This article is part of our Weekly Rankings series.
Update complete
Saturday games - IND@HOU, SEA@DAL; Sunday games - LAC@BAL, PHI@CHI
Here are my rankings (if you want a second opinion, please see our formula-based projections - these are not tied into my rankings at all) for the coming week at each position to help you decide your starting lineup. Our rankings are based on the following scoring system: four points for a passing touchdown; six points for a rushing/receiving touchdown; one point for every 20 passing yards; and one point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards. Most importantly, the default rankings are now for PPR leagues.
**** PLEASE READ: Times change, and with them, so do I, even if I go kicking and screaming into the good night. The vast majority of the fantasy football universe plays with some form of PPR -whether it's a full point or 1/2 point. ESPN's default is full-point PPR, Yahoo's is .5 PPR. The DFS games for the vast majority are either half or full point PPR. I'm sympathetic to those of you who would prefer standard rankings, so please, feel free to ask your questions in the comments regarding how a player might change in a standard scoring league. ****
***PLEASE READ, PART II - The masses (ok, the not-so-silent minority) have spoken, and you really want more representation for standard leagues too, so the Flex Rankings are now Standard scoring.***
***These are not draft rankings. They are solely for this week.***
I will update these once this week, usually
Update complete
Saturday games - IND@HOU, SEA@DAL; Sunday games - LAC@BAL, PHI@CHI
Here are my rankings (if you want a second opinion, please see our formula-based projections - these are not tied into my rankings at all) for the coming week at each position to help you decide your starting lineup. Our rankings are based on the following scoring system: four points for a passing touchdown; six points for a rushing/receiving touchdown; one point for every 20 passing yards; and one point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards. Most importantly, the default rankings are now for PPR leagues.
**** PLEASE READ: Times change, and with them, so do I, even if I go kicking and screaming into the good night. The vast majority of the fantasy football universe plays with some form of PPR -whether it's a full point or 1/2 point. ESPN's default is full-point PPR, Yahoo's is .5 PPR. The DFS games for the vast majority are either half or full point PPR. I'm sympathetic to those of you who would prefer standard rankings, so please, feel free to ask your questions in the comments regarding how a player might change in a standard scoring league. ****
***PLEASE READ, PART II - The masses (ok, the not-so-silent minority) have spoken, and you really want more representation for standard leagues too, so the Flex Rankings are now Standard scoring.***
***These are not draft rankings. They are solely for this week.***
I will update these once this week, usually twice per week to account for injury or other news during practice. I will post a "last updated" note at the top of the article, or an "update in progress" note if it's while I'm doing it. If there is no such note, that means it's my first pass at the rankings for this current week.
By all means, if you want to discuss a rank, or want me to add a player, chime in on the comments. I try to be receptive to your feedback and try to respond to most comments, though on occasion the volume can be quite thick. This first week in particular, but in other weeks as well, I will change ranks according to injuries and sometimes even a change of heart. Please refer to the rankings first when asking "should I start Player A vs. Player B?". And then refer to the rankings again before asking a generic starting decision question. If you really desire a response to a starting question that doesn't have added complexity, please use our Ask An Expert service - it comes with your subscription. Otherwise, my response will correspond with the rankings. If I rank one player before another, that's how I plan on making my starting decisions.
Quarterback
| 1. | Deshaun Watson HOU vs. Ind |
| 2. | Andrew Luck IND at Hou |
| 3. | Dak Prescott DAL vs. Sea |
| 4. | Lamar Jackson BAL vs. LAC |
| 5. | Mitchell Trubisky CHI vs. Phi |
| 6. | Russell Wilson SEA at Dal Note: The Seahawks should reconsider their typical run-first game plan against the Cowboys, who are allowing just 3.8 yards per attempt. I'm skeptical that they'll do so, however. |
