Saints Fantasy Football: Start 'em or Sit 'em in Week 17

Saints Fantasy Football's Start 'em or Sit' em for Week 17's fantasy advice regarding members of the Black and Gold.

Saints Fantasy Football: Start 'em or Sit' em returns for the 2021 Season as I provide you with weekly advice regarding members of the Black and Gold.

Follow along throughout the year to dominate your fantasy leagues and earn bragging rights at home, in the office, or amongst your friends!

Start 'em: Saints DEF/ST (Ranked 10th Among DEF/ST in 2021-22 Fantasy Football)

Dec 27, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Bradley Roby (21) celebrates with defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (22) during the first half against Miami Dolphins at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints defense has been one of the best in the entire league this season and the main reason the Black and Gold remain in the playoff hunt.

Last week, without Demario Davis, Kwon Alexander, and Malcolm Jenkins, the New Orleans defense surrendered just 13 points to the Dolphins (Miami's Defense scored on a pick-six) and looked like they were on a mission.

It is unknown who will start at quarterback for the Panthers, but Sam Darnold and Cam Newton are expected to see the field. Unfortunately, Carolina is without running back Christian McCaffrey and two starting offensive linemen against New Orleans' defense. A group whose pass rush and linebacking corps have found their stride in recent weeks.

New Orleans' defense holds the second-best matchup of the week according to the 2021-22 fantasy football season statistics. 

Defenses, on average, are scoring 9.5 points per week against the Panthers, including 13 or more in three of the last four weeks. This week, I would start the Saints defense in a must-win game for New Orleans and your fantasy team.

Sit 'em: WR Marquez Callaway (Ranked 45th Among WR in 2021-22 Fantasy Football)

Dec 27, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) breaks the tackle of Miami Dolphins free safety Nik Needham (40) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Marquez Callaway was supposed to be the fantasy darling of 2021 after scoring higher than any offensive player by PFF in the preseason. However, it was a short-lived dream. 

Between Michael Thomas's ankle injury and four different starting quarterbacks, Callaway never blossomed into what many hoped for this season but has still shown signs of becoming a good NFL wideout. 

In five different Weeks this season, Callaway has managed to find himself in double-digit scoring in PPR leagues. Including a career-best 24.5 point outing against Washington in Week 5. 

The chemistry between the former UT star and Jameis Winston was building before Winston's season-ending ACL injury. Still, much like the Saints' season, consistency has not favored Callaway.

Callaway is not someone I would trust in a fantasy football final this week despite a strong effort the last two weeks. And frankly, there is not a Saints receiver that I would recommend after an up and down season for the group as a whole. 

Try to find another route for your FLEX this week and look toward Callaway as a late-round option in next year's fantasy drafts.

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Saints Coverage in Week 17

• Mark Ingram to Miss Panthers Game
• Saints Pregame Report, How to Watch Panthers Game | Week 17
• Saints are in 'Unfamiliar Territory'
• Saints Fantasy Football Week 17
• Saints Saturday Roster Moves in Week 17
• Terron Armstead to Have Surgery this Offseason
• NFL Top 5 Power Rankings | Week 17
• Saints Run Defense vs. Panthers Rushing Attack
• Saints Friday Injury Report | Week 17
• Saints Passing Attack vs. Panthers Pass Defense