December 20, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward has thrown multiple touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Ward completed 18 of 29 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns with a season-high 101.2 passer rating in last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has largely struggled this season, totaling 12 touchdowns to 16 turnovers and taking a league high 49 sacks. Positively, he's taken only one sack and committed one turnover in the past two games, but faces another challenge on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have allowed the fifth fewest passing touchdowns and the 12th fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Ward profiles as a desperation QB2 in superflex leagues in Week 16.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Pat Freiermuth was effective in Week 15, catching three passes for 45 yards, and will hope to stay involved in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. Though the Lions have struggled against the pass this season, the majority of production they have allowed has come from opposing wide receivers. Still, this isn't necessarily a matchup to avoid, especially given the game's healthy projected point total. The concern for Freiermuth remains his volatile role, as Pittsburgh continues to split opportunities fairly evenly among him,
Jonnu Smith, and
Darnell Washington. Fantasy managers in deep formats who are desperate at the position could look to stream Freiermuth in hopes of a touchdown, but the 27-year-old should be left on waiver wires in most redraft leagues.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs have signed running back
Dameon Pierce to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Pierce signed with Kansas City's practice squad on November 24 after being waived by the Houston Texans. The 2022 fourth-round pick had a promising rookie campaign, totalling 939 yards and four touchdowns on 220 carries with 30 catches (39 targets) for 165 yards and another score as a receiver, but has faded into a depth role since then. Pierce doesn't have a path to consistent playing time with the Chiefs, as
Kareem Hunt and
Isiah Pacheco lead the backfield. He shouldn't be considered for fantasy purposes in Week 16 and is mainly a dynasty league stash for now.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Aaron Wilson
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell has been heavily involved over the past five weeks and should remain a focal point of the offense against the Detroit Lions in Week 16. The Lions' run defense has been stout for most of the season, but perhaps more importantly, Detroit has shut down opposing backs in the passing game, surrendering the second-fewest receiving yards, the fourth-fewest receptions, and zero receiving touchdowns to the position. On paper, this doesn't bode well for Gainwell, who has thrived as a check-down option for quarterback
Aaron Rodgers. Still, Pittsburgh doesn't have many reliable pass-catchers outside of
DK Metcalf, and Gainwell actually leads the team in receptions through 15 weeks. Expectations should be tempered, but Gainwell remains on the fantasy radar as a flex option on Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Darnell Mooney was targeted six times in last week's 29-28 win over the Buccaneers, but managed to haul in just three of them for 35 scoreless yards. The 28-year-old has caught four passes only one time all season, totaling 25 catches for 364 yards and one touchdown in 12 games played. His chances for making a fantasy impact won't get any better in Week 16 with
Drake London (knee) expected to return for Sunday's road matchup against the Cardinals. The veteran wideout has fallen off the WR3 radar and is shaping up as nothing more than a risky Flex play for managers in the fantasy playoffs.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
December 20, 2025
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) has officially been ruled out for Monday night's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. The star cornerback hasn't practiced since suffering a calf strain in the Colts' Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans and will miss his third consecutive game. The 25-year-old played in just two full games since the Colts acquired him for two first-round picks and
Adonai Mitchell at this year's trade deadline. Gardner's injury was described as week-to-week, and the team is hopeful that he can return before the end of the regular season, though with the Colts' playoff hopes dwindling, it's possible he is shut down with only two games remaining after this week.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Mike Chappell
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
DK Metcalf has scored as a top-24 fantasy option in each of his past two games and should stay hot against the Detroit Lions in Week 16. On the season, Detroit has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, and over the past four weeks, it has surrendered the most receptions, the most yards, and the second-most touchdowns to the position. This contest has shootout potential with the highest projected point total of the week, and with the Lions entering as heavy home favorites, Pittsburgh may be forced to air it out. While Metcalf's utilization in the offense has been underwhelming at times, the connection between him and quarterback
Aaron Rodgers has been heating up recently. Fantasy managers should fire up Metcalf in all formats as a borderline WR1 this week.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars kicker
Cam Little has been solid in 2025. Little has drilled 23 of 27 field goals while converting 39 of 40 extra point tries. However, it might be tough to trust him in the fantasy playoffs with a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have the third-best scoring defense in the NFL, which, in theory, should limit Little's kicking opportunities. However, coming off a massive game against the New York Jets, the Jacksonville offense is clicking, so they could at least move the ball. That could mean fewer red-zone chances but more field-goal opportunities. Fantasy managers who have been riding Little all season can continue to do so, but there are certainly better options to start in Week 16.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: Kickers RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars DST is a decent starting option most weeks, but could struggle against the Denver Broncos. In important Week 16 playoff matchups, fantasy teams should be looking for defenses with better matchups. However, given the defense's ability to force turnovers, the Broncos aren't the worst matchup.
