Running Backs
Top Handcuffs
Malcolm Brown, STL- The Rams are unlikely to play their starters in Week 17 with their playoff seeding having them locked into the No.3 or No.4 seed in the NFC playoff picture. If the starters do sit then fantasy owners should expect running back Malcolm Brown to lead the backfield against a woeful 49ers defense. Brown this season has totaled 192 yards on 49 carries with one touchdown while adding five catches for 46 yards behind Todd Gurley.
Corey Clement, PHI- The Eagles clinched the No.1 seed in the NFC with their win in Week 16 and thus are likely to sit all their starters. That should move Corey Clement into the starting lineup. Clement has been part of a committiee at the running back position for most of this season but he will now get a shot to shoulder the workload against the Cowboys to finish out the season.
Chris Ivory, JAX- The Jaguars are locked into the No.3 seed in the AFC so it would make little sense to play Leonard Fournette who contineus to deal with minor nagging injuries. Assuming that Fournette sits fantasy owners should look towards Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon as fantasy options to finish out the 2017 regular season.
Wide Receivers
Top Handcuffs
Adam Humphries, TB- Humphries caught three passes for 51 yards against the Panthers in Week 16 and that comes on his Week 15 performance which saw him catch five passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. Humphries has been a decent option for a bad Buccaneers passing attack this season and if DeSean Jackson likely sidelined for the season finale Humphries could see a similar workload against the Saints.
Tyrell Williams, LAC- The Chargers are vying for a playoff spot and I figure Philip Rivers is going to throw the football as much as he can in order to get the Chargers to the dance. Williams has been a solid big play threat for the Chargers this season, catchnig 40 passes for 661 yards and three touchdowns. In Week 17 the Chargers face a horrid Raiders pass defense which should lead to some downfield shots for Williams and his fantasy owners.
Malcolm Mitchell, NE- This one is a pure high risk dart but the Patriots had Malcolm Mitchell back on the practice field Wednesday with the potential that he is activated for Sunday's Weel 17 contest against the Jets. Mitchell has been on IR all season due to injury but New England is desperate for receivers and Mitchell can certainly provide a boost to the Patriots passing attack. Wait to receive word on whether or not he is active before even considering the idea of playing him.
Tight Ends
Top Handcuffs
Antonio Gates, LAC- Not quite the handcuff but Gates stepped into the starting role left by the injured Hunter Henry in Week 16 and it was like we were in a time machine as Gates caught six passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers offense could be without Melvin Gordon in what is a must win game agaisnt the Raiders in Week 17 if the team hopes to get to the playoffs. The Raiders have struggled in past seasons to cover opposing tight ends and if Gates is healthy and ready to produce at a high level because of how sparingly he was used during the prior 15 weeks than you need to lock him into your lineups.