December 25, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Javonte Williams (neck) posted his worst fantasy performance of the season last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, handling a season low nine carries for 34 yards while adding two catches (three targets) for nine yards. It marked his fewest total yards in a game since Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers. Williams played through a neck injury last Sunday but doesn’t carry an injury designation heading into the Christmas game versus the Washington Commanders. The former Denver Bronco has a dream spot on Christmas Day against the Commanders to rebound and finish his strong first season in Dallas on a high note. The 25-year-old compiled 19 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown to go with one reception (four targets) for two yards in their Week 7 matchup. Washington is one of only four teams to allow over five yards per carry while also allowing the third-highest rate of runs that result in 10 yards or more over the last five games. Williams ranks as a borderline RB1 in Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 25, 2025
Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Dak Prescott had another outstanding performance last week against a strong Chargers defense despite the loss, completing 21 of 30 passes for 244 yards (8.1 Y/A) with two touchdowns. Prescott remains one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in a high-volume passing offense with two elite wide receivers in
CeeDee Lamb and
George Pickens. The 32-year-old signal caller gets a beautiful matchup on Christmas Day against a horrid Washington Commanders defense, which the Cowboys scored 44 points against back in their Week 7 meeting. The Commanders have allowed the third most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and have shown little to no resistance against the pass in recent weeks. Prescott profiles as a set-and-forget top-three QB option in Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. has been one of the few bright spots for the Browns' offense this season. The 21-year-old rookie has taken the league by storm with 70 receptions for 701 yards with five touchdowns on 105 targets. Fannin has recently taken his game up a notch during the most important part of the fantasy football season. Over the last four weeks, Fannin has been a TE1 and has finished as a Top-2 tight end twice in PPR leagues. During that stretch, he has commanded 36 targets and found the end zone three times. There has yet to be an offensive rookie to take a firm grip on the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year race. If Fannin continues to put up big numbers over his last two games, he could set himself up to become the second-ever tight end to win the award.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum has carved out a role in one of the most fantasy-productive offenses in the NFL. Since Week 13, Corum has scored more than 13 fantasy points and finished among the top 24 running backs in PPR formats. During this stretch, Corum has scored a touchdown in each game and has scored five touchdowns in total. The Rams have deployed a split backfield over the last couple of weeks to keep
Kyren Williams fresh and healthy for a potential Super Bowl run. Despite splitting work, both running backs have remained fantasy viable. With the offense consistently playing in the red zone, both backs have been able to score touchdowns and produce for fantasy managers. Corum has built a solid resume that managers can depend on and can be trusted as a flex option during fantasy championships.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
The Detroit Lions' defense has been an abject disaster in recent weeks, allowing opponents to score an average of 31.6 points per game over the team's last five games. Detroit's secondary has been ravaged by injuries, as star safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) are done for the season, and backup safety Avonte Maddox (back, illness) has been ruled out for Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. However, Minnesota is dealing with some significant injury absences of its own, most notably quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (hand). The Vikings will start rookie
Max Brosmer under center in Week 17. In Brosmer's lone other start this season, he averaged 4.2 yards per pass attempt and threw four interceptions in Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. Fantasy managers should proceed with caution around this leaky Lions' defense. However, the Detroit D/ST could be a decent streaming option in Week 17 against Brosmer and the Vikings.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Across 15 games this season, Detroit Lions kicker
Jake Bates has converted on 22 of 28 field goal attempts and 52 out of 54 extra-point tries. Bates has the benefit of being tied to the Detroit offense, which enters Week 17 ranked second in the NFL in points per game (30.1). However, Bates and the Lions will face one of the league's top scoring defenses in Week 17 when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. Over the last three weeks, Minnesota has allowed opponents to score an average of just 13 points per game. In the first matchup between the two NFC North division rivals this season in Week 9, the Lions were held to 24 points, their fourth-lowest mark in a game in 2025. If there's one benefit for Bates, the game will be played indoors, which eliminates any weather concerns for the kicking game. Bates remains a viable starting kicker for fantasy managers in Week 17, but he profiles as a low-end option rather than a must-start player at the position against Minnesota.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Emanuel Wilson has been a reliable fill-in starter when he has had his name called on this season.
