December 19, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Andrei Iosivas has been a non-factor on offense over the last three games. The 26-year-old gave fantasy managers a goose egg last week with zero receptions in the loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Iosivas hasn't finished with more than 30 receiving yards in a single game since Week 12. The Bengals were without
Tee Higgins (concussion) last week, and Iosivas still only saw one target. It doesn't look like the Bengals view Iosivas as an essential piece of the offensive gameplan right now. Even if Higgins sits in Week 16, Iosivas is avoidable in most formats for the Week 16 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
New York Jets wide receiver
John Metchie III has played a full-time role since being acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles at the trade deadline. Excluding the first game with the team, where he played only eight offensive snaps, Metchie has compiled 21 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns on 31 targets while playing 87% of the snaps. The 25-year-old scored in back-to-back games in Weeks 11 and 12, but his production has cooled off since, totalling 78 yards on exactly four catches in each of the past three games. With undrafted rookie QB
Brady Cook set to make his second consecutive start in Week 16 versus the New Orleans Saints, who have allowed under 200 yards passing in five straight games, Metchie doesn't offer much upside for the second round of the fantasy playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Darnell Mooney had a golden opportunity to produce as the team's WR1 with
Drake London (knee) missing the past four games due
to a PCL sprain in his left knee. The 28-year-old failed to deliver, recording nine catches for 140 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets, ranking as the WR45 in PPR points in that time. The former Chicago Bears receiver has taken a backseat to tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr., who is coming off one of the best games by a tight end in NFL history in Week 15 versus Tampa Bay, catching 11 of 12 targets for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Pitts has out-targeted Mooney 35 to 18 in the past four games, and now, with London cleared to return on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, the 28-year-old falls into WR4 territory for Week 16.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
Buccaneers running back
Sean Tucker has logged single-digit touches in three straight games, but he's at least found the end zone in back-to-back weeks. His role has shrunk since
Bucky Irving returned in Week 13. Tucker's 13 touches over the past three games rank firmly behind
Rachaad White (19) and Irving (53). It's disappointing usage for the third-year back after breaking out for 140 total yards and three touchdowns in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills. However, he is seemingly the preferred back near the goal line, handling four of the six running back carries in the last three weeks. That still doesn't present much upside for the 24-year-old back, making him tough to trust heading into Week 16's divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs defense will take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. The Chiefs defense has struggled mightily over the last six games, losing five of six and allowing 20 or more points in five of six. The Kansas City defense was able to hold the Los Angeles Chargers to 16 points in Week 15, but they were unable to come away with the win. The Chiefs should have an easier time this week against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are tied for the second-fewest points per game this season, averaging 16.1 points per game. The Chiefs have also gotten a takeaway in two of their last three games and have three or more sacks in back-to-back games. The Kansas City defensive unit is ranked as the third-best defense in our RotoBaller rankings, making them one of the best options at the position this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 19, 2025
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) likely won't play in Week 17's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, per Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. The 33-year-old wideout missed Thursday night's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks after aggravating a hamstring injury during Week 15's win over the Detroit Lions. The star wideout has had an incredible first season in Los Angeles, hauling in 60 receptions for 789 yards and a league-leading 14 touchdowns on 114 targets in 14 games. Star receiver
Puka Nacua should continue to see a heavy dose of targets in Adams' absence, with
Konata Mumpfield,
Xavier Smith,
Tutu Atwell, and
Jordan Whittington vying for opportunities behind him.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Adam Grosbard
December 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs kicker
Harrison Butker was perfect in Week 15, cashing in on both of his field goal attempts and his only extra-point attempt. Butker has been serviceable this season, but he has not reached the level of upside he once had when the Chiefs were one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league. Butker's value could take yet another hit with the loss of
Patrick Mahomes in Week 15.
Gardner Minshew will now lead the Kansas City offense, which means more stalled drives and fewer scoring opportunities. Given the state of the offense and the fact that the team has already been eliminated from playoff contention, there is not much for the Chiefs to play for this season. Kansas City is not expected to push the pace of play and increase scoring now to end the season, which hurts Butker's chances to get more kicking opportunities. Butker is ranked K24 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a very low-end option at the position this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Travis Kelce was heavily involved in Week 15, catching seven passes for 70 yards, but it was not enough to pull out the win and save their playoff hopes. The 35-year-old will now face the Tennessee Titans in Week 16 with essentially nothing to play for since the team has been eliminated from playoff contention. That said, the Titans are middle-of-the-pack in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season, making him a neutral matchup for Kelce. Kelce will likely be the first or second option in passing situations with
Rashee Rice and
Tyquan Thornton ruled out this week, so he could find success through sheer volume of opportunities. Kelce will now have to deal with
Gardner Minshew at quarterback, as
Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15. Minshew and Kelce don't have the same established chemistry, but Kelce is talented enough to get it done. Kelce is ranked TE10 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end TE1 option this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 19, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said quarterback
Geno Smith (shoulder, back) will start on Sunday against the Houston Texans, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Smith practiced in full every day this week and will return in Week 16 after sitting out last week's blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles due to a right shoulder injury. The 35-year-old has struggled this season, with the second-most interceptions and tied for the most sacks taken, but he is an upgrade over
Kenny Pickett, who led the Raiders to the lowest total yards (75) in any NFL game this season last week against the Eagles. Smith will return for another brutal matchup in Week 16 against the vaunted Houston Texans defense, and profiles only as a desperation play in superflex leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Ryan McFadden
December 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Marquise Brown missed Week 15 and was listed on this week's injury report with a personal issue, but practiced fully and does not have a designation for this week. Brown should step into a larger role with
Rashee Rice and
Tyquan Thornton ruled out with concussions this week. While
Xavier Worthy should be the featured player in the wide receiver room, Brown may still be able to find success against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. The Titans have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season, so Brown is set up with an advantageous matchup. The veteran receiver has had some good fantasy performances this season, but now he will have to do it with
Gardner Minshew leading the offense. Brown is ranked WR54 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option in the fantasy playoffs.
