Fantasy Football start or sit Week 17: Tyjae Spears, Calvin Ridley, Chig Okonkwo

The Tennessee Titans will meet the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in Week 17. If the Titans are going to break their four-game losing streak, they need a lot out of wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Tyjae Spears and tight end Chig Okonkwo.

Ridley had one of his better games of the season in Week 16, finishing with three receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. This will be his second meeting versus his former mates.

Spears was called into a bigger role last week with fellow back Tony Pollard not fully healthy. Spears turned that role into 13 touches for 66 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. This week, Spears is expected to see even more work.

Last but not least, Okonkwo had his best game of the season last week, tallying team-highs in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (81).

With each coming off strong performances, should Okonkwo, Spears and/or Ridley be in fantasy football lineups this week? Let’s discuss.

Fantasy Football start or sit Week 17: Tyjae Spears

With fellow running back Tony Pollard ruled out due to an ankle injury and illness, Spears will be the lead back in Tennessee and should see a significant amount of work.

Making Spears a more attractive option is the fact that he draws a juicy matchup against a Jaguars team that sports the No. 21 run defense in the NFL and is ceding the second-most fantasy points per game to the position. Consider Spears a high-end flex option with upside.

Verdict: Start Tyjae Spears

Fantasy Football start or sit Week 17: Calvin Ridley

Ridley’s production has been disappointing this season, but he is nearing 1,000 yards (he needs 143 more) and is coming one of his better showings of 2024.

Jacksonville has been very giving to wide receivers, with the defense ceding the third-most fantasy points per game to the position. The Jaguars also own the league’s worst pass defense.

Ridley finished his first revenge game against the Jags with seven catches for 59 scoreless yards. We expect bigger numbers and a touchdown this week.

Verdict: Start Calvin Ridley

Fantasy Football start or sit Week 17: Chig Okonkwo

Okonkwo actually has a chance to break his career-high in receiving yards if he can tally 92 over his last two games. And, he’s coming off his best game of the season last week.

However, a lot of Okonkwo’s production has come in garbage time when the Titans are getting blown out, so keep that in mind. That isn’t likely to be the scenario this week.

But you can’t exactly be picky when it comes to tight ends, and Okonkwo does draw a matchup against the league’s worst pass defense that is also ceding the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

We’ll call Chig a boom-or-bust TE2 play for Week 17.

Verdict: Start Chig Okonkwo