December 29, 2025
San Francisco 49ers fourth-year player out of California,
Jake Tonges, stepped in for the injured
George Kittle (ankle) on Sunday Night Football and made the most of it. He earned himself an impressive nine targets, hauled in seven of them for 60 yards, and scored a touchdown. When given the opportunity in 2025, considering Kittle has now missed seven games this season, Tonges has made the most of it. On the season, he now has five touchdowns and 293 yards on 34 receptions. The key thing to monitor here will clearly be the status of Kittle's ankle, as Tonges is the clear backup to the superstar. If Kittle remains out, Tonges will be in the low-end TE1 rankings in a crucial Week 18 matchup with the No. 1 seed for the NFC and the division on the line when the 49ers take on the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders third-year tight end out of Notre Dame,
Michael Mayer, stepped in for the injured
Brock Bowers (knee) on Sunday and dominated, hauling in nine of his 10 targets for 89 yards. The 10 targets were the most on the team, with
Tre Tucker with the second most at six targets. With Bowers landing on the Injured Reserve and set to miss the rest of the 2025 season, Mayer will have an opportunity to continue to showcase his skill set for one more game before the regular season is over. Entering Week 18, Mayer will be in the low-end TE1 conversation against the Kansas City Chiefs, who also have had their fair share of injuries. The biggest question to monitor with Mayer would be whether
Geno Smith (ankle) or
Kenny Pickett will be throwing him passes. Regardless, Mayer should dominate target share, and because of that, find himself as a valuable fantasy asset in most 12-team or larger leagues.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Dallas Cowboys' fourth-year running back out of Florida,
Malik Davis, led the backfield in running back touches in the Cowboys' Week 17 30-23 win on Christmas Day over the Washington Commanders. He stepped in for the injured
Javonte Williams (shoulder) and ended the game with 20 rush attempts (5.15 YPC) for 103 yards. Additionally, over the past two games, he has earned 54 percent and 34 percent of the snaps, respectively. He is starting to see an increased workload as the season comes to an end for the eliminated-from-the-playoffs Cowboys. With a strong Week 18 matchup looming against the New York Giants in Week 18, Davis is a must-add off the waivers for those fantasy managers still competing for a championship. If Williams were to sit out, Davis would immediately become a plug-and-play RB2.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver
Luther Burden III (quadriceps), who was carted off the field after Sunday night's game, suffered a quad injury that is not thought to be serious. He will undergo additional testing today, ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports. The very last play of the game, with the Bears down 42-38, they had the ball inside the red zone, and while quarterback
Caleb Williams was scrambling, trying to find an open receiver in the end zone to win the game, Burden was crunched between a few defenders and was down on the field. After the incomplete pass, the game ended so abruptly, and the 49ers team stormed the field. We saw a quick mention of Burden being down on the field; however, on television, it was never further discussed. The additional testing on Monday morning will provide further clarity into the severity of his injury. Fantasy managers who are still competing in Week 18 will want to keep their eyes on this, as
Rome Odunze(foot) has missed the last few games and Burden has taken advantage of his opportunities.
Olamide Zaccheaus and
Jahdae Walker would likely see an increased amount of playing time should Burden miss any time. At the same time,
DJ Moore and
Colston Loveland would likely be the biggest beneficiaries.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Adam Schefter
December 28, 2025
The Los Angeles Rams defense/special teams has played at a high level all season long, and they'll aim to remain highly effective against an Atlanta Falcons offense led by quarterback
Kirk Cousins during Monday Night Football in Week 17. Cousins is starting in place of the injured
Michael Penix Jr. (knee), and he has produced inconsistent results so far. He upset the Buccaneers in Week 15 and has six touchdowns over his last two games, but he also turned the ball over twice last Sunday in Arizona. He'll now run into another challenging matchup against the Rams, whose D/ST unit has 23 turnovers and ranks eighth in fantasy scoring this year. Meanwhile, Atlanta's offense has surrendered the 14th-most fantasy points to opposing defenses in 2025. The Rams rank #11 in RotoBaller's latest D/ST rankings for Week 17.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Los Angeles Rams kicker
Harrison Mevis posted double-digit fantasy points in his last outing, but he still didn't reach his full potential after missing a late field goal. Mevis ultimately went 4-for-4 on extra points and 3-for-4 on field goals in the loss to Seattle. He is the sixth-highest-scoring fantasy kicker over his last three games but could have ranked even higher if not for the miss. The Missouri product gets an opportunity to bounce back on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. Kicking in a dome bodes well for Mevis, and he has a very high ceiling given that Atlanta has allowed the third-most fantasy points to kickers in 2025. Between the recent track record, his role in a high-scoring offense, and an extremely favorable matchup, it appears that the stars have aligned for Mevis to have another big game on Monday night. He's a top-eight kicker for Week 17 fantasy football.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Colby Parkinson will look to bounce back during Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. Parkinson had six touchdowns over his previous six games coming into last week, but then he produced somewhat of a dud with just two catches for 21 yards on Thursday Night Football against the Seahawks. That result was particularly disappointing given that fantasy managers expected Parkinson to excel around the goal line with
Davante Adams (hamstring) sidelined. Adams is doubtful for Week 17, too, and while managers are optimistic about Parkinson bouncing back, that's far from guaranteed. This matchup is a bit worrisome given that Atlanta has allowed the fewest touchdowns and third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2025. The 26-year-old is a fringe top-12 tight end with top-five upside, but his floor could also place him outside the top 25. He's a high-risk option heading into Week 17.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Konata Mumpfield is expected to remain in a larger role during Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. Mumpfield stepped up as the No. 2 receiver alongside
Puka Nacua last week when
