Fantasy Football Week 17 Flex Favorites

To be honest, I am not sure whether to say congrats on making your fantasy championship or I’m sorry you play in a fantasy football league that hosts its championship in Week 17. With it being the final week of the regular season, you need quality flex advice because some of the players you have relied on all season may not play the entire game.

The idea of this article is to make those tricky flex debates a little easier. Normally a flex player is a player not in the top 60 players according to FantasyPros Flex Week 17 Rankings in half-point PPR leagues as of Wednesday.

But with the rankings are in flux due to players resting. The players in this week are guys I expect to play the entire game due to the circumstances their teams are in, and you can start with confidence.

I originally decided to go with no players in the top 60 to target 12-team leagues that start two running backs and three wide receivers (five players x 12 teams = 60 players). The players below will only be running backs or wide receivers since these are the two most common positions that fill the flex spot. If you don’t have any of the players below or are facing your own flex lineup decisions and need some help, then ask me on Twitter @mitchellrenz365.

Christian McCaffrey (RB – CAR) @ ATL
The Panthers still actually have a chance to get a first-round bye in the playoffs if they win and both the Saints and Vikings lose in Week 17. This is a great matchup for McCaffrey entering the game with 75 receptions, tied for the second most in the NFL with Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

The Falcons have allowed the most receptions to the running back position this season with 101, or about six catches a game. If McCaffrey can get six receptions in this game, it will give him a high floor and solid ceiling.

Doug Baldwin (WR – SEA) vs. ARI
Despite the limitations of the Seahawks’ offense the last few weeks, Baldwin has still found the end zone in two of the last three games. The Cardinals this week have nothing to play for while the Seahawks need to win and the Falcons to lose to grab the sixth seed in the NFC.

This is also a great matchup for Baldwin since Arizona will be without safety Antoine Bethea. Baldwin had five receptions for 95 yards earlier in the season against the Cardinals and has an opportunity to have an even better game this week.

Latavius Murray (RB – MIN) vs. CHI
Start Latavius Murray when the Vikings play at home. It is as simple as that considering how dominant the Vikings have been at home not allowing more than 20 points in a single game all season.

Since Murray has returned healthy, the last three home games for him have resulted in 53 carries for 284 yards and four touchdowns. Expect him to find the end zone in a game where if Minnesota wins, they clinch the two seed in the NFC.

Dede Westbrook (WR – JAC) @ TEN
A true flex play this week goes to Westbrook. The Jaguars might not be able to improve their playoff seeding, but a win against the Titans would erase Tennesse’s playoff chances. Division teams love playing spoiler, and it’s exactly what the Jaguars will try to do.

Westbrook in Week 16 averaged a team-high 16 air yards per target, a high number showing that the team wants to take shots with him down the field. The Titans are a team that can be beaten deep, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Westbrook streaking down the sidelines (in his uniform) scoring a touchdown in Week 17.

Melvin Gordon (RB – LAC) vs. OAK
Gordon had a great game in Week 16 against the Jets rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown. The issue with Gordon this week is he is entering the game as questionable with an ankle injury.

This is concerning because the Chargers obviously want a healthy Gordon for the playoffs. The Chargers need to make the playoffs first, and with a win against the Raiders and a Titans loss they can make the playoffs.

Hopefully, these players allow you to flex your fantasy flex muscles like Keelan Cole did last week in my Week 16 Flex Favorites.