FFT Express - Week 17 Starts & Sits Part 2! Top Starts, Sits, and Must-Avoids for NFC Home Games

Summary

Fantasy Football Today: FFT Express - Week 17 Starts & Sits Part 2!

Release Date: December 28, 2024
Host: Adam Aizer
Analyst: Dave Richard
Episode Focus: Top Starts, Sits, and Must-Avoids for NFC Home Games

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Introduction

In this episode of Fantasy Football Today Express, host Adam Aizer and analyst Dave Richard dive deep into Week 17 strategies, focusing on optimal player starts and sits, particularly targeting NFC home games. The discussion is tailored for both standard and keeper leagues, offering valuable insights to help fantasy managers make informed decisions as the season winds down.

Keeper League Stashes

[02:25] Adam: Kicks off the episode by highlighting the importance of managing keeper leagues during the final week. Dave emphasizes the need to evaluate potential keepers based on their current performance and future prospects.

Quarterbacks:

• Trevor Lawrence & Dak Prescott: "Make sure Trevor Lawrence and Dak Prescott are on somebody's team. If they're not, put them on your team." [03:07]
• JJ McCarthy: "He has a chance to be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings." [03:07]

Running Backs:

• Jalen Wright (Dolphins) & Marshawn Lloyd (Packers): Recognized as top keeper prospects with strong performances this season. Dave notes, "Wright especially could be the 1B running back with Davon HN." [03:07]

Wide Receivers:

• Jaylen McMillan & Jermaine Burton: Potential breakout candidates with promising opportunities. "Jermaine Burton could be the number two wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals next year." [03:07]

Tight Ends:

• Eric All Jr. & Luke Schoonmaker: Among the few viable tight end prospects worth considering. [03:07]

Dave also mentions deeper options like A.J. Dillon and Tyler Bidet, suitable for dynasty leagues or as speculative keepers.

Start/Sit Recommendations

The heart of the episode revolves around strategic player starts and sits for Week 17, with a keen eye on NFC home games and potential weather disruptions.

Wide Receivers:

• Debo McMillan vs. Abdullah or Spears at Flex: Adam introduces the first start/sit dilemma. Dave responds, "It would easily be Spears if Tony Pollard didn't play." [07:25]

Quarterbacks:

• Aaron Rodgers vs. Justin Herbert vs. Bryce Young: In a four-point passing touchdown league format, Dave advises, "Rodgers is probably going to be the pick. If the weather forecast is really, really terrible for Buffalo, then maybe you pivot to Justin Herbert." [07:43]

Wide Receiver Selections:

• Bucky Irving, Chase Brown, AJ Brown: For PPR formats, Dave leans towards Bucky Irving, citing matchup and quarterback considerations. [08:07]

Half PPR Options:

• London, Juwan Jennings, Devonte Adams, Brian Thomas Jr.: Dave favors London over Williams but notes the uncertainty around Adams' participation. [08:34]

Additional Start/Sit Scenarios:

• Neighbors, Bucky Irving, Brian Robinson Jr., Jalen McMillan, Rashad White: Dave advises caution with Rashad White and Neighbors due to limited practice participation and potential game-time decisions. [09:02]
• Wide Receiver and Flex Choices: Options include Downs, Thielen, McMillan, Marvin Harrison Jr., Amir Abdullah, and Tajie Spears. Dave recommends focusing on Abdullah unless Joe Flacco is the quarterback, in which case Downs might be preferable. [10:06]

Weather Considerations

A significant portion of the discussion centers on how impending weather conditions could impact player performances, particularly in outdoor NFC home games.

• Rain Forecast Impact: Dave warns, "If you've got a kicker in those games, if you've got a boom bus receiver in those games, if you've got a sus quarterback in those games, I would stay away from those players, provided that the forecasts stay as ugly as they look." [09:38]

• Specific Game Weather: With heavy rain predicted for Buffalo, Cleveland, Miami, and Washington, Dave advises fantasy managers to avoid players from these teams, especially kickers and quarterbacks susceptible to performance drops in adverse conditions. [10:37]

Final Player Picks

Concluding the start/sit segment, Dave provides his final recommendations:

• Burrow vs. Daniels: Depending on weather conditions, Dave suggests leaning towards Daniels if Washington's weather is anticipated to be severe. [11:16]

• Spears vs. Garendo: "Spears. If Pollard is out. Garendo otherwise." [11:47]

• Najoku vs. Okonkwo: "Najoku, if he plays. Okonkwo, otherwise." [11:58]

Conclusion

Adam wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of staying informed and adaptable as Week 17 approaches. He encourages listeners to utilize the insights provided to optimize their lineups and secure victory in their respective leagues. The duo signs off with a reminder to enjoy the offseason and continue engaging with Fantasy Football Today for ongoing support.