Davante Adams (hamstring) was sidelined. Adams remains doubtful for Week 17, leaving Mumpfield in line to start alongside Nacua. In the loss to Seattle, the 23-year-old commanded eight targets but finished with a modest total of three catches for 40 yards. That was enough to put him on the WR3/flex radar in deep leagues, but he could have produced at an even higher level if he had caught more of his targets. Perhaps he'll make that leap on Monday night in a softer matchup against the Falcons, who have allowed the fourth-most receiving touchdowns and ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2025. Mumpfield's floor is pretty low, but he has top-36 wide receiver upside on Monday night if he can catch more passes than last week.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Puka Nacua is coming off an elite performance against the Seattle Seahawks in which he caught 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns. He has a whopping 573 yards and four scores over his last three games. Nacua will look to maintain this momentum against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football in Week 17. Maybe he won't replicate last week's showing, but he should still put up otherworldly numbers. He'll continue to handle an abnormally high workload on Monday night with
Davante Adams (hamstring) sidelined for the second consecutive week. The 24-year-old has been the highest-scoring receiver in fantasy football this year and should feast against a Falcons defense that has allowed the fourth-most receiving touchdowns and ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2025. Nobody would be surprised if Nacua finishes this week as the overall WR1 in all leagues. That's where he ranks in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 17.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Kyren Williams earned a season-high 26 touches last week, leaving fantasy managers wondering if he might handle a similar workload against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football in Week 17. It was previously reported that the Rams were trying to limit Williams' volume to keep him fresh for the playoffs, so it was a bit surprising to see him touch the ball 26 times on a 71% snap share on Thursday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks. On the other hand, that game was comparable to a playoff game, so it makes sense that Los Angeles brought out all of the stops. Going forward, we can expect Williams' workload to be managed when the Rams have a very favorable game script. That should be the case on Monday night as the Rams are seven-point favorites against the Falcons. Williams probably won't be quite as involved as last week, but he should remain the Rams' primary ball-carrier while also carving out a role in the receiving game. He ranks as a low-end RB1 against the Falcons, who have allowed the 11th-most rushing yards to running backs in 2025.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum has been able to produce standalone fantasy value in fantasy football despite operating as the No. 2 option out of the backfield. Corum continues to play behind
Kyren Williams, who had a whopping 26 touches last week. However, given how well the Rams' offense has played, Corum has still produced highly effective fantasy performances. He ranks as the overall RB8 over his last four games, largely thanks to the fact that he has averaged 7.5 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns during that span. The 25-year-old rarely ever gets any targets in the passing game, so he'll need to maintain his efficiency and continue finding the end zone if he's going to keep up his hot fantasy streak. The Falcons have been tough against running backs this year, but the Rams frequently get into scoring position and should set up several goal-line opportunities for Corum on Monday night. He's a low-end RB2 at the moment.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford continues to be a must-start fantasy option heading into Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. Stafford tallied multiple touchdowns in each of his last nine games, and he only threw three interceptions during that span. The 37-year-old veteran is firmly in the hunt for the 2025 NFL MVP award, remaining in a neck-and-neck battle with
Drake Maye as the regular season winds down. Despite lacking rushing upside, Stafford has ranked as the overall QB3 in fantasy football this season. The Falcons rank near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, but Stafford has shown that he is matchup-proof. He'll remain a high-scoring threat this week, even without
Davante Adams (hamstring) at his disposal. Adams sat out Week 16, and Stafford still managed to rack up 457 yards and three touchdowns, albeit with a little help from overtime. He should be started in all leagues during Week 17.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans tight end
Chig Okonkwo hauled in three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown on seven targets in his team's 34-26 Week 17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Okonkwo appears to be finding a nice rhythm with Titans quarterback
Cameron Ward, as the veteran tight end has now scored touchdowns in back-to-back games. Across 16 games this season, Okonkwo has recorded 54 catches for 558 yards and two scores on 74 targets. The 26-year-old has earned at least six targets from Ward in each of his team's last three games after hitting the six-target mark just three times in Tennessee's first 13 contests of the season. The Titans split tight end reps between Okonkwo and rookie
Gunnar Helm, limiting the production upside of both players. However, Okonkwo has now earned 21 targets over the last three weeks, compared to just eight for Helm. Okonkwo could be worth a look for deep-league fantasy managers heading into his Week 18 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
December 28, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Parker Washington functioned as his team's No. 1 pass-catcher in Week 17, recording eight catches for 115 yards on 10 targets in a 23-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Washington has now recorded double-digit targets and topped 100 receiving yards in back-to-back weeks. Across 15 games this season, the 23-year-old has hauled in 53 receptions for 760 yards and four touchdowns on 86 targets. While the Jaguars have multiple capable offensive weapons worthy of touches, Washington has proven the ability to play a significant role in his team's offense. He's now logged four games with at least 10 targets and five games with at least 70 receiving yards in 2025. Washington profiles as a flex option with upside for fantasy managers heading into his Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
December 28, 2025
New York Giants running back
Devin Singletary rushed eight times for 45 yards and a touchdown and hauled in four receptions for 25 yards in his team's 34-10 Week 17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Singletary was out-touched by fellow Giants running back
Tyrone Tracy Jr., 15 to 12. However, Singletary still played a role in all phases of the Giants' offense and has now logged double-digit touches in seven out of eight games since New York lost running back
Cam Skattebo (ankle) to a season-ending ankle injury. For the season overall, Singletary has recorded 562 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 128 touches across 16 games. He maintains deep-league flex appeal heading into the Giants' Week 18 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
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