Well here it is people, the last one. What a season it has been and for another year I get the honor of having you read these FLEX play articles. Whether or not you’re playing this weekend in your league’s fantasy championship always remember, IT’S ABOUT THE JOURNEY AND THE PROCESS BABY. Ha…well kind of, but the winning part is always good. With games on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, it’ll be a long, but fun Week 17. For 2024, let’s give it one last go with a few solid FLEX plays I think could bring home the bacon.
It’s been real, enjoy the holidays and thank you.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs at Steelers
This kid is really coming on at the right time, isn’t he? Worthy has been more involved in the Chiefs’ offense as they’ve come down the stretch. In three straight games he’s played at least 80% of the snaps which is something he hadn’t done in any previous game this season. What’s even more important is the opportunities he’s getting. In four straight games he’s caught at least five passes and has had 11 targets in each of his last two games. He’ll go up against a banged-up Steelers secondary in Week 17 that just allowed Zay Flowers to finish as WR21 and Rashod Bateman to score a touchdown. Worthy is a player the Chiefs are actively trying to get the ball to, and can be a fantasy savior in Week 17 on Christmas.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens at Texans
Bateman is having his best season by far (39-668-8) and has the trust of Lamar Jackson to the highest degree. Since returning from his injury, he’s now played in two straight games where he’s been on the field for at least 75% of the offensive snaps. The scary part is that he’s only seen 11 targets over his last four games; the good part is that he’s scored four touchdowns in that same span. Bateman has been the Ravens’ big-play receiver this season, averaging 17.1 yards per reception. This game has an Over/Under of 46.5 and could turn into a shootout quickly with quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and C.J Stroud involved. Bateman is a big play waiting to happen.
Gus Edwards, RB, Chargers at Patriots
I promise you I’m not chasing the points and rushing yards that Edwards had in Week 16 against the Broncos. I’m fully aware that 43 of his 68 yards came on one run with under three minutes left in the fourth quarter. But, did you see those two touchdowns from the 5-yard line and in? You see where I’m getting at now, right? Edwards is no James Cook, who is fresh off of running all over the Patriots’ defense last week (11-100-1). Edwards handled 68% of the Chargers’ running back touches in Week 16 and should do so for at least one more game until J.K. Dobbins returns. Ride the Gus Bus if you’re in need.
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Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos at Bengals
It’s been a couple of down games for Sutton as he’s gone only 8-82-1 on 15 targets over his last two games, which is good for just WR36 over that span, but he’ll have a nice chance to bounce back in Week 17 against the Bengals. To this point, the Bengals have the seventh worst pass defense in the NFL. They were stout last week, but they weren’t provided much resistance by third-string quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. This Week 17 game between the Bengals and Broncos currently has an Over/Under of 50 points, which is the second highest of the week. Sutton is also 72 yards away from his second 1,000 yard season, so he is motivated to get back on track.
Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers vs. Panthers
White was in this column last week and turned in a solid RB29 outing after turning 10 touches into 60 yards. It should be noted that the bulk of his fantasy production came from catching 7-of-8 targets for 50 yards. White is still technically the “starter” while consistently playing 50% of the snaps (this has been the case in the last two games) and now gets the Panthers’ defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to running backs. Carolina is fresh off letting James Conner roll them for 166 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. They’ve let up the most rushing yards to running backs (2,116) this season by far, with the next team being 358 yards behind. Both White and Bucky Irving will eat well in Week 17.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Falcons at Commanders
After a Week 16 game against the Raiders where he was nonexistent (1 target), Mooney was able to get back on track against the Giants last week to the tune of 6-82-0 on seven targets. With both he and Drake London within 45 yards or less of 1,000 yards, the Falcons will need everything out of their two top receivers against the Commanders. This is a big game for both teams with plenty of playoff implications on the line and the high Over/Under of 47.5 lets you know it could be a good one. The Commanders are a middle-of-the-pack defense when it comes to allowing fantasy points to receivers, but they can be had. Mooney is a nice FLEX for your fantasy finals.