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Notable Quotes:

• "If you've got a kicker in those games, if you've got a boom bus receiver in those games, if you've got a sus quarterback in those games, I would stay away from those players." — Dave Richard [09:38]

• "Jermaine Burton could be the number two wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals next year." — Dave Richard [03:07]

• "Rodgers is probably going to be the pick. If the weather forecast is really, really terrible for Buffalo, then maybe you pivot to Justin Herbert." — Dave Richard [07:43]

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By meticulously analyzing player performances, potential weather disruptions, and matchup specifics, Adam and Dave provide a comprehensive strategy guide for fantasy managers aiming to navigate Week 17 successfully. Whether you're in a standard, PPR, or keeper league, the insights shared in this episode are invaluable for making those critical start and sit decisions.

Transcript

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[Adam]

We've got Start Sid advice, we've got Dave playing the drums with his pen, and we've also got keeper league stashes right now on Fantasy Football Today Express. All right, here we go. Adam and Dave on a Friday afternoon. Just kicking it.

[Dave]

Dave, It's Friday morning, you knucklehead. It's 10:27am Eastern Time. @ what point do you think that this is afternoon?

[Adam]

No, I was wrong. I was wrong about this one but I on the mailbag I am going to finally win the argument about 11:30am being the afternoon. So stick to for the mailbag. Dave, who are some players that we should be picking up right now in keeper leagues?

[Dave]

So first of all, afternoon. Two words. Pretty easy to define what each of them means. I think afternoon is pretty self explanatory and 11:30am is not afternoon. Okay, I'm going to go through the top four positions in fantasy. I've got players sorted by check for, meaning they're probably already on a roster. You're not going to be able to get them but double check anyway. And then keeper prospects, some of them deeper than others. This is for people in keeper leagues, maybe for dynasty leagues. I think a lot of these people are going to be obviously rostered in dynasty leagues, but it's just to help people out to put players on their roster now so that you have the option to keep them next fall. So that's kind of what we're doing here. You're going to take players that you know you're not going to even think about keeping, you're going to cut them from your roster and you're going to pick up these guys. Here we go. So a quarterback you'll check to see and just make sure that Trevor Lawrence and Dak Prescott are on somebody's team. If they're not, put them on your team and then check with JJ McCarthy, see if he's out there. Obviously he's got a chance to be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. That was a pretty good spot for Sam Darnold this year. Running back double check obviously for J.K. dobbins, but Jordan Mason too. We don't know what's going to happen with Christian McCaffrey. So Jordan Mason is somebody that I wouldn't mind stashing as a possible keeper for next year. The best keeper prospects at running back Jalen Wright with the Dolphins, Marshawn Lloyd with the Packers. Wright especially could be the 1B running back with Davon HN and I love what I saw from Jalen Wright this year. I even got to see him practice. The dude looks a part of being a big time running back in the NFL. Deeper keeper prospects. A.J. dillon might resurface. That's not a great one but Izzy Abanakanda, Tyler Bidet, those would be three guys, desperation Hail Mary type keepers. Maybe those are the types of players that are out there in dynasty leagues. The worst thing you can do Stash them and see what happens. At wide receiver Check for Chris Godwin, check for Brandon Iuk, check for Chris Olave. Just make sure that if they're free agents, put them on your bench. If they're not, there's nothing you can do about that. Keeper prospects at wide receiver Jaylen McMillan Obviously I think there's a path for Jermaine Burton to be the number two wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals next year. That would be a pretty dope spot. Jermaine Burton's out there in a ton of leagues. Would love to have him and wouldn't mind sitting on Ricky Piersol. Not literally of course, but figuratively for the as a fantasy. He's somebody who I think could go and be decent deeper keeper league prospects. Jordan Winnington with the Rams is probably going to be my favorite. He's up there with Adonai Mitchell and Devon Vale at tight end. Eric all Jr. He's the tight end. Cincinnati towards ACL. We'll see if he can come back. This is to say that there aren't a lot of good tight ends that you could stash away as keeper prospects, but he's the headliner along with Luke Schoonmaker, Ben Senate and Jatavion Sanders. Some deeper tight ends Theo Johnson, Jeremy Ruckert and Jaheem Bell in New England. I wonder if he makes a second year jump in that Patriots passing game which is so void of long term talent. Maybe he gets an opportunity there. That's it. That's the keeper list.

[Adam]

Yeah. Did you mention the Texans receivers? Because Diggs and, and Dell obviously Diggs being a free agent, Dell with the surgery something.

[Dave]

So the only one that would make sense is Deontay Johnson. But he's already rostered in a bunch of leagues and you can't pick up Texans players now because they've already played. So you would have need to have already picked up Deontay Johnson. But I don't, I don't see John Mechi or Hutchinson evolving into big time pass catchers. Kate Stover is kind of interesting at tight end. I don't know if you can pick up players before week 18 for that purpose, but those would be guys to look at.

