It’s championship week for most season-long fantasy football leagues, and all 32 teams are in action in Week 17. In fact, four teams already started the action on Wednesday. Coming into the week, I ranked my top starters at each position to help you make your decisions about who to start this week.
Be sure to consider all the matchups and options on your roster who can help you get a big win this week whether you’re trying to win the season, a third-place game, or maybe just trying to avoid a punishment by avoiding a last-place finish.
In this post, I’ve highlighted some of the biggest risers and fallers at each spot coming into this week. Jeff Pratt helped me out with the Week 16 rankings, so let’s see who rose or fell in my Week 17 rankings compared to Jeff’s rankings in Week 16.
QB Risers and Fallers
Josh Allen stays in the top spot, but Jayden Daniels climbs from No. 5 to No. 2 after leading the Commanders to a big Week 16 win over the Eagles. Joe Burrow almost swaps spots with Daniels dropping from No. 2 to No. 4 as he and the Bengals host the Broncos and try to keep their playoff hopes alive. On the other side of that matchup, Bo Nix is No. 5 in my rankings after being unranked in Week 16. Another rookie QB rising into the top 10 is Anthony Richardson, who comes in at No. 6.
In tougher matchups this week, Sam Darnold and Kyler Murray slide out of my top-ten, while Baker Mayfield drops from No. 7 to No. 10 for his second chance at revenge against the Panthers in a game the Bucs badly need to win to stay in the playoff chase.
Check out my full QB rankings for Week 17.
RB Risers and Fallers
Saquon Barkley and Jahmyr Gibbs stay locked into the top two spots this week. Jonathan Taylor jumps from No. 11 to No. 3 after his big game against the Titans and in a great matchup against the Giants. Kyren Williams also climbs back into the top five.
Chase Brown slides down several spots after struggling against the Browns and in a tough matchup with the Broncos, while Bucky Irving jumps into the top 10 for a cushy matchup against the Panthers’ struggling run defense.
In the second 10 RBs, Chuba Hubbard climbs from No. 18 to No. 12, and Zach Charbonnet is another big riser, moving back in the top 25 at No. 16 since Kenneth Walker III is out for Thursday night’s matchup with the Bears. Headed the opposite direction, Rico Dowdle dropped from No. 16 to out of my top 25 after his disappointing showing last week with a tough matchup against the Eagles coming up this week.
Near the bottom of my rankings, I’d move Kendre Miller down to No. 24 after he struggled last Monday, and I’d drop him out of my rankings altogether if Alvin Kamara is ready to return. I’d slot Kamara in around No. 17.
Check out my full RB rankings for Week 17.
WR Risers and Fallers
Justin Jefferson is back to the top of my WR rankings for his huge matchup this week against the Packers. Jefferson is followed by the usual top five, although I would probably drop A.J. Brown a few spots if Kenny Pickett starts instead of Jalen Hurts. I still think Brown is a top-10 WR, though, as I broke down yesterday
Brian Thomas Jr. is one of the biggest risers this week, jumping from No. 16 all the way up to No. 7 in the Jaguars divisional game against the Titans. Fellow rookie Ladd McConkey also climbs a few spots to No. 14 for his matchup against the Patriots.
Courtland Sutton moves from No. 22 to No. 15 for his important game against the Bengals, who have given up plenty of receiver points this season. Trending the other direction, Tee Higgins, Drake London and Tyreek Hill all slide five spots in the rankings this week.
Khalil Shakir and DeVonta Smith finished just outside my top 25 this week while Jauan Jennings and Calvin Ridley just sneak in.
Check out my full WR rankings for Week 17.
TE Risers and Fallers
Brock Bowers is in the top spot for the second week in a row as he continues to be the focal point of the Raiders limited offense. The top five have remained mostly unchanged for several weeks with George Kittle, Trey McBride, Jonnu Smith and David Njoku making up that top tier of options.
Jake Ferguson is back in the top 10 this week and Hunter Henry moves up a couple of spots to No. 8 while Tucker Kraft slipped just outside the final cut of my top 10 starters.
Check out my full TE rankings for Week 17.
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