--Joshua CostelloSource: Chiefs.com
December 19, 2025
Miami Dolphins quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa was benched as the team's starting quarterback on Wednesday this week and has "in all likelihood played his final down in Miami," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Rookie QB
Quinn Ewers is in line to start the rest of the season for the Dolphins as they prepare to move off of Tagovailoa in the future. The 2020 fifth overall pick has struggled this season, leading the league with 15 interceptions and posting the worst QBR of his career (36.7). Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract during the 2024 off-season and carries a total of nearly $100 million of dead cap that the Dolphins would have take on over the next two seasons if they decide to move on. The 27-year-old quarterback can safely be dropped in all redraft leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Tom Pelissero
December 19, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders tight end
Brock Bowers has an opportunity to bounce back in Week 16 against the Houston Texans. The second-year tight end is coming off a disappointing Week 15 showing without quarterback
Geno Smith (back, shoulder), hauling in six of his eight targets for just 28 yards, scoring single-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 10. Despite this poor result, Bowers played 90% of the team's snaps, ran a route on every drop-back, and had a target share of 32%, signifying his importance in Las Vegas' overall passing scheme. Smith will start in Week 16, and Bowers is his preferred target against a Texans defense that just gave up 12 receptions, 134 yards, and two touchdowns to Arizona Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride, a career day for him, in Week 15. Since returning from injury in Week 9, Bowers has been a steady TE1 option for fantasy managers, averaging 16.9 PPR points per game. Bowers has a safe floor and should be started in all league formats in Week 16, but a sputtering Raiders' offense against a dominant Texans defense will probably limit his upside.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Xavier Worthy caught two passes for 35 yards in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, but he should step into the lead role for the Chiefs this week. With fellow receivers
Rashee Rice and
Tyquan Thornton ruled out with concussions, there should be plenty of opportunities for Worthy to shine against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. The Titans have given up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season, which means this could be a smash spot for Worthy if he hits. Worthy has had an up-and-down season, but he should be able to produce with the runway cleared for him. That said, he does have a quarterback downgrade, going from
Patrick Mahomes to
Gardner Minshew this week. Minshew has proven capable in the past and should be able to deliver the ball to Worthy. Worthy is ranked WR39 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end WR3/flex option this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 19, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back
Ashton Jeanty faces another uphill battle in Week 16 on the road against the potent Houston Texans defense, which is likely to hinder his fantasy production and upside. Over the last two weeks, Jeanty has failed to score double-digit fantasy points and eked out just 65 total rushing yards from 19 attempts against the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles. Even more troubling than this inefficiency, Jeanty saw only 41.7% of third downs in Week 15, his lowest since Week 7, with running back
Raheem Mostert subbing in more frequently. Jeanty is still running an average of 24 routes and seeing roughly six targets per game since Week 9, which provides a glimmer of hope for fantasy managers in PPR formats. However, even with quarterback
Geno Smith (back, shoulder) to start in Week 16, the Raiders are struggling to gain momentum on offense, and Jeanty is a low-end RB2/Flex option this week with higher-than-normal bust potential despite his weekly double-digit touches.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 19, 2025
The NFL has fined Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Puka Nacua $25,000 for his comments about officiating, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Nacua compared NFL officials to lawyers and said they make calls to be on TV during a recent social media livestream. The star wide receiver also tweeted about the officials directly after the Rams' loss to the Seahawks on Thursday night. Nacua's off-field antics have somewhat overshadowed how dominant he's been on the field lately, posting a career day with 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets against Seattle. The 24-year-old wideout is in the midst of a ridiculous three-game span, recording 28 catches (38 targets) for 573 yards and four touchdowns. The only other wide receivers to tally 573 yards or more over a three-game span are
Josh Gordon, Calvin Johnson, and Chad Johnson, according to Stathead.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Mike Garafolo
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