Week 17 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Preview: Trust Flowers Even Without Lamar
Top Fantasy WRs for Week 17
Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 17 WR Rankings.
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1. Puka Nacua, LAR
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What did you think Nacua would do without Davante Adams? Of course he drew 16 targets and posted a massive 12-225-2 receiving line. Expect another big one on Monday night with Adams out again and a matchup against a Falcons defense that's been the sixth-best matchup for WRs over the last five weeks.
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA
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The Vikings remain the only team to hold Smith-Njigba under 75 yards this season. He's been a steady source of targets and catches, and leads the NFL with 1,637 receiving yards. JSN has also caught 10 of Sam Darnold's 24 TD passes, so if Darnold throws for a pair of TDs, there's a good chance Smith-Njigba scores at least one. The Panthers have been solid, allowing the 10th-fewest fantasy points to WRs, but JSN's role and massive volume keep him inside the top 5.
3. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN
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The last time out, the Cardinals limited Drake London to 3 catches for 27 yards. But that was his first game off a knee injury that he didn't appear fully over. Prior to that one, Arizona allowed 3-85-2 to Nico Collins and a huge 7-167-2 to Puka Nacua. Chase -- with 100 yards in three of his last four -- remains an elite option.
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET
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Played on Thursday
5. CeeDee Lamb, DAL
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Played on Thursday
6. George Pickens, DAL
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Played on Thursday
7. Chris Olave, NO
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Olave is coming off a week-winning 10-148-2 receiving line. His 16 targets were a season high and a big 32.7% of the team total. Expect another busy and productive outing on Sunday against a Titans defense that's much tougher against the run than the pass. Tennessee ranks 22nd in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs on the season and 21st over the last five weeks.
8. A.J. Brown, PHI
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Brown has seen 10+ targets in five of his past six games -- and scored in the other.
9. Nico Collins, HOU
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Despite a QB that has posted limited production in four games game from injury, Collins has tallied three top-15 PPR finishes across that span. This week finds a challenging Chargers D, but this isn't the time to quit on Houston's clear lead wideout.
10. Drake London, ATL
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The good news: London ran a route on 83% of Falcons pass plays and drew eight targets in his return last week. The bad news: He caught just three and didn't look completely healthy or in sync with QB Kirk Cousins. Another week could help both of those things, though. And London gets a Rams defense on Monday night that ranks 28th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs over the last five weeks. London belongs in the vast majority of fantasy lineups for Week 17.
11. Tee Higgins, CIN
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Higgins saw only 3 targets last week vs. Miami, but he made them count with 53 yards and 1 score. Higgins suited up in that one despite suffering two late-season concussions. He’s fully expected to remain in the lineup in a plus matchup vs. a shorthanded Cardinals defense. Higgins is a WR1 candidate with the Bengals implied for a slate-high 30.5 points.
12. Jakobi Meyers, JAC
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Since his Week 10 Jacksonville arrival, Meyers' 24% target share ranks 23rd among all WRs and leads his nearest teammate by 6 percentage points. He's a high-floor play vs. a struggling Indy secondary. And Meyers gains upside from Trevor Lawrence's terrific play in the second half of this season.
13. Jameson Williams, DET
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Played on Thursday
14. Mike Evans, TB
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In two games back from a broken collarbone, Evans has commanded a 36% target share, despite a relatively low 74% route rate. No longer listed with an injury, Evans belongs in fantasy lineups vs. a Miami secondary that lacks a lockdown CB.
15. Courtland Sutton, DEN
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Played on Thursday
16. Jauan Jennings, SF
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Jennings went 5-71-1 last week and could be in line for more work if TE George Kittle misses this game. Jennings has scored in six of his past seven games. He is second in the entire NFL in WR TDs over those last seven weeks. With the Bears secondary struggling against No. 1 WRs for other teams, this is a good spot to start Jennings. If the 49ers pass volume remains high, he should benefit.
17. DeVonta Smith, PHI
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Smith has garnered 8+ targets in four of his past five games, catching at least four balls in each of those contests and hitting 5+ three times.
18. Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG
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Robinson’s Week 16 dud came against a Vikings defense that has shut down passing attacks for two months, but he now gets a much friendlier matchup against a Raiders unit allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to WRs. His role remains elite, ranking 10th in route rate (93%) and among the league leaders in targets and receptions, and he’s averaged 8.1 targets per game with Jaxson Dart at QB. With the volume and matchup aligning, Robinson is back in WR2 territory for championship week.
19. Jaylen Waddle, MIA
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The good news is that Waddle drew a 31% target share in QB Quinn Ewers' starting debut. He even added 5 grabd for 72 yards, even though only 56% of his targets were charted as catchable (per PFF). Ultimately, Waddle’s volume projection keeps him in the WR2 mix, especially against a poor Tampa Bay secondary.
20. Tetairoa McMillan, CAR
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McMillian racked up 10 targets last week and scored his fifth TD in Carolina's last five games. This week, he'll face a tougher challenge against a Seattle defense that ranks 11th against WRs. Volume in Carolina's offense remains an issue, but McMillian's 34% target share -- 10th among all WRs -- keeps him in must-start WR2 territory in Week 17.
21. Stefon Diggs, NE
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Diggs has showed his upside with last week's 9-138 line at Baltimore last week and a 9-105 in his Week 11 meeting with the Jets. But the three games between each found him tallying 3 catches or fewer at 26 yards or less. Keep that risk-reward in mind, though the matchup adds upside.
22. Justin Jefferson, MIN
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Played on Thursday
23. Michael Wilson, ARI
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Last week, Wilson beat Marvin Harrison in route rate (79% to 61%), although they posted matching 12% target shares. Harrison's presence limits some upside on Wilson, but the latter remains a viable starter vs. the Bengals. Arizona should continue leaning pass here, especially as 7.5-point road underdogs.
24. Zay Flowers, BAL
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Flowers has topped 15 PPR points in three straight games, totaling 23 targets and 18 catches over that span. He catches a Packers defense on Saturday night that's been vulnerable to WRs lately, ranking 24th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to the position over the last five weeks. But Flowers took a tumble down the WR rankings with QB Tyler Huntley likely to start in Green Bay. Flowers caught 7 of 9 targets for 63 yards in Huntley's Week 8 start. But Huntley totaled just 186 passing yards in that one and is averaging 171 across 13 full NFL games.
25. D.J. Moore, CHI
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Moore went 5-97-1 last week, another week without Luther Burden and Rome Odunze. If Burden returns, it takes some luster off of Moore, but he should run a route on most pass plays. The 49ers secondary has been leaky as of late, and Moore could find the end zone again. He is a risky flex play if Burden plays, but Moore could excel as a WR2 if Burden is out.
26. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI
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Harrison snagged 1 of 3 targets for 14 yards in his Week 16 return from a heel injury. He was limited in action, tallying a 61% route rate. Harrison remains on the injury report with the heel, but he’s fully expected to play vs. the Bengals. He’s in the WR3 mix in a fine scoring matchup. Entering the weekend, the Cardinals are implied for 23 points.
27. Deebo Samuel, WAS
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Played on Thursday
28. Terry McLaurin, WAS
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Played on Thursday
30. Luther Burden III, CHI
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Burden was on the upswing before getting hurt and missing last week’s game. He has at least 6 targets in each of his last three games. He hasn’t found the end zone since Week 3, but his uptick in usage remains promising. With WR Rome Odunze set to miss another week, Burden could be a find WR3 with upside if he plays.
31. Josh Downs, IND
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Downs has enjoyed a 22% target share across two Philip Rivers games, trailing only Tyler Warren among Colts and leading Michael Pittman by 5 percentage points. There's no lock that continues this week, of course, but downs gets a Jags defense that has provided the third-largest scoring boost to slot WRs over the past five games. So it shouldn't surprise if Indy continues to keep him involved. It also wouldn't be surprising to see the 6.5-point underdogs chasing Jacksonville through much of Sunday.