[Adam]

Okay, we're going to take a break and come back and answer your starter sit questions on Fantasy Football today.

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[Adam]

START sit for week 17. It begins. Debo McMillan and START. One of them. It's McMillan and Abdullah or Spears at flex.

[Dave]

It would easily be Spears if Tony Pollard didn't play. We just don't know if that's going to be the case. If Pollard plays, I'd go Abdullah, Aaron.

[Adam]

Rodgers, Justin Herbert or Bryce Young in four point for passing touchdown leagues.

[Dave]

It's gross. But Rogers is probably going to be the pick. If the weather forecast is really, really terrible for Buffalo, then maybe you pivot to Justin Herbert. But I don't really love any of.

[Adam]

Those three quarterbacks Herbert's playing on Saturday, so.

[Dave]

Right. That's why you would pivot if the forecast is really, really bad. But it's got to be. I'll say it again, really, really bad.

[Adam]

Bucky Irving or AJ Brown in ppr?

[Dave]

Bucky.

[Adam]

How about Bucky Irving, Chase Brown or AJ Brown? Sorry. So it's an updated question. Pick two. Bucky Irving, Chase Brown, AJ Brown, ppr.

[Dave]

I'm gonna. I'm gonna lean away from AJ Brown just because Kenny Pickett's the quarterback and the matchup is fine. Like I'm not scared of the matchup in this case. But this could be a game where Saquon Barkley really handles the bulk of the workload.

[Adam]

Half ppr. Drake, London or Jameson Williams.

[Dave]

I've got London over Jameson Williams, but I think it's close.

[Adam]

We got London, Juwan Jennings, Devonte Adams and Brian Thomas Jr. We need two of them.

[Dave]

It's going to be the last two. London would be the emergency backup if Devonte Adams doesn't play. Remember, we're recording this early Friday. We don't know if Devonte Adams is going to practice on Friday. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday.

[Adam]

Question. Nope, I read that one. Sorry. How about. How about this one? Start three neighbors. Bucky Irving, Brian Robinson, Jalen McMillan, Rashad White.

[Dave]

If Neighbors does not play and he's another receiver that didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday, we'll see about Friday. And he's already called himself a game time decision. I think I like the middle three names that you gave. Stay away from Rashad White. Stay away from neighbors. If he. Obviously, if he doesn't play. Give me the names one more time.

[Adam]

Yeah. Neighbors, Bucky, Brian Robinson Jr. McMillan, Rashad White.

[Dave]

Okay, so I will sit. I would go with McMillan, neighbors and Bucky if Neighbors is active. So Brian Robinson said.

[Adam]

Sorry, Dave Abdullah or Hall Breeze.

[Dave]

Hall.

[Adam]

Downs, Adam Thielen, Jalen McMillan, Marvin Harrison Jr. Amir Abdullah and Tajie Spears. Pick a wide receiver and a flex. Downs, Thielen, McMillan, Marvin Abdullah, Spears.

[Dave]

So there's going to be a lot of moving parts here. Feeling and McMillan. If everybody's healthy on this list, that would change. If Tony Pollard isn't healthy. In which place. In which case I would go with Spears and Thielen, but you're probably starting some combination of Spears, Thielen, McMillan and then let's just say Pollard's in, feelings out. Who would I start from? Downs, Marvin and Abdullah. Wow, that's gross. I probably would just go with Abdullah, to be honest with you.

[Adam]

There's one more moving part that you didn't mention, and that's. What if Joe Flacco is the quarterback? Would that put.

[Dave]

Yeah, sure. Then I'd pivot to Downs over Abdullah. Hey, why don't we do just a real quick rundown of the weather situation? I have it open. There's rain likely. It's potential to be heavy rain in Buffalo. So that's Jets, Bills, in Cleveland, that's Dolphins, Browns, and in Washington, that's Falcons, Commanders. If you've got a kicker in those games, if you've got a boom bus receiver in those games, if you've got a sus quarterback in those games, I would stay away from those players, provided that the forecasts stay as ugly as they look.

[Adam]

All right, Burrow or Daniels?

[Dave]

Daniel's assuming the weather is fine and the weather forecast is fine in Washington. I know that Burrow plays on Saturday. Might be rainy, too, right?

[Adam]

Exactly.

[Dave]

Rain this week, rain on its own is not. Not necessarily a bad thing. It's heavy rain that could impact visibility or just wet footballs. And wind is usually the thing that really scares me the most.

[Adam]

And Spears or Garendo?

[Dave]

Spears. If Pollard is out. Garendo otherwise.

[Adam]

Last one. Najoku Earths or Okonkwo.

[Dave]

Najoku, if he plays. Okonkwo, otherwise.

[Adam]

All right, folks, you heard it from Dave on Express. We'll talk to you next time. Enjoy your weekend and win your leagues. And let's celebrate Monday night and Tuesday morning and all throughout the offseason. See you later.