Running Back Rankings: NFL Fantasy Week 17
Part of me says take a victory lap after telling you to grab Raheem Blackshear in Week 15, but that's not how I want to start the Week 17 fantasy running back rankings.
Instead, I want to tell you to be very careful. A lot of typically solid choices have a ton of warning lights going off this week, including the King, aka Derrick Henry. But he's not alone. A number of fantasy stalwarts like Ezekiel Elliot are also looking at a tough Week 17.
But let's start with Henry. First off, Henry did not practice on Monday but did get in a limited session on Tuesday. That may not be concerning, but it's not reassuring either. Also, with rookie Malik Willis under center, I expect Henry to see even more defenders in the box. A short-practice week against fantasy's second-stingiest run defense and things do not bode well.
Meanwhile, Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon should see far fewer carries against Minnesota and its very suspect secondary. The same is true for Elliott (and Tony Pollard, who might not even play) versus Tennessee and the Titans' suspect secondary. The luster is off Cordarelle Patterson also, who as recently as October was one of the more dependable options.
So who can you depend on? Find out by checking out my RB rankings below.
Week 17 Positional Rankings: QB I RB I WR I TE I DST I K I Flex
NFL Running Back Rankings: Week 17
— Rankings by Mark Strausberg, a member of the Athlon Network Contributor, who despite his youthful exuberance and good looks has been playing fantasy sports before Wildcats or Hoosiers even made it to VHS. Got a fantasy sports question or thought? Hit him up on Twitter @MarkStrausberg.