In response to your question "Carrying forward the strong suggestion of meeting with a tax professional, does my idea of just filing a 2016 return with the NOL carryback on Schedule 1 Other Income with a statement seem wrong?"
Since you appear to have several late filed returns, I recommend you discuss the mechanics of how best to file everything with a tax professional.
*A reminder that posts in a forum such as this do not constitute tax advice.
Also keep in mind the date of replies, as tax law changes.