| 7. | *Nick Foles PHI at Chi Note: (Ribs) Named the starter for Sunday's game. Carson Wentz won't be available for the playoffs, so Nate Sudfeld will be the backup. |
| 8. | Philip Rivers LAC at Bal |
Running Backs
| 1. | *Ezekiel Elliott DAL vs. Sea Note: Not listed on this week's injury report. OL Tyron Smith and Zack Martin cleared to go - Martin sat out Week 17. |
| 2. | Lamar Miller HOU vs. Ind |
| 3. | *Melvin Gordon LAC at Bal Note: 'Tweaked' an ankle in the Week 17 win over Denver, but is expected to be fine for Sunday. Full practice Wednesday. |
| 4. | Chris Carson SEA at Dal |
| 5. | Marlon Mack IND at Hou |
| 6. | Jordan Howard CHI vs. Phi |
| 7. | Kenneth Dixon BAL vs. LAC |
| 8. | Tarik Cohen CHI vs. Phi |
| 9. | Gus Edwards BAL vs. LAC Note: Split carries evenly with Dixon - both were productive, but Dixon had more yards. |
| 10. | *Wendell Smallwood PHI at Chi Note: Popped up on the injury list Thursday with a hand injury, but subsequently taken off said list. |
| 11. | Nyheim Hines IND at Hou |
| 12. | Alfred Blue HOU vs. Ind |
| 13. | *Josh Adams PHI at Chi Note: Down to only 18 snaps in the win over the Redskins - the Eagles are back to a three-man committee between he, Smallwood and Sproles. |
| 14. | Darren Sproles PHI at Chi |
| 15. | *Mike Davis SEA at Dal Note: Didn't practice Tuesday due to a foot injury, limited on Wednesday. Removed from the injury list after Thursday's practice. |
| 16. | *Rashaad Penny SEA at Dal Note: Had four carries in the win over Arizona, could have a bigger role this week if Mike Davis can't go. |
| 17. | *Austin Ekeler LAC at Bal Note: (Groin) Limited at Wednesday's practice. Limited all week, listed as questionable. |
| 18. | Rod Smith DAL vs. Sea |
| 19. | Justin Jackson LAC at Bal |
| 20. | Ty Montgomery BAL vs. LAC |
| 21. | *Jordan Wilkins IND at Hou Note: (Knee/ankle) Limited participant in Tuesday's practice, full practice Wednesday. |
| 22. | *D'Onta Foreman HOU vs. Ind Note: Inactive for Week 17 with Lamar Miller back. |
Wide Receivers
| 1. | *DeAndre Hopkins HOU vs. Ind Note: (Ankle) Limited practice Tuesday. |
| 2. | *T.Y. Hilton IND at Hou Note: (Ankle) Didn't practice Wednesday - much as he didn't practice the last three weeks. Officially listed as questionable but will play, despite not practicing this week. |
| 3. | Amari Cooper DAL vs. Sea |
| 4. | Keenan Allen LAC at Bal |
| 5. | *Doug Baldwin SEA at Dal Note: (Knee) Non-participant in Tuesday's practice, limited practice Wednesday. Removed from the injury report. |
| 6. | Tyler Lockett SEA at Dal |
| 7. | Alshon Jeffery PHI at Chi |
| 8. | *Allen Robinson CHI vs. Phi Note: (Ribs) Sat out Week 17, but had a full practice Wednesday. |
| 9. | Mike Williams LAC at Bal |
| 10. | Golden Tate PHI at Chi |
| 11. | Michael Crabtree BAL vs. LAC |
| 12. | *Keke Coutee HOU vs. Ind Note: (Hamstring) Rare full practice Tuesday. Finally active. |
| 13. | Cole Beasley DAL vs. Sea |
| 14. | *Taylor Gabriel CHI vs. Phi Note: (Ribs) Full practice Wednesday. |
| 15. | Nelson Agholor PHI at Chi |
| 16. | *Dontrelle Inman IND at Hou Note: (Shoulder/Finger) Limited practice Wednesday. Listed as questionable but will play. |
| 17. | John Brown BAL vs. LAC |
| 18. | Chester Rogers IND at Hou |
| 19. | DeAndre Carter HOU vs. Ind |
| 20. | Willie Snead BAL vs. LAC |
| 21. | *Anthony Miller CHI vs. Phi Note: (Shoulder) Full practice Wednesday after leaving the Week 17 win over the Vikings. |
| 22. | Michael Gallup DAL vs. Sea |
| 23. | *Zach Pascal IND at Hou Note: (Knee) Limited practice Wednesday. Full practice Thursday, active for Saturday's game. |
| 24. | Jordan Matthews PHI at Chi |
| 25. | David Moore SEA at Dal Note: On a cold streak, with only four catches for 32 yards since Week 12. |
| 26. | Vyncint Smith HOU vs. Ind |
| 27. | Travis Benjamin LAC at Bal |
| 28. | Tyrell Williams LAC at Bal |
| 29. | *Chris Moore BAL vs. LAC Note: (Shoulder) Full practice Wednesday. Listed as questionable. |
| 30. | *Tavon Austin DAL vs. Sea Note: (Groin) Limited in Tuesday's practice. |
| 31. | Kevin White CHI vs. Phi |
Tight Ends
| 1. | Zach Ertz PHI at Chi |
| 2. | Trey Burton CHI vs. Phi |
| 3. | Eric Ebron IND at Hou Note: Held out of practice Wednesday for rest, but he's expected to play on Saturday. |
| 4. | Blake Jarwin DAL vs. Sea Note: Turned his big target games in Weeks 14 and 15 into a monster breakout in Week 17. |
| 5. | Mark Andrews BAL vs. LAC |
