Week 17 of the NFL season has arrived, which means it’s time for the fantasy football championship! Do you have tough lineup decisions to make in this must-win matchup? I’ve got you covered.
Let’s break down my Week 17 start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football running back picks.
Start ‘Em: Jaylen Warren (Steelers) vs. Chiefs — Christmas Day
Don’t look now, but Jaylen Warren is fantasy relevant once again in PPR leagues.
Pittsburgh’s change-of-pace back has racked up at least 10 points in four of his last six outings, slowly but surely stealing touches from Najee Harris. Warren has now played more snaps than the supposed workhorse in three straight contests, out-touching Harris 17-9 in their loss to Baltimore.
With a potentially similar game script on tap against Kansas City, Warren should see plenty of action on Christmas, presenting high-end RB2 upside.
Sit ‘Em: Kareem Hunt & Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs) at Steelers — Christmas Day
This isn’t the type of two-headed monster you want a part of from a fantasy perspective.
While both Pacheco and Hunt possess clear talent in an offense with upside, the former’s return to action has complicated things. In four games back after an extended absence, Pacheco has failed to score double-digit fantasy points. Hunt, whose value had skyrocketed as the lead back, also saw a severe decrease in production. A touchdown against let the veteran hit the double-digit mark for the first time since Week 12.
While it’s very possible that one of these guys finds the end zone, it’s impossible to predict which player it will be. Both should be on your bench in a matchup against one of the more formidable run defense in the league.
Check out my main Week 17 start/sit picks article here!
Start ‘Em: Jerome Ford (Browns) vs. Dolphins
Ford was my start of the week at running back last Sunday, as I deemed him a potential league-winner.
After his performance against the Bengals, it seems that prediction may be coming to fruition. The third-year back took his 16 touches for 131 yards and a touchdown, making it the second consecutive week he’s scored at least 18 PPR points. With Cleveland’s quarterback room in disarray, the Browns should heavily feature Ford again on Sunday.
Sit ‘Em: Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots) vs. Chargers
Stevenson opened New England’s matchup against the Bills strong with a touchdown on the second drive, but it was all downhill from there.
The fumbling issues that plagued Rhamondre in the early portion of the season reared its ugly head again, as the talented back turned it over at the beginning of the third quarter, and then dropped a backwards pass from Drake Maye at the start of the fourth, which Buffalo recovered for a touchdown.
Stevenson was benched from there on out in favor of Antonio Gibson, and that will likely remain the case against a tough Chargers run defense this week. Even if he sees touches, it won’t be his typical workload, which means you need to leave the 26-year-old on your bench.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 17 fantasy football running back picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice later this week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
