“It’s the championship! If you need some help wrapping this year up, this article is for you. Let’s get to our NFL Week 17 IDP Sleepers!”
Welcome to Week 17 of the NFL Fantasy season, friends! For most of us, this is championship week! If you have made your finals, congratulations! If you are still in your semi-finals and are fighting to make your finals, you got this! Regardless, if you are looking for a little advice to get you where you need to go, this article is for you! It’s time to look forward to our NFL Week 17 IDP sleepers to help you out!
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Week 17 IDP Sleepers
Note: All rankings for this Week 17 IDP Sleepers article are taken from the Week 17 rankings at FantasyPros. As always, let’s start things off by setting some expectations for this article. What this piece will not be doing is hyping up obvious IDP stars — projecting that Aidan Hutchinson or Myles Garrett will have productive outings isn’t exactly breaking news. Instead, we’re focused on uncovering players with sneaky upside who can outperform their rankings.
Ok, enough logistics — let’s dive into our Week 17 IDP Sleepers!
Defensive Line Week 17 Sleepers
Ranks found here
Byron Young – (DL37)
Week 17 Opponent: Away at the Falcons
Let’s kick this article off with one Byron Young! I am unsure why Young is being ranked as the DL37 this week. In fact, Young has had such a good season that there is a good chance you are sitting in your fantasy championship in part due to Young’s efforts this year. While he hasn’t racked up a sack in the last two games, he still has 11 of those on the season to go along with a healthy average of slightly under 5 combined tackles a game.
With all that being said, Young is in this article for the following reason: if you have him, start him. Don’t let the DL37 ranking dissuade you from playing the star defensive end in the big final. The Rams get a Falcons team and Kirk Cousins this upcoming week, which will lead to plenty of splash play opportunities for Young. Play him with confidence!
Abdul Carter – (DL58)
Week 17 Opponent: Away at the Raiders
I wrote about Abdul Carter a couple of weeks ago as a sleeper, and what has he done since? Why, only nabbed a sack in every game! Carter is on a tear right now, probably due to his running-mate Kayvon Thibodeaux being hurt, which is leading to more snaps. Things continue to look up for the Giants’ pass-rush going against a Raiders team that has been a gold mine for IDP-managers all year.
So why again is Carter ranked as the DL58 this week? Your guess is as good as mine! If you are in a deeper league, go ahead and ride the wave Carter is on. If you have him in dynasty leagues, keep on holding on to the star and enjoy watching your asset build value. Sorry, Raiders, but this week the Giants will be all over your Quarterback!
Linebacker Sleepers
Ranks found here
Jamien Sherwood – (LB29)
Week 17 Opponent: Hosting the Patriots
Jamien Sherwood has been on the IDP radar for the last couple of years, and he has not disappointed his managers. He is averaging just around 10, that’s right, 10, combined tackles a game. This is absolutely insane. What’s more insane is that he is being ranked as the LB29 this week against a Patriots team that proven it can move the ball, extend drives, and give the opposition plenty of tackle opportunities.
Just like Byron Young before him, Sherwood is in the article to remind you to play your stars regardless of what so-called experts say (including me!). Sherwood has been your LB1 all year, so you should play him as such in the all-important week. This would be true regardless of who the Jets would be playing, but in this case, the matchup is also enticing for the Linebacker!
Jack Campbell – (LB30)
Week 17 Opponent: Away at the Vikings
You can basically copy and paste my write-up for Jamien Sherwood and put it here. All Jack Campbell has done this year is produce. He’s averaging over 10 combined tackles a game, and he’s racked up 5 sacks on the year. Campbell is an all-around IDP stud. So why on earth are rankers putting him as a borderline start play in leagues where you start two linebackers?
It could be due to the matchup. The Lions face a Vikings team that has struggled offensively this year. If you’ve been paying attention to my article, you know my feelings on the matter! Campbell is a must-start anywhere you have him. The Vikings will do enough on offense for Campbell to get his usual floor of tackles, and they turn the ball over just enough for him to potentially add a nice splash play. Start him accordingly!
Defensive Back Sleepers
Ranks found here
Will Harris – (DB37)
Week 17 Opponent: Hosting the Cowboys
Our first DB is a pure sleeper, true and true. Harris has posted mediocre numbers with the Commanders this year, but he has a prime matchup to help you out this week if you are in a pinch. The Cowboys’ passing attack has been one of the lone bright spots for the Lone Star State team. This will lead to plenty of opportunities for Harris to post a nice tackle floor, with the opportunity for more.
I wouldn’t advocate for starting Harris as more than a desperation play in deeper leagues where you need to go to the waiver wire for a starter. But, if you are in that situation, I’d look Harris’ way and hope that the matchup plays out the way it should. Here’s hoping for a Christmas miracle!
Cooper DeJean – (DB86)
Week 17 Opponent: Away at the Bills
And finally, let’s talk about Cooper DeJean! DeJean has had an up-and-down campaign, but is averaging slightly over 5 combined tackles a game. He also showed this last week that he has splash play potential, nabbing an interception in the game against the Commanders. The Eagles have a great matchup this week against a Bills team that not only has shown they can extend drives, but has turned the ball over at an alarming rate.
DeJean will be busy all day either tackling James Cook as he gets past the Eagles’ defensive line, or chasing down whichever Bills Wide Receiver he’s being asked to cover on the play. Go ahead and start DeJean as your DB3 or flex wherever you need a waiver wire to start play this week.
Thank you for reading my Week 17 IDP Sleepers article! I’ll be coming to you every week to discuss my favorite IDP sleepers to help you win your fantasy championship. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @mrecord21 and follow @IDP_Plus! Check out other articles here!
