January 3, 2026
Dallas Cowboys rookie running back
Jaydon Blue could play his most snaps in a game this season in Week 18's regular-season finale against the New York Giants, with both
Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) and
Malik Davis (calf, eye) ruled out. The fifth-round rookie has only been active for four games this season, with his most recent appearance coming back in Week 8 in the loss to the Denver Broncos. He has recorded 22 carries for 65 yards to go with one catch (one target) for five yards. Blue eventually lost his backup role to Davis after Week 8, but he could be set up for a big day on the ground on Sunday against the 30th-ranked Giants run defense. The Cowboys will likely use fullback
Hunter Luepke more with Williams and Davis out, but Blue has big upside as a flex option for the final game of the regular season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Despite losing 13 of their last 14 games, the general sense is that Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon will return in 2026, according to NFL Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Gannon spoke this past week and said that he felt "good" about his job status. The 42-year-old head coach will likely receive another year and the opportunity to select a new quarterback to lead the team, with the general expectation being that Arizona will move on from
Kyler Murray in the offseason. Gannon hasn't achieved a winning record in his three seasons as head coach in Arizona, owning a 15-35 record. He was hired after the Eagles' 2023 Super Bowl run, where he spent two seasons as their defensive coordinator. However, Gannon's defenses in Arizona have been at the bottom of the league since being hired, ranking 32nd in success rate over the past three seasons combined. If Gannon stays, there may be changes coming to the staff after another disappointing year.
--Kyle McCarthySource: NFL.com
January 3, 2026
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy will return to the Vikings next season as expected, but he won't be guaranteed to be the starter, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports. McCarthy had a disappointing sophomore season after missing his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus. He was dropped into a highly favorable situation with an excellent play-calling head coach in Kevin O'Connell and an elite wide receiver duo in
Justin Jefferson and
Jordan Addison. However, the 2024 first-round pick was one of the least efficient quarterbacks in the league, ranking last out of 36 quarterbacks (minimum 275 plays) in EPA/play (-0.134), with the highest interception rate (5.5%) and the third-highest sack percentage (10.93%). It doesn't help McCarthy's case that he was also unavailable for seven games this season because of ankle, head, and hand injuries. Minnesota was hoping for proof this season that their first-round investment is the long-term answer, but they now plan to explore established QB options via trade or free agency to compete with McCarthy.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Dianna Russini
January 3, 2026
The Cleveland Browns are leaning towards moving on from two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski at the end of the season, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports. The Browns are expected to retain general manager Andrew Berry and have done some background work on potential head-coaching candidates. Stefanski has coached the Browns to a 4-12 record after finishing 3-14 last season, and all signs point to the team choosing a new direction heading into 2026. Cleveland's offense has ranked in the bottom five in both points and yards per game in each of the last two seasons, though the quarterback play is a significant reason for that. The Browns reportedly had internal discussions about Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, but he ultimately announced that he's staying at Notre Dame. Stefanski holds a 41-46 record (including playoffs) since being hired in 2020 and looks likely to be the eighth Cleveland head coach to be fired since 2010.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Dianna Russini
January 3, 2026
Carolina Panthers running back
Rico Dowdle (toe) does not have an injury designation heading into the team's Week 18 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dowdle appears to be in a 60-40 timeshare with fellow running back
Chuba Hubbard, with the latter seeing the vast majority of third downs over the past three games. The Panthers hosted the Buccaneers in Week 16, and Dowdle was held to just 29 yards from nine rushing attempts, but did earn 14 receiving yards from his four receptions off six targets. Even though Dowdle has been absent on nearly every third down over the last two games, he still managed to earn more targets and run six more routes each game than Hubbard. Dowdle profiles as a low-end RB2 against a middle-of-the-road Buccaneers run defense in the 2025 regular season finale.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
January 3, 2026
New England Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson (concussion) was unable to find the end zone in Week 17, which led to a disappointing fantasy day. Still, the young rookie should continue to see steady volume against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18. Henderson was able to clear the league's concussion protocol and suit up in Week 17 against the New York Jets, logging 82 yards from his 19 rushing attempts, but failed to see any targets in the passing game. Against the Jets, fellow running back
Rhamondre Stevenson was the headliner, even though the veteran back saw fewer opportunities, as he was able to score two touchdowns. There is a possibility that the Patriots rest some starters in the second half of this game, with an eye on the postseason. However, New England is still playing for seeding, and head coach Mike Vrabel will probably want to get the rookie additional reps before the playoffs. Henderson profiles as a low-end RB1 with a high ceiling and big-play potential in Week 18 against a Miami Dolphins defense that has been a bottom-10 matchup against opposing running backs since Week 10.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
January 3, 2026
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson should reassume his WR1 production against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18, with fellow wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) placed on IR after Week 17. In the four games without Harrison Jr. in the latter half of the 2025 season, Wilson hauled in 41 of his 60 targets for 499 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 27.2 fantasy points per game. When the Cardinals faced the Rams in Week 14, Wilson had his best fantasy game of the season, racking up 37 PPR points from his 11 receptions off 16 targets for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Since that Week 14 tilt, the Rams' pass defense is a top-five matchup for opposing wide receivers. Wilson is a top-10 wide receiver with high upside for fantasy managers playing in Week 18, especially in PPR formats, or those looking for a reliable DFS option to close out the regular season.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
January 3, 2026
Atlanta Falcons kicker
Zane Gonzalez converted two of three field goal attempts and made all three of his extra point tries in Monday's win over the Los Angeles Rams. It was the fourth time this season that Gonzalez had scored nine or more points. Gonzlaez will look to keep things rolling in Sunday's divisional matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Since signing with the Falcons in Week 10, the 30-year-old has been a solid option for fantasy managers, making 15 of 18 (83.3%) of his field goal attempts over eight games. The Saints are a neutral matchup and rank in the middle of the pack in points allowed to kickers this season. Gonzalez is ranked 16th among all kickers in the latest RotoBaller Week 18 rankings and can be used as a streamer for managers in deep leagues with some fantasy championships still on the line for Week 18.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker
Chase McLaughlin has been a solid fantasy option for managers this season, but he will look to rebound in Saturday's game against the Carolina Panthers. He was limited to five points last Sunday, as he made one of two field-goal attempts and both of his extra-point tries in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Dolphins. Before last Sunday's game against Miami, McLaughlin hadn't missed a field goal attempt since Week 6. The 29-year-old has been a consