December 28, 2025
Arizona Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride caught 10 of his 13 targets for 76 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. McBride continues to be the top-scoring tight end in fantasy football this season, and he widened the gap between himself and the rest of the tight end position on Sunday afternoon. Along the way, he also set a new NFL record for most catches by a tight end in a single season. It's safe to say that McBride is the best and most dependable tight end in the league. He should continue to be deployed as a high-end TE1 in a pass-heavy game approach against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18. He also figures to be the first tight end off the board (and a potential first-round pick) in 2026 fantasy football drafts.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen completed 23 of his 35 pass attempts for 262 yards, zero passing touchdowns, and zero turnovers during Sunday's Week 17 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also registered seven rushing attempts, 27 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. Allen hadn't led a scoring drive until the fourth quarter, when he called his own number and ran into the end zone on two different occasions. As a result, he turned around his fantasy performance and now ranks as the fifth-highest-scoring fantasy quarterback with four Week 17 games remaining. Despite the big game, he actually fell to the No. 2 spot in the 2025 quarterback fantasy points leaderboard after
Drake Maye's five-touchdown performance. However, the gap between Allen and Maye is small, and the former could reclaim his top spot next week against the New York Jets. The 29-year-old signal-caller should continue to be started in all fantasy leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Tyler Lockett tallied two receptions and nine yards off his three targets during Sunday's 34-10 loss to the New York Giants in Week 17. The veteran wide receiver's fantasy day was saved by his reception in the back of the end zone on a quarterback
Geno Smith (ankle) scramble late in the third quarter. Lockett was competing for targets with the fourth-round rookie wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr., but the Raiders' offense struggled to sustain drives or keep a clean pocket against the Giants' defense. If rookie wide receiver
Jack Bech (back), who was a late addition to the Week 17 injury report and was ruled out before kickoff on Sunday, Lockett should resume his part-time WR3 role in Week 18 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs' defense is a bottom-10 matchup for opposing wide receivers, keeping Lockett in deep-league WR4/Flex territory heading into the final game of the 2025 season.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Tre Tucker was primed to emerge as the Raiders' lead pass catcher in Week 17, but was held to five receptions for 49 yards off his six targets in a 34-10 loss to the New York Giants. Tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) was placed on IR following Week 16, and rookie wide receiver
Jack Bech (back) was ruled out Sunday afternoon, which should have opened the path for more opportunities for Tucker. However, quarterback
Geno Smith (ankle) was under pressure all afternoon, and the passing attack primarily went through tight end
Michael Mayer. Still, Tucker earned the most targets out of the Raiders' wide receiver room and is solidly the team's WR1. Tucker has a bottom-10 matchup ahead of him in Week 18 against AFC West rivals the Kansas City Chiefs. The third-year wide-out is firmly in WR3/Flex territory as the 2025 season draws to a close.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders tight end
Michael Mayer hauled in nine of his 10 targets for 89 yards during Sunday's Week 17 loss against the New York Giants. The tight end was thrust into the spotlight after fellow tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) was placed on Injured Reserve after Week 16. Mayer was quarterback
Geno Smith's (ankle) preferred target and performed well under pressure, bringing in a long pass to convert a fourth down in the third quarter. With Bowers out for the remainder of the season, Mayer almost certainly will continue his prominent role in the Raiders' passing attack for one more game. To close out the season in Week 18, the Raiders take on the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs at home, a defense that is an average matchup for opposing tight ends. Mayer will offer a decent floor for fantasy managers playing into Week 18 in need of a tight end, but keep in mind that backup QB
Kenny Pickett will most likely be starting for the Raiders.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back
Ashton Jeanty was held to single-digit fantasy points in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the New York Giants in Week 17. Jeanty has been held to 10 or fewer fantasy points in three of his last four games, disappointing fantasy managers in the playoffs. Despite the great matchup, he had a relatively inefficient day, turning his 16 rush attempts into 60 yards and corralling both of his targets for just 13 yards. The rookie ball carrier was the Raiders' workhorse back, with
Raheem Mostert (ankle, knee) ruled inactive before gametime, but he did cede some third-down snaps to running back
Zamir White in the second half. The Las Vegas Raiders will host the reeling Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18, whose defense is a top-10 matchup for opposing running backs. Jeanty still has big play potential and, as the Raiders' bell cow back, should continue to see starting lineups in Week 18.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
New York Giants quarterback
Jaxson Dart completed 22 of his 30 pass attempts for 207 passing yards during Sunday's Week 17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He also rushed for 48 yards, took two sacks, and didn't turn over the football. The rookie didn't score any touchdowns through the air, but he did add two rushing touchdowns. Dart continues to showcase an impressive tendency to scamper into the end zone; he has 13 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns through 11 games. The Ole Miss product's willingness to put his body on the line for big plays will always cause managers to hold their breath, but you can't argue with the results so far. Dart has been one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the NFL this year, and he could make a late push for Rookie of the Year while scoring touchdowns and limiting turnovers. It doesn't look like New York will rest any key starters in Week 18, so Dart should be a low-end fantasy QB1 with all of the Giants' top weapons at his disposal.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Burrow completed 24 of his 31 pass attempts for 305 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 17 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He also rushed for two yards and took three sacks. Burrow played turnover-free football and earned the win for the second week in a row. During that two-game span, he has 614 passing yards and six touchdowns. Outside of an ugly loss to the Ravens, the former No. 1 pick has been playing at an elite level despite Cincinnati being eliminated from playoff contention. It doesn't seem like the Bengals will rest any key starters against the Browns next Sunday, so Burrow should continue to be viewed as a strong fantasy QB1 with all of his top weapons at his disposal.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback
Geno Smith (ankle) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 17 loss against the New York Giants. He was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. The veteran signal-caller finished this game with a 71.4% completion rate, 176 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and two interceptions. He also took three sacks. Smith entered this game with the most interceptions in the NFL, and his total only grew prior to his early exit. He has been one of the lowest-scoring fantasy quarterbacks in 2025, keeping him on the waiver wire in most leagues. Smith, who injured himself while tackling on a Giants interception return, wouldn't be a reliable fantasy option against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18, even if he's cleared to play.