Bo Nix is a good quarterback, but he is prone to turnovers at times, so the Jaguars could get a pick-six and have a fantasy-worthy week. Still, in a matchup that is important for both teams in the real NFL standings, the Broncos will likely play a bit more carefully and protect the ball. Fantasy managers can do worse, but Jacksonville can be used as a streamer and come in as DST12 in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 16.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: D/ST RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Dallas Cowboys kicker
Brandon Aubrey doubled his season total for missed field goals, missing two attempts in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings for just the third time in his career. Aubrey attempted a career-high six field goals, missing kicks from 51 and 59 yards out. His performance from long range in Week 15 is an outlier compared to his season production, ranking second in the league with nine made field goals from 50 yards or more. The 30-year-old remains one of the elite kickers in fantasy and should be expected to bounce back in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren was outshined by teammate
Kenneth Gainwell last week but will look to get back on track against the Detroit Lions in Week 16. Detroit has been much stronger defensively against the run than the pass this season, but it has softened up a bit as of late. The Lions have surrendered 4.2 yards per carry and over 20 fantasy points per game to running backs over the past four weeks. With this contest projected for a healthy amount of points, fantasy managers should look to start offensive pieces on both sides. Even if Pittsburgh continues to take a hot-hand approach in the backfield, Warren should see enough volume on the ground to provide fantasy value while offering touchdown upside. The 27-year-old checks in as the RB28 in RotoBaller's Week 16 rankings and should be viewed as a high-end flex play.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end
Brenton Strange is tough to trust in Week 16 against the Denver Broncos. He had a down week in Week 15 despite a huge offensive performance from
Trevor Lawrence, showcasing that Strange may be falling in the target pecking order.
Jakobi Meyers and
Brian Thomas Jr. seem to be more at the forefront of the passing offense, which limits Strange's upside. The Broncos have an elite pass rush, which could mean a security blanket tight end is necessary, but it is hard to predict, given the target competition. Strange isn't the worst starting option, but fantasy playoff teams should have a better choice if they want to advance in Week 16.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: Brenton Strange RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Malik Davis saw more run in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings after
Javonte Williams (neck) missed time in the first half. The 26-year-old ended up playing a career high 53% of the offensive snaps and handled eight carries for 21 yards and a touchdown while adding two catches (three targets) for 16 yards. Williams eventually returned for the second half and was a full participant in practice this week. Still, it remains clear that Davis is the primary backup ahead of rookie
Jaydon Blue, who has been a healthy inactive for the past six games. Davis' fantasy upside for Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers remains capped, as he hasn't seen much usage when Williams has been healthy, handling just 14 touches in the five games leading up to last week.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers has been solid over his past two games and will look to carry that momentum into a Week 16 meeting with the Detroit Lions. Although the Lions are favored by a touchdown at home, this contest is projected to have the highest point total of the week. The main reason is Detroit's struggling pass defense, which has surrendered the most fantasy points, the most yards, and the third-most passing touchdowns to opposing signal-callers over the past four weeks. Given the inconsistencies of Pittsburgh's banged-up defense, there should be no shortage of offense in this one. Rodgers will need to throw the ball early and often to keep pace and will have a full allotment of weapons at his disposal, including a surging
DK Metcalf. While he's not an ideal fantasy option in single-quarterback formats, Rodgers is firmly on the streaming radar and should be viewed as a solid QB2 this week.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Dallas Cowboys tight end
Jake Ferguson has cooled off in the second half of the season after ranking as the TE1 in Weeks 1 through 9. Ferguson caught just two of four targets for 16 yards in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings and hasn't scored in four consecutive games, his longest drought of the season. The 26-year-old draws another tough matchup on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, who have held opponents under 20 points in three straight games. The Chargers are giving up the fifth-fewest receptions and seventh-fewest PPR points per game to tight ends. Ferguson has fallen to TE14 in RotoBaller's rankings for the second round of the fantasy playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
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