Josh Jacobs (knee, ankle) has battled injuries off and on this year, and Wilson has taken advantage of every chance he has been given. Recently, Jacobs was battling lower-body injuries heading into Week 16 but managed to play through them against the Chicago Bears. Due to Jacobs being less than fully healthy, Wilson led the Packers in carries and rushing yards in the overtime loss. Wilson finished the game with 14 carries for 82 rushing yards. When Jacobs has missed time, Wilson has been a viable fantasy running back for managers. However, when Jacobs has been healthy, Wilson has been a non-factor in every fantasy format. Wilson has been a solid handcuff running back when he has been forced into action, but his fantasy value is solely attached to the health of Jacobs. If Jacobs cannot give it a go in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens, Wilson is a solid option for fantasy managers.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Kalif Raymond had his best performance of the season in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Raymond could see an expanded role again in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, as top Lions wideout
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is questionable to play due to a knee injury. However, if St. Brown is active, there's reason to believe Raymond's performance in Week 16 is unlikely to be repeated. Lions quarterback
Jared Goff threw 54 passes against Pittsburgh, 17 more than he attempted in his first matchup of the season against the Vikings in Week 9. Additionally, Minnesota has been a very tough matchup for opposing passing attacks. The Vikings enter the week ranked second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). Raymond has some upside as a deep-league flex option for fantasy managers if St. Brown is sidelined. If St. Brown is active, fantasy managers should likely avoid Raymond in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Isaac TeSlaa posted his best performance of the season in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording four catches for 52 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. Although the 23-year-old has hauled in just 12 receptions across 15 games this season, five of them have gone for touchdowns. TeSlaa has seen his playing time spike in recent weeks, as he's played at least 40 offensive snaps in four straight games after failing to play more than 28 snaps in any of Detroit's first 11 contests. He may have an even greater role in his team's offense in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, as star wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is questionable to play due to a knee injury. However, Minnesota enters the week ranked second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). In his first matchup of the season against the Vikings in Week 9, TeSlaa did not record a catch or earn a target. If St. Brown is active, TeSlaa should likely be avoided by fantasy managers in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Across 15 games this season, Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams has recorded 57 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns on 91 targets. Over his last four games, Williams has taken his production to a new level, hauling in 26 receptions for 444 yards and two touchdowns on 38 targets. The 24-year-old could see an even larger role in Week 17, as Lions wideout
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is officially listed as questionable to play in the team's Christmas Day matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has been an excellent pass defense so far this season, entering the week ranked second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). However, Williams had posted solid production in his first matchup of the season against the Vikings in Week 9, recording four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown on 6 targets. Williams remains a must-start fantasy wide receiver despite the tough matchup in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz (knee) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Schultz was limited in practice to begin the week, but he is back to a full session a day later. Barring any setbacks, Schultz will be ready to go for Saturday's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Schultz has hauled in 11 receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns over his last two games. He draws a tough matchup this weekend on the road against the Bolts, but he remains a TE1 target for this game in fantasy football. He has been a solid contributor in this offense over the last few months.
--Andy WebbSource: Houston Texans PR
December 24, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) was absent during Wednesday's practice session. Austin is still dealing with a hamstring issue after exiting early during Sunday's win over the Detroit Lions. The 26-year-old has mainly been a rotational player, but he is expected to see a larger role with
DK Metcalf (suspension) done for the final two games of the regular season. If Austin were to miss Week 17,
Adam Thielen and
Roman Wilson would likely see more playing time. Austin hasn't finished with more than one reception in a single game since Week 12. He's not exactly a trustworthy fantasy option heading into the upcoming matchup versus the division-rival Cleveland Browns if he's active on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: Brooke Pryor
December 24, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Pearsall sat out during Monday's win over the Indianapolis Colts due to nagging knee and ankle issues. He's clearly still dealing with the issues, but at least he was able to practice in a limited capacity. Fantasy managers will need to monitor his status over the next few days ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. Another absence from Pearsall would mean increased roles for
Jauan Jennings,
Kendrick Bourne, and
Demarcus Robinson. Jennings is the most consistent contributor out of the three wideouts right now for the Niners offense. Even if Pearsall plays in Week 17, it will be hard to recommend him for a flex spot in fantasy football lineups with championships on the line.
--Andy WebbSource: Matt Maiocco
December 24, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Josh Jacobs (knee, ankle) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. This is now back-to-back days that Jacobs has been able to get through a limited session. Jacobs has been playing through lingering knee and ankle issues since Week 11. It has resulted in a smaller workload with 12 carries in each of his last two games. Fellow back
Emanuel Wilson actually out-touched Jacobs during last week's loss to the Chicago Bears. The 26-year-old rushed for 82 yards and could see a larger share in the backfield, given that Jacobs is still banged up. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the injury report ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Jacobs has been a must-start fantasy RB all year with 14 total touchdowns in 14 games, but he's literally limping to the finish line.
--Andy WebbSource: Matt Schneidman
December 24, 2025
New York Jets rookie tight end
Mason Taylor (neck) was a non-participant during Wednesday's practice session. Taylor has missed each of the last two games due to a neck injury. He's trending in the wrong direction to begin the week as the Jets head into their final home game against the New England Patriots in Week 17. The Jets have been using a committee approach between
Jeremy Ruckert,
Stone Smartt, and
Jelani Woods over the last two games with Taylor sidelined. Ruckert has at least two receptions in four straight games, while Smartt caught five passes last week. Neither of these players should be considered viable options in 12-team fantasy formats ahead of Week 17. Fantasy managers should be preparing to be without Taylor for a third straight game this weekend.
--Andy WebbSource: Rich Cimini
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