December 17, 2025

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving took on the majority of the workload in Week 15, totaling just 71 scrimmage yards on 17 attempts. Since returning from shoulder and foot injuries in Week 13, Irving has totaled 233 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 53 attempts, averaging 13.4 PPR points per game. While he started the season as the primary workhorse in this Buccaneers' offense, Irving has been limited to just 54% of the snaps, while backups Rachaad White (43% and Sean Tucker (14%) have been factors. Irving faces the Carolina Panthers defense in Week 16, which has allowed the tenth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. In his only two games against the Panthers in his career, he has had over 185 scrimmage yards in both outings. In a must-win game for the Buccaneers and with his favorable history against Carolina, look for Irving to unleash in Week 16.--Nathan Harvey
Source: Pro Football Reference

December 17, 2025

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell had a monster game in Week 15, as he totaled 126 all-purpose yards (80 on the ground, 46 through the air), played 52 percent of the snaps, and was much more efficient as a runner than backfield mate Jaylen Warren. That being said, Warren was playing with an illness leading up to the game; however, this has been trending towards an actual backfield split for about six to seven weeks now. Additionally, in PPR formats, Gainwell is seeing all of the running back receiving work; he has 31 receptions over the past five weeks (6.2 receptions per game). At the same time, Warren is seeing two, maybe three targets per game during that same stretch. On the season, Warren is RB19 while Gainwell is RB23. Given the Steelers' Week 16 matchup with the Detroit Lions, who are stout against the run (allowing the third fewest points to the running back position), it appears likely the Steelers might be in a shootout or from behind, meaning it's setting up to be a game where Gainwell sees a ton of volume in the receiving game, giving him low-end RB2/flex value in Week 16.--Nicho Roessler
Source: RotoBaller

December 17, 2025

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday morning that the New York Jets have agreed to terms with young tight end Jeremy Ruckert, locking him in for the future. He gets a 2-year, $10M extension with upside to $11M. Ruckert, the fourth-year player out of Ohio State, has underwhelmed in the receiving game since joining the Jets. This year, he has hit career highs in receptions (20) and receiving yards (163), but was drafted in the third round and is an asset to the team primarily because of his willingness and effectiveness to block in the run game. The Jets now have Ruckert and a rookie out of LSU, Mason Taylor, as their top tight end options for years to come. From a fantasy football standpoint, Ruckert is well off the radar and shouldn't be rostered in any formats.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Ian Rapoport

December 17, 2025

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard has caught fire of late, running wild for 265 rushing yards and three touchdowns over the past two weeks, which has earned him back-to-back top 10 running back performances. After landing on most analysts' "sit" list for most of the season due to his lack of effectiveness and how bad the Titans' offense has been, Pollard is showing some life in the fantasy playoffs and should be back on the fantasy radar in Week 16. Unfortunately for Pollard and the Titans, they have a tough matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, who allow the seventh fewest points to the running back position. That being said, Pollard should continue to see the volume he's seen over the past two weeks and project to see 10-15 carries, which keeps him in the RB3 conversations in Week 16. Backfield mate, Tyjae Spears, has been involved, playing about 50 percent of the snaps, but is not nearly seeing the amount of running back carries as Pollard has been getting, as most of Spears' production has been as a pass-catcher.--Nicho Roessler
Source: RotoBaller

December 17, 2025

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland has been solid for fantasy managers of late and has been providing a safe floor in most of his matchups since Week 8. Over that stretch, he has seen at least four targets in every game and has scored four times over that stretch. While he doesn't provide much of a ceiling, his safe floor can reassure fantasy managers that it's very likely he will score five to seven points at least in PPR formats. Additionally, a lot of the pass catchers for the Bears, such as Cole Kmet (ankle, knee), Rome Odunze (foot), and Luther Burden III (ankle), are all dealing with injuries. If any of the three miss time, it should move Loveland up the pecking order for additional targets, only increasing his chances at a higher floor and boom potential. The Bears (10-4) take on the Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) in a pivotal NFC North showdown at the top of the NFC North. In their last matchup in Week 14, Loveland saw five targets and turned that into four receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown (10.90 fantasy points). Loveland will be on the TE2 radar in Week 16.--Nicho Roessler
Source: RotoBaller

