I cannot stress enough to start your studs in the fantasy football playoffs. However, we now know that certain studs, such as Keenan Allen, T.J. Hockenson, and others are unavailable in Week 17. So, in the event you do need to swing for the fences a bit, I’m giving you a bold prediction for one player at each position that I think can help get you to your league’s championship.
I feel good about my Nick Mullens (QB11) and Ty Chandler (RB20) picks last week, but I whiffed on Wan’Dale Robinson, and Hunter Henry was ruled out due to injury. It’s my mission to go four-for-four with my Week 17 bold predictions to help you win your league’s title.
2023 NFL Week 17 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints
Bold Prediction: 312 passing yards, 3 touchdowns
24.48 fantasy points
Over the last three weeks, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense has allowed 936 passing yards with no less than 284 in either game. In reading that, you’re probably thinking they played Brock Purdy, Patrick Mahomes, or at least one other big-name quarterback in that stretch. Nope! Desmond Ridder, Jordan Love, and a combination of Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Beathard. Up next to take on this Buccaneers defense is Derek Carr.
My Week 17 bold prediction yardage for Carr is simply the per-game average the Bucs defense has allowed over the last three games. Overall, this bold prediction may not seem so bold when you consider Carr has averaged 268.5 yards per game over his last two with exactly three passing touchdowns in each. I think he will keep his three-touchdown streak alive in Week 17, as well.
Carr’s first season in New Orleans is one to forget. It seems like every week he’s getting up slowly from a big hit or heading to the locker room to work on his shoulder. Yet, Carr hasn’t missed a game! He will head into Week 17 looking to take down Tampa Bay and push for the NFC South divisional title. He has three straight games with 19.82 or more fantasy points. With nearly his full complement of weapons in a fantasy-friendly matchup, this Week 17 bold prediction would be Carr’s best fantasy output of the season.
Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Bold Prediction: 23 carries, 100 yards, 1 touchdown; 2 receptions, 15 yards
19.5 fantasy points
It’s yet to be seen if Josh Jacobs is able to go in Week 17 after dealing with a quad/knee injury since Week 14. In his place, Zamir White looks the part of a bell cow back. He has 214 total rushing yards on 39 carries over the last two weeks. That includes a strong 145-yard performance on 22 carries against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16.
If White is to see a third-straight start, my Week 17 bold prediction urges you to consider plugging him into your championship lineups. I love playing running backs against the Indianapolis Colts defense this season. They’ve allowed the fourth-most rushing yards and second-most rushing touchdowns to the position. As a result, the Colts defense allows the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs, as well.
The Las Vegas Raiders are on an impressive two-game win streak. I don’t expect interim head coach, Antonio Pierce, to all of the sudden change anything about the offense in Week 17. Zamir White should see another healthy dose of carries in a favorable matchup for the fantasy football finals. My Week 17 bold prediction for him would be a career-high in rush attempts and fantasy points. There’s no better time than now to do it!
Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Bold Prediction: 4 receptions, 80 yards, 1 touchdown
18.0 fantasy points
The 90.6 rush yards per game allowed by the Detroit Lions defense is the fourth-lowest average in the league. Furthermore, the 884 rush yards allowed to opposing running backs this season is the lowest total for the position. With this in mind, I’m turning to a Dallas Cowboys wide receiver for my Week 17 bold prediction.
Brandin Cooks is a safe bet for your Week 17 lineup as the third-most targeted player on the second-highest scoring team in the NFL. Consider, too, that Dallas is finally back home after two weeks on the road. The Cowboys’ 39.9 points per game at home this season leads the league. It’s also a far better average than the 21.5 points per game on the road this season which ranks 15th in the league.
The Lions defense will be without safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in Week 17. That weakens their secondary however slight, enough to boost the already strong confidence I have in this Cowboys passing game for the fantasy football finals. The Lions’ defense allows the eighth-most receiving yards and fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
I think Cooks gets back on track with his second-best fantasy output this season. Since exploding for 32.3 points in Week 10, Cooks is averaging just 9.98 fantasy points on just over four targets per game. I expect him to see more looks at home in this matchup and maybe even break a big one for a score.
Gerald Everett, TE, Los Angeles Chargers
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 50 yards, 1 touchdown
17.0 fantasy points
Week 17 is Gerald Everett’s second time facing the Denver Broncos defense this season. Back in Week 14, Everett drew eight total targets. However, that was four from Justin Herbert, before leaving with an injury, and four from Easton Stick. Overall, the Chargers tight ends account for a 41.4% target share in their first matchup with Denver.
This season, the Denver Broncos allow the most fantasy points per game to tight ends. I expect this trend to continue with my Week 17 bold prediction for Everett. He has eight targets in both of quarterback Easton Stick’s two starts. Assuming Everett can draw the same volume in a plus matchup, he should have a typical stat line against this Broncos defense. Denver is the only team that’s allowed 10 touchdowns to the position this season. Everett has a great shot to make it 11 or more.
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty