5 breakout fantasy football stars to pick up for Week 17

4. Top Fantasy Football Pickups For Week 17 – Houston Texans RB Royce Freeman

It was truly a bummer for fantasy owners to see standout rookie Dameon Pierce’s season end early with a high-ankle sprain. It made logical sense for Houston, which is going nowhere fast, to not rush Pierce back onto the field but the injury did create a new opportunity for a lead running back to emerge for the Texans.

The clear leader of the backfield committee was veteran Royce Freeman, who handled 16 carries compared to just eight for Dare Ogbunowale. Neither runner was particularly effective against a stout Titans’ run defense but volume is volume, which can be helpful if you’re dealing with injuries in the title game.

Houston will look to keep running the football in Week 17 against the Jaguars so Freeman could be in line for another 15-20 touches out of the backfield. If Freeman, who is rostered in less than one percent of leagues, can be more efficient with those touches there is flex appeal here.

Game flow is certainly something to watch with all Houston running backs as Rex Burkhead was the primary back on passing downs and caught a touchdown in the Texans’ 19-14 win over Tennessee on Saturday. Fantasy owners in need of help in the backfield could do worse than picking up Freeman or Burkhead.