FanDuel NFL: Best lineup for Week 17
By Nick Villano
Wide Receiver Option: Deandre Hopkins $8,700
When you try to save money on other positions, you get to spend big at others. Deandre Hopkins is the big-money receiver you need for Week 17. The Texans have a ton to play for and could get a first-round bye if they win and the Patriots lose.
Deshaun Watson will look to slice and dice the Jaguars one last time. And, Jalen Ramsey called Hopkins one of the best receivers in the game. It’s obvious, but not the bravado were used to from the Jags cornerback.
On paper, Jacksonville’s defense still puts up big numbers. But with an offense as bad as their’s, it’s because they spend much of their day in garbage time.
If Blake Bortles plays as bad as we think he will, then the Texans will have really good field positioning and Hopkins could get multiple jump-ball touchdowns.
Wide Receiver Option Two: Juju Smith-Schuster $7,900
Juju Smith-Schuster may have to take on a majority of the receptions against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have a terrible defense.
They are ranked 30th against the pass. With Antonio Brown dealing with an injury and missing practice, it could be Smith-Schuster’s time to take advantage of a number-one spot.
Also, Smith-Schuster made a major mistake at the end of last week’s game, fumbling on the Steelers final possession. He’s the kind of player that will want retribution for his mistake. He could look to have a big game in Week 17, and hopefully lead his Steelers back into the playoffs.
Wide Receiver Option Three: Alshon Jeffrey $6,500
Alshon Jeffrey is just better when Nick Foles is his quarterback. He didn’t have the best game last week, but he did a huge number against the Rams two weeks ago. He just had better chemistry with the Eagles backup.
The Eagles are playing for the playoffs against a Redskins team that just cut one of their best defensive players in DJ Swearinger. Who knows how the defense will react to that news. It can’t be a good reaction to cut a guy for how he spoke to a defensive coordinator.
This could open up passing lanes for Foles to connect with Jeffrey.