Congratulations, you have made it to Week 17: Championship Week. You survived one of the wildest fantasy seasons ever. Even wilder than last season with multiple games delayed or postponed because of COVID.
The waiver wire grind never stops. Especially during Championship Week. With only one other team to compete against, every positional battle in your lineup is magnified. Unlike championship seasons past, depth will still potentially matter this week. Having COVID replacements is a safe strategy. I would consider being two-deep at QB and TE and not having to face a potential scramble situation to add a substitute late in the week.
Take a look at your opponent’s needs. If you have more FAAB, then you can block them from adding anyone that would help increase their chances of victory. Take your time putting in these FAAB bids. The offseason is only a week away. End it with a championship.
Quarterbacks
Trey Lance (49ers)
Jimmy Garoppolo is dealing with a thumb injury. Trey Lance would be an instant fantasy upgrade due to his rushing ability. A healthy trio of George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and “The Terminator” Deebo Samuel would provide him with great weapons.
Trey Lance has recorded a carry on 25.8% of his snaps this year, far more than Cam Newton (18.4%), Lamar Jackson (16.4%), or Taysom Hill (15.2%).
Was a stone-walled 4th-and-short run away from finishing as a low-end QB1 (with 192 yards and a pick) in his lone start. https://t.co/BxGWGwx5f3
— John Daigle (@notJDaigle) December 27, 2021
This week, Lance could help Superflex players win leagues with a great matchup against Houston.
Tyler Huntley (Ravens)
Tyler Huntley could be cleared off of the COVID list. If he can play, and Lamar Jackson misses, he would immediately be a top 10-12 option. The Ravens are desperate for a win this week and face a difficult matchup against the Rams. Huntley would have a great combination of a high floor and ceiling in what could be a high-scoring game.
Running Backs
Rex Burkhead (Texans)
Rex Burkhead went nuts against The Chargers’ weak run defense. He was an absolute week-winner for players who were desperate enough to start him this past week (editors note: my wife was one of them, she sends her utmost gratitude to the Enterprise for helping her reach the championship), finishing with 149 yards rushing and two TDs. Burkhead will be in the RB2/Flex discussion this week and should see a lot of volume.
Rashaad Penny (Seahawks)
In two of his last three games, Rashaad Penny has now rushed for 135 or more yards and has scored three TDs in that stretch.
On just 71 carries this year, #Seahawk RB Rashaad Penny has five runs of 25 or more yards, tied for second most in the NFL with Damien Harris (182 carries) and trailing only Jonathan Taylor (297 carries).
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) December 27, 2021
Penny is a high-volume RB2 and has a good matchup this week at home against Detroit.
Jordan Howard/Boston Scott (Eagles)
Miles Sanders is out this week. This past week, Boston Scott had 12 carries (and a TD) to Jordan Howard‘s 9 carries. I slightly lean Scott here, but it would be hard to predict the split and usage. Treat each of these players as an RB3/Flex.
Darrell Williams (Chiefs)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a collarbone injury, and his status for this week is very much up in the air. The Chiefs head into Cincinnati in a game with an over-under of 47.5 points. Provided CEH is out, Darrell Williams would be an RB2.
Wide Receivers
Isaiah McKenzie (Bills)
With Buffalo decimated at WR, Isaiah McKenzie stepped right into a significant role and did not disappoint. He finished with 11 catches on 12 targets with 125 yards receiving and a TD.
daigle don’t miss. https://t.co/D38MKBHes6
— the podfather↗️ (@Fantasy_Mansion) December 26, 2021
This week, expect another high Snap Share and potential for another useful fantasy performance.
K.J. Osborn (Vikings)
K.J. Osborn is not only coming off of a strong five-catch for 68 yards and a TD performance against The Rams, but would now go back into a WR2 role with Adam Thielen potentially missing this week with an ankle injury. In three of his last four games, Osborn has had at least seven targets.
Josh Palmer (Chargers)
Josh Palmer showed why the Chargers drafted him in the third round. He led the Chargers WRs with five catches for 66 yards and a TD with Mike Williams missing. Williams will miss another week, putting Palmer in the WR3/Flex discussion.
Tight Ends
Gerald Everett (Seahawks)
If available, Gerald Everett is this week’s top addition at TE. Over the past two weeks, he has a combined eight catches for 128 yards. He also found the end zone this past weekend. Everett is a low end TE1.
Cole Kmet (Bears)
Cole Kmet appears in this column nearly every week. This past weekend, he caught another four passes. He is a high floor player with a locked-in role but a very capped ceiling. If you need a high ceiling dice role to win the week, there are better options. But if your lineup is strong and you could use 7-10 ppr points from the TE spot, Kmet is pretty safe.
Foster Moreau (Raiders)
Over the last two games, Foster Moreau has a combined eleven catches for 132 yards. He is a low end TE1/high-end TE2 this week.
