Fantasy Football Week 17: Gordon, Williams and other must starts

Here’s the Week 17 edition of top five running backs to start in fantasy football.

For those who may still be fighting for a fantasy football championship, here is the final edition of top five running backs to start. Hopefully, this week does far better than last week’s list did.

Why? Well, only one player listed on last week’s edition finished as a top 10 scorer in ESPN PPR standard scoring leagues. That player? Christian McCaffrey.

McCaffrey led all running backs with 29.8 fantasy points against the Atlanta Falcons. Ezekiel Elliott, Nick Chubb, and Joe Mixon fell outside of the top 10, while Todd Gurley watched from the sideline.

Never too late right? So, let’s see if we can go 5/5 with the final edition of top five running backs to start in fantasy football.

5. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Owners who rode the hot streak of Derrick Henry may feel inclined to believe that that play is over. Why? The running back had a “down day” in Week 16 following to massive fantasy games in Week 14-15.

However, that “down day” still resulted in a very respectable 16.2 points. He ran for 84 yards and a score against the Washington Redskins.

Regardless, you should still slot Henry into your lineup. While it looked as though the Redskins may have figured out how to contain him, he is still productive on almost every single rush.

This week, the Titans play the Indianapolis Colts at home. The Colts have held their own against opposing running backs, but Henry is a very physical back.

Next: 4. Jamaal Williams

4. Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers

Unfortunately, for many of the readers here at The Jet Press, Jamaal Williams went for a big day against the New York Jets last week. He was the second-highest running back with 27.6 points.

Williams and Aaron Jones have shared the backfield for the Green Bay Packers for the majority of the year. But it’s been Williams who has seen his role in the running game increase over the past couple of weeks.

Williams ran for 95 yards on only 15 carries last week. This week, he will look to do the same against the Detroit Lions at home.

The Lions have been able to prevent running backs from finding the end zone. However, backs have still been able to pick up yards against them.

Next: 3. Chris Carson

3. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks

Doesn’t it feel like it’s been decades since Marshawn Lynch was the Seattle Seahawks running back? If it does, it’s because the team has had a revolving door at that position since Beast Mode departed.

Russell Wilson has been given stop gap players in the backfield for years. Well, until now.

Chris Carson has had a late-season surge. In the last two weeks, he has ran for over 115 yards twice with three rushing scores.

Fantasy owners have been smiling as well. Carson has had at least 23 points in those two games as well.

This week just continue to ride the hot hand. Carson is a must.

Next: 2. Melvin Gordon

 2. Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers

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Melvin Gordon saw his first game action in three weeks last week against the Baltimore Ravens. The star running back had been sidelined with injury.

Owners saw Gordon’s highest value mid-season, only to have to watch him sit for the later part. Therefore, some may have given up on him.

Well, don’t. Yes, the Chargers are going to the playoffs. But, the team and Gordon would like nothing more but to get reps for their running back.

Gordon may be limited later in the second half, but one would imagine he will be fully used before that. Start him this week against the Denver Broncos on the road.

Next: 1. Saquon Barkley

1. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

The New York Giants’ season has been one of misery. The team was slated to contend, but that hasn’t been the case.

While rumors and speculation surround the Giants’ quarterback situation, we have all been treated to the play of their rookie running back. Saquon Barkley has been the gear that makes the Giants’ offense work.

Barkley was held in check in Week 15, but he bounced back in Week 16. He racked up 18.7 points during the Giants loss to the Colts.

This week the Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys. This game means nothing, but Barkley and the Giants would love to stick it to the Cowboys for rivalry purposes.