FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Week 17 Lineup Advice: Starts, Sits, Player Debates, and TD Calls
Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Ryan Warmley
Guests: Andrew Erickson (“Erickson”), Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitz”)
Episode Overview
This special holiday episode is packed with advice for fantasy football managers preparing for their championship matchups in Week 17. The FantasyPros crew—Ryan, Erickson, and Fitz—discuss start/sit decisions, player debates at every position, matchup breakdowns, and the latest news impacting fantasy football lineups. They also dig into contract incentives, injury ripple effects, and late-season schedule funkiness, all while keeping the tone light and energetic.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Fantasy Championship Outlook & Personal Updates
- All hosts share how many leagues they're still alive in and discuss the “slow burn” of this year’s unique holiday NFL schedule, with many key fantasy matchups extending deep into Monday night (Rams vs. Falcons).
- Quote [02:23]: Erickson: “Just one [league], and it’s the one that I care about the most…hoping to repeat…Not off to the best start because I had Jameson Williams, [but] solid with the Lions D.”
- Many fantasy championships will hinge on players in these late games.
2. Last-Minute Waiver Considerations
- With few impactful waiver options for Week 17, Michael Carter (ARI RB) is discussed as a rare exception due to a strong matchup and low roster percentage.
- Erickson [05:09]: “I think he’s a solid starter…even if Carter isn’t seeing 70–80% of the snaps, he should be efficient…solid RB2/flex play.”
- Fitz [05:56]: “It’s a little low [RB26 ECR]. I’ve got him at 23. I’m starting him in a championship game.”
3. Flag Plants: Players to Start With Confidence
Tony Pollard (DAL RB)
- Erickson touts him as a top-20 RB for Week 17 due to contract incentives, recent volume, and a compromised Saints run defense.
- Erickson [07:11]: “He only needs two more TDs for an incentive…he’s 51 yards away from 1000 yards. They’ve been feeding him a ton—this is a good spot for Pollard.”
- Fitz: “Absolutely…He gets a quarter of a million dollars if he hits 1,100 yards…starting him in a championship game.”
Stefon Diggs (NE WR)
- Fits sees Diggs as a top-20 WR with big upside against the checked-out Jets secondary.
- Fitz [09:53]: “This defense is already checked out…Drake May is going to absolutely filet the Jets defense this week and Diggs will be prominently involved.”
- Erickson: “I have Diggs at 16. [He’s] super motivated…chasing 1,000 yards and contract incentives.”
4. RB Start/Sit Debates
Kenneth Walker (SEA) vs. Kenneth Gainwell (PIT)
- Both prefer Gainwell based on role, matchup, and usage—especially with questions about the Steelers’ playoff motivation.
- Erickson [14:34]: “In terms of who has a better role in their respective offense, it’s got to be Gainwell…he has seven targets in three straight games.”
- Fitz: “Gainwell is a pretty easy choice and almost a must-start.”
Breece Hall (NYJ) vs. Tyrone Tracy Jr. (NYG)
- Fitz leans Tracy for higher volume and the Giants' likely run-heavy script; Erickson, while wrestling, still gives a slight edge to Hall for upside and matchup.
- Fitz [24:46]: “Tracy’s had 18 touches each of the last two weeks…and with Andrew Thomas out, Giants will just run the heck out of the ball.”
- Erickson: “I want to keep attacking the Patriots run defense with opposing RBs…lean slightly towards Breece, but not opposed to both as RB2/Flex.”
5. Wide Receiver Debates
Zay Flowers (BAL) vs. Jalen Waddle (MIA)
- Flowers offers a high floor; Waddle has matchup-based ceiling but uncertainty with backup QB.
- Fitz [29:12]: “Flowers has had at least five catches in 14 of 15 games…we’re getting ceiling out of him lately.”
- Erickson [31:05]: “In my championships, I’m not thinking floor, I’m thinking ceiling…Waddle has that potential against the Bucs.”
DJ Moore (CHI) vs. Michael Wilson (ARI)
- Both WRs have red flags. Fitz prefers Wilson for expected targets in a potential shootout, but Erickson warns his value craters when Marvin Harrison Jr. plays.
- Fitz [36:49]: “I’m leaning Michael Wilson…optimistic Bengals can push the Cardinals into a shootout.”
- Erickson: “When Marvin Harrison Jr. is in, Michael Wilson doesn’t get targets. I’d default to DJ Moore, but I’m not excited about either.”
6. Flex & Position Battles (Rapid Fire)
- Kyle Manungai (CHI RB) vs. Blake Corum (LAR RB)
- Both choose Corum for TD upside and potential for extra work if Rams rest stars.