32. Brian Thomas Jr., JAC
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Thomas has become a weak bet for target volume. His 16% share since Jakobi Meyers arrived in Week 10 ranks just fourth on the team. That lowers the fantasy floor. But Thomas' downfield role (14.7-yard aDOT) boosts the efficiency upside on those targets. And this week brings a Colts defense struggling vs. outside WRs since losing Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward to injuries. Gardner has a chance to play after returning to limited practice (calf injury) this week. But Indy could be eliminated from playoff contention by kickoff (if Houston wins Saturday), which would remove any motivation to shove Gardner back onto the field.
33. Ladd McConkey, LAC
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McConkey led the Chargers in routes last week and found the end zone. But even in that helpful outing, he still managed just 4 catches. McConkey's target shares have diminished alongside L.A. decreasing its passing volume. Combine that with a Houston matchup that's been third-worst for WR scoring, and McConkey's a guy to try to sit. That said, the safe" options dissipate quickly at this position. If you don't have better options
34. Adonai Mitchell, NYJ
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Mitchell has seen 6+ targets in all six of his Jets games, a span that started with the first New England meeting. He has caught just 45.7% of those targets, though, remaining a low-floor fantasy play.
35. Parker Washington, JAC
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Washington's not likely to land close to the 6-145-1 line he posted at Denver last week. And his consecutive games of just three targets before that display the downside risk. But Washington's 18% target share since Jakobi Meyers' Week 10 arrival ties for second on the team and edges Brian Thomas Jr. (16%). He's obviously no lock for production but is certainly capable of delivering helpful fantasy numbers in what's been a dynamic offense ever since the Week 8 bye.
36. Chris Godwin, TB
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Godwin's compiled only 50 yards on 9 catches over the past two weeks. With Baker Mayfield's play declining and the Bucs' WR corps at full strength, Godwin's tough to trust beyond low-end WR3 range.
37. Alec Pierce, IND
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Don't be fooled by the 2 TDs against the 49ers. Pierce has garnered a mere 8% target share across two Philip Rivers games. His downfield focus is a poor match for Rivers, especially at this stage. Pierce's 19.4-yard aDOT leads the nearest Colt by 6.1 yards and sits 11 yards deeper than fellow outside starter Michael Pittman's. There's upside if Pierce and Rivers can connect on even one such shot. And passing volume should be good in a game that finds Jacksonville favored by 6.5. But Pierce is a guy you should play if you need to, rather than a guy you should want to use.
38. Mack Hollins, NE
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Hollins has garnered 8+ targets in two straight games and managed 4+ catches in four of his past six outings. That included a solid 4-64 line in the first meeting with the Jets.
39. Tre Tucker, LVR
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New York allows 35.5 PPR points per game to opposing WRs, tied for fourth-most in the league. Tucker has been held to single-digit PPR finishes in eight of his last nine, but last week's 9.4-point outing against Houston's elite secondary offers a glimmer of hope that he can post Flex-worthy numbers in a far friendlier Week 17 matchup.
40. Rashid Shaheed, SEA
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The Rams held Shaheed without a catch last week. He somewhat salvaged his fantasy outing with a 31-yard run and a punt-return TD, but needs to get back on track to stay on the Flex radar. That won't be easy against Carolina's stout pass defense. Shaheed had a pair of decent outings before last week, so there's some hope he rebounds here, but there's enough matchup and volume risk to keep him out of must-start territory.
41. Darius Slayton, NYG
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Slayton’s production has been volatile, but his role in the Giants’ passing game remains intact, especially as a downfield option capable of swinging weeks on limited volume. He continues to run a decent percentage of routes (76%) and has seen consistent targets in games where the Giants are forced to throw, keeping his weekly ceiling intact. He'll face a good matchup with the Raiders, so view Slatyon as a WR4/Flex option in Week 17.
42. Troy Franklin, DEN
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Played on Thursday Night
43. Khalil Shakir, BUF
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Shakir has averaged just 4.3 targets, 3.0 catches, and 30.0 yards over the past four games. That sets him up poorly for a matchup with a Philly D that has been league-worst for slot-WR scoring all season.
