We don’t normally have a large list of targets for a specific week, but the season finale is an exception. There are so many games we need to consider and a few stars we have to own. This means we need to find value wherever possible, and it leads to an unnaturally large set of players we are considering for Sunday’s slate.
Based on our expected Week 17 DFS game flow analysis performed earlier, we can carry our thoughts into actual lineup positions. The long list of players that fit the requirements set forth by the projected flow of the game was cut dramatically by the requirements set forth by salaries.
Below are Sporfolio’s DFS Week 17 Plays:
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes – We almost never have to explain why it is worth using Patrick Mahomes in a fantasy lineup, but we also have not necessarily had the chance to do so, that often. The Chiefs have been playing Primetime games for weeks, and we finally have them on the main slate in a game that they need to win in order to lock up home field advantage throughout the playoffs without the help of any other team. Mahomes is as good a play as ever, and has numerous arrows pointing in his direction. The matchup with Oakland is outstanding, and his milestones are starting to accumulate at near-record pace. With two more passing touchdowns, he will tie Tom Brady for the second-most in a season. With seven more, he will tie for the record. Will he reach seven? Almost certainly not. But, it’s possible. And we wouldn’t want to miss the fantasy points as he tries to get there.
Blake Bortles – By no means does the thought of starting Blake Bortles in Week 17 make us happy, but given his price tag, history, and motivation, he is worth a flier. Bortles has shown flashes in his career, and given that it seems like this may be his last game with the Jaguars, he is basically auditioning himself for every other quarterback-needy team in the league. That motivation, alone, makes him dangerous, and he should be able to use his running ability to return good value. There is certainly a risk in playing him, but the Texans’ defense does rank 29th in the league in passing yards allowed per game which gives us hope that he may be able to find some room to make plays through the air as well.