Sleepers at Quarterback

Drake Maye, New England (vs LA Chargers)

Maye is starting to throw downfield more and getting some runs by design, so his fantasy ceiling is rising even though he hasn't reached it yet. The Patriots are not playing like a team without motivation and barely lost to the Bills last week. They will relish playing spoiler against the Chargers, who still need to win to secure a playoff berth.

Bryce Young, Carolina (at Tampa Bay)

Young has been adding value as a scrambler and could be pushed to his limits as a passer to keep up with Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense this week. The Panthers have already shown that they have a lot left in the tank. They have been competitive since Bryce Young took back over and ended the Cardinals' playoff hopes last week. They would love to do the same for Tampa Bay with Young leading the way this week.

Tyrod Taylor, NY Jets (at Buffalo)

Aaron Rodgers suffered an ankle injury last week and is uncertain for Week 17. If he can't go, Taylor will take over, and we know he has some value in 2QB/Superflex when he gets the call. Taylor adds value as a runner and will throw to an excellent wide receiver duo and Breece Hall. The Bills defense has not been their strength in the second half of the season.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta (at Washington)

Penix was quiet for fantasy last week, but Jayden Daniels and the Commanders should force him to take more chances and shoulder more of the offense in Week 17. It sounds like Drake London will be ok despite sitting in the second half with a hamstring issue, and the Commanders put 36 points on one of the hottest defenses in the league last week, so Penix should return to his collegiate downfield barnstorming passer mode to keep up.

Sleepers at Running Back

Ameer Abdullah, Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas (at New Orleans)

Both Raiders running backs came through last week, and both have appeal as at least flex plays this week. The Saints gave up rushing scores to three different Packers backs last week, so Mattison and Abdullah scoring again this week is definitely in play. Aidan O'Connell loves to check down to the running backs - each had at least four catches last week.

Kendre Miller, New Orleans (vs Las Vegas)

Miller was a dud along with the rest of the Saints offense last week, but he did lead the backfield in touches and should be responsible for keeping the offense on schedule this week. Miller should have fresh legs after barely this season, and the Superdome turf should be better suited for his burst and agility game than the frozen tundra in Green Bay.

Antonio Gibson, New England (vs LA Chargers)

Rhamondre Stevenson's fumble issues popped up again last week. That opened the door to Gibson starting in Week 17, according to head coach Jerod Mayo. Gibson has at least 60 total yards in two of the last three games despite only having the snap advantage last week. Gibson should have some juice after being used sparingly at times, and he can also add value in the passing game.

Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville (vs Tennessee)

The Jaguars' backfield is split pretty evenly, and they are facing a Titans defense that is still looking for Jonathan Taylor after he shredded them last week. Bigsby is the high ceiling play and more likely to break a long run a la Taylor, while Etienne is getting the majority of the snaps and should be more involved in the passing game to give him a higher floor in PPR leagues.

Audric Estime, Denver (at Cincinnati)

Estime was effective as the lead back last week, but Sean Payton went away from the run for some reason. That might not be an issue this week if the forecasted rain for Cincinnati on Saturday comes to fruition and limits both passing games. Even if the weather is good, the best way to defend Joe Burrow is to keep him on the sidelines, and establishing the run against a suspect Bengals run defense is a good way to do that.

Michael Carter, Arizona (at LA Rams)

James Conner and Trey Benson were both limited in practice this week after leaving with injuries last week. They could play against the Rams on Saturday, but the team hasn't confirmed they will. Carter has no value if Conner plays. If Conner is out but Benson plays, Carter will have PPR what-the-heck flex value as the passing down back. If both are out, Carter is a PPR RB2 as a checkdown for Kyler Murray. Carter caught five passes last week despite playing only 25 snaps.

Sleepers at Wide Receiver

Kayshon Boutte, New England (vs LA Chargers)

Boutte got a lot of praise from the team last week after emerging as a sorely needed downfield threat for Drake Maye. The 22-year-old has already earned the only full-time role among the Patriots' rag-tag wide receiver group. Last week, he showed what he could do if he got seven targets - his highest total this season. Boutte is the best play in a Patriots passing game that is starting to spread its wings.

Olamide Zaccheaus, Washington (vs Atlanta)

Zaccheaus scored twice last week and could be a primary target against his old Falcons team in Week 17. Terry McLaurin could see a lot of A.J. Terrell Jr., and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury hasn't been very creative with McLaurin's usage to free him up when they face a shutdown corner. Zaccheaus caught six of seven targets in the two previous games, so he and Jayden Daniels have a connection brewing.

Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Green Bay (at Minnesota)

We'll have to watch Christian Watson's status to know whether Wicks will be promoted to a primary role in the passing game, putting him in play as a Week 17 sleeper. He caught two scores in the first matchup with the Vikings in Week 4 after Watson got hurt. If Watson does play, Doubs will be the better sleeper. He has been a top target for Jordan Love in the red zone, and the Packers should have to soup up their offense to match the Vikings' well-oiled passing game.

Jalen Coker, David Moore, Carolina (at Tampa Bay)

The Panthers passing game should have downfield passing in what might be the highest-scoring matchup of the week in Tampa. Coker didn't come through as a sleeper last week, but he had a gorgeous one-handed catch in the end zone that was barely out of bounds. Moore scored last week and has already had one strong game in the renewed Bryce Young era. This game will be played in warm weather, which should keep the passing games vital.

Marvin Mims Jr., Denver (at Cincinnati)

Mims' snap count and target shares are going up as Sean Payton realizes who the best big-play threat is on the roster. Mims had a 54-yard catch and run last week, and a non-call on pass interference took away another big play. If the weather cooperates and the Broncos have to match Joe Burrow and company blow for blow on the scoreboard, Mims will have to be a big part of the game plan.

Josh Downs, Indianapolis (at NY Giants)

Downs was the only piece of the Colts passing game to come through last week, with Anthony Richardson throwing the ball 11 times. So there's hope for him to come through against a beleaguered Giants defense even if Richardson starts, but there's also a chance that Joe Flacco starts in Week 17 with Richardson missing practice on Thursday. Downs was a strong play any time Flacco has started this season, with at least six catches and 60 receiving yards in every game.

Sleepers at Tight End

Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee (at Jacksonville)

Okonkwo is the easiest sleeper to plug in at tight end this week, coming off back-to-back games with at least eight catches and 59 yards with Mason Rudolph at quarterback. In one of those games, Rudolph was only in for a quarter and a half and targeted Okonkwo eight times. The Jags just gave up a huge game to Brock Bowers, so Okonkwo should find room to roam in the middle of the defense.

Jake Ferguson, Dallas (at Philadelphia)

Ferguson had six catches last week, the most he has recorded since Week 9. He could continue to be a big part of the passing game with CeeDee Lamb nursing his oft-injured shoulder. Ferguson led the team in targets last week and will likely do it again in Week 17.

Foster Moreau, New Orleans (vs Las Vegas)

Moreau was quiet along with the rest of the Saints offense in the Green Bay cold, but they should be a bit warmer in the Superdome. He actually led the team in receiving yards last week, despite only getting three targets, and has been more reliable than Juwan Johnson since Spencer Rattler got back in the lineup two weeks ago.

Payne Durham, Tampa Bay (vs Carolina)

Durham could be a viable choice for deep leagues in Week 17 if Cade Otton is out again. Otton hasn't been able to practice as of Thursday, while the sure-handed Durham caught five balls in place of him last week. Durham had the same number of targets as Jalen McMillan - 7 - and only one fewer than Mike Evans last week.