Week 17 is essentially halfway over already with two Christmas Day games, Thursday Night Football, and a Saturday tripleheader in the books. Season-long fantasy leagues’ championships are in progress, and of course, DFS contests are always available for those looking for a new kind of challenge.
The player pool is much slimmer than usual… but whether they’re on your season-long roster or you’re looking to pay up for a stud on DraftKings DFS, here are three must-start players for Week 17. May the odds be ever in your favor.
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts, $7,900
This should be a smash start for arguably the top running back on the Sunday slate. Taylor may have had a shaky season, but he’s delivered over the final weeks of the season with 15.1 points in Week 15 and a massive 42.8-point explosion last week.
He’s averaging 17.7 fantasy points per contest, and against a New York Giants team allowing the second-most rushing yards per game (142.6), Taylor should certainly be in lineups. The Colts should operate in a very favorable game script, which means plenty of work for their bell cow back.
WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $7,500
Evans has arguably disappointed at times this season, but he’s still averaging 16.1 PPG and is chasing yet another 1,000-yard campaign. He’s running out of time to achieve that goal for the 11th-straight season, but he needs 182 more yards to get there, so it’s conceivably possible for him to hit the mark yet again.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has made it clear he wants to get Evans another 1,000-yard season, and with tight end Cade Otton sidelined, Evans should be the focal point of the offensive attack. Tampa Bay faces off with the Carolina Panthers, who allow the 11th-fewest passing yards per contest. However, Evans has a proven track record of success and is a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer, so he should be trusted.
RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills, $7,200
James Cook is on an absolute heater right now. The halfback is coming off back-to-back outings of 26.3 and 27.6 points while proving himself to be one of the NFL’s most efficient runners. He’s an underrated talent and averages 17.6 points per game, the best mark of his young career.
The opposing New York Jets fall middle of the pack with the NFL’s 16th-best run defense. In this spot against a division rival, watch for Cook to continue gashing the opposition’s defense for big gains and put up another potentially week-winning performance. The young man is a star.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
DraftKings promoters may sometimes play on personal accounts in the games that advice is offered on. Personal views on the games and strategies above do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. DraftKings promoters may also deploy different players and strategies than what is recommended above. DraftKings promoters do not have access to any non-public information.
