Thursday Night Football was the continuation of a disastrous start to the fantasy football finals for those outside of IDP leagues. Those with players on the Kansas City Chiefs or the Baltimore Ravens may have had a strong start, but disappointing production is the talking point with six teams already playing heading into the weekend. Short weeks in the fantasy football championship are sure to be a contentious talking point this offseason, but as long as the NFL has Week 14 byes, there may not be a universal solution. Enough with that, it’s Championship Week, and you want to get to the sits and starts. Let’s dig in.

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Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 17

Start em

Andrew Van Ginkel (DE/LB – MIN)
AVG was excellent in Week 16, tallying two solos, three assists, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. AVG went silent for a four week stretch, so while the production was a much-welcomed sign at the right time, he was left on benches in some leagues. With that said, AVG has been one of the best in the league this season and now has 11 sacks on the year. Fire him up as a boom-or-bust DL2 play with obvious DL1 upside for Week 17.

Zach Sieler (DT/DE – MIA)
Sieler was solid in Week 16, tallying three solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Sieler has been a DL1 in production since Week 11 and should be viewed as a high upside, low floor DL2 option for Week 17, thanks to a plus matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Start Sieler wherever possible.

Cody Barton (LB – DEN)
Barton was solid in Week 16, racking up five solos, two assists, and one tackle for loss. Barton has quietly been stringing strong weeks of production together and can be considered a top-25 option for Week 17, thanks to a plus matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Start Barton where needed as an LB2/3 play.

Jordan Battle (S – CIN)
Jordan Battle showed up again in Week 16, racking up six solos, one assist, one tackle for loss, one interception, and one pass defended on 97 percent of the snaps. A starter since Week 13, Battle has started to heat up during the fantasy playoffs, providing DB1-level production in consecutive games. He is a strong DB2/3 option for a Week 17 matchup against a Denver Broncos team surrendering the most fantasy points to the safety position. Start Battle where needed.

Donovan Wilson (S – DAL)
Donovan Wilson showed up again in Week 16, tallying two solos, three assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended. Wilson has been producing at his highest level of the season over the past few games, with three spike weeks in his last four contests. He showed up on the injury report with the knee injury he was dealing with last week but practiced in full on Wednesday. His Friday practice participation will obviously be key to determining his designation for Sunday, but Wilson is expected to play and makes for a strong DB3 option against the Eagles if he is healthy. Start him as one if he is active despite the tough on-paper matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

K’Lavon Chaisson (DE/LB – LV)
K’Lavon showed up in Week 16, tallying two solo, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Getting a sack on the team that gave up on him has to be sweet, but the fact that he is playing at a high level to close the season may have resurrected his NFL career’s trajectory. Tap Chaisson as a DL3 for Week 17 despite the tough on-paper matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Sit em

Jacoby Windmon (LB – CAR)
Windmon impressed in Week 16, racking up four solos, four assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended. Windmon saw an expanded role with Trevin Wallace (knee) lost for the year and should get another start in Week 17. The production was roster-worthy, but hopefully, no one is in a position where they will actually want to start someone who played just two defensive snaps all year prior to his Week 16 injury-fueled breakout. Still, Windmon is an option for those in 16+ team 11 v 11 leagues; for all others, he is bench depth at best. Be intrigued, but don’t look to start Windmon unless absolutely necessary. Look elsewhere for your Week 17 LB4/5/flex2.

Kris Jenkins (DT – CIN)
Kris Jenkins showed up in Week 16, racking up two solos, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. The sacks were Jenkins’ second and third of the season, and he does not offer much upside despite having a starting role. He played just 47 percent of the snaps in Week 16, which was his lowest mark since becoming a starter. Jenkins may see his role expanded again, but is not much of a fantasy option outside of leagues where you start three or more DTs. Look elsewhere for Week 17 despite the strong Week 16 production.

Devonte Wyatt (DT – GB)
Wyatt is starting to heat back up for the Packers, most recently notching three solos, one assist, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Wyatt is up to five sacks on the season and makes for a fine DT1/2 but should not be a consideration for a DL3 or even a DL4 play for Week 17 despite the plus matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Wyatt has offered very little when not taking down the quarterback and playing 40 percent or less of the snaps does not help his upside or floor. Look elsewhere for finals week.

Reed Blankenship (S – PHI)
Reed Blankenship showed up in Week 16, racking up five solos, one interception, and one pass defended. Blankenship has been a sporadic producer since a strong two opening weeks of the season, falling to the DB3/4 conversation on non bye weeks. The production against Washington was a welcomed sign, but if you are in the finals, Reed is not someone you want to plug into your lineup, given remotely comparable options. Treat Blankenship as more DB4 than DB3 for Week 17 despite the plus matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Kam Curl (S – LAR)
Curl was excellent in Week 16, reeling off one solo, four assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. Curl has been an IDP afterthought since Kamren Kinchens started dominating the free safety snaps and should not be trusted for Week 17 despite the spike week against the New York Jets. The Rams had high hopes for Curl, but he has not been the impact player they envisioned when signing him this offseason. Look elsewhere for Week 17.

Cole Bishop (S – BUF)
Bishop was excellent in Week 16, racking up six solos, two assists, and one tackle for loss against the New England Patriots. Bishop got the start with Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp sidelined but should head back to his reserve role this week with both veteran safeties getting in limited sessions on both Thursday and Friday. Keep his name filed away for 2025, but look elsewhere for Week 17.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.