I’ve broken this column down into three categories; Studs, Value and Match ups. The studs are the backbone of your team, these are the guys that will score you the most points (hopefully!) Value plays are players that are cheap for the amount of points they are capable of putting up for the game. They allow you to fit more studs into your team. Match ups are players that might be playing a team that’s weak in a specific position. They might be a mixture of studs, mid-priced and value. If you’re tossing up between two players, it generally helps to go the one with the better match up. Balancing out these three categories will give you the best chance of scoring well.

 

Week 17 contests

 

 

 

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Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans, $8,900

You could easily chose Ingram or Kamara here, but I’ve put Kamara on top for his advantage in the passing game, and the Buccs are poorer at defending through the air than on the ground.

 

Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego, $8,700

The match up is tough, but this is a must-win game for the Chargers who will be throwing everything at Oakland.

 

Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England, $8,400

Gronk needs 11 catches or 116 yards for a $2 million bonus. Make of that what you will.

 

Tom Brady, QB, New England, $8,400

New England will want to win this one to gain home field advantage in the playoffs. The Jets D is poor against QBs giving up the fifth-most points for the season.

 

LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo, $8,300

The Bills are playing to save their season and Shady put up over 23 points two weeks ago against a Miami D giving up the fifth most at this position.

 

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Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco, $6,100

Jimmy G put almost 23 points up against Jacksonville last week, which is the second highest score a QB has against them all season, only beaten by Russell Wilson’s 24.8. He meets the Rams who are resting a stack of players, the Niners will probably win and put up a respectable score which benefits their offence fantasy-wise.

 

Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee, $6,000

The Titans need the win and the Jags may rest players, so Walker might be that small % ownership player that is the difference you need this week.

 

Keelan Cole, WR, Jacksonville, $6,000

With their receiving corp decimated, the Jags can’t afford to sit Cole, and he should continue the great rapport with Bortles. Start him with confidence.

 

Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee, $5,900

Henry has shown what he can do when given the opportunity, and with Murray out with a knee, that opportunity is here. Meets a stout Jaguars D, but he is just a bruiser and will wear them down as the game goes on. Plus the Jags will probably rest players with nothing to play for.

 

Alfred Blue, RB, Houston, $5,000

Blue had 16 carries for 108 yards last week and looks to be getting involved more at the end of this season. If this continues against a Colts D giving up the eighth-most to RBs, then he is a steal.

 

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Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington, $7,700

The Giants have given up the most fantasy points versus opposing QBs this season and they are also missing a few defensive players which will allow Kirk to throw all over them. He’s also playing for a bigger contract so will need to go out with a bang.

 

Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington, $7,100

A great stack with the aforementioned Cousins, and for the reasons as before, can dominate a Giants defence again after putting up a stat line of 7-141-1 against them in week 12.

 

Alex Collins, RB, Baltimore, $6,900

Meets a Bengals outfit giving the third-most fantasy points to RBs, added to that the Ravens will want to win this game. Collins will be full-throttle against this defence, and we’re hoping he can replicate his 22-plus point performance from a few weeks ago.

 

Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay, $6,800

With Jones out injured, Williams will be the man this week, as he was week 12-14 (not that Jones did *a lot* but you get my drift). The Lions give up the second-most fantasy points to RBs.

 

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis, $6,800

He put up 100 yards on six receptions and 12 targets last week. Houston allows the fourth-most fantasy points to WRs.

 

 

 

cash me ousside howbowdah @troyhallam