Premium Content Sign Up

Fantasy Football: Week 17 IDP rankings and tiers

Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) rushes the passer during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports

  • Very risky linebacker options in Week 17: There are several LBs that have helped fantasy teams this season but reduced playing time poses a big risk in the most important week of the season.
  • Trust the process: A few big-name defensive linemen disappointed in Week 16, but there’s a reason for optimism in a bounce-back for most, so IDP managers shouldn’t toss them aside in the championship round.
  • Pivoting at safety: A number of key IDP safeties are banged up so fantasy managers should be aware of who, and who not, to pivot to in case they can’t go this week.
Estimated Reading Time: 14 mins

This is it. The most important fantasy football week of the year. Championship week is no time to make mistakes and blow a shot for fantasy glory so be sure to dive into the rankings and all available research to leave no stone unturned and secure a 2022 fantasy championship.

Check the PFF.com rankings page for any updates closer to game time.


JUMP TO A POSITION:

LB | ED | DI | S | CB


LINEBACKER

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A Micah Parsons DAL @ TEN TNF
2 1A Roquan Smith BLT PIT SNF
3 1A Devin White TB CAR
4 1A Zaire Franklin IND @ NYG
5 1B Foyesade Oluokun JAX @ HST
6 1B Jordyn Brooks SEA NYJ
7 1B Rashaan Evans ATL ARZ
8 1B Nick Bolton KC DEN
9 1C C.J. Mosley NYJ @ SEA
10 1C Alex Singleton DEN @ KC
11 1C T.J. Edwards PHI NO
12 1C Fred Warner SF @ LV
13 2A Josey Jewell DEN @ KC
14 2A Dre Greenlaw SF @ LV
15 2A Cody Barton SEA NYJ
16 2A Bobby Wagner LAR @ LAC
17 2B Matt Milano BUF @ CIN MNF
18 2B Eric Kendricks MIN @ GB
19 2B De’Vondre Campbell GB MIN
20 2B Logan Wilson CIN BUF MNF
21 2C Christian Kirksey HST JAX
22 2C Frankie Luvu CAR @ TB
23 2C Tremaine Edmunds BUF @ CIN MNF
24 2C Christian Harris HST JAX
25 3A Shaq Thompson CAR @ TB
26 3A Drue Tranquill LAC LAR
27 3A Lavonte David TB CAR
28 3A Nicholas Morrow CHI @ DET
29 3B Patrick Queen BLT PIT SNF
30 3B Isaiah Simmons ARZ @ ATL
31 3B Kaden Elliss NO @ PHI WW
32 3B Monty Rice TEN DAL TNF
33 3C Luke Masterson LV SF WW
34 3C Demario Davis NO @ PHI
35 3C Germaine Pratt CIN BUF MNF
36 3C Bobby Okereke IND @ NYG
37 4A Robert Spillane PIT @ BLT SNF
38 4A Joe Thomas CHI @ DET
39 4A Devin Lloyd JAX @ HST
40 4A Quay Walker GB MIN
41 4B Troy Andersen ATL ARZ
42 4B Jordan Hicks MIN @ GB
43 4B Ja’Whaun Bentley NE MIA
44 4B Quincy Williams NYJ @ SEA
45 4C Zaven Collins ARZ @ ATL
46 4C Jamin Davis WAS CLV
47 4C Kyzir White PHI NO
48 4C Alex Anzalone DET CHI
49 5A Willie Gay Jr. KC DEN
50 5A Jerome Baker MIA @ NE
51 5A Jaylon Smith NYG IND
52 5A Anthony Barr DAL @ TEN TNF
53 5B Kenneth Murray LAC LAR
54 5B Jon Bostic WAS CLV Q
55 5B Ernest Jones LAR @ LAC
56 5B Damone Clark DAL @ TEN TNF
57 5C Devin Bush PIT @ BLT SNF
58 5C Jahlani Tavai NE MIA
59 5C Tony Fields II CLV @ WAS
60 5C Myles Jack PIT @ BLT SNF

There are several linebackers that are riskier plays this week due to limited playing time. Some are coming off good fantasy games, so it could be easier to be tricked by their box score but IDP managers should approach with caution because they could be limited again in Week 17.

Devin Lloyd (LB39) stands out after landing nine tackles and an interception in Week 16 on just 70% of his team's defensive snaps, as Chad Muma continued to work his way onto the field. Lloyd should remain ahead of Muma on the depth chart, but Lloyd's opportunity to hit big is significantly limited if he goes entire drives without getting on the field.

Jordan Hicks (LB42) has also played less in recent weeks as rookie Brian Asamoah’s snaps slowly rise. Hicks has been able to produce decent tackle numbers but on less than 70% of his team's snaps, it is all too easy for Hicks to put up a dud on any given week now.

Quincy Williams (LB44) is a fairly efficient tackler, but he also needs to be considered a low-floor play, evidenced by his three-tackle game in Week 13. Williams doesn’t typically offer a whole lot more than tackles so choosing a linebacker that plays is likely to be the more productive option.

Ernest Jones’ (LB55) playing time has taken a decent hit, as he’s been on the field for less than 50% of his team's defensive snaps in each of the past two weeks. Jones was a relatively strong deeper league play but as that opportunity dips below half the snaps, he becomes a massive risk in the fantasy championship game.

Myles Jack (LB60) returned to the lineup in Week 16 but only played 30% of his team's defensive snaps, which came on early downs. Jack’s productivity in the first half of the season should be forgotten, so he should be avoided entirely this week.


EDGE DEFENDER

DOMINATE FANTASY FOOTBALL & BETTING WITH AI-POWERED DATA & TOOLS TRUSTED BY ALL 32

Unlimited Fantasy League Sync
Fantasy Start/Sit Line-Up Optimizer & Waiver Wire
WR-CB & OL-DL Matchups, PFF Player Grades, & Premium Stats 2.0 Tools
Nathan Jahnkes Rankings - #1 Most Accurate Last 70 Weeks
PFF Best Bets, Player Props, & Power Ranking Tools
NFL Mock Draft Sim with Trades & Draft Grades

Already have a subscription? Log In

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2024 Fantasy Draft Kit, with Live Draft Assistant, Fantasy Mock Draft Sim, Rankings & PFF Grades

$24.99/mo
OR
$119.99/yr