December 22, 2025
New Orleans Saints running back
Evan Hull is coming off a very disappointing performance against the New York Jets. As a result, he can be left on waivers in most fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 17 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Although there had been some speculation that Hull would lead New Orleans' backfield on Sunday with
Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) sidelined, that never came to fruition. Instead, he handled just five carries for three rushing yards on a 21% snap share.
Audric Estime (three catches) was far more productive than Hull in the receiving game, and veteran playmaker
Taysom Hill (12 carries) handled the bulk of the volume on the ground. If Kamara misses another game, Hill is the early favorite to lead the team in carries while Estime gets involved in the passing game. That leaves Hull as the odd man out, despite facing a Titans defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to running backs in 2025.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. has strengthened his status as a must-add player on the fantasy football waiver wire in Week 17. The rookie enjoyed another dominant performance against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, catching four passes for 34 yards and a touchdown. He handled an 86% target share in the loss, largely due to the continued absence of fellow tight end
David Njoku (knee). Fannin now has 22 catches, 239 yards, and three touchdowns over his last four games, ranking as the overall TE3 in fantasy football during that span. His upside depends on whether Njoku is in the lineup, but even if the veteran tight end returns to action this week, Fannin should remain a top-five fantasy tight end while operating as
Shedeur Sanders' favorite target. He'll now be tasked with facing off against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points, fourth-most catches, fourth-most receiving yards, and second-most receptions to opposing tight ends in 2025. Fannin is a priority addition who should be rostered and started in all leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
New York Jets wide receiver
Adonai Mitchell has been heavily targeted lately, but he's a risky fantasy option heading into a tough matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 17. To his credit, Mitchell has enjoyed a career resurgence since being traded to the Jets, commanding at least six targets in each of his last six games. However, he has caught just 45.6% of his targets since the trade, averaging a modest 8.6 full-PPR points per game during that span. This week's matchup is far from ideal for Mitchell, especially as he adjusts to the quarterback play of inexperienced rookie
Brady Cook, who will earn another start on Sunday. The Patriots have allowed the seventh-fewest catches and ninth-fewest receiving yards to wide receivers in 2025. Mitchell has a high ceiling and low floor, which makes him a risky option as the fantasy playoffs continue. He's only worth adding off the waiver wire in leagues with at least 12 teams.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin Jr. has been a consistent target on offense, and his steady role should make him a priority waiver wire target for Week 17. Godwin has 24 targets, 17 catches, 183 yards, and one touchdown over his last four games. He has tallied double-digit fantasy points in three of those four contests, and he ranks as the overall WR31 in half-PPR leagues during that span. Although Godwin remains the No. 2 option behind
Mike Evans, he has been able to carve out solid volume in all of his games. He should continue to handle plenty of targets as this
Baker Mayfield-led offense pushes for a playoff berth. The 29-year-old receiver ranks as a strong WR3 option ahead of Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the 10th-most touchdowns to wide receivers in 2025. The struggling Dolphins just allowed
Ja'Marr Chase and
Tee Higgins to combine for 162 yards and a touchdown.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Konata Mumpfield took on a larger role last Thursday, and he continues to trend up ahead of Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons. Mumpfield has earned more targets lately with
Davante Adams (knee, hamstring) sidelined. While the door remains open for Adams to face the Falcons, he faces an uphill battle to suit up. Therefore, Mumpfield has an opportunity to produce once again. Last week, as
Matthew Stafford's No. 2 option in the passing game, the rookie caught three of his eight targets for 40 yards while handling a 46% snap share. His target share might regress this weekend, but his overall production should benefit from a matchup against the Falcons, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points and fourth-most catches to wide receivers in 2025. Mumpfield is a potential WR3/flex this week, and he's an intriguing waiver wire target, especially in deeper leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Colby Parkinson remains a top target on the waiver wire heading into Week 17. Although Parkinson let down his fantasy managers with just two catches for 21 yards last Thursday against the Seahawks, this game was likely an outlier and can be attributed to a tough matchup. Prior to that subpar outing, he had put together an impressive six-game stretch with 22 catches, 230 yards, and six touchdowns. He's a particularly appealing option given that
Davante Adams (knee, hamstring) is trending toward missing Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons. Adams has been a major threat in the red zone this year, scoring 14 touchdowns. Given Parkinson's success around the goal line lately, he should take over as one of
Matthew Stafford's favorite red-zone targets in Adams' absence.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Tyquan Thornton (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Chiefs did not practice on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Thornton missed Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, and it now appears that he's at risk of missing a second consecutive game, albeit on a short week. Kansas City faces the Denver Broncos on Thursday, giving Thornton just a few days to clear the NFL's five-stage concussion protocol. The 25-year-old hasn't been a major contributor this year, catching just 19 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns. However, with
Rashee Rice (concussion) also sidelined, Kansas City's receiving corps needs all the help it can get. Managers invested in Thornton's availability should stay tuned for additional updates when the Chiefs publish their subsequent injury reports on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Chris Oladokun will quarterback Kansas City in Week 17, lowering the floors of all Chiefs pass-catchers in fantasy football.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kansas City Chiefs
December 22, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Rashee Rice (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Chiefs did not practice on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Rice missed Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, and it now appears that he's at risk of missing a second consecutive game, albeit on a short week. The 25-year-old's absence will be felt, given that he had been averaging 6.6 catches, 71.4 yards, and 0.6 touchdowns per game when healthy. Managers invested in Rice's availability should stay tuned for additional updates when the Chiefs publish their subsequent injury reports on Tuesday and Wednesday. If he can't suit up,
Xavier Worthy will remain in the No. 1 role while catching passes from third-string quarterback
Chris Oladokun.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kansas City Chiefs
December 22, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
Ryan Flournoy (knee) has been diagnosed with a knee sprain, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. The 26-year-old receiver said he feared that he might have suffered a significant knee injury, so he's relieved that additional testing revealed only a sprain. With that being said, Flournoy isn't sure if he'll be able to play in Thursday's Week 17 contest against the Washington Commanders. He was estimated as limited following Monday's walkthrough, and he now has three days to get healthy before the Cowboys' divisional contest on Christmas Day. Flournoy has impressed with 18 catches, 207 yards, and two touchdowns over his last two games, but as long as
CeeDee Lamb and
George Pickens are healthy, he's stuck in the No. 3 receiver role and isn't a consistent option for fantasy football.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jon Machota
December 22, 2025
San Francisco 49ers running back
Jordan James is active for Monday's Week 16 contest against the Indianapolis Colts and is on track to make his NFL debut. The rookie had previously been a healthy scratch, but he's getting a chance to play on primetime television, perhaps in a mix of special teams and offensive depth roles. He's taking the spot of fellow rookie
Isaac Guerendo, who is a healthy scratch for the first time in his young career. Guerendo has contributed on special teams this year, but he doesn't have an offensive snap yet. Both running backs remain buried on the depth chart behind
Christian McCaffrey and
Brian Robinson Jr.--Andersen PickardSource: San Francisco 49ers
December 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Jones and fellow running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) both exited during the first quarter of Sunday's win over the New York Giants, but unlike Mason, Jones was able to return. The veteran ball-carrier is trending in the right direction for Week 17 against the Detroit Lions, but fantasy managers should still monitor the Vikings' upcoming practice reports for additional updates. Jones could actually take on a slightly larger role this week if Mason, who was estimated as a non-participant on Monday, doesn't suit up. As it stands, he ranks as a mid-to-low RB2.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kevin Seifert
December 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Hockenson handled 75% of the snaps in the Vikings' Week 16 win over the New York Giants, but he wasn't a major receiving threat with just one catch for two yards. The 28-year-old doesn't have much time to get healthy before the Vikings' Week 17 contest on Thursday against his old team, the Detroit Lions.
Josh Oliver would earn additional volume if Hockenson doesn't suit up, but he could be catching passes from
Max Brosmer after
J.J. McCarthy (hand) was also estimated as a non-participant.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kevin Seifert
December 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Both Mason and
Aaron Jones exited during the first quarter of Sunday's win over the New York Giants, but Jones returned while Mason did not. In fact, Mason had to be carted to the locker room, so it's possible that his injury is severe and could lead to a multi-week absence. The 26-year-old is especially unlikely to play in Week 17, since the Vikings have a quick turnaround. Minnesota faces the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day (Thursday), leaving Mason just three days to get healthy. If he doesn't suit up,
Zavier Scott will back up
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle).
--Andersen PickardSource: Kevin Seifert
December 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (right hand) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. McCarthy exited during the middle of the Vikings' Week 16 contest and was unable to return. Video from the FOX broadcast showed McCarthy in serious pain, so between his pain level and Monday's injury report, it seems like there's a very real chance the former first-round pick misses Week 17 against the Detroit Lions. To make matters worse for McCartyhy, the Vikings and Lions have a short week, playing on Christmas Day (Thursday). He only has a few days to get healthy for Week 17. Otherwise,
Max Brosmer would be in line to start against Detroit.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kevin Seifert
December 22, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Lions conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. The 26-year-old is coming off a relatively disappointing contest in which he caught four of his nine targets for 54 yards while handling a season-high 97% snap share. He did handle an increased target share on the final drive of the game, but two of his catches (including a touchdown) were called back due to penalties. The Lions have a quick turnaround before playing again on Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings, so St. Brown only has a few days to get healthy. If he suits up in Week 17, he'll be a WR1.
--Andersen PickardSource: Eric Woodyard
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