Fantasy Football: Must-start players on championship weekend

Fantasy Football: Must-start players on championship weekend

Atlanta Falcons
25 Dec 2025, 00:30 GMT+

It's all come down to this.

Will McFadden

It's all come down to this. One game left to cap off your playoff run in style. Or, for those of you in the last-place game, to avoid whatever crazy punishment your league has cooked up.

Throughout the season, I'll help you build the perfect lineup and become a league legend. Each week, I will recommend three starters at each position as well as a waiver pickup in a matchup I really like. I will also spotlight one Falcons player in each section.

It's not all too difficult to tell someone to start Bijan Robinson or Josh Allen on any given week, and I assume everyone reading this right now would already know to do so. Therefore, I'll try to focus these recommendations on players who might be on the starting or flex bubble.

Running backs to start in Week 17

Ashton Jeanty vs. New York Giants

It's been a frustrating ride for those who drafted Jeanty, likely in the first round, but he could be one of the best starters on championship weekend. After finishing as the top fantasy running back in Week 16, Jeanty gets a Giants defense that has allowed the third-most points to the position.

Rhamondre Stevenson at New York Jets

With TreyVeon Henderson in the concussion protocol, Stevenson could see a heavy workload against the Jets, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season.

Tony Pollard vs. New Orleans Saints

Pollard has three straight games with more than 100 rushing yards heading into this matchup. The Saints are playing inspired football of late, but Pollard has become a true workhorse and that can't be overlooked right now.

Waiver start Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs. Dallas Cowboys

Back in the Commanders' lineup in Week 16, Rodriguez had a solid performance while playing just over half the snaps. There aren't many great waiver options out there right now, but if you're in this situation, Rodriguez could offer a higher floor than most.

Falcons spotlight Bijan Robinson vs. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have not allowed many big games to opposing running backs, but Robinson is a must-start against anyone.

Wide receivers to start in Week 17

Mike Evans at Miami Dolphins

Even with the Buccaneers' struggles in the pass game, Evans should be in starting lineups this weekend. Tampa Bay is in a must-win scenario, which means Baker Mayfield's go-to guy should be locked in.

Stefon Diggs at New York Jets

He had nine catches for 105 yards against them in Week 11 and is coming off his biggest performance since that game. There's some risk here, but the upside is also very high.

Jauan Jennings vs. Chicago Bears

This could be one of the most fun matchups of Week 17, and Jennings has five touchdown grabs in his last four games.

Waiver start Troy Franklin at Kansas City Chiefs

If Pat Bryant misses this game after getting injured late against Jacksonville, Franklin could be in line for a big day. He's finished as a top-10 receiver twice this year, so the upside is good.

Falcons spotlight Drake London vs. Los Angeles Rams

London didn't light up the box score in his first game back from injury, but that's entirely understandable. In this prime-time matchup with Puka Nacua on the other sideline, London will have a lot of incentive to prove he's the best wide receiver on the field.

Tight ends to start in Week 17

Harold Fannin Jr. vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

I debated even mentioning Fannin here at this point because, after what he's done the last several weeks, he'd better already be in your starting lineup.

Juwan Johnson at Tennessee Titans

He's been reliable pretty much all season long. Although he's only got three touchdowns on the season, the Saints' passing game has started to pick up and he could add a fourth on Sunday.

Hunter Henry at New York Jets

He had an early touchdown last weekend against Baltimore and has been a steady option for Drake Maye all season long. Henry has finished as a top-12 tight end three times in the last four games.

Waiver start Darren Waller vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Waller didn't capitalize on his golden opportunity against the Bengals, but he's got another great matchup on tap against the Buccaneers.

Falcons spotlight Kyle Pitts vs. Los Angeles Rams

At this point, Pitts has become a must-start in fantasy. He's got the trust of Kirk Cousins and has been giving defenses headaches in recent weeks.

Quarterbacks to start in Week 17

Trevor Lawrence at Indianapolis Colts

Brock Purdy vs. Chicago Bears

He's coming off the top fantasy QB performance of Week 16 and gets a matchup against a Bears defense allowing the 10th-most points to the position. Purdy is an excellent starting option again this week.

Caleb Williams at San Francisco 49ers

On the flip side of this matchup is Williams, who has thrown two touchdown passes in three straight games. The Bears' offense hasn't always looked pretty, but their confidence has been growing and Williams could put up points in this one.

Waiver start Malik Willis vs. Baltimore Ravens

This is all contingent upon Jordan Love not playing on Saturday night. If Love is unable to go, though, Willis offers intriguing upside because of his rushing ability. If the Packers lean into that, he could be a great fantasy option.

Falcons spotlight Kirk Cousins vs. Los Angeles Rams

If this game turns into a high-scoring affair, Cousins could have a sneaky big fantasy day, which makes him another great waiver option if you need one. He was the QB 3 in Week 15 and the QB12 last weekend.

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