December 17, 2025

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter is set to lead the backfield following Bam Knight (ankle) being placed on Injured Reserve. The Cardinals' backfield has been ravaged by injuries this season, and now Carter is the next man up. The 26-year-old played 53 of 66 snaps in the Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans, recording 14 carries for 56 yards while adding four receptions (four targets) for 38 yards as a receiver. Emari Demercado returned after missing the past three games with an ankle injury, but he wasn't very involved, playing just seven offensive snaps with three touches. Carter is expected to be the every-down back with Knight out of the picture, as he handled 78% of the running back rushing attempts and ran 72% of the routes in his absence. Carter had one game earlier this season with a similar workload back in Week 5, where he was inefficient as a runner with 18 carries for 51 yards, but found the end zone and added five catches (five targets) for 22 yards, finishing with 18.3 PPR points. Carter profiles as a top waiver-wire pickup this week and can be immediately plugged into lineups as an RB3/flex in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons.--Kyle McCarthy
Source: Pro Football Reference

December 17, 2025

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift has enjoyed a bounce-back season in his second year with the team, compiling 191 carries for 935 yards and seven touchdowns to go with 29 receptions for 254 yards and another score on 41 targets. Swift has maintained a slight upper hand on the touches over rookie Kyle Monangai in the Bears' backfield lately, and notched his first two-touchdown game of the season in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns. The 26-year-old back has been one of the most reliable weapons in an explosive Chicago offense all season, missing just one game. He's posted double-digit touches in all but one game, including at least 15 touches in all but two contests. Swift remains a must-start in fantasy football lineups, but he will have a tougher matchup in Week 16 against the division-rival Green Bay Packers this Saturday night.--Kyle McCarthy
Source: Pro Football Reference

December 17, 2025

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. exploded for three receiving touchdowns in the Week 15 blowout win over the New York Jets. Etienne added 12 carries for 32 yards and three catches for 73 yards on four targets in the game. The 26-year-old continued his breakout campaign, becoming the eighth player this season and the first running back with three receiving scores. Etienne entered the game with only three career receiving touchdowns, but he doubled that mark on Sunday. There have only been four other running backs to record three touchdown catches in a game since 2015. Despite averaging just 3.0 yards per carry over the last three games, Etienne has totalled the fourth-most PPR points among running backs (57.8) during that stretch. He is firmly entrenched as one of the best weekly running back options in fantasy, even in a tough Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos.--Kyle McCarthy
Source: Pro Football Reference

December 17, 2025

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins continues to establish himself as a potential waiver wire option in deeper leagues ahead of Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. Hollins has been heavily involved in the Patriots' offense, averaging six targets and 9.2 full-PPR fantasy points over his last seven contests. During that span, he ranks as the overall WR40. He has also played at least three-quarters of the offensive snaps in each of his last five games. The veteran receiver is coming off an impressive, high-volume contest against his old team, the Buffalo Bills, in which he converted eight targets into four catches for 41 yards. During that Week 15 contest, he totaled 136 air yards, which ranked eighth-most among all NFL wideouts. Quarterback Drake Maye trusts Hollins as one of his most reliable receivers on the perimeter, which bodes well for his Week 16 outlook. The Ravens have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025, as well as the 14th-most fantasy points to wide receivers who play on the perimeter. Hollins isn't the flashiest name, but his consistency, reliability, and high involvement make him a solid WR3/flex play for Week 16.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

December 17, 2025

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt operated as the team's lead runner in Week 15, with Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) ruled out with a groin injury. Croskey-Merritt delivered a strong performance, handling 18 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown in Washington's win over the New York Giants. Jeremy McNichols actually drew the start for Washington, but JCM ended up doubling him in carries. The rookie seventh-rounder found the end zone for the first time since his breakout performance in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he totalled 150 yards and two touchdowns. JCM looked decisive and explosive against the Giants, who notably have one of the worst run defenses in the league, but it was great to see the rookie deliver for fantasy managers who plugged him into their lineups for the first round of the fantasy playoffs. Croskey-Merritt could potentially work himself back into a more significant timeshare with McNichols and Rodriguez upon his return, creating a messy situation to sort through. He remains worth rostering and would project favorably again on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles if Rodriguez is out again on a short week.--Kyle McCarthy
Source: Pro Football Reference

December 17, 2025

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Konata Mumpfield has emerged as a potential riser with teammate Davante Adams'(hamstring) status in doubt for Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams play on Thursday Night Football, leaving very little turnaround time for Adams to get healthy. The veteran receiver didn't practice on Monday, and while head coach Sean McVay didn't rule him out yet, he certainly faces an uphill battle to play. If Adams is inactive, Mumpfield could handle an increased workload on Thursday. The 23-year-old rookie has played at least 38% of the offensive snaps in each of his last four games, including 44% of the snaps last Sunday with both Adams and Puka Nacua (cramping) receiving medical attention. His Week 15 snap share ranked third among Rams receivers behind Adams and Nacua. Although the Pitt product's snap share has increased lately, his volume remains relatively low. Over his last four games, he has just four targets, three catches, and 30 receiving yards. Managers should expect Mumpfield to handle more opportunities this week, while also acknowledging that he has a low floor. His outlook also hinges on whether Jordan Whittington (back) suits up in Week 16. Whittington was limited on Monday before logging a full practice on Tuesday. At this point, Mumpfield is a low-floor receiver who is on track for more snaps and targets, but is only worth considering in extremely deep fantasy leagues.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

December 17, 2025

Denver Broncos rookie running back R.J. Harvey (rib) has found the end zone four times over the past three games, bringing his season total to 10 touchdowns. The rookie second-rounder is currently dealing with a rib injury he suffered late in the Week 15 win over the Green Bay Packers. The severity of the injury is unknown, but the Broncos did claim RB Cody Schrader off waivers on Tuesday, so fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Harvey's status in practice this week. Harvey has recorded at least 14 touches in four games since taking over as Denver's lead back with J.K. Dobbins (foot) on Injured Reserve. He's been one of the most productive running backs in fantasy football with the increased workload, ranking as the RB6 in PPR points per game at 18.6 over that stretch. Assuming he is healthy, Harvey will project as a solid RB1 again in Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Harvey is held out or is limited, Jaleel McLaughlin would step in to handle most of the early down work, with Tyler Badie working on passing downs.--Kyle McCarthy
Source: Pro Football Reference

December 16, 2025

Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (ankle) exited early from his team's Week 15 blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals due to an ankle injury. However, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans indicated on Monday that Marks could have re-entered the game had the score been closer. While Marks' status for Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders is still up in the air, Ryans' comments would seem to point to his running back avoiding missed time. Before getting injured against Arizona, Marks appeared to be emerging as the clear RB1 in Houston. Across a five-game stretch from Week 10 to Week 14, Marks recorded 313 rushing yards and a touchdown on 93 carries. Fellow Texans running back Nick Chubb (ribs) is also dealing with an injury that caused him to miss Week 15. If Chubb misses additional time and Marks can make his return in Week 16, he could be in line to continue dominating backfield work in Houston down the stretch of the season.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

December 16, 2025

Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton missed seven games in the middle of the 2025 season due to an ankle injury, but he made his return to the field in Week 14. The Chargers have worked Hampton back in slowly, as he's split backfield snaps with Kimani Vidal over each of the past two weeks. Even with the limited playing time, Hampton has provided modest production. Over his last two games, the 22-year-old has recorded 132 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 31 touches. In his final two full games before suffering the ankle injury, Hampton demonstrated his explosive upside by logging 294 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 42 touches. If the Chargers continue to increase his workload as he gets healthier, Hampton could get back to his pre-injury levels of production. Los Angeles will face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 before hosting the Houston Texans in Week 17.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

December 16, 2025

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (ankle) is dealing with an ankle injury that caused him to miss practice on Tuesday ahead of Chicago's Week 16 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. If Burden III can get back on the practice field and prove healthy enough to play, he could see his best opportunity of the season to make an impact in Chicago. Bears wideout Rome Odunze (foot) also missed practice on Tuesday and is considered week-to-week with a stress fracture in his foot. With Odunze sidelined in Week 15, Burden III recorded six catches for 84 yards on seven targets despite being limited to just 29 offensive snaps due to the ankle injury. Burden III's role has been steadily growing over the second half of the season, as he's earned at least five straight targets in five straight games after failing to hit that mark in any of his first eight contests. Depending on Odunze's return timeline and his own health, Burden III could emerge as a league-winner over the final weeks of the fantasy season.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller