Week 17 Fantasy Rankings: Defense

Week 17 fantasy defense rankings will have some unpredictability added to them by playoff seeding scenarios. Our top two D/STs for the week are slated to be the Patriots and Ravens. Baltimore has nothing to play for, while the Pats have been known to play it safe in Week 17, although they still have seeding to compete for. Most fantasy leagues that continue to the final regular season week think about players sitting out for how it affects offense, but with whole defensive units possibly impacted by single absences, there could be question marks on the defensive side of start 'em, sit 'em questions, too.

Now in the cases of Baltimore and New England, you should probably be starting those D/STs anyway. The Patriots take on mistake-prone Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins, which should lead to fantasy goodness regardless of who's on the field. We'd also feel great about the Ravens' defense against either Mason Rudolph or Duck Hodges. Either way, there are turnovers waiting to happen.

WEEK 17 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | Kicker

Beyond the top two, it's about matchups as usual. The Colts (@ Jaguars), Broncos (vs. Raiders), Rams (vs. Cardinals) and Packers (@ Lions) all have great matchups that should be attacked this week. You can also feel good about San Francisco, which hasn't been amazing of late but faces a Seattle offense that is reeling and now without Chris Carson (hip).

If you've been streaming the Chargers lately, now is the time to drop them. A meeting with Patrick Mahomes in the season's final week doesn't bode well for L.A. You may also have streamed the Redskins against the Giants or the Jets against Pittsburgh. If so, look elsewhere this week.

WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end

The final big question centers around Pittsburgh's defense. Normally, you'd avoid a D/ST at all costs playing against Lamar Jackson. The thing is, the Ravens could sit Lamar. If that happens, everything changes. For now, the Steelers are ranked to reflect a matchup with Jackson. If he sits, vault Pittsburgh into the top 10 against Robert Griffin III and company. (Update: Jackson and Mark Ingram will sit out for the Ravens, and we've adjusted the Steelers D/ST accordingly).

MORE: Which players are sitting out Week 17?

Reminder: These rankings will be adjusted throughout week, so check back often for updates.

WEEK 17 DFS:
DK Cash | DK GPP | Y! GPP | FD Cash | Values

Week 17 Fantasy Defense Rankings