you can expect Curtis Samuel to take the field. He has plenty of momentum coming out of Week 16's 20-13 win over the Washington Football Team, where he amassed a career-high 158 total yards.
He had 106 receiving yards on five receptions and gained 52 yards rushing. He didn't score, but he still had 20.8 points. He's rostered in just 60 percent of Yahoo leagues, so there's a chance he'll be available if you need to pick up a receiver this week.
Start 'Em: Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons
In Julio Jones' absence, Russell Gage has been a fantastic handicap for fantasy managers, netting 18.8 points in Week 14 and 17.8 points in Week 15 His scoring was capped in Week 16 to 6.3 points due to facing a Kansas City Chiefs pass defense that ranks 15th in the league, allowing 233.2 points per game per TeamRankings.
Gage has a more favorable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17, and if Julio Jones remains out (or if he heals up but the Falcons choose to rest him), he'll be a must-play at flex.
Start 'Em: Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys wideout Michael Gallup hasn't had a scintillating season, topping 10 points just six times. But in his most recent outing in which he scored double-digit points, Week 16, he topped any performance so far this season, with 30.1.
He had six receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles and has now had four touchdowns in as many games. He has a good matchup against the New York Giants in Week 17, and the Cowboys are playing for the division.
Sit 'Em: Corey Davis didn't have a single reception for the Tennessee Titans in Week 16 against the Packers, and while the snowy conditions at Lambeau may have been partially to blame, if you have other options, leave him on your bench in Week 17.
The Buffalo Bills' Cole Beasley suffered a leg injury in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots on Monday night and is currently "week-to-week"...but when there's only one week left in the fantasy season, you may as well look elsewhere.
Running Back
Start 'Em: Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor is clearly the guy in the Colts backfield, but Nyheim Hines' increasing role on passing downs warrants a flex play in Week 17. Last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had eight carries for 44 yards and caught five passes for 20 more yards. Hines has surpassed double-digit points in eight games.
Start 'Em: Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams
In Week 17, Malcolm Brown is a fantastic fringe flex option. His team is playing for its playoff life against the Arizona Cardinals, who allow an average of 126.5 rushing yards per game, per TeamRankings. The Rams backfield is depleted, with Darrell Henderson Jr. on injured reserve and Cam Akers nursing an ankle injury.
Brown had seven carries for 27 yards and was targeted three times in the passing game, with one catch for eight yards, against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16. But the Rams fell into a hole early in that game, forcing head coach Sean McVay to pass more. Moreover, Jared Goff had surgery on his right thumb Monday and will miss the season finale, with backup John Wolford taking his place. Brown will clearly be a solid part of the game plan heading into the capper against the Cardinals.
Start 'Em: J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team
Even though standout Washington running back this season, Antonio Gibson, returned from injury in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers, J.D. McKissic still played a large role in the offense. In Washington's 20-13 loss to Carolina, McKissic had four carries for 15 yards and eight receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown, resulting in 23.2 points. Expect that usage to continue in Week 17 as Washington fights for the division title.
Sit 'Em: Head coach Andy Reid has been known to bench starters in games that don't matter, so even though the Kansas City Chiefs' Darrel Williams has been fantastic in support of an injured Clyde Edwards-Helaire, he may not receive a lot of work in Week 17.
The New England Patriots kept Damien Harris out of Monday night's tilt against the Buffalo Bills, and even if he's active in Week 17, expect the team to use caution and rely on Sony Michel.
Tight End
Start 'Em: Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
Robert Tonyan continues to produce for the red-hot Packers, even as wideout Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers can't stop teaming up for touchdowns. His five-game scoring streak was broken in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans, but that is very likely a fluke; Adams was a bit of a ball-hog with 142 receiving yards, and it was snowing. In Week 17 against the Chicago Bears, a team that has given up 10 touchdowns and 140 fantasy points to tight ends this season per CBSSports.com, Tonyan has a great matchup.
Start 'Em: Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Fantasy managers who have Mike Gesicki on their rosters this season have had a bit of a frustrating go of it. When Gesicki is hot, he's one of the most productive tight ends in the game, scoring more than 20 points in three games and more than 10 points five times. But he can also be cold, with four games with six or fewer points.
Gesicki seems to get more looks when Ryan Fitzpatrick is lining up under center, but the plan for now seems to be for the Dolphins to start Tua Tagovailoa in Week 17. Still, it's hard to ignore Gesicki's last three outings before his injury in the Week 14 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs: 11.5 points, 23.8 points and 23.5 points, respectively.
Start 'Em: Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rob Gronkowski may have only had two receptions in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, but if they're both going to be touchdowns, fantasy managers are more than happy. That kind of feast-or-famine play—Gronk has had his share of games with fewer than five points this season, too—can be frustrating, but there's no question Gronkowski is a red-zone favorite of Tom Brady's.
He's had three touchdowns in as many games and draws the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17, who have given up 10 touchdowns and 147 fantasy points to tight ends, per CBSSports.com.
Sit 'Em: Another Kansas City Chiefs player in a meaningless game, Travis Kelce is a sit 'em candidate. The Bears' Cole Kmet hasn't been capitalizing on his opportunities, and the Packers have been stingy against tight ends.