- Christian Watson (GB WR) vs. Chris Godwin (TB WR)
- Lean Watson, if healthy and starting, for big-play potential, noting Ravens’ secondary struggles.
- A'Marion Hampton (LAC RB) vs. Juwan Jennings (SF WR)
- Prefer Hampton; Chargers need to run, Texans D recently gashed.
- Jalen Warren (PIT RB) vs. Tetaroa McMillan (CAR WR)
- Warren is favored for usage; Steelers RBs have smash matchup vs Browns.
- Michael Carter (ARI RB) vs. Jacoby Myers (JAX WR)
- Split: Fitz favors Carter’s floor, Erickson backs Myers due to Jaguars’ offensive explosion and Carter’s committee risk.
- Adonai Mitchell (IND WR) vs. Zach Charbonnet (SEA RB)
- Both prefer Charbonnet, getting more reliable red zone work.
- Jacoby Brissett (ARI QB) vs. Trevor Lawrence (JAX QB)
- Fitz leans Brissett slightly in what should be a high-volume shootout; Erickson prefers Lawrence’s recent production and Colts matchup.
- Dallas Goedert (PHI TE) vs. Tyler Warren (PIT TE)
- Split. Erickson leans Warren for recent volume; Fitz prefers Goedert, trusting red zone role despite tough Bills matchup.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Fitz [10:49]: “This defense [the Jets] is already checked out…they’re on the field playing, but in their minds they’re on a beach in Aruba or Cancun somewhere.”
- Erickson [07:11]: “Tony Pollard is trying to get paid…there’s a lot of running backs, a lot of different receivers trying to get to that [1,000 yards] number.”
- Fitz [17:23]: “Mike Tomlin’s an old-school coach; he’s not going to lay down two weeks in a row.”
- Erickson [61:01]: “Stress the process…not letting your emotions get in the way. This is a very emotional game, and 16 weeks of tilting, hey, it all pays off if you come away with that championship.”
- Fitz [61:22]: “There can be a lot of variance in a single week of fantasy football…keep maximizing probability and keep getting to the doorstep.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:46 – Hosts' championship league status & playoff stories
- 05:09 – Last-minute waiver pick: Michael Carter analysis
- 07:11 – Erickson flag plants Tony Pollard; contract incentives discussion
- 08:59 – Fitz on Tony Pollard’s contract bonus & startability
- 09:53 – Fitz flag plants Stefon Diggs in plus matchup
- 14:34 – RB debate: Kenneth Walker vs. Kenneth Gainwell
- 21:58 – RB debate: Breece Hall vs. Tyrone Tracy Jr.
- 29:12 – WR debate: Zay Flowers vs. Jalen Waddle
- 34:22 – WR debate: DJ Moore vs. Michael Wilson
- 40:57 – Flex decisions: Manungai vs. Corum, others rapid fire
- 51:43 – QB debate: Brissett vs. Trevor Lawrence
- 55:38 – TE debate: Dallas Goedert vs. Tyler Warren
- 59:09 – Touchdown Calls: Gentry (RB), Drake London (WR), Trey McBride (TE)
- 61:01 – Final pep talk and closing championship week advice
Touchdown Calls
- RB: Ashton Gentry (Erickson) – “He’s going to score this week against the Giants in pursuit of 1,000 rushing yards.”
- WR: Drake London (Fitz) – “Trying to speak this into existence—starting him in two championship games.”
- TE: Trey McBride (Ryan) – “No brainer of all no-brainers, facing this Bengals defense.”
Week 17 Championship Pep Talk
- Erickson [61:01]: “Stress the process…don’t let emotions get in the way…it all pays off if you come away with the championship. Let’s go baby!”
- Fitz [61:22]: “Keep maximizing your probability and keep getting to the doorstep. If you’re playing this week, you’re right there—just keep knocking. Eventually the door opens.”
Episode Takeaways
- Start proven players, trust the process, and scan for overlooked contributors (like Michael Carter).
- Monitor critical injury news and coaching tendencies (resting stars in Week 17/18).
- Contract incentives and playoff motivation can drive player usage; don’t underestimate the “human” factor in the NFL’s bizarre final weeks.
- Pay attention to late info on potential snap counts (especially for Rams, Steelers, Packers, and others with playoff implications).
- Above all: championships are often about smart, pragmatic lineup choices and a little bit of luck!
For all consensus rankings, lineup help, and tools, visit fantasypros.com/rankings.
Good luck to everyone in their title matchups!