6 Potential Fantasy Football League-Winners: Breakout Candidates for the Fantasy Playoffs

December 7, 2025

Frank looks at 6 potential fantasy football league winners. His top fantasy playoffs breakout candidates for Weeks 15, 16, 17 that are still widely available.

We're always looking for league-winners in fantasy football. That is, late-season breakouts that swing the pendulum in your favor, giving you a chance to secure a championship. Recent examples of players who meet the criteria for this term include Brian Thomas Jr., Bucky Irving, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Do you see a common theme here? Each of those league-winners was a rookie at the time. However, there are some rare cases where it's a veteran who gets it done for you, like Rashaad Penny with the Seahawks a few years ago.

On this page, I'll highlight seven potential league-winners. Read on to find out why Adonai Mitchell, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Bam Knight, Darren Waller, Luther Burden III, Pat Bryant, and Jalen Coker are my seven fantasy football league winners, aka second-half breakouts who are widely available. Each of these players is rostered in 35% or fewer of Yahoo! leagues.

With the trade deadline already passed, the focus is on widely available waiver wire players in an effort to make this a more actionable piece for you. That means heavily rostered rookies like Bhayshul Tuten won't be included here. So, without further ado, let's dive into seven potential second-half breakouts.

Adonai Mitchell, WR, New York Jets

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 15: at Jaguars (31.8 PPG, 20th)
• Week 16: at Saints (29.0 PPG, 12th)
• Week 17: vs Patriots (30.8 PPG, 17th)

Adonai Mitchell has long been a favorite of the fantasy community due to his speed, athleticism, and separation skills. Many were excited after learning that Mitchell was a "throw-in" in the Sauce Gardner trade with the Colts. After all, with Garrett Wilson sidelined, it was a perfect opportunity for Mitchell to get more playing time. So far, the former Colt hasn't disappointed.

Adonai Mitchell Stock on the Rise after 12 Targets in Week 13 https://t.co/C0AqJYXtIc

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 3, 2025

Mitchell is coming off a spike week against the Falcons, where he caught 8-of-12 targets for 102 yards and a touchdown. He's now racked up 25 targets in only three games since joining the Jets.

While Wilson could return at some point, there's an outside chance that it will take a couple of weeks for him to get going. That puts Mitchell in a great spot to continue to provide you with spike weeks when it matters most.

Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 15: at Giants (30.9 PPG, 31st)
• Week 16: vs Eagles (24.4 PPG, 26th)
• Week 17: vs Cowboys (23.9 PPG, 21st)

Chris Rodriguez Jr. has taken over the lead role in the Commanders' committee backfield, scoring a touchdown in three of his last four games. While there's some risk because the Commanders still use Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols, you have to like the touchdown equity that Rodriguez brings to the table.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. Emerging as Washington's Lead Back https://t.co/kQxxnHzQl1

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 3, 2025

What's great for Rodriguez's outlook is that Jayden Daniels looks ready to return to action. Last year's Offensive Rookie of the Year can open up running lanes for Rodriguez to go to work. With an upgrade at quarterback from Marcus Mariota, that means that the offense is likely to be more effective, giving Rodriguez a chance to continue to find the end zone consistently.

More importantly, just look at that schedule. Rodriguez will go against the Giants (31st), Eagles (26th), and Cowboys (21st) during the fantasy playoffs. Expect at least one spike week during this stretch. That's exactly the type of FLEX that can swing the matchup in your favor.

Bam Knight, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 15: at Texans (19.9 PPG, T-9th)
• Week 16: vs Falcons (24.2 PPG, T-23rd)
• Week 17: at Bengals (31.9 PPG, 32nd)

Bam Knight has quietly been productive for the Cardinals lately. Since Week 11, Knight has averaged 14.8 fantasy points per game, which ranks as RB13 during that stretch. We've seen Knight get 10+ carries and 3+ targets in his last two matchups.

We had initially expected Trey Benson to return to the lineup and take over this backfield, but he hasn't practiced. Perhaps Benson has been dealt a setback, putting his return in question. That's huge news if you have Knight, who should continue to get the bulk of the touches for the Cardinals.

The schedule looks quite enticing, especially in Weeks 16 and 17. Knight will have a chance to put up RB2-level numbers against the Falcons (T-23rd) and Bengals (32nd). Like Rodriguez, this is the type of unexpected hero who can bring a championship home to you.

Darren Waller, TE, Miami Dolphins

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 15: at Steelers (16.0 PPG, 27th)
• Week 16: vs Bengals (23.1 PPG, 32nd)
• Week 17: vs Buccaneers (13.3 PPG, 15th)

Darren Waller has come out of retirement to shock the world and put up good numbers this season, including four touchdowns in four games. No one expected Waller to be this good after such a long lay-off, but that's why we love this game so much: it's unpredictable.

Darren Waller Eyeing Expanded Workload in Week 14 https://t.co/oFfvfbnp0C

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 4, 2025

As the clear-cut No. 3 option behind Jaylen Waddle and De'Von Achane in an improving Dolphins offense, Waller is exactly the type of streamer at tight end that you want to look for. His touchdown equity gives him a lot of upside at the position.

The fantasy playoffs look great for Waller, as he'll be going up against the Steelers (27th) and Bengals (32nd) in the first two weeks.

Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 15: vs Browns (25.9 PPG, 4th)
• Week 16: vs Packers (29.2 PPG, 13th)
• Week 17: at 49ers (33.7 PPG, 21st)

Luther Burden III is a talented rookie wideout who many believe is already the best on the Bears, even better than Rome Odunze and DJ Moore; it's just that he hasn't gotten the opportunity just yet.

However, Burden's role has progressively increased throughout the year. With Bears' head coach Ben Johnson speaking publicly about how they need to fix their passing game, one way to do so would be to get Burden more involved. Odunze is also banged up right now, so Burden's coming-out party could be here soon.

While the fantasy playoff schedule isn't great, Burden's in a good spot in the championship against the 49ers (21st).

Pat Bryant, WR, Denver Broncos

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 15: vs Packers (29.2 PPG, 13th)
• Week 16: vs Jaguars (31.8 PPG, 20th)
• Week 17: at Chiefs (29.6 PPG, 15th)

Pat Bryant is another rookie wideout with an increasing role, putting up 40+ yards in three consecutive games, including 82 yards against the Chiefs. With Courtland Sutton having a disappointing year and Troy Franklin more of a deep threat, there's a path for Bryant to secure more targets as a possession receiver.

Remember, Sean Payton compared Bryant to Michael Thomas coming out of the draft, so perhaps Bryant will start to be featured more in the offense.

The schedule looks pretty good, especially the Week 16 matchup against the Jaguars (20th).

Bonus: Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers

Fantasy Playoff Schedule (PPR PPG vs position)

• Week 15: at Saints (29.0 PPG, 12th)
• Week 16: vs Buccaneers (34.4 PPG, 22nd)
• Week 17: vs Seahawks (27.6 PPG, 8th)

Jalen Coker is a sleeper among this group of potential league-winners, but he's coming off a terrific game against the Rams, where he put up four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Coker is quickly emerging as the No. 2 option in this offense, surpassing Xavier Legette. While the Panthers like to run the ball, we've seen them get caught up in shootouts at times, such as against the Falcons earlier this year.

Something similar can happen against the Bucs in Week 16, as they've struggled to keep wideouts contained (22nd in PPG). Perhaps Coker can give you a spike week in that spot.

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