Dallas Cowboys star WR CeeDee Lamb has already set career highs with 109 receptions and 1,424 receiving yards this season, making him one of the best fantasy football WRs in the league.
Has Lamb done enough to be considered a must-start option heading into their matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 17?
Should You Start CeeDee Lamb in Week 17?
If you were to tell me after Week 5 that Lamb would end up sitting as the WR2 overall in PPR formats through the first 16 weeks of the season, I would’ve had a very hard time believing you.
Lamb got off to a horrible start this year. Through the first five games of the 2023 campaign, Lamb was the WR16 in PPR formats with just 27 receptions for 358 yards and one score.
However, from Weeks 6 to 16, Lamb is the WR1 in all of fantasy football with 1,066 yards and eight TDs through the air. This stretch included a three-game streak of 11+ receptions for 150+ receiving yards, which is a ludicrous production.
Lamb’s numbers have cooled off after that stretch of historic stats, but he still managed to go for six receptions, 118 yards, and a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins last week.
The Lions’ defense isn’t exactly one to be feared, but rookie Brian Branch is certainly an emerging star who does operate out of the nickel spot in the defense. While Branch could certainly win some individual reps, I see Lamb having a big day against this secondary, making him a top-five play at the position in Week 17.
Trending Start/Sit Searches For Lamb
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Should You Start Lamb or Amon-Ra St. Brown?
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the few players who offers a fantasy floor very similar to Lamb this season. Frankly, these two players win in many of the same ways. Both are versatile players who operate a lot of the slot, and both rank inside the top five at the position with regards to yards after the catch (YAC).
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Ultimately, I believe the Dallas defense can offer more resistance to St. Brown than the Lions can against Lamb. In addition, Lamb has less top-end competition for targets, which has me giving Lamb a slight edge in Week 17.
Should You Start Lamb or Brandon Aiyuk?
The matchup for San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk against the woeful Washington Commanders secondary is certainly an intriguing one, even when pitted against a fantasy stud like Lamb.
The Commander’s defense ranks towards the very bottom in every major passing category, which means Aiyuk could feast in this contest.
However, I also could see the Commanders getting blown off the field against the 49ers, which means if Aiyuk doesn’t produce in the first half, then game script could become an issue.
Lamb is unlikely to have that game script problem against a quality Lions team, and he doesn’t have to compete with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, or Deebo Samuel for targets. I’m rolling with Lamb in Week 17.
Derek Tate’s Week 17 WR Rankings
1) CeeDee Lamb | DAL (vs. DET)
2) Justin Jefferson | MIN (vs. GB)
3) A.J. Brown | PHI (vs. ARI)
4) Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET (at DAL)
5) Tyreek Hill | MIA (at BAL)
6) Mike Evans | TB (vs. NO)
7) DJ Moore | CHI (vs. ATL)
8) Deebo Samuel | SF (at WAS)
9) Brandon Aiyuk | SF (at WAS)
10) Chris Olave | NO (at TB)
11) Puka Nacua | LAR (at NYG)
12) DK Metcalf | SEA (vs. PIT)
13) Cooper Kupp | LAR (at NYG)
14) Rashee Rice | KC (vs. CIN)
15) Michael Pittman Jr. | IND (vs. LV)
16) DeVonta Smith | PHI (vs. ARI)
17) Jaylen Waddle | MIA (at BAL)
18) Amari Cooper | CLE (vs. NYJ)
19) Davante Adams | LV (at IND)
20) Calvin Ridley | JAX (vs. CAR)
21) Stefon Diggs | BUF (vs. NE)
22) Nico Collins | HOU (vs. TEN)
23) Tee Higgins | CIN (at KC)
24) Jayden Reed | GB (at MIN)
25) Garrett Wilson | NYJ (at CLE)
26) DeAndre Hopkins | TEN (at HOU)
27) Terry McLaurin | WAS (vs. SF)
28) Chris Godwin | TB (vs. NO)
29) Courtland Sutton | DEN (vs. LAC)
30) George Pickens | PIT (at SEA)
31) Tyler Lockett | SEA (vs. PIT)
32) Zay Flowers | BAL (vs. MIA)
33) Diontae Johnson | PIT (at SEA)
34) Drake London | ATL (at CHI)
35) Josh Downs | IND (vs. LV)
36) Jakobi Meyers | LV (at IND)
37) Brandin Cooks | DAL (vs. DET)
38) Demarcus Robinson | LAR (at NYG)
39) Gabe Davis | BUF (vs. NE)
40) Zay Jones | JAX (vs. CAR)
41) Jordan Addison | MIN (vs. GB)
42) Adam Thielen | CAR (at JAX)
43) Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA (vs. PIT)
44) Odell Beckham Jr. | BAL (vs. MIA)
45) Michael Wilson | ARI (at PHI)
46) Joshua Palmer | LAC (at DEN)
47) Rashid Shaheed | NO (at TB)
48) Noah Brown | HOU (vs. TEN)
49) Demario Douglas | NE (at BUF)
50) Dontayvion Wicks | GB (at MIN)
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