My call on Chris Olave panned out last week, but it was a mixed bag on the ‘sit’ front with names like RJ Harvey. We’re now well into the Championship week with having gone through three Christmas Day games. For the upcoming Saturday-Monday slate, here are my recommended start/sits for Week 17!
A reminder that I judge my “start” or “sit” against a full-PPR format.
Start ‘Em
Brock Purdy, QB – San Francisco 49ers
Week 17 Matchup: vs Chicago Bears (SNF)
Brock Purdy has been a reliable QB stream since the fantasy playoffs began, and he’ll remain a solid option this Sunday night in what could be a shootout with the Bears at home. Purdy has thrown for 590 yards and eight touchdowns over the last two games, but it is worth mentioning that George Kittle could miss time with an ankle injury he suffered against the Colts last Monday; otherwise, the Niners are healthy on offense, and Purdy could keep rolling.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB – Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 17 Matchup: @ Cleveland Browns
An unexpected fantasy option as of late, but Kenneth Gainwell should remain one this week against the Browns. Since Week 14, Gainwell has averaged 19.86 FPG, with 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns in that span. Aaron Rodgers has leaned on him plenty, and with DK Metcalf set to miss the final two regular season games due to a fan altercation suspension, Gainwell will be in for another big outing against a Browns defense allowing the 18th most fantasy points per game to opposing RBs on the year, per FantasyData.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB – New England Patriots
Week 17 Matchup: @ New York Jets
Rookie back TreVeyon Henderson more than likely is set to miss this game against the Jets due to a concussion suffered last week. That’ll allow Rhamondre Stevenson to step up and assume RB1 duties against a gaunt New York run defense, allowing the second-most rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs in the league since Week 12. Even if Henderson were to clear protocol, Stevenson could be a serviceable option.
Sit ‘Em
Emeka Egbuka, WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 17 Matchup: @ Miami Dolphins
Tampa’s OC Josh Grizzard has gone public suggesting that Emeka Egbuka needs to get the ball early and often in games, as he was just targeted twice in the loss to Carolina. In that game, he actually ran fewer routes than Jalen McMillan, and overall, the rookie has laid stinkers dating back to Week 11, with no touchdowns since Week 10. The Dolphins aren’t a very favorable matchup, and Egbuka cannot be trusted in Championship weekend.
Audric Estime, RB – New Orleans Saints
Week 17 Matchup: @ Tennessee Titans
Audric Estime seemed to have been a nice option against the Jets last week, but he ended up being a dud. He turned five carries into 19 scoreless yards, adding 17 yards on three receptions. He will still be the de facto lead back assuming Alvin Kamara misses another game, but I wouldn’t rely on him in this spot against a Titans defense that held Isiah Pacheco to 34 yards last week; not that he himself is much of a threat at all anyway.
Rico Dowdle, RB – Carolina Panthers
Week 17 Matchup: vs Seattle Seahawks
Ever since Chuba Hubbard resumed eating into Rico Dowdle’s carry count, both backs haven’t been offering much fantasy relevance. Dowdle has just one touchdown (Week 15) dating back to Weeks 9-10, when he scored three times total. Not to mention, his efforts in the pass game have dwindled as well. Neither Panthers running back will offer you much this week against a tough Seahawks defense.
– Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurt_player02 on Instagram & Threads | @kuwasemiller.bksy.social on BlueSky)