--Andersen PickardSource: Las Vegas Raiders
December 28, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) is inactive for Sunday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17. He had been listed as questionable after the Bears added him to the injury report on Sunday morning. The late addition created plenty of concern about his status, and in the end, he won't be able to suit up. This is a significant loss for the Bears, who had already ruled out wide receiver
Rome Odunze. With Zaccheaus and Odunze sidelined,
Caleb Williams should target
DJ Moore and
Luther Burden III more often. Moore is a strong WR2, while Burden can be deployed as a solid WR3/flex. Meanwhile, Zaccheaus is droppable in most redraft leagues, since he'll likely be the Bears' No. 4 wide receiver upon his return.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chicago Bears
December 28, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
DJ Moore (illness) is officially active for Sunday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17. He had been listed as questionable after the Bears added him to the injury report on Sunday morning. There had been some concern about his status, but in the end, he was able to shake the illness and feels healthy enough to play. Moore has impressed lately with nine catches, 166 yards, and three touchdowns over his last two games. He played a major role in last week's win over the Packers, highlighted by a big game-winning touchdown catch in overtime. This week, Moore and
Luther Burden III will operate as some of
Caleb Williams' top targets with
Rome Odunze (foot) and
Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) ruled out. The 28-year-old is a solid WR2 option in fantasy football.
--Andersen PickardSource: Lindsay Thiry
December 28, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is officially active for Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears in Week 17. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. Having Pearsall available is key for the 49ers, who will be without
George Kittle (ankle) on Sunday night. While Kittle is irreplaceable, Pearsall's return from a one-game absence fills a significant void in the passing game. He should handle a heavy dose of targets alongside
Jauan Jennings and
Jake Tonges. As it stands, Pearsall ranks as a mid-range WR3/flex against a Bears defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025.
--Andersen PickardSource: Matt Barrows
December 28, 2025
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle (ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Chicago Bears. He had been listed as questionable, but the odds were stacked against him after he missed all three practices this past week. The 49ers left the door open for him to play, but after Kittle tested his ankle during pre-game warmups, the team decided to hold him out. It's a crushing blow for managers who were hoping to have the star tight end available as the fantasy playoffs continue. Instead,
Jake Tonges will operate as the 49ers' top tight end. He's a viable replacement on Sunday Night Football, but his ceiling and floor are both lower than Kittle's. Tonges will rank as a fringe top-12 fantasy tight end in his pass-catching role behind wide receivers
Jauan Jennings and
Ricky Pearsall.
--Andersen PickardSource: Matt Barrows
December 28, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase gave fantasy managers a strong performance during championship weekend. Chase has seen his fantasy value go back to elite status since the return of quarterback
Joe Burrow. On Sunday, the duo connected for two touchdowns in the win over the Arizona Cardinals. Chase snagged a 13-yard score in the first quarter and found the end zone again for an eight-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He hauled in seven of his nine targets for 60 yards and two scores in the victory. Chase will look to surpass the 1,400-yard mark during the Week 18 divisional matchup versus the Cleveland Browns. He'll be a must-start, elite WR1 for all fantasy managers still playing for something in the regular-season finale.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback
Geno Smith (ankle) is questionable to return for Sunday's game against the New York Giants due to an ankle injury that he suffered in the fourth quarter after limping off the field. The fact that the Giants have a double-digit lead in the final quarter likely means that Smith is done for the day. He completed 20 of 28 passing attempts for 176 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions before leaving this contest. Backup
Kenny Pickett will take over under center and could potentially start in Week 18 against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs if Smith is unable to play. Smith's season ending early due to injury would be a fitting end to a dismal first year in Las Vegas.
--Andy WebbSource: Ryan McFadden
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