Week 17 is here, which means it's time for fantasy managers to make tough, last-minute start 'em, sit 'em decisions. Rashee Rice, Zay Flowers, and David Montgomery are all hot names ahead of this weekend's games.
All three players are coming off strong showings in Week 16. Can they keep the momentum going this week?
Should you start Rice, Flowers, or Montgomery in Week 17? Let's dive in.
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Should I Start Rashee Rice for Fantasy Football?
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice saw a career-high 12 targets during last week's loss to the Raiders. Rice hauled in six of those 12 targets for 57 yards.
Despite wide receivers struggling in the Chiefs' offense all season, the rookie wideout has blossomed into the team's number-one receiving option outside of Travis Kelce. In Week 17, Rice will face off against the Cincinnati Bengals, who rank fifth in the NFL in most receiving yards given up this season. After an embarrassing home loss to the Raiders, fantasy managers should expect Patrick Mahomes to come out dealing against the Bengals. Rice can be viewed as a high-end WR2 play this week.
He is the WR11 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Should I Start Zay Flowers for Fantasy Football?
Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers caught his fourth touchdown of the season in last week's monster win over the San Francisco 49ers. Flowers caught nine of his 13 targets for 79 yards on top of the touchdown. After star tight end Mark Andrews was ruled out for the season, Flowers has had his opportunity to step up in the receiving game for the Ravens and he has not disappointed as the rookie has now totaled 74 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns through 16 weeks of play.
In Week 17, the Ravens will face off against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins currently sit 11th in the NFL in fewest receiving yards given up this season, which could limit the potential of the wideout, but Flowers has seemed to find himself a comfortable floor as usage count has increased as the season has progressed. Fantasy managers can view him as a WR3 this week with high upside.
He is the WR22 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Should I Start David Montgomery for Fantasy Football?
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery seemed to get back into the swing of things by falling into the end zone for the 11th time this season after not scoring one for the last two weeks. It has been clear all season that the formula for the Lions has been to get the ball into the red zone and then let Montgomery clean up the job.
It has been nice for fantasy managers, but in Week 17, the Lions will face the Cowboys, who have been decent this season against the run as they rank 15th in the NFL in most rushing touchdowns allowed this season. Montgomery has been a touchdown-dependent player all year, which scares some fantasy managers, but he always seems to be able to plug one in before time runs out. He can be viewed as a solid RB2 in Week 17.
He is the RB21 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
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