December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Tank Bigsby recorded 37 rushing yards and his first touchdown of the season on four carries against the Commanders last week. Bigsby broke free for a 22-yard score in the fourth quarter, and now averages an impressive 6.1 yards per attempt this year. However, with
Saquon Barkley healthy and ready to play, it seems as though any chance of Bigsby stepping into a notable role before season's end has faded away. With his low volume, it would be a massive gamble to start him in fantasy lineups as playoffs come to a close, even against a poor Buffalo run defense. It's best to leave Bigsby benched for Week 17.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Saquon Barkley last week recorded his second-most rushing yards in a game this season, torching the Commanders for 132 and a touchdown. Barkley has gotten hot lately, with 332 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 63 carries over the last three weeks. On Sunday, he may feast again versus a Buffalo defense that gives up 144.3 yards per game on the ground, which is the fourth-most in the NFL. The Bills have also allowed a league-leading 24 rushing touchdowns through 15 games. Given the sheer amount of volume Barkley has had recently and his 5.3 yards per carry since Week 14, he's primed for a huge day. While he's been relatively uninvolved in the passing game recently, having just two receptions over his last four outings, it shouldn't matter much this weekend. Barkley looks like himself again, and he's a mid-tier RB1 as fantasy playoffs near their end.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Jalen Hurts helped out fantasy managers last week with two passing touchdowns and his biggest day on the ground since Week 4, tallying 40 rushing yards. Hurts may have to rely on his legs some more in his upcoming game against the Bills, as Buffalo allows just 167.1 passing yards per game this season, which is the second-fewest in the league. Luckily, the Bills let Browns QB
Shedeur Sanders scramble all around them last week as the rookie led his team with 49 rushing yards. While it may be tough to get it going through the air, Hurts has shown he can score in more ways than one with his eight rushing touchdowns this season. In this high-octane clash of Super Bowl-hopefuls, expect Hurts to bring his A-game. Especially with his five passing touchdowns in his last two games, consider him a solid QB1 despite the slightly intimidating matchup.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers recorded three sacks and a forced fumble while surrendering 24 points to the Detroit Lions in a Week 16 victory. The Steelers DST didn't have a huge fantasy showing, but it held Detroit to just 15 rushing yards and kept the Lions off the scoreboard for two of four quarters. Even without star linebacker T.J. Watt (lung), cornerback James Pierre (calf), and cornerback Brandin Echols (groin), Pittsburgh shouldn't have too much trouble against the Cleveland Browns this week. The Browns are averaging just over 16 points and 1.5 giveaways per game. Given this contest's low projected point total, fantasy managers aren't likely to find many safer options than Pittsburgh in Week 17. The Steelers DST can be started with confidence on Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: Pro Football Reference
December 26, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker
Chris Boswell converted all three of his extra-point tries and drilled two of his three field goal attempts in a Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions. His miss from 37 yards out was nearly costly, as he failed to put Pittsburgh up by eight points with just over two minutes remaining, but the Steelers were ultimately able to close out the victory with a five-point lead. Boswell will look to bounce back against the Cleveland Browns this week. When he last faced Cleveland in Week 6, Boswell was incredibly productive for fantasy purposes in a 23-9 win. Sunday's contest carries an extremely low projected point total, which could signal limited touchdown opportunities and increased involvement for the kicker. Furthermore, Pittsburgh may not have much to play for if the Green Bay Packers defeat the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. If the Steelers rest some starters or adopt a conservative approach, Boswell could be called upon early and often. Fantasy managers can continue to roll with the 34-year-old in Week 17.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Darnell Washington has logged three receptions in each of his past two games and could be in line for additional opportunities against the division-rival Cleveland Browns in Week 17. Cleveland, while stingy against opposing wideouts, has been middle-of-the-road against tight ends this season. Back in Week 6, when the Steelers last faced the Browns, Washington took the field for 80% of offensive snaps and racked up 62 receiving yards. Pittsburgh will be without suspended receiver
DK Metcalf on Sunday and, depending on the outcome of the Baltimore Ravens' game on Saturday, could choose to rest additional starters. Furthermore,
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) has already been ruled out. Assuming Washington is active, he could be an important piece of the Steelers' passing attack. This makes him an intriguing streaming option in deeper fantasy formats, but Washington can remain on waiver wires in most redraft leagues.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
New Orleans Saints wide receiver
Chris Olave has formed a terrific rapport with rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough, and it has vaulted him into the WR1 tier near the end of the 2025 fantasy football season. Olave is coming off one of the best games of his career, catching 10 of 16 targets for 148 yards and a pair of touchdowns last weekend. The 25-year-old currently ranks as the overall WR6 in full-PPR leagues. He has already set career-highs in targets, catches, and touchdowns, and the season isn't even over. He's also on pace to set a new career-high in yards by the end of the year. Olave is due for another big game as he takes on the Tennessee Titans in Week 17. Tennessee has surrendered the eighth-most receiving yards and seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. He'll rank as a mid-range WR1 for the rest of the season.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Adam Thielen caught all four of his targets for 49 yards last week and is in line for an expanded role against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. While the Steelers may choose to rest some starters if the Green Bay Packers defeat the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Thielen should see the field as a necessary weapon with
DK Metcalf beginning a two-game suspension. That said, the Browns have been stout against opposing wideouts all season, and Pittsburgh may not need to lean heavily on the passing game in this matchup. If the Ravens win on Saturday, Thielen could provide sneaky flex value in deeper fantasy formats, but the 35-year-old will be difficult to trust in most leagues.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Tennessee Titans running back
Tyjae Spears has carved out a sizable role in the passing game, and he'll remain an appealing fantasy option if he can handle a large target share again in Week 17. The 24-year-old has at least two catches in each of his last 10 games, and at least four catches in half of those contests. He continues to operate behind
Tony Pollard on early downs, but he routinely capitalizes on passing down opportunities. As a result, most of his value comes in PPR leagues where he can earn extra points for catching passes. He has garnered flex appeal lately but will run into a tougher matchup this week against the New Orleans Saints, who have allowed the second-fewest catches and fifth-fewest receiving yards to opposing running backs in 2025. As it stands, Spears ranks as the RB40 in RotoBaller's updated half-PPR fantasy rankings for Week 17.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell is the fantasy RB21 on the season and carries plenty of value in PPR formats against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. Although Gainwell is not listed on the team's injury report, the status of all of Pittsburgh's starters needs to be monitored up until game time. If the Baltimore Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, the Steelers will clinch the AFC North title and could choose to rest some players on Sunday. Assuming Gainwell plays, however, he is set up for success against a Cleveland defense that has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing backs over the past eight weeks. With
DK Metcalf suspended, Gainwell's involvement as a pass-catcher could increase. That said, fantasy managers can continue to rely on Gainwell as an RB2 or flex option if he is expected to play a full allotment of snaps.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
New York Giants running back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. continues to handle a high-volume role, and he should remain heavily involved ahead of Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. Tracy has emerged as the Giants' top back ahead of
Devin Singletary ever since
Cam Skattebo (ankle) was placed on season-ending injured reserve. He has played at least half of the snaps in six of his last eight games, including 76% of the snaps back in Week 15. In two games since the bye week, he has 31 carries, 141 rushing yards, five catches, 34 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. In addition to playing well recently, he's an intriguing fantasy option given his matchup against the Raiders, who have allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns and 10th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2025. As it stands, Tracy ranks as the overall RB24 in RotoBaller's Week 17 rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren (hip) practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and does not carry an injury designation into a Week 17 meeting with the Cleveland Browns. There is a chance, however, that Warren's workload could be limited depending on the outcome of the Baltimore Ravens' contest on Saturday. If the Green Bay Packers defeat the Ravens, Pittsburgh will clinch the AFC North title regardless of Sunday's result. In that scenario, the Steelers could choose to limit reps or rest starters entirely, so fantasy managers will need to monitor the situation up until game time. Assuming Warren plays his normal role, he should find success against a struggling Browns defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs over the past eight weeks. He would be a borderline must-start and should be viewed as a fantasy RB2 if active.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders running back
Ashton Jeanty had the best game of his young career last week, logging a career-high in touches (25), carries (24), receiving yards (60), and scrimmage yards (188). He also had 128 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns. The rookie managed to turn in this impressive performance despite a challenging matchup against the Houston Texans, whose run defense has played very well in 2025. He'll move on to a much softer matchup in Week 17, when he takes on the New York Giants. The Giants have allowed the third-most rushing yards and fifth-most fantasy points to running backs in 2025. Jeanty has been a lone bright spot in the Raiders' offense this year, and he should continue to see a large opportunity share in a favorable matchup with
Brock Bowers (knee) done for the season. Jeanty is the RB6 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy rankings for Week 17, and he could possibly end up as this week's highest-scoring running back. It goes without saying that he should be started in all fantasy leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) is listed on the team's injury report but practiced in full all week and does not carry an injury designation ahead of a Week 17 divisional showdown with the Cleveland Browns. Still, his status as the starter will be worth monitoring. The Green Bay Packers are set to host the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, and if the Ravens lose, Pittsburgh will clinch the AFC North title before Sunday's contest kicks off. In that scenario, the Steelers could opt to start
Mason Rudolph and rest Rodgers ahead of the playoffs. If Rodgers does play, he could struggle to provide fantasy value on the road against a Cleveland defense that has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Additionally, he will be without his top wide receiver, as
DK Metcalf begins a two-game suspension following an altercation with a fan in Week 16. Desperate fantasy managers could view Rodgers as a low-end QB2 if he starts, but this situation is best avoided if possible.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Terrance Ferguson continues to trend upward in the team's offense. ESPN.com's Sarah Barshop wrote about 36 rookies who have learned valuable lessons in their first season, and she identified Ferguson early in the article as one of this season's top risers. He has played at least 75% of the offensive snaps in each of the last two weeks, and he had the best game of his young career in Week 16 with three catches, 33 yards, and one touchdown. Ferguson has emerged with
Tyler Higbee (ankle) sidelined, as he finds himself in a complementary role alongside
Colby Parkinson. While Parkinson has been more productive from a fantasy perspective, Ferguson has also carved out a decent role in Los Angeles' high-powered offense. He's a solid dynasty stash but not a dependable fantasy option for Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons.
--Andersen PickardSource: Sarah Barshop
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