Week 17 Running Back Rankings: Maurice Jones-Drew Still Matters
Posted by Greg Brosh on Dec 28, 2011 in Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Rankings
Against the Colts, Maurice Jones-Drew will be one of a few running backs who will see a big workload in Week 17.
For owners who need to play this weekend, I feel for you. There is no worse feeling than playing players who have no need to play because their teams are out of the playoffs, even with a win or will play for a couple series and then get benched in order to rest for the first week of the playoffs. And as for us who have to type up our rankings, that’s a feat in itself. The good thing is that there are a lot of players who still matter in the fantasy world, like Maurice Jones-Drew. MJD may not be in the playoffs this year, but at least his fantasy owners know that they will get, barring injury, a full four quarters out of him against the Colts. That makes him No. 1 in our fantasy football RB rankings this week.
Below are my running back rankings for Week 17. Enjoy this week everyone, because the season’s end is right around the corner. Make sure to check back often as this list will change daily.
PLAYER TEAM OPPONENT COMMENTS
1 Maurice Jones-Drew Jacksonville vs. Indianapolis Has his eyes on the rushing title.
2 Ryan Mathews San Diego @ Oakland
3 Ray Rice Baltimore @ Cincinnati Will see plenty of action with the Ravens still playing for seeding.
4 Willis McGahee Denver vs. Kansas City Must-win game for the Broncos.
5 Marshawn Lynch Seattle @ Arizona
6 Frank Gore San Francisco @ St. Louis
7 CJ Spiller Buffalo @ New England Continues to be a beast on the ground and in the air.
8 Ben Tate Houston vs. Tennessee With nothing to play for, Tate should either start or get a majority of the carries.
9 Michael Bush Oakland vs. San Diego This ranking depends greatly on if Darren McFadden is back.
10 LeSean McCoy Philadelphia vs. Washington Reid expects him to play, despite an ankle injury.
11 Felix Jones Dallas @ Philadelphia Must-win game for the Cowboys.
12 Ahmad Bradshaw New York Giants vs. Dallas
13 Rashard Mendenhall
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland Steelers are still playing for the AFC North title.
14 Chris Johnson
Tennessee @ Houston
15 Kahlil Bell Chicago @ Minnesota Really stepped up his game with Barber out. Could be playing for the backup spot to Forte in 2012.
16 Toby Gerhart Minnesota vs. Chicago Will get a majority of the touches this week with AP out.
17 Shonn Greene New York Jets @ Miami
18 DeAngelo Williams Carolina @ New Orleans
19 Beanie Wells Arizona vs. Seattle Not the best option, but one of the few who will see a big workload.
20 Evan Royster Washington @ Philadelphia Knowing Mike Shanahan, he'll go with the hot hand even if Helu is back. But Royster get a downgrade if Helu is good to go.
21 Michael Turner Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay Great matchup, but the Falcons won't need to play their starters if the Lions lose.
22 Darren Sproles New Orleans vs. Tampa Bay Luckily, the Saints are still playing for the No. 2 seed.
23 Steven Jackson St. Louis vs. San Francisco
24 Peyton Hillis Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh Playing for a new contract, Hillis could surprise again.
25 Kevin Smith Detroit @ Green Bay Lions are still playing for seeding.
26 Jonathan Stewart Carolina @ New Orleans
27 Cedric Benson Cincinnati vs. Baltimore
28 Joseph Addai Indianapolis @ Jacksonville Back in front of Brown as the starter.
29 LeGarrette Blount Tampa Bay @ Atlanta Had a crucial fumble last week and Atlanta will be kicking on all cylinders for a better seed.
30 Mike Tolbert San Diego @ Oakland PPR option only. Caught 6 passes in Week 16.
