Fantasy Football: Week 17 FanDuel Plays

Just a few short years ago, I'd be a little depressed right about now. I vividly remember a few years back, a cinderella year that saw yours truly win three fantasy titles, and after the Monday night jubilation wore off, the Tuesday reality set in; fantasy football was OVER.  No more add/drops, no more constant Rotoworld Player News app refreshes, no more heart attack MNF sweats. Instead of weeks/months of gloating and pissing excellence, there was an emptiness. I didn't want fantasy to end.

But now, like Superman swooping in to save a fantasy junkie in distress, FanDuel to the rescue!!! I now play DFS from Week 17 through the Super Bowl, and I LOVE IT. The same angst and anxiety of seasonal leagues is over, and it is a time to focus on football at it's purest sense, not about stats and injury reports. This makes Fanduel leagues, especially tournaments, perfect for this time of year. Tinker away on lineups during the week, keep following all your favorite experts on twitter, but once Sunday comes, kick back and enjoy football.  This is one of the best Week 17s in recent memory, as three playoff spots are unclaimed, and only the Patriots have clinched a No. 1 seed. This is great for two reasons; obviously a great day of football on TV awaits, but also many strategies to use in Fanduel tourneys!! Below is a lineup I'm using in the $2.5M NFL Sunday Million tournament, with a brief rationale for each player choice. Enjoy, and please feel free to agree with my picks, or bash them incessantly in the comments section below. Also give me a follow on twitter @mcgallop10

Robert Griffin III, QB, WSH ($6600)

RG3 looked reasonably effective last week, and is insanely cheap as the 28th priced QB. The Cowboys don't have much to play for, and I think the Skins play hard in an attempt to keep their fans loyal and possibly woo their next head coach.

Jeremy Hill, RB, CIN ($7300)

Hue Jackson has finally handed the reins of his power run-based offense to the rookie from LSU, and boy is it paying dividends. At a jacked up 6' 238 lbs, Hill is remarkably quick and agile for his size. The Steelers run defense is a shell of it's former self, and even with Gio siphening some touches, I see Hill getting at least 20 touches and is a shoe-in RB1 this week.

Matt Asiata, RB, MIN ($6400)

Man, that was painful to write. This is all about matchup and value.  Asiata is a synonym for plodder in the dictionary, but Zimmer loves him, and against the Bears "defense," his TD potential alone gives him a nice floor at a value price.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, NYG ($9200)

You have to play him. Pay up. Don't fight it. The only thing to argue is the OBJ vs ODB nickname.  And for someone from Long Island who went to high school in the 90's, Wu Tang FOREVER. Shimmy shimmy YAAAA.

Torrey Smith, WR, BAL ($6700)

Torrey has really come on of late, and the Ravens have their backs against the wall as a long shot AFC wild card contender. Steve Smith Sr. has understandably slowed down (his early season explosion as a 5-foot-9 35-year-old was truly remarkable), and Torrey has regained his status as Flacco's WR1. The Browns seem to be falling apart, and I think Torrey has a big hand in the Ravens getting the W.

Antonio Brown, WR, PIT ($8900)

After finalizing this lineup this morning, one of my favorite fantasy experts @RumfordJohnny tweeted *shoehorns Ant Brown with OBJ in all DFS LUs*. I love receiving validation for a strategy by a trusted advisor.

Coby Fleener, TE, IND ($5300)

The Colts are one of few teams who can't improve their playoff seeding on Sunday, BUT I don't think Pagano will allow the Colts to coast into the playoffs after last weeks embarrassment against the Pokes. The Titans have already mailed it in, and with Dwayne Allen out and Hilton questionable, I see at least 5-8 targets for Luck's old roommate.

Caleb Sturgis, K, MIA ($4800)

Rumors of Rex cleaning out his desk, a home game in good weather for the 'Phins, and the worst secondary in the league? I like Miami to beat up of the Jets, and Sturgis gets plenty of scoring opportunities.

Minnesota Vikings DST ($4800)

Definition of "insult to injury"? Highest paid QB in league for 2014 gets benched for JIMMY CLAUSEN in week 16, then is forced to start in the cold in Minnesota for a meaningless @eek 17 game, and gets an ascending opponent who will look to put an exclamation point in front of their home crowd. Yes please.