All updated projections for the most current NFL season are here: weekly Yahoo projections - weekly DraftKings projections - weekly Fanduel projections.
If you're trying to get the most out of your week 17 RB picks on daily fantasy football sites like DraftKings and Fanduel, you need to target players with a favorable matchup as well as one that offers you value. Your DraftKings week 17 running back picks will be taking a few other factors into consideration this week. During the last game of the year, some teams have nothing to gain from winning and thus will not be playing starters as much as usual. The week 17 RB picks I will be targeting will be ones that are on teams with something to play for on Sunday.
Remember: If you want to get help putting together a complete lineup for all positions, try the Fantasy Knuckleheads Optimal Lineup Tool.
Arian Foster ($7,900) Jacksonville@Houston
I'll take this price all day for a guy who has gotten 25+ carries in the last three games as well as 100+ all purpose yards in those contests. Taking a step back, we can see that he has the third highest fantasy points per game average for the season on DraftKings. This price is also the lowest he has been at since week 5.
Marshawn Lynch ($7,300) St. Louis@Seattle
I can't imagine Seattle taking their foot off the gas pedal anytime soon. The price is good for a guy who has posted 7 games with 20+ fantasy points this season and the kind of usage and upside he presents.
Justin Forsett ($6,200) Cleveland@Baltimore
Cleveland has surrendered 387 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns to running backs in the previous 2 weeks. The Ravens have a lot to play for and they are going to bring it to the struggling Browns.
Jeremy Hill ($6,000) Cincinnati@Pittsburgh
Since officially getting the starting gig to finish out the season, Hill has been getting 20+ carries and hovered around 150 yards rushing each game as well as 3 TDs. Le'Veon Bell could have the better game, but I think Hill provides more value at over $3,000 less on DraftKings.
Believe it or not, Stewart leads all RBs in rushing over the last 4 weeks
Jonathan Stewart ($5,700) Carolina@Atlanta
Put the following stats together: No other running back in the NFL has had more yards rushing than Stewart in the last 4 weeks. Atlanta has given up the third most fantasy points to running backs in the last 4 weeks.
Matt Asiata ($5,000) Chicago@Minnesota
Neither of these teams are vying for a playoff spot but they are playing for something more important, pride. Looking to finish the season strong, Asiata isn't getting a lot of carries or yardage but the Vikings are giving him the ball in the redzone. The matchup is pretty nice as well. Chicago has given up 7 rushing touchdowns to opposing teams in the last 4 weeks.
Rashad Jennings ($4,500) Philadelphia@NYG
Jennings' status for the game is more positive than Andre Williams and has a lower price point on DraftKings. Look for the Giants to upset this week against an Eagles defense who has given up 5 rushing TDs in the last two weeks alone.
Chris Ivory ($3,600) NYJ@Miami
I think this is actually a good DraftKings week 17 RB pick for your RB2 slot in 50/50 games. Of all the running backs in this low price range, Ivory is pretty safe to play. Won't likely get a ton of points but if you had decided to play someone like Le'Veon Bell in your lineup, you will be searching for a reliable guy at a pretty low price.
Kerwynn Williams ($3,500) Arizona@San Francisco
After Williams goes for 175 yards and 5.1 yards per carry in week 14-15, the Cardinals decide to start Stephan Taylor. The Taylor experiment resulted in 1.7 yard per carry average and pretty sad numbers all around on offense. The Cardinals need to get something going before they hit the playoffs and I think they are going to get things going with the more dynamic Kerwynn. I like this for tournament play (pick and pray).
Results from week 16 projections:
- Eddie Lacy 17.4
- C.J. Anderson 27.8
- Mark Ingram 14.5
- Joique Bell 16.7
- Fred Jackson 19.3
- Jonathan Stewart 23.9
- Alfred Morris 14.3
- Tre Mason 15.3
- Matt Asiata 24.7
- Daniel Herron 7
- Pierre Thomas 4.4
- Doug Martin 1.7
- Steven Jackson 3.3
- Lance Dunbar 3.4
- Joseph Randle 4.4