44. Jordan Addison, MIN
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Played on Thursday
45. Jalen Coker, CAR
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Coker has been a steady source of production since Week 10. He's secured 3-plus receptions in each of Carolina's last six games, with TD grabs in Weeks 13 and 15. This week's ceiling is rather capped due to a below-average matchup with the Seahawks, but Coker's steady target and catch production keep him in the Flex conversation in deeper leagues.
46. Chimere Dike, TEN
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Dike's bizarre pattern continued last week. He's now alternated top-26 PPR finishes with finishes outside the top-60 WRs in six straight games. If you believe in that sort of thing, he's in for a dud vs. the Saints this Sunday. New Orleans surprisingly ranks fourth in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs and has been tougher against slot than outside receivers. Dike has run 68% of his routes from the slot this season.
47. Cooper Kupp, SEA
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Kupp remains second in Seattle's WR corps in route rate (84%) and target share (17%), but hasn't topped 50 receiving yards in a game since Week 10. He's also been held to single-digit PPR points in eight of his last nine and isn't a good candidate for a breakout performance facing a Panthers' defense that has allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to WRs. Kupp should be viewed as a middling Flex option with limited upside.
48. Christian Watson, GB
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QB Malik Willis is a capable backup but would be bad news for Watson's fantasy value. The Packers threw on just 29% of their plays in Willis' two starts last year, totaling 312 passing yards. Willis threw just eight times in the second half and OT last week.
49. Jayden Reed, GB
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QB Malik Willis is a capable backup but would be bad news for Reed's fantasy value. The Packers threw on just 29% of their plays in Willis' two starts last year, totaling 312 passing yards. Reed caught six balls for 59 yards across those two games. Then Willis threw just eight times in the second half and OT in relief of Jordan Love last week.
50. Keenan Allen, LAC
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Allen has exceeded 44 receiving yards just once among his past eight games, and even that one got him to just 53 yards. The vet also has failed to reach the end zone throughout that span. That sets a low ceiling, while the Houston matchup elevates the downside risk. Only two defenses have proved worse for WR scoring to date, according to our adjusted fantasy points allowed.
51. Kendrick Bourne, SF
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Bourne will have to fill in with the injuries for the 49ers WRs this week. He can be a desperation play if needed.
52. John Metchie, NYJ
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Metchie announced his Jets arrival with TDs in two straight games. But he has gone for 34 yards or less in each of the four games since.
53. Jerry Jeudy, CLE
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Jeudy only has a 14.6% target share since Shedeur Sanders took over as QB. That is fairly low, despite it being the highest amongst Browns’ WRs. Jeudy went 3-12-0 last week on 4 targets. Against the Steelers back in October, Jeudy went 5-42-0 on 13 targets, but that volume isn’t coming again. Jeudy should stay on your bench.
54. Xavier Worthy, KC
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Played on Thursday
56. Jayden Higgins, HOU
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Higgins looked promising for a stretch but has managed just 1 catch in consecutive games on four total targets. He's not a guy to trust this week if you can help it.
57. Darnell Mooney, ATL
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Mooney has failed to top 35 yards in any of his last four games. And he drew just two targets last week, with WR Drake London back in the fold. Despite Monday night's matchup vs. a Rams defense ranked 28th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs over the last five weeks, Mooney should be nowhere near season-long lineups.
58. Emeka Egbuka, TB
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Egbuka's route rate dropped to 50% in Sunday's loss to Carolina. That figure ranked fourth among Bucs WRs.
Delivering fewer than 50 yards in five of his past six, the rookie is back off the fantasy radar.
59. Jack Bech, LVR
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Bech has seen a spike in playing time in Vegas' last three games. During that stretch, he's been in on 72% of the Raiders' snaps, has posted a 71% route rate, and is tied with Tre Tucker for a team-leading 16% target share. The fantasy production has lagged, but Bech is earning enough snaps to be relevant as a desperation Flex play in the deepest of leagues, and gets a solid matchup with a New York Giants' defense that has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to WRs.
60. Romeo Doubs, GB
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Doubs has had consistent success, but if Jordan Love misses this week, he may struggle to put up suitable fantasy production.
