December 30, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
Kyle Monangai is still getting plenty of work in the backfield, and he's a strong grab if he's on the waiver wire as the Bears continue to push for the second seed in the NFC. Monangai had eight carries and three catches against the 49ers, totaling 38 rushing yards and nine receiving yards.
D'Andre Swift had nine carries and two catches but was more productive with two rushing touchdowns. Monangai could get a little more work if the Bears look to get Swift some rest before the playoffs, and the matchup against the Lions should be a solid one, since Detroit's defense has struggled down the stretch, giving up seven running back touchdowns in the last three weeks.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
December 30, 2025
Carolina Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young has a chance to get his team to the playoffs, as he looks to bounce back from a rough outing last week against the Seahawks. He only managed 54 passing yards and also threw an interception in tough weather conditions in his team's Week 17 home loss. The 8-8 Panthers can still win the division, though, if they knock off the Buccaneers in Tampa on Saturday afternoon. Carolina will also make the playoffs even with a loss if the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday. Young and the Panthers just faced and beat the Bucs in Week 16, with the QB throwing for two touchdowns and 191 yards in the 23-20 victory. On the season, Young has 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while averaging 183 passing yards per game. If he can duplicate his Week 16 performance, he is a streaming option in two-QB leagues, although the tough matchup on the road keeps him from being a strong play in single-QB formats.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
December 30, 2025
Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Riley Leonard is expected to start in Week 18 against the Houston Texans after backing up
Philip Rivers for the last three games. Even though the Colts were officially eliminated from the playoff hunt with Houston's win over the Chargers last Saturday, the team gave Rivers the start in Week 16 against Jacksonville. This week, though, they'll turn to their sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame to see how Leonard can figure into their future. He got most of his NFL experience in relief of
Daniel Jones in Week 14, completing 18-of-29 passes for 145 yards and an interception while also rushing for a six-yard score in garbage time. Leonard gets a tough matchup against the Texans, who will still be playing for the division title. He has some flier upside for dual-QB leagues since he'll be out to prove himself, but he's still a long shot to be a fantasy factor this week.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Jeremy Fowler
December 30, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kyle Williams is stepping into a larger role for the Patriots, as his first season in the NFL comes to a close this week against the Dolphins. The rookie led all Patriots' receivers by playing 85% of snaps in Week 17, which was his highest mark of the season. He stepped up with
Kayshon Boutte (concussion) sidelined and
Mack Hollins (abdomen) on IR. He hauled in three of his five targets (both season highs) and finished with 20 yards against the Jets. The Patriots still have a shot at the No. 1 seed with a win on Sunday, so the starters should at least begin the game, giving Williams a great chance to work with
Drake Maye to put the finishing touches on his rookie year. As a big-play threat, Williams can be a flier flex play from the waiver wire for deep leagues in Week 18.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
December 30, 2025
Los Angeles Rams rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson hauled in two of his four targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Ferguson has now seen four targets and scored a touchdown in back-to-back games as his playing time has spiked over the last three contests. The rookie second-rounder finished second on the team in receiving yards on the night and continues to be an explosive playmaker in a potent Rams offense. He's recorded five catches of at least 25 yards this season, which is the most by a Rams rookie tight end in the last 35 years, according to the Los Angeles Rams PR. Ferguson is seeing a bump in routes and targets down the stretch, and looks like an exciting player to dream on in fantasy football in 2026. His usage is expected to continue expanding in the final week of the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford may have sold his shot at winning MVP in Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, completing 22 of 38 passes for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. The 37-year-old signal-caller entered the game with only five interceptions on 519 pass attempts this season, but he threw three costly ones Monday night, with one of them being returned for a pick-six. It was easily the veteran's lowest passer rating of the season at 64.5, with the next closest game being 85.9 in his two-interception game in Week 13's loss to the Carolina Panthers. Stafford still managed to throw two touchdown passes, extending his streak to 10 consecutive games, twice as long as the next closest quarterback. Los Angeles will close out their regular season at home against the Arizona Cardinals before having to play on the road in the playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) logged five receptions for 85 yards on eight targets in their 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. Pearsall led the team in receiving yards and was second to backup tight end
Jake Tonges in receptions and targets. After missing six weeks due to injury, Pearsall returned in Week 11 only to hit a three-game slump wherein he had a mere five catches for 20 yards. However, since the 49ers' bye in Week 14, Pearsall has been a worthwhile investment in fantasy. He missed last week due to injuries but had a six-catch, 96-yard game in Week 15. Pearsall has 36 catches for 528 yards and is still seeking his first touchdown of 2025 as the 49ers head into a Week 18 matchup against the Seahawks.
--Dan StephensSource: NFL.com
December 30, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Jauan Jennings caught two of four targets for 42 yards and a touchdown in Sunday night's 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears. With the score, Jennings has visited the end zone in five straight games and in seven of the 49ers' last eight contests. Jennings had a quiet night until the 38-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter. The play ended up being the game winner in the shootout with Chicago. Jennings' nose for the end zone has been his saving grace in fantasy football in 2025. Sunday's performance was the tenth time in 14 games played where he failed to reach 50 receiving yards. With one week to go in the regular season, Jennings is sitting on a 51-608-9 line. He and the 49ers face the Seahawks in Week 18.
--Dan StephensSource: NFL.com
December 30, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Puka Nacua caught five of his 10 targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Nacua could have had another monster performance after his 225-yard, two-touchdown performance last week, but he had multiple big plays wiped out by a penalty or a review. The superstar wideout nearly pulled off an unbelievable one-handed catch near the end of the game to put the Rams in field-goal range with a chance to tie, but he just barely lost possession of the ball as he went to the ground. It still ended up being a solid performance for Nacua, as he led the Rams' passing attack again without star teammate
Davante Adams (hamstring). He's now scored five touchdowns in the past four games after having four in the first 11 games. Nacua will be in for another heavy dose of targets with Adams likely out again in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Kyren Williams recorded 13 carries for 92 yards to go along with three catches (three targets) for 38 receiving yards in Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Williams posted his third game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage this season and his most since Week 5. His 38 receiving yards were also his most in a game since Week 6. The increased workload came with backfield mate
Blake Corum injuring his ankle in the first half and never returning. The 25-year-old has remained one of the most steady producers in fantasy football due to his volume of touches and improved rushing efficiency this season. However, he hasn't scored in back-to-back games for the first time this season, which is unfortunate timing for fantasy managers relying on him in the fantasy playoffs. The Rams will round out their regular season against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 18.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Atlanta Falcons running back
Bijan Robinson delivered an all-time performance in Monday night's win over the Los Angeles Rams, handling 22 carries for 195 yards and a touchdown to go with five catches (eight targets) for 34 yards and another touchdown as a receiver. Robinson scored the longest touchdown in Falcons history with a 93-yard score at the end of the first half, helping to produce a legendary performance for his fantasy managers in championship matchups. He forced 11 missed tackles and gained an extra 168 yards, tied for the most in any game over the last seven seasons, per Next Gen Stats. It was the superstar running back's league-leading seventh game with over 150 yards from scrimmage and second game this season with over 200 yards, with the other also coming on Monday night back in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills. Robinson has put together a special season and will look to finish out strong in Week 18 against the New Orleans Saints.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
December 29, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver/kick returner
KaVontae Turpin caught just one pass in last Thursday's Christmas Day win over the Washington Commanders, but it was a big one in the 30-23 victory in D.C. Turpin's one catch was an 86-yard touchdown hookup with quarterback
Dak Prescott in the second quarter. The 29-year-old speedy receiver also returned five kickoffs on the day for 115 yards. The one catch for Turpin was a season-low, but his 86 receiving yards were a season-high in Week 17. Turpin now has 26 receptions on the year for 396 yards and two touchdowns on 37 targets in 14 games in his fourth year in the NFL. The former undrafted free agent has only two games in 2025 with more than two receptions, though, so fantasy managers still playing for a championship in Week 18 should consider Turpin a major liability in starting lineups in Sunday's divisional rematch against the New York Giants. Ironically, Turpin's first TD of the year came against the G-Men back on Sept. 14.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 29, 2025
Across 16 games this season, Kansas City Chiefs running back
Brashard Smith has recorded 265 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 55 touches. The 22-year-old's opportunities have been limited by the presence of veteran Chiefs backs
Kareem Hunt and
Isiah Pacheco, who have dominated the team's rushing work for most of the 2025 season. Over his last seven games, Smith has logged just four carries. However, Smith has seen a larger role in the Kansas City passing game. In Week 17, Smith earned four targets from Chiefs quarterback
Chris Oladokun and hauled in his first receiving touchdown of the season. With Oladukun likely in line to make his second start of the season in Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Smith could continue to see work as a pass-catcher. In deep PPR fantasy leagues, Smith may be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Across nine games in 2025, Miami Dolphins running back
Jaylen Wright has recorded just 292 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 60 touches. However, the 22-year-old has played some of his best football in the month of December. Over his last four games, Wright has racked up 200 rushing yards and two scores on 39 carries. Wright's production upside is limited by the presence of star Dolphins running back
De'Von Achane, who remains the clear lead back in Miami. However, Wright could be overtaking
Ollie Gordon II for the team's RB2 role, as Wright has out-snapped Gordon II 26 to 11 over the past two weeks. In fantasy leagues with 14 or more teams, Wright could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into his Week 18 matchup against the New England Patriots.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Sean Tucker has seen a drastic decrease in usage since fellow Buccaneers back
Bucky Irving returned from injury in Week 13. Over his last five contests, Tucker is averaging under four rush attempts per game. However, Tucker has maintained a role at the goal line, recording three rushing touchdowns in that five-game span. The 24-year-old has had a nose for the end zone in 2025, scoring eight touchdowns on just 90 touches across 16 games. Additionally, Tampa Bay's rushing offense as a whole was miserable in Week 17, as they totaled 53 rushing yards as a team in a loss to the Miami Dolphins. Between his role at the goal line and the possibility he earns more work as Tampa Bay searches for backfield solutions, Tucker maintains fantasy upside. In leagues with 12 or more teams, Tucker could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into his Week 18 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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