NFL Usage Report for Week 17: Who Is Getting the Work in the Fantasy Playoffs?

It’s championship weekend in most fantasy football leagues, which means usage data has never been more important. For those of us fortunate enough to have made it to the ship, congratulations, but the job isn’t done yet. 

Like last week, I’m once again looking at the previous week’s data to see who has the hot hand when the stakes are highest. Volume is king in fantasy football, and with some of the data and analysis outlined below, hopefully you can leave championship weekend as the King (or Queen) of your league as well.

Running Back

Ordered by rush attempts

Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks

So much for easing him back from injury. With the NFL playoffs at stake, Seattle wasted no time getting their best back on the field early and often. Fantasy managers will need to continue monitoring his status, but Kenneth Walker looks to once possess the workhorse usage you love to see from a running back.

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Another stud back who had injury concerns entering the week pops up at No. 2 on our list. Nick Chubb and the Browns offense at large have disappointed since Deshaun Watson’s return, but Chubb’s workload remains fantastic. Unless news pops up indicating otherwise between now and Sunday, you’re still starting Chubb with confidence.

Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

Well well well, Cam Akers is certainly looking like this year’s surprise league winner. It’s been a roller coaster season for Akers and the Rams, but his recent usage suggests he’s absolutely deserving of a spot in your starting lineup on championship weekend.

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

While Derrick Henry’s workload was fantastic last week, it looks as though he’ll miss Thursday’s matchup with the Cowboys since the Titans have nothing to play for until next week. It’s tough to predict who will get Henry’s workload, but if you’re in need of a desperation start at RB this week, Hassan Haskins is the most likely candidate.

Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders

22 carries are hard to improve upon, but with Antonio Gibson looking like he’ll miss Week 17, Brian Robinson may just be able to do it. Robinson’s been steady all season long, and championship weekend looks like it’ll be no different.

Wide Receiver

Ordered by targets

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Not a ton needs to be said here. Once again, Justin Jefferson finds himself as a top target getter at the WR position. He’s a stud and he’s a locked and loaded high-end WR1.

Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

It’s been a disappointing season for Keenan Allen managers so far, but Week 16 reminded us what we love about him from a fantasy perspective. When healthy, Allen is a target monster, and his volume alone should lock him into any starting lineups.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

Just like this time last year, Amon-Ra St. Brown finds himself on an absolute heater to close out the season. At the end of last season, people doubted if St. Brown’s dominance was sustainable, but this year’s proven his success is no fluke.

DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

A backup quarterback didn’t hurt DeVonta Smith’s fantasy production whatsoever in Week 16. Gardner Minshew fed Smith early and often, and Smith should once again be locked into your starting lineup in Week 17 regardless of who his quarterback is.

Richie James, New York Giants

Well this name certainly feels different from the rest. Richie James has been anything but a household name, but 12 targets is a number that simply can’t be overlooked. I wouldn’t bank on that number being sustainable, and starting him on championship weekend would take some serious guts. I’d avoid starting in season-long leagues if possible, but he could make for a sneaky DFS play on the cheap. 

Tight End

Ordered by targets

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

It’s starting to look more and more like T.J. Hockenson can’t be denied. His monstrous target numbers from two weeks carried over once again and it led to a dominant performance that saw Hockenson finish the week as the overall TE1. He’s a stud and needs to be started in all formats.

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

Another Rams player finds his name on this list after a bizarre up and down season. Tyler Higbee has seen high target volume on numerous occasions throughout the season, but it’s been very hard to predict. Higbee makes for a solid streaming option in Week 17, but point chasing is a dangerous game and expectations need to be tempered — especially considering he ran just 22 routes last week.

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers passing game has been a frustrating one to buy into this year, but Pat Freiermuth remains a borderline TE1 as we enter championship weekend. Freiermuth’s routes run numbers surpassed Higbee’s, so when looking at tight ends in this range, I’d lean towards the former even in a tough matchup against the Ravens.

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

Another week without Deebo Samuel has meant another dominant performance for George Kittle. Even with Samuel potentially coming back this week, Kittle’s hot hand and connection with Brock Purdy can’t be overlooked. Don’t overthink this one — keep Kittle in your starting lineups wherever you have him.

Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos

We need to take Greg Dulcich’s numbers with a grain of salt. The Broncos trailed early and by a wide margin against the Rams and were forced to pass more than normal while playing catchup. Even if the Broncos passing volume decreases this week, Dulcich’s target share was an impressive 23%, which should inspire some level of confidence if you don’t have a clear-cut better option available.