Start 'em, Sit 'em Week 17: Ezekiel Elliott and Other RB/WR Fantasy Advice

When it comes to starting and sitting the running backs and wide receivers on your team, you likely know who you are going to play. The guys that got you this far are going to be the ones to carry you to a fantasy football championship, right? Well, not necessarily. Fire up Christian McCaffrey, but you may want to take a long look at DeAndre Hopkins after last week’s terrible performance. Take a look at who has something to play for in Week 17 (besides you!) and who may end up sitting this week.

Week 17 Positional Rankings: QB I RB I WR I TE I DST I K I Flex

START These RBs

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans (TNF)

For fantasy managers that have relied on Tony Pollard to get them to the championship game… you may need to find other options. Pollard has a thigh injury, and the Cowboys really don’t have anything to play for this week. They already made the playoffs and it would be tough for them to get the No. 1 overall seed and the first-round bye. The obvious decision is for Pollard to sit, which paves the way for Elliott to be an RB1 against the Titans. Elliott has scored a touchdown in the previous eight games; that streak should continue in Week 17.

Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders vs. Cleveland Browns

The Commanders are fighting for a playoff spot with their Week 17 game against the Browns. Washington will need to figure out its quarterback situation (Carson Wentz isn’t the answer), but regardless of who is at the helm, the Commanders will look to rely on their running game. Antonio Gibson is banged up and Robinson has been seeing more work anyway. This game looks like it should be a good one for Robinson.

Related: Week 17 Start/Sit Advice for QB/TE/DST

SIT These RBs

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans vs. Dallas Cowboys (TNF)

Henry is already listed as doubtful, so fantasy managers should keep that in mind if they are looking to have their RB1 for Week 17. He is dealing with a hip injury, and regardless of what happens on Thursday night, the Titans need Henry healthy for the winner-take-all showdown in Week 18 against Jacksonville. Look to keep Henry on the bench and start Hassan Haskins (if you're desperate) instead.

J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (SNF)

It seems that Dobbins isn’t quite healthy, despite coming off injured reserve and posting two 100-yard games. In Week 16, he had 59 rushing yards but barely played in the second half. He had admitted last week that he was still banged up, but he wasn’t listed on the final injury report. Most likely he’ll have some limited practices this week and play on Sunday, but it is hard to trust him after Week 16. He does face the Steelers, who he fared well against in Week 14, but both teams need a win this week.

START These WRs

Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders vs. Cleveland Browns

While the Commanders are likely going to feature the running game (see Brian Robinson Jr., above), someone is going to have to catch the ball. Assuming it is Carson Wentz throwing the ball, that person is most likely going to be Samuel. There is a connection between the pair; in Week 16, Samuel had five receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown. Wentz was the one throwing him the ball in the end zone. Samuel isn’t a must-start, but he’s earned WR3 status.

DJ Chark, Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears

After a rough Week 15 (1/18/0), Chark rebounded in Week 16. He caught four passes for 108 yards, his first 100-yard game this season. He was injured the last time the Lions faced the Bears, their Week 17 opponent, but this should be another solid game for him. The Lions are still in contention for a playoff spot, so they will certainly be trying to win (while the Bears are hoping the Texans win so they can earn the first overall pick in the 2023 draft). Chark is a WR3 with upside.

SIT These WRs

Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans

While the Jaguars/Texans game is technically meaningless, Jacksonville has said it's not going to sit any starters. We’ll see if that actually happens. Jones caught one pass for 14 yards in Week 16. The game flow seems to dictate his success as this dud followed his 6/109/3 stat line from Week 15. It will be difficult to trust anyone in this game, and after Jones’ performance in Week 16, leave him on the bench.

Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

In Week 16, Thielen posted his worst stat line of the season: one reception for six yards. If you managed to move on in your fantasy playoffs despite Thielen, it’s hard to recommend counting on him again. Kirk Cousins loves Justin Jefferson (do you blame him?) and also enjoyed connecting with T.J. Hockenson in Week 16. At this point, Thielen’s value is dependent on him finding the end zone. He’s not getting the receptions or the yards he once did, and it will be hard to trust him against the Packers in Week 17.

— Written by Sarah Lewis, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network and lives, eats, and breathes fantasy football. Have a fantasy football question? Send it to her on Twitter @Sarah_Lewis32.