December 27, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. is an interesting player in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Jaguars' offense has been impressive over the last few weeks, but that hasn't meant guaranteed production for the second-year pro. With that said, the Colts are a great matchup, which Thomas Jr. somewhat took advantage of in Week 14, putting up 87 yards on just three catches. If BTJ can combine that big-play ability with an endzone trip or two, he could be in for a big day. However, after just 18 yards last week, he is difficult to trust. Thomas Jr. is a boom-or-bust play that is certainly worth consideration in Week 17, especially with the numerous injuries to close out the season.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: Brian Thomas Jr. RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
New York Giants wide receiver
Wan'Dale Robinson is coming off his lowest fantasy finish since Week 4, as the Giants look to put their disastrous Week 16 performance behind them. In a 16-13 loss to the Vikings, New York finished with as many passing yards as points allowed. Nobody should be excited to start Robinson coming off a three-catch, 19-yard performance, but when considering that he accounted for nearly 40% of the team's targets and over half the receiving yardage, a bounce back could be in store against a Las Vegas team that has already shut down
Brock Bowers, Maxx Crosby, and Jeremy Chinn. Robinson is 99 yards away from his first career 1,000-yard season, and he projects as RotoBaller's WR26 against a shorthanded Raiders defense.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars running back
Travis Etienne Jr. has thrived over the past three weeks and should continue to succeed in a rematch from Week 14 with the Indianapolis Colts. The whole Jaguars offense is clicking to end the season, and Etienne Jr. has been a primary benefactor of the improved performance. He has been a fiend for the end zone lately, especially in the receiving game, making him a high-upside dual threat out of the backfield. With backup rookie
Bhayshul Tuten (finger) potentially out again, Etienne Jr. should dominate touches out of the backfield. In the biggest week of the fantasy season, managers should feel good about starting Etienne Jr. in Week 17 against the Colts.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: Travis Etienne Jr. RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals kicker
Evan McPherson made a career-high six field goals in the Week 13 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, he's been relatively quiet in the last three weeks by draining his only attempt during that span. All things considered, the 26-year-old is viewed as a top fantasy option at the position in Week 17, considering the Bengals offense is projected to put up plenty of points against a weak Cardinals defense. As a result, McPherson is a must-start, especially since he has an excellent chance to finish as the week's highest-scoring fantasy kicker.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence has been on a tear towards the end of the season, and will look to continue his great play in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts. He has combined for over almost 700 total yards and 10 total touchdowns the last two weeks, with the previous week's performance coming against a great Broncos defense. Clearly, the Jaguars' offense is clicking, so expectations should be that it continues. The Colts' defense is banged up, so Lawrence has a chance to be even better than his Week 14 performance against their division rival. Fantasy managers should continue to ride Lawrence to a potential fantasy championship in Week 17.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: Trevor Lawrence RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
New York Giants running back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. has seen quality usage down the stretch and projects as a high-floor RB2 against a Raiders team that looks to have turned their attention to 2026. With the number one pick of the upcoming NFL draft potentially at stake on Sunday, Las Vegas has already shut down
Brock Bowers, Maxx Crosby, and Jeremy Chinn, and the Giants are slight favorites on the road. Averaging 18.5 opportunities per game, since Week 10, Tracy has finished as a top-15 fantasy running back three times over that span, including an RB5 finish against the Commanders in Week 15. And while he's scored only three total touchdowns on the season, 12 of his 16 red zone looks have come in the past four games. Against a Raiders defense that struggled against the run even when they were trying, Tracy looks to be a safe Week 17 start.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals tight end
Mike Gesicki has seen an uptick in production of late by scoring a touchdown in two of his previous three appearances. While the veteran had only four catches in the last two weeks, he's still playing better than most anticipated. With a favorable matchup on the horizon against an injury-plagued Cardinals defense, the Bengals offense is projected to be the highest-scoring unit of the week. Granted, Gesicki isn't a safe fantasy option, although there is streaming potential, considering some of the league's top tight ends have already been ruled out. There could be more names added to the list heading toward lock time on Sunday.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
New York Giants quarterback
Jaxson Dart has the precise skillset needed to put up monstrous fantasy performances even if the games aren't always pretty, as evidenced by his seven-week stretch as the QB3 while going 2-5. Unfortunately, since returning from a concussion in Week 13, his usage has no longer showcased those skills, making him difficult to trust in a Week 17 matchup with the Raiders. Since his return from injury, his designed rushing yards per game have dropped from 22.6 to two. Heading into a game that could ultimately determine the number one pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Raiders have already shut down
Brock Bowers, Jeremy Chinn, and Maxx Crosby, so depending on the Giants' approach, there is a path for Dart to hit a ceiling that few players in the league are capable of. That ceiling potential must be weighed against his floor, as he is coming off his worst game of the season against Minnesota. As RotoBaller's QB13 for the week, he is best viewed as a desperation play by heavy underdogs in single quarterback leagues.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Samaje Perine scored a touchdown in the 45-21 win over the Miami Dolphins. While
