4 Potential Fantasy Football League-Winners: Breakout Picks for the Fantasy Playoffs

December 20, 2025

Frank's fantasy football league winners, breakout picks for the fantasy playoffs in Weeks 16, 17. His top fantasy playoffs sleepers that can win leagues in 2025.

Locking in on a league-winner can help you secure a fantasy football championship. For this article, we'll define a league-winner as a player who was widely available coming into the playoffs but became a hot pickup for Weeks 16 and 17.

In this article,  I'll spotlight four potential league-winners for Weeks 16 and 17. Each of these players can put you in a strong position to secure a ring.

So, without further ado, find out why Michael Carter, Jayden Reed, D.J. Moore, and Darren Waller could be league-winners for the fantasy football semifinals and championship.

Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 16: vs Falcons (23.1 PPG, 19th)
• Week 17: at Bengals (30.6 PPG, 32nd)

Cardinals 'Very Comfortable' With Michael Carter Being Lead Back https://t.co/zYmrMsIO3A

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 18, 2025

Carter is now the lead back for the Cardinals with Bam Knight out for the season. Once Knight left early in Week 15, Carter rushed 14 times for 56 yards, adding four catches for 38 yards. Any time you can get 18 touches off the waiver wire, you have to be intrigued.

The matchups look great for Carter down the stretch, taking on the Falcons (19th) and Bengals (32nd). The Cardinals are playing a fantasy-friendly game right now, constantly airing it out with Jacoby Brissett, padding their stats as they play from behind. It's exactly the type of team context that you want to target.

While Emari Demercado is still there, the Cardinals have shown that they prefer to give more touches to Carter. There's a chance that these two games against the Falcons and Bengals will become shootouts, so fire up Carter with confidence.

The veteran running back looks like a volume-based RB2 down the stretch. Whenever you can get that off the waiver wire, you have to jump on that opportunity. I was fortunate to get him in a couple of my leagues, making me feel good about my chances in the final four of the fantasy playoffs.

Backup running backs come out of nowhere to win leagues seemingly every year. Don't be surprised if Carter does the same here.

Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 16: at Bears (34.6 PPG, 24th)
• Week 17: vs Ravens (34.3 PPG, T-22nd)

High-End Flex Status for Jayden Reed Against Chicago https://t.co/5WkFbwsD4s

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 18, 2025

With Jordan Love playing at a high level, you have to like Reed going forward, especially since Micah Parsons is out for the season. A weaker Packers defense means a better chance that they're forced into shootouts.

Since returning from injury, Reed has put up 34 and 55 yards, with six targets in the last game. However, Christian Watson is banged up, so we could see Reed start to play more of a role in this offense.

You have to love the matchups against the Bears (24th) and Ravens (22nd). Each of those games can turn into shootouts, especially with an undermanned Packers defense that just lost a generational pass rusher.

There's a risk that Reed can be a volatile option, especially with how run-heavy the Packers are at times, but one encouraging angle to consider is that Josh Jacobs is playing through injury right now. That could mean that the Packers give him reduced usage, at least compared to his norm.

If that's the case, perhaps the Packers will start to pass at a higher rate. Love has been balling lately, eclipsing 270 yards against a tough Broncos defense last week. All of this is good news for Reed, who looks to finish off an injury-plagued year on a high note.

D.J. Moore, WR, Chicago Bears

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 16: vs Packers (32.1 PPG, 18th)
• Week 17: at 49ers (32.2 PPG, 19th)

DJ Moore Could Be in Line for Healthy Target Share https://t.co/tJxXSZnaK9

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 18, 2025

It's funny how fantasy football goes sometimes. Moore had been pretty much a non-factor all year, but last week, the veteran wideout hauled in 4-of-5 targets for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

Heading into Week 16, Moore looks like a much safer play than usual. Not only is Rome Odunze out once again, but so is Luther Burden III. That leaves Moore as the top target, along with rookie tight end Colston Loveland.

The matchups look great for Moore, as he's going up against the Packers (18th) and 49ers (19th). The Green Bay game could be higher-scoring than expected, especially with Parsons out of the lineup, making their defense weaker. It's not like San Francisco's defense has been anything to write home about, either.

If you have Moore and you're still in the playoffs, fire him up as an upside WR2. It's clear that Caleb Williams likes to target him in the red zone, and with their banged-up receiving core, the veteran could make an impact down the stretch.

It remains to be seen if Burden and Odunze will miss Week 17 as well, but it feels likely at this point.

Darren Waller, TE, Miami Dolphins

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 16: vs Bengals (22.7 PPG, 32nd)
• Week 17: vs Buccaneers (15.6 PPG, 28th)

Darren Waller Still Trustworthy Amid QB Shake-Up? https://t.co/8yC7EY5is3

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 18, 2025

Waller has an A+ matchup against the Bengals in the semifinals, as this team has been historically bad against tight ends. The one concern is that Tua Tagovailoa has been benched for Quinn Ewers, but what if this kickstarts the passing game? It's not like Tua has been good this season.

Waller is coming off a two-touchdown game against the Steelers, so perhaps he can build on that momentum vs. the Bengals.

On top of that, the matchup vs the Bucs is also a good one, as they rank 28th in fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends.

Given the state of the position, Waller looks like a potential league-winner. He has spike week potential, as he's shown a nose for the end zone this season.

If you're in need of a tight end, pick up Waller. Don't be afraid to roll the dice and swing for the fences at the weakest position in fantasy football.

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