| 6. | Nick Vannett SEA at Dal |
| 7. | Hayden Hurst BAL vs. LAC |
| 8. | *Antonio Gates LAC at Bal Note: Small bump with Henry still out. |
| 9. | Jordan Akins HOU vs. Ind |
| 10. | Dallas Goedert PHI at Chi |
| 11. | Mo Alie-Cox IND at Hou |
| 12. | Jordan Thomas HOU vs. Ind |
| 13. | Ryan Griffin HOU vs. Ind |
| 14. | Virgil Green LAC at Bal |
| 15. | *Hunter Henry LAC at Bal Note: (Knee) Might be able to play, but if he does he'll be on a 'pitch-count'. Won't be activated from the PUP list for this week. |
Flex (RB/WR/TE)
| 1. | *Ezekiel Elliott DAL vs. Sea Note: Not listed on this week's injury report. OL Tyron Smith and Zack Martin cleared to go - Martin sat out Week 17. |
| 2. | *DeAndre Hopkins HOU vs. Ind Note: (Ankle) Limited practice Tuesday. |
| 3. | *T.Y. Hilton IND at Hou Note: (Ankle) Didn't practice Wednesday - much as he didn't practice the last three weeks. Officially listed as questionable but will play, despite not practicing this week. |
| 4. | Amari Cooper DAL vs. Sea |
| 5. | Zach Ertz PHI at Chi |
| 6. | Lamar Miller HOU vs. Ind |
| 7. | *Melvin Gordon LAC at Bal Note: 'Tweaked' an ankle in the Week 17 win over Denver, but is expected to be fine for Sunday. Full practice Wednesday. |
| 8. | Chris Carson SEA at Dal |
| 9. | Marlon Mack IND at Hou |
| 10. | Keenan Allen LAC at Bal |
| 11. | *Doug Baldwin SEA at Dal Note: (Knee) Non-participant in Tuesday's practice, limited practice Wednesday. Removed from the injury report. |
| 12. | Tyler Lockett SEA at Dal |
| 13. | Jordan Howard CHI vs. Phi |
| 14. | Kenneth Dixon BAL vs. LAC |
| 15. | Trey Burton CHI vs. Phi |
| 16. | Eric Ebron IND at Hou Note: Held out of practice Wednesday for rest, but he's expected to play on Saturday. |
| 17. | Gus Edwards BAL vs. LAC Note: Split carries evenly with Dixon - both were productive, but Dixon had more yards. |
| 18. | Tarik Cohen CHI vs. Phi |
| 19. | Alshon Jeffery PHI at Chi |
| 20. | *Allen Robinson CHI vs. Phi Note: (Ribs) Sat out Week 17, but had a full practice Wednesday. |
| 21. | Mike Williams LAC at Bal |
| 22. | Golden Tate PHI at Chi |
| 23. | Blake Jarwin DAL vs. Sea Note: Turned his big target games in Weeks 14 and 15 into a monster breakout in Week 17. |
| 24. | *Wendell Smallwood PHI at Chi Note: Popped up on the injury list Thursday with a hand injury, but subsequently taken off said list. |
| 25. | Michael Crabtree BAL vs. LAC |
| 26. | Cole Beasley DAL vs. Sea |
| 27. | *Keke Coutee HOU vs. Ind Note: (Hamstring) Rare full practice Tuesday. Finally active. |
| 28. | *Taylor Gabriel CHI vs. Phi Note: (Ribs) Full practice Wednesday. |
| 29. | Nelson Agholor PHI at Chi |
| 30. | Alfred Blue HOU vs. Ind |
| 31. | Nyheim Hines IND at Hou |
| 32. | *Josh Adams PHI at Chi Note: Down to only 18 snaps in the win over the Redskins - the Eagles are back to a three-man committee between he, Smallwood and Sproles. |
| 33. | Darren Sproles PHI at Chi |
| 34. | Mark Andrews BAL vs. LAC |
| 35. | Nick Vannett SEA at Dal |
| 36. | *Dontrelle Inman IND at Hou Note: (Shoulder/Finger) Limited practice Wednesday. Listed as questionable but will play. |
| 37. | *Austin Ekeler LAC at Bal Note: (Groin) Limited at Wednesday's practice. Limited all week, listed as questionable. |
| 38. | John Brown BAL vs. LAC |
| 39. | Chester Rogers IND at Hou |
| 40. | *Mike Davis SEA at Dal Note: Didn't practice Tuesday due to a foot injury, limited on Wednesday. Removed from the injury list after Thursday's practice. |
| 41. | *Rashaad Penny SEA at Dal Note: Had four carries in the win over Arizona, could have a bigger role this week if Mike Davis can't go. |
Kickers
| 1. | *Ka'imi Fairbairn HOU vs. Ind Note: Led all kickers in scoring this year with 150 points. |
| 2. | Justin Tucker BAL vs. LAC |
| 3. | Adam Vinatieri IND at Hou |
| 4. | Brett Maher DAL vs. Sea |
| 5. | Sebastian Janikowski SEA at Dal |
| 6. | Cody Parkey CHI vs. Phi |
| 7. | Jake Elliott PHI at Chi |
| 8. | Michael Badgley LAC at Bal |
Defenses
| 1. | Baltimore Ravens vs. LAC |
| 2. | *Chicago Bears vs. Phi Note: Eddie Jackson (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday and remains in limbo for Sunday. |
| 3. | *Dallas Cowboys vs. Sea Note: Sean Lee (hamstring) will return, but likely in a reserve role. |
| 4. | Houston Texans vs. Ind |
| 5. | *Seattle Seahawks at Dal Note: Bradley McDougald (knee) removed from the injury list. |
| 6. | Los Angeles Chargers at Bal |
| 7. | Indianapolis Colts at Hou |
| 8. | Philadelphia Eagles at Chi |