Chase Brown remains the No. 1 option out of the backfield, as expected, Perine has stayed involved by logging double-digit carries in two of his previous four appearances. With a favorable matchup against a weak, injury-plagued Cardinals defense on the horizon, everyone on the offensive side of the ball could benefit from a statistical standpoint. However, despite a higher ceiling than usual, Perine shouldn't be viewed as anything more than a deep-league desperation option in Week 17.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Buffalo kicker
Michael Badgley was elevated from the Bills' practice squad before Sunday's Week 16 matchup with the Browns, and in filling in for
Matt Prater (quadriceps), he made two of three extra points and was good on a 41-yard field goal, his only attempt of the game. He finished as the 26th-best kicker on the week, and in a Week 17 matchup against the Eagles that projects to see fewer scoring opportunities, he lacks the ceiling that fantasy managers should be seeking for their Week 17 title games. In his seven games with Indianapolis this season, Badgley connected on 10 of 11 field goals while converting 18 of 21 extra points. Badgley is RotoBaller's K15 for the Week, indicating that better options are likely available.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins only has 49 catches for 720 yards in 13 games this season. On the other hand, he's certainly made up for it by amassing 10 touchdowns, tying him with
Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the third-highest mark at the position. Granted, fantasy managers would love to see more volume for the former Clemson Tiger. Still, not many (if any) can say that they have scored at least once in six of their last seven appearances. With a favorable matchup with the injury-plagued Cardinals defense on tap for Week 17, Higgins' ceiling is as high as ever. Keep him starting in all fantasy formats.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills running back
Ray Davis (knee) has logged a week of full practice participation and was viewed as a valuable handcuff coming into Week 17. Fortunately for most fantasy managers, that handcuff is no longer required, as starting running back
James Cook is at full health heading into a Week 17 matchup with the Eagles. Davis has put up 120 rushing yards on the year, an additional 51 receiving yards, and one touchdown through the air. With Cook currently leading the race for this year's rushing crown, it seems unlikely that Davis will see much run against an uncharacteristically beatable Eagles front, and he can be dropped wherever roster flexibility is needed for Championship weekend.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 27, 2025
Cleveland Browns wide receiver
Cedric Tillman looks to be fighting for the team's WR2 position going into an AFC North battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. The third-year wide out appears to be in a timeshare with rookie wide receiver
Isaiah Bond, with Tillman playing 48% of the snaps, barely edging out Bond, and running 55% of routes compared to Bond's 58%. Whereas the team is getting Bond involved in trick plays and schemes, Tillman does not have much to show aside from his combined three receptions off eight targets for 36 yards since Week 12. If rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) is inactive on Sunday, rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders may look to his wide-outs to pick up the slack, which would benefit Tillman. The Steelers' pass defense has tightened up over the past four weeks, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, making Tillman an even less appealing pivot option for deep league managers. If Fannin Jr. were to miss Week 17, Tillman would get a slight bump to fringe WR4/Flex territory in 14+ person leagues. However, he is the third option on an offense averaging just 169 passing yards per game, which is the fourth-fewest in the NFL.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders running back
Raheem Mostert (ankle, knee) was able to log a limited practice on Friday after missing two previous sessions ahead of the team's Week 17 matchup at home against the New York Giants. The veteran running back has been playing behind rookie
Ashton Jeanty all season and has yet to score double-digit fantasy points or reach the end zone this year. In Weeks 14 and 15, Mostert did see a spike in his third-down usage, much to the chagrin of Jeanty managers, but he only saw two opportunities from his six snaps in Week 16 against the Houston Texans. If he suits up on Sunday, he will be lining up against a Giants' run defense that is a top-three matchup for opposing running backs. There is an unlikely scenario that head coach Pete Carroll could bring in Mostert or running back
Dylan Laube to ice the game and protect Jeanty from injury if the Raiders were to gain a decisive, early lead. However, the Raiders are currently home underdogs, and the Las Vegas offense is likely to rely heavily on Jeanty throughout its Week 17 matchup. Fantasy managers interested in starting Mostert in Week 17 are hoping the veteran back can make a big play when subbing in for Jeanty, since volume and goal-line opportunities have been going to the workhorse rookie.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dawson Knox (knee) is listed as questionable for Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Knox was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned on a limited basis on Friday, opening the door for him to play this week. Knox cooled off last week, hauling in just one pass for 10 yards against the Cleveland Browns, which ended his two-game production surge. The matchup is almost as tough as they come, as the Eagles have given up the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. With
Dalton Kincaid (knee) also questionable entering Week 17, Knox could be more of a focal point against the Eagles, but he's still a risky TE2 given his injury and the tough matchup.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
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