December 25, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell has come on strong in recent weeks, solidifying himself as an excellent fantasy asset over the back half of the season. Gainwell popped off earlier in the campaign in backfield mate
Jaylen Warren's (hip) stead, although he'd operated in a secondary role for most of the season. However, in Week 11, the 26-year-old emerged as a legitimate threat in the passing game and has since recorded at least six targets in all but one appearance. Furthermore, Gainwell has out-snapped Warren in each of the previous two weeks despite the latter remaining heavily involved in the rush attack. While both will seemingly hold substantial value over the season's remaining weeks, Gainwell stands to see an uptick in targets, considering wide receiver
DK Metcalf will be absent while he serves a two-game suspension, vacating looks in the offense.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 25, 2025
New Orleans Saints tight end
Juwan Johnson saw an increased role in Week 16's 29-6 home win against the New York Jets, and figures to remain heavily involved moving forward after the loss of teammate
Devaughn Vele (shoulder) for the remainder of the season. Johnson has been a strong producer for the Saints and fantasy managers alike in 2025. However, the emergence of Vele had capped the veteran's upside over the last month or so. Leading up to New Orleans' victory last Sunday, Vele was placed on injured reserve, paving the way for Johnson to operate as the second option behind wide receiver
Chris Olave (back), and he delivered (8/89). With rookie
Tyler Shough playing competently, Johnson is poised to carry high-end TE fantasy value for the campaign's remaining weeks. He'll get another excellent matchup in the hosting Tennessee Titans this Sunday.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 25, 2025
Miami Dolphins tight end
Darren Waller (rest, groin) could not find the end zone again in Week 16's 45-21 lopsided loss to the Bengals, but projects to be a useful fantasy asset for the remainder of the season. Waller and the rest of the Dolphins' skill players' value took a hit last Sunday when the team announced they'd turn to rookie signal-caller
Quinn Ewers. The move was a response to teammate
Tua Tagovailoa floundering in his role as a starter. For one game, at least, it was a downgrade for the Dolphins' offense. However, Waller remained involved, placing second on the team in targets (five) behind wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle's nine. Waller's upside won't be the same with Ewers under center, but owners can still rely on him as a fringy TE1, particularly against a Buccaneers' defense that's allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position (15.65).
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 25, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston registered a stellar performance in his return to the field in Week 16, corraling 4-of-5 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown during the team's 34-17 road win against the Dallas Cowboys. The TCU product was inactive for LA's victory over the Chiefs the week prior after popping up on the practice report with a groin injury. Nonetheless, Johnston only missed one appearance and posted his first 100-yard performance of the campaign. While the 24-year-old has seen his production dip from an excellent first month of play, he's remained, at worst, the Chargers' second-leading wideout in terms of snaps on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, consistent production has been hard to find with a myriad of mouths to feed in the team's attack. However, he'll remain on the flex radar with substantial upside, even against a staunch Texans' defense in Week 17.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 25, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Alec Pierce posted a strong bounce-back effort in Week 16's 48-27 loss to the 49ers, reeling in all four of his targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Pierce has been a solid fantasy asset all season. However, he looked to be fading two weeks ago when Indy named veteran QB
Philip Rivers their starter. At the time, the 25-year-old's downfield skill set didn't appear to be a match for Rivers' current play style. That changed on Monday night, though, when the 44-year-old began pushing the ball a bit more. If Rivers won't be pigeonholed into a short, quick attack, then Pierce will still hold a bit of value down the stretch. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect a ton of volume from the former Cincinnati Bearcat, but he'll at least still be the recipient of valuable downfield targets. Pierce has led all Colts' receivers in snaps in eight of their last nine outings.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 25, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
DJ Moore has been on a tear over the previous few weeks and is poised to retain an elevated role in the offense amid injuries to his teammates. Moore felt like an afterthought in Chicago's attack early in the campaign. Through the first nine games of the year, the University of Maryland alum had recorded just one touchdown and three double-digit fantasy performances. However, he's been more involved over the last month or so, particularly with fellow wideout
Rome Odunze (foot) battling a nagging foot issue. While it's unclear if Odunze will miss a fourth straight outing, he's yet to practice in any capacity since Week 15. Furthermore, rookie
Luther Burden III (ankle) could also be out again. If one or both are inactive, fantasy managers can rely on Moore as a solid WR2 with upside against a vulnerable San Francisco 49ers defense on Sunday Night Football.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 25, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (illness) will not be available for the team's divisional clash with the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 26-year-old was a late addition to Washington's injury report, as he came down with an illness early on Thursday. Despite initially garnering a questionable tag, he'll now miss his second game in three weeks. With Rodriguez inactive, backfield mates
Jeremy McNichols and
Jacory Croskey-Merritt will each see a significant uptick in work. Notably, in the last game sans Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt barely eked out McNichols in snaps (32-30). However, he handily out-touched the latter 18-10. With that in mind, McNichols appeared to be the preferred passing-down back, so game script may determine who sees more work against the visiting Cowboys.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
December 25, 2025
Dallas Cowboys placekicker
Brandon Aubrey remains a high-end fantasy asset for Week 17's road clash with their division-rival Washington Commanders. The Notre Dame product has been sensational when called upon in 2025, connecting on all but one extra-point try (42-of-43) and knocking through 32-of-36 field goal attempts. Notably, the four kicks Aubrey has missed have all been from 50-plus yards out. He'll benefit from another excellent matchup this Thursday in the hosting Commanders, who have yielded the sixth-most points per game to their opponents on the season (26.9). Owners can continue to rely on the 30-year-old as an elite fantasy play, and he'll rank as RotoBaller's No. 1 kicking option ahead of Week 17's outing.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 25, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Malik Davis won't be an optimal choice for fantasy when his team takes on the hosting Washington Commanders on Christmas Day. The fourth-year pro has seen a bit of extra work over the previous two weeks, notching eight carries in consecutive outings while getting a boost in playing time. In both appearances, Davis' extended play came while backfield mate
Javonte Williams tended to injuries. With Williams presumably back to full health ahead of a road outing with the Commanders, considering he carries no designation, owners can look elsewhere for assistance in the fantasy playoffs. Even in an excellent matchup with the league's fourth-worst rush defense (141 yards per game), the 27-year-old is little more than a desperation flex play for fantasy. Davis lands as RotoBallers PPR RB57 for Week 17.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 25, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys defense should be viewed as a top streaming option in Week 17 when they travel to Washington to face the Commanders on Christmas afternoon. Even though the Cowobys enter Week 17 allowing a hefty 30.3 PPG (second-most in the league), they carry elite upside in the fantasy championships. They will face a Washington Commanders team decimated by injuries under center. With
Jayden Daniels (elbow) out for the season and
Marcus Mariota (hand) ruled out, they will turn to veteran
Josh Johnson to lead the offense. In relief last weekend, Johnson went 5-for-9 with a mere 43 yards and an interception during their loss to the Eagles. In addition, with top running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. added to the injury report with an illness, this offense could have an even tougher time moving the ball downfield. Even though the Dallas defense has not forced a single sack in each of their last two games, their matchup against Johnson pushes them onto the streaming radar.
--Andy SmithSource: Pro Football Reference
December 25, 2025
Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Philip Rivers has entered streaming territory ahead of his Week 17 tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite not appearing in an NFL game since the 2020 season, the 44-year-old has looked quite comfortable in the Indianapolis offense and has flashed solid upside for fantasy. In his season debut in Week 15, Rivers faced a tough Seattle defense and went 18-for-27 with 120 yards and a 1:1 TD:INT. However, on Monday evening, Rivers took a massive step forward, going 23-for-35 with 277 yards, two scores, and just one interception during their loss to the 49ers. On Sunday, Rivers has a very favorable matchup against a Jaguars defense that is allowing the ninth-most PPR points to opposing QBs. Rivers carries high-end QB2 upside and viable streaming appeal for those in deeper 12+ team one-QB formats.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
December 25, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Mack Hollins (abdomen) could see a larger role on Sunday afternoon when they face the New York Jets. During their victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, wideout
Kayshon Boutte and running back
TreVeyon Henderson both exited with a concussion and are now in concussion protocol, which could open up more targets for Hollins this weekend. However, Hollins is also dealing with an abdominal injury himself, as he was unable to suit up during Wednesday's practice. Managers should not continue to monitor his status throughout the week, as he could have sleeper appeal in deeper three-WR leagues given his potential for a larger role, especially if Boutte cannot pass through the league's protocol. Since Week 11, Hollins has logged at least 75% of the snaps in all but one of his last six games and is averaging a strong 8.5 targets per game over his last two. He would carry FLEX upside in deeper leagues if Boutte cannot play.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
December 25, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Colby Parkinson is set to remain in a lead role during their Week 17 contest against the Atlanta Falcons despite his disappointing showing last week. On Thursday, with No. 2 WR
Davante Adams (hamstring) out of action, Parkinson was expected to see a larger role in the passing game, but was only able to bring in two of his four targets for a mere 21 yards. Instead, depth wide receiver
Konata Mumpfield was able to draw eight targets, and rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson found the back of the end zone. However, with Adams set to miss another game, managers in 12+ team formats should view Parkinson as a viable low-end TE1 in the fantasy championships. Before his Week 16 dud, Parkinson averaged a strong 13.5 PPR points per game from Weeks 10 through 15 and should be poised to bounce back on Monday night.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
December 25, 2025
According to Jason Lieser of The Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Bears wide receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) is "increasingly unlikely to play" on Sunday night when the Bears travel to Santa Clara to face the 49ers. Lieser noted that there is a chance Oduzne may also be held out of action in Week 18. Odunze has been on the shelf for the last three games due to this foot injury, and appears to be on track to miss another week of action. However, head coach Ben Johnson has noted that the second-year wideout has not been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Sunday's game, but should look to find another viable option for another week, given his current trajectory. With Odunze set to miss another contest, managers should expect
DJ Moore to continue to operate as the WR1, with rookie tight end
Colston Loveland taking on an increased role.
--Andy SmithSource: Jason Lieser
December 25, 2025
According to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (illness) was added to the injury report and is listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Dallas Cowboys. The 25-year-old missed their Week 15 contest due to a groin injury but quickly reclaimed the starting role last weekend, taking 15 carries for 63 yards and a score during their loss to the Eagles. Over his last four games, Rodriguez has logged at least 10 carries in each game and averaged a solid 9.7 PPR points, operating as the preferred option in the backfield. Managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to kickoff in case Rodriguez faces a setback and is unable to play. If he is ruled out, managers should view seventh-round rookie
Jacory Croskey-Merritt as a viable FLEX play in deeper formats, facing a Dallas defense that is allowing the seventh-most PPR points to opposing running backs.
--Andy SmithSource: Nicki Jhabvala
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