Week 17 WR Rankings & Projections (PPR): AJ Brown & Corey Davis Face Weak Texans Secondary

Week 17 WR Rankings & Projections

Week 17 Studs

Detroit is in shambles right now and has allowed a 79-1103-7 line to wide receivers over the past five games. They will now face Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson this week. As mentioned below Jefferson needs just 111 yards for the rookie receiving record and Thielen can build upon his 14 touchdown season and likely cross 900 yards on the year. The whole Vikings offense is in a great spot. Staying in the NFC North, Davante Adams and Allen Robinson have faced off a few times and while both secondaries are good, the volume and production usually caries them regardless.

Calvin Ridley and Mike Evans both have had tremendous seasons as Evans now ranks WR11 in PPR leagues after a slow start to the season and Ridley is WR5. Ridley has been on another level over the past three games, averaging 24.8 PPR points per game and producing a 23-395-2 line. He has 36 in that span and no team is giving up more fantasy points over the past five weeks to wide receivers than the Buccaneers. The Falcons have allowed the most over the course of the season.

AJ Brown and Corey Davis have had strong years and both are nearly at the 1,000-yard mark. I would expect them to cross it this week against the Texans, who have allowed the 13th most receiving yards this season. Overall it is a great spot for them as they have allowed the 7th most PPR points per game to receivers this season. On the flip side of this game, Brandin Cooks is having a very good season, ranking WR27, coming off his worst season in his career.

Week 17 Duds

The Rams-Cardinals game could get really ugly this week. Jared Goff and Kyler Murray are both listed as questionable but closer to doubtful in a crucial Week 17 matchup. With the Rams already boasting the best pass defense in the league this season, toss in a backup quarterback and this is a mess for the Cardinals wide receivers this week. DeAndre Hopkins gets a knock, and Christian Kirk moves to not being startable if Murray is out. For the Rams, I expect them to run the ball quite a bit, although their backfield is also banged up a bit. The Cardinals run defense ranks in the bottom half and Los Angeles grinding out this game on the ground and playing solid defense seems more than likely. Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp get a drop-down if Goff is out.

We could see the Chiefs rest starters or at least play a limited game. That means Tyreek Hill isn’t someone to trust even if he plays a few drives. We should no closer to the end of the week so at the moment we will expect people to play and then adjust. With the Browns opening up as touchdown favorites against the Steelers, it suggests the Steelers will rest players. We will need to see how that shakes out because we could see more run for James Washington and Chase Claypool if they decide to play them and rest Johnson and Smith-Schuster.

Week 17 Milestone Notes

In the final week of the regular season, I always like to look at records and milestones to see if teams will force some extra targets their way. Justin Jefferson is one of them as he faces Detroit, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game and the second-most receiving yards. Jefferson needs just 111 receiving yards to break Anquan Boldin’s rookie receiving yard record. Mike Evans is another one with just 44 yards needed for a 1,000-yard season which would make it his seventh in a row since entering the league. He would become the first NFL player in history to do so. Contract incentives are something to take a look at, and Tyler Lockett is the one I am keeping an eye on. He makes another $200,000 if he hits 1,000 receiving yards and if he scores two touchdowns he would earn another $100,000.

Players Needing 100 Yards Or Less To Hit 1,000

• Keenan Allen
• Brandin Cooks
• Cooper Kipp
• Tyler Lockett
• Mike Evans
• Corey Davis
• AJ Brown
• Tee Higgins
• Robert Woods