Week 17 Gold: Fantasy or Fools?

A player on your radar had a big game. Do you pick him up? This is where we decide whether their forecast is Fantasy or Fools Gold.

Shane Zylstra TE Detroit Lions

6 targets, 5 rec, 26 yards, 3 rec TDs

It makes sense that the only hat trick at the tight end position went to someone who is barely rostered on fantasy teams. Zylstra took over as TE1 for the Lions when they traded T.J. Hockenson to their rivals, the Vikings at the trade deadline. The reason Zylstra was not rostered in 99% of leagues is that he had failed to garner more than 2 targets in previous games. This game is an aberration, and Zylstra can be left on waivers. This is clearly fools gold.

Isaiah Hodgins/Richie James WR New York Giants

Hodgins: 11 targets, 8 rec, 89 rec yards, 1 rec TD
James: 12 targets, 8 rec, 90 rec yards

Giant wide receivers are having a tough time staying healthy this year and it shows in their numbers. The reality is this is not a particularly good offense without a true number 1 wide receiver. This is a weird WR1 by committee approach with Hodgins, James and WR Darius Slayton trading opportunities. Stay away from this scenario, in fact, do not roster anyone without the last name Barkley on this offense. The Giant WRs are fools gold.

Tyler Allgeier RB Atlanta Falcons

18 carries, 74 yards, 5 targets, 4 recs, 43 rec yards

The Falcons have had one of the strongest run games this season. Allgeier has been a part of that success from the beginning, but he has taken control of the situation the last few weeks. With the injury to Caleb Huntley and the Falcons desire to limit RB Cordarrelle Patterson so he is fresh throughout the game, Allgeier has taken off. Allgeier should continue to see RB1 touches in the last 2 games as the Falcons are trying to see what they have in the rookie from BYU. Allgeier should be fantasy gold the last 2 games of the season.

Jahan Dotson WR Washington Commanders

9 targets, 6 rec, 76 yards, 1 TD

Dotson has scored a touchdown the last 3 weeks (interrupted by a bye) and continues to see an increase in targets as the weeks go by. This week he led all Commanders pass catchers with 9 targets. While the Commanders week 17 game against Cleveland is not an attractive matchup, the week 18 game against the Cowboys sets up as a shoot out. Dotson is fantasy gold and I am a little jealous that he was grabbed off the wire before I could scoop him up!