Week 17 WR Start, Sit Fantasy Strategy: Mike Williams In Line For Big Targets

As we get into the bye weeks, you might have some limited options. I tend to focus on lesser names that might not be on your radar as guys to slide right in. Injuries have also piled up now at the wide receiver position, so if a name in the sit section is the only option and have been producing, you can take your shot. However, I would advise you to see if any of the names in the start section this week are out there to be picked up. Check out our rankings, start sit tool, and fantasy football projections for this week to help make those tough decisions.

Start Em

Curtis Samuel Vs New Orleans Saints

The Saints defense has certainly been better of late but still is allowing a lot of production to wide receivers. Over the past five weeks, Curtis Samuel is averaging 14.6 PPR points per game and on the year he ranks WR26 in scoring despite being a third option on the Panthers. Carolina’s coaching staff has done an excellent job utilizing him this season and his touches have been very efficient. He is a strong play once again as the Panthers will look to end the season on a high note.

Keke Coutee Vs Tennessee Titans

In the last five weeks, both Keke Coutee and Brandin Cooks are WR25 and 26 in PPR scoring. Coutee has taken over a larger role with Will Fuller out and Houston’s defense continues to put this offense in overdrive as they need to put up 30+ points to even have a shot. That will be the case again this week and this is a soft matchup for the Texans, as Tennessee allows the second-most PPR points to wide receivers and have allowed 20 touchdowns on the year.

Russell Gage @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With Julio Jones being shut down these past few weeks, even though Atlanta continues to list him questionable, Gage has seen 35 targets in the last five games and has produced 11.8 PPR points per game. The Buccaneers secondary isn’t bad but they are an easier target compared to running on them. They have allowed the 11th most PPR points per game and this game has a total of over 50.

Mike Williams @ Kansas City Chiefs

With Keenan Allen out last week, Mike Williams saw ten targets, but only caught four of them. This has been the story of his career as Williams is a big-play wide receiver who isn’t going to rack up catches. Allen is doubtful for this week and I love the upside of Williams this week against a Chiefs team that won’t be playing their starters.

Sit Em

Stefon Diggs Vs Miami Dolphins

I am preparing for the Bills to announce rest for their starters or at least limit them to less than a full game. They can catch the Steelers (who are also resting starters) for the two-seed but are playing at the same time. Keeping tabs on starters this week is going to be important and even in games where nothing is up for grabs. Rotations change in Week 17 quite drastically.

Marvin Jones Vs Minnesota Vikings

You might be asking why Marvin Jones is a sit candidate in a spot against the Vikings, who have allowed the 8th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Well, they just faced a team allowing the 11th most and saw three targets in a game where they were down 20 from about the five-minute mark on. The Lions are just not a team I trust across the board, especially with Matthew Stafford out with an injury.

Marquise Brown Vs Cincinnati Bengals

Marquise Brown has found his groove of late but the four touchdowns in five games have certainly carried him. The touchdown regression will hit and Brown will go back to being a lackluster play in a passing offense that has been subpar for fantasy. The Bengals are not a good secondary but they haven’t allowed as much production as you would think. A lot of the production against them comes on the ground, which the Ravens should do well this week.

Christian Kirk @ Los Angeles Rams

The Rams-Cardinals game comes in as the second-lowest total on the board. No surprise as the Rams are starting a backup quarterback, but Kyler Murray is banged up as well. Murray will give it a go against one of the toughest pass defenses in the NFL. Overall the offense has been sluggish at times in the second half of the season and that is likely the case again this week. The Rams have allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, so I will pass on any Cardinals option not named DeAndre Hopkins.