- IDP Fantasy Start/Sit Advice | Week 17 of THE BLINDSIDE
- Positional Matchups | Week 17 CheatChart | Find the Best Fantasy Performers
- Week 17 Start/Sit | The Best Player Targets for Championship Week
- Week 17 Sunday Preview for Start/Sit | THE FULL SLATE
Welcome back, IDP Nerds! It’s officially championship week. If you’ve made it this far, I want to congratulate you. Finding a way to make it to your league championship is no easy task, and you deserve credit for the work you have put in this season to put yourself in this position. We won’t go too in-depth and will avoid streaming options this week with the IDP dynasty championship on the line. Let’s look at who we should be in or out of your lineups for Week 17 IDP.
Win Your Championship | Start/Sit and Rankings | IDP | CheatChart | Full Slate
START | WEEK 17 IDP Start/Sit
DL | START | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
Carl Granderson | DL | New Orleans Saints
There won’t be too many people excited to watch the New Orleans Saints vs the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17 unless you’re an IDP manager playing for your league championship! We turn to New Orleans Saints EDGE rusher Carl Granderson with our season on the line. This season, Carl Granderson is the DL34 in fantasy points per game (FPPG). His sack production has regressed this season as the New Orleans defense has struggled. He will need 3 sacks over the last 2 games to match the previous year’s sack total.
Carl Granderson has an excellent matchup on paper with the Las Vegas Raiders offensive line. The Raiders have surrendered 3.3 sacks per game this season, tied for 3rd most in the NFL (TeamRankings). While Granderson’s sack production has been down, he has been a consistent tackler, averaging 3.5 tackles per game. I’m confident IDP managers can turn to him in a big moment to contribute to your team’s win this week.
LB | START | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
Christian Rozeboom | LB | Los Angeles Rams
Didn’t you think we would stay on brand with your league championship in reach? That’s right, we turn to one of the waiver wire darlings of the IDP Nerds, Christian Rozeboom. We recommended the addition of the Rams linebacker ahead of Week 4, and he’s been a key contributor for IDP managers all season long. The small-school product has had a great season and ranks 11th in the NFL in tackles.
Christian Rozeboom has a real case for being one of the top additions in IDP fantasy football, mainly because of his consistent production and his position. Rozeboom has recorded at least 8 tackles in 11 games this season, including 6 of those he recorded double-digit tackles. He gets a great matchup in Week 17 with the Arizona Cardinals, who allow 18.1 tackles per game, the 4th most of any team this season. The Cardinals are 1 of 5 teams to allow 270 tackles or more to linebackers. IDP managers found that picking up a player in the first 4 games of the season can help them secure a dynasty championship by the season’s end.
DB | START | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
Grant Delpit | DB | Cleveland Browns
Grant Delpit is on the verge of recording his 2nd 100-tackle season in the past 3 seasons. The former LSU Tiger has been a consistent tackler over his career; nearly all of his fantasy production comes from his ability to bring down opposing ball carriers. He has just 1 impact play this season, yet still ranks as the DB24 in FPPG. That’s a testament to how good of a volume tackler he has been in IDP leagues.
Grant Delpit is your top start at defensive back this week. The Miami Dolphins allow the 2nd-most tackles per game to safeties this season at 15.6 per game. Delpit has recorded at least 5 tackles in 13-straight games, and that streak should continue this week. Grant Delpit is 1 of 15 defensive backs averaging 15 FPPG this season, and his consistent play will give IDP managers what they need from the DB position in Week 17.
DT | START | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
Zach Sieler | DT | Miami Dolphins
Zach Sieler has been on a heater at the defensive tackle position. The interior defender for the Miami Dolphins has recorded double-digit fantasy points in 3 consecutive games and 6 of his past 7 games overall. Sieler has 6.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble over that stretch and has been one of the most productive defensive linemen in fantasy football.
Since Week 10, Zach Sieler has been the DL8 in FPPG. The Cleveland Browns allow the most sacks in the NFL (4.2) this season. We love Zach Sieler in an excellent matchup in Week 17 IDP.
CB | START | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
Mike Sainristil | CB | Washington Commanders
It wouldn’t be The Blindside without some rookie IDP love. Mike Sainristil comes in as the cornerback start of the week. The former Michigan Wolverine has been as good as advertised this season, and he’s the CB14 in FPPG. The Commanders’ young CB has had 5 tackles or more in 6 consecutive games.
Mike Sainristil has finished with double-digit fantasy points in 80% of his starts this season (Sleeper). The Atlanta Falcons allow the most tackles per game (15.2) to cornerbacks this season. IDP managers can start the rookie CB with supreme confidence this week.
SIT | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
DL | SIT | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
Will McDonald | DL | New York Jets
I enjoy few things less than finding sit options, especially when your season is on the line. In situations like this, we turn to the data to help us as it has all year. One player we have been critical of this year is the 2nd-year EDGE rusher, Will McDonald. The Iowa State product has had a breakout season with 10 sacks and is the lone bright spot for the New York pass rushers this season.
Will McDonald faces a tough matchup this week against the Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo offense has allowed the fewest sacks (0.9) this season. McDonald recorded a sack against Buffalo in their Week 6 matchup, but I don’t anticipate that happening again. Will McDonald has been a sack-dependent IDP this season, and in a matchup of this magnitude, I tend to play the percentages. I don’t have confidence that the New York Jets’ best pass rusher offers enough to have him in your lineup this week if you have better options.
LB | SIT | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
Germaine Pratt | LB | Cincinnati Bengals
Germaine Pratt stepped up as the leader of the Bengals defense after Logan Wilson was sent to the injured reserve. Pratt has been consistent this season with double-digit fantasy performances in 93.3% of his starts. The former North Carolina State linebacker relies on tackling for most of his production.
Germaine Pratt has produced 10 fantasy points or more in his last 6 games. As consistent as he’s been this season, his counterpart Akeem Davis-Gaither has been more impactful for IDP managers. It’s Week 17 IDP, and you must have a big performance to be crowned league champion. The Denver Broncos have been a difficult matchup for opposing linebackers this season, allowing the 4th-fewest tackles per game. IDP managers will need to temper expectations in this game. Both Bengals LBs have value this week but do not have matchup-swinging potential if you need that in your lineup.
DB | SIT | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
Nick Cross | DB | Indianapolis Colts
This one hurts for IDP managers. Nick Cross has been a stud this season. The Indianapolis Colts safety is 1 of only 3 defensive backs, with an average of 20 FPPG this season. He’s delivered consistently and has recorded 10 tackles or more in 6 of 15 games this season. Cross is the DB3 in FPPG this season and has had a career season.
I hate the recommendation to sit a guy who has been a key piece for your team all season. The playoff matchups for Nick Cross and the Colts DBs have been unfavorable. This week, the Colts will head to New York to take on the Giants, who have allowed the 6th-fewest tackles per game (11.6) to safeties. I don’t blame any IDP managers who still have Nick Cross as a starter, but if you have depth at DB, there’s potential for a better matchup out there that you can take advantage of.
Six Pack of Facts | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
- Kevin Byard has recorded his 3rd-consecutive 100-tackle season with his 3rd different team (Titans, Eagles, Bears).
- Nik Bonitto and Andrew Van Ginkel are the only two NFL players with double-digit sacks and multiple defensive touchdowns.
- Marist Liufau is a name to look out for next season. The rookie LB has started the previous two games and recorded 12 tackles and 2 forced fumbles.
- Andrew Van Ginkel (DL), Zack Baun (LB), and Budda Baker (DB) all lead their respective positions in FPPG this season.
- Trey Hendrickson has recorded 31.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles over the past 32 games. He’s recorded 200 fantasy points in back-to-back seasons for the first time.
- The IDP rookie report: Edgerrin Cooper leads all rookies in fantasy points, Tyler Nubin leads all rookies in tackles, and Braden Fiske and Chop Robinson are tied for the lead in sacks.
Roster Management | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
Not many roster management tips can be valuable to you in the last week of the season. At this point, we should note what we learned from the season. Some of the best data you can have is on your fellow league mates. Identifying their tendencies can benefit you and help you evolve your game as a dynasty fantasy football player. I do not like to let any dynasty season pass where I don’t feel like I learned something. The best players do not allow a season to be a failure but a lesson learned.
This game is about growth; we are trying to grow as managers and grow our team into an unstoppable force to be considered a dynasty powerhouse. I realize some managers need a break from the grind to recover, but I’ve learned this from my past experiences: Starting to take notes on your season while it’s still fresh in your mind is the best thing you can do. If you make it a habit to do this in your leagues, you will be a much better player as the years go by. I promise you this is one of the best things you can do to help evolve yourself as a dynasty manager.
Final Thoughts | Week 17 IDP Start/Sit
Alright, IDP Nerds, I wish you all the best of luck this week. Thank you for your support all season. We have been able to connect and have one of the best years helping grow the IDP brand at Dynasty Nerds. I received multiple emails, texts, and direct messages last week thanking me for the help this season. Seeing everyone competing in their leagues and winning an IDP fantasy football championship means the most to me. As always, please contact me on Twitter (X) @Glosser13. I look forward to being available for any IDP advice you may need. Let’s finish the job and bring home those trophies and bragging rights!
Win Your Championship | Start/Sit and Rankings | IDP | CheatChart | Full Slate
Don’t miss our IDP Mock Draft! If you haven’t seen the top 12 names in the upcoming 2025 Rookie Class, look no further than our expert mock draft featuring writers from several well-known sites:
