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
December 29, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Dylan Sampson returned in Week 17 after a two-game absence due to calf and hand injuries, recording 27 scrimmage yards on 14 touches against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite his inefficient day against the Steelers, Sampson could be in line for a more productive Week 18 in an easier matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. With Browns running back
Quinshon Judkins (ankle, leg) suffering a season-ending injury in Week 16, Cleveland split backfield touches in Week 17 between Sampson,
Raheim Sanders, and Trayevon Williams. Sanders led Browns running backs in snap share, but Sampson earned more touches (14) than Sanders and Williams combined (11). If Sampson remains the leader of the Cleveland backfield committee in Week 18, he should post better results. Fantasy managers in leagues with 12 or more teams should consider targeting Sampson on the waiver wire heading into the final week of the regular season.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Across 13 games this season, Kansas City Chiefs running back
Isiah Pacheco has recorded 563 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 137 touches. The 26-year-old has not recorded more than 34 rushing yards in a game or scored a rushing touchdown since Week 8. However, Pacheco maintains a consistent role in the Kansas City offense, averaging over 11 touches per game over the last three weeks. Pacheco appears to have wrestled the RB1 role for the Chiefs away from fellow back
Kareem Hunt, as he's earned double the touches of Hunt over that same three-game period. Kansas City has been consistently chasing points during its ongoing five-game losing streak, which limits opportunities to run the football. However, the Chiefs could have a chance to play with a lead in their Week 18 matchup against the lowly Las Vegas Raiders. In fantasy leagues with 10 or more teams, Pacheco could be a running back worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Xavier Legette caught one pass for three yards in the team's 27-10 loss against the Seattle Seahawks. The Carolina WR finished the game with 1.3 PPR points. It was his fifth consecutive game with fewer than 6.0 PPR points scored. In Week 18, the Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a winner-take-all game for the NFC South title. The Buccaneers ranked sixth in fantasy points per game allowed to the WR position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 17. In Week 16 against Tampa Bay, Legette had one reception for 12 yards and 2.2 PPR points scored. Legette has seen five-plus targets in only three games since Week 5, and he has averaged 4.3 targets per game this season. Legette is not a consideration for those still playing in Week 18 or DFS bargain hunters. He doesn't have much dynasty appeal, either.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Carolina Panthers running back
Chuba Hubbard had four carries for 12 yards in the team's 27-10 defeat in Week 17 to the Seattle Seahawks. He added six yards on three receptions and finished the game with 2.8 PPR points. It was his lowest fantasy total since Week 10, and it was his third consecutive week with less than 5.0 PPR points. Carolina faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18 in an important game to determine the NFC South title. Tampa Bay ranked 15th in fantasy points per game allowed to the RB position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 17. In Week 16 against the Buccaneers, Hubbard had six carries for 27 yards and 4.4 PPR points. Hubbard's volume is too inconsistent to warrant a roster spot if you are still playing in Week 18, and he does not deserve any DFS consideration. Since Week 9, Hubbard had double-digit carries in only one game and eight or fewer carries in each of his last three. Hubbard remains off the fantasy radar for those playing in Week 18 despite the importance of this game against Tampa Bay. There is no need to handcuff him anymore if you roster
Rico Dowdle. Cut Hubbard if you still have him on the roster and want to block your opponent from picking up certain players.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Across four games since signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, veteran wide receiver
Adam Thielen has recorded eight receptions for 74 yards on 11 targets. While the 35-year-old's overall numbers are modest, he has seen an uptick in usage lately. With Steelers wideouts
DK Metcalf (suspension) and
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) sidelined in Week 17, Thielen earned five targets in the team's 13-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Thielen also played 86% of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps, most among Pittsburgh wide receivers. Austin III has a chance to return for the team's Week 18 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, but Metcalf will remain on the shelf. In PPR fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Thielen could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 29, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum (ankle) is considered questionable to return for Monday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Corum limped to the sideline after a two-yard carry in the second quarter and was taken to the locker room. He is uncertain to return with a right-ankle injury. Before exiting, Corum rushed the ball six times for 18 yards on the ground. His absence should mean a larger role for
Kyren Williams in the backfield.
Ronnie Rivers figures to see more chances as the backup, too, with Corum out of the mix for now. With the Rams down big to begin the second half, it's probably unlikely that we'll see Corum again on Monday night, and the Rams could choose to keep him sidelined for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals as well.
--Andy WebbSource: Adam Grosbard
December 29, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado had five carries for 11 yards in Sunday's 37-14 blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. Demercado also had two catches for nine yards on three targets. The 26-year-old had another quiet performance despite playing in a favorable matchup on Sunday. Heading into Week 17, the Bengals' defense had surrendered the most fantasy points to running backs this season. Demercado has not been the same fantasy running back since returning from his ankle injury and has played a supporting role in the Cardinals' backfield to
Michael Carter. Going into Week 18, Demercado and the Cardinals offense will look to end the season on a high note against the Los Angeles Rams.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: ESPN
December 29, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter had seven carries for 29 yards in Sunday's 37-14 blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. Carter also had two catches for 14 yards on four targets. The 26-year-old has been the lead running back in the Cardinals' backfield after the team has seen season-ending injuries to
James Conner (foot),
Trey Benson (knee), and
Bam Knight (ankle). However, Carter had under 50 total scrimmage yards in the perfect fantasy matchup. Heading into Sunday, the Bengals' defense had allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this season. Carter and the Cardinals' offense will look to bounce back in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams to close the regular season.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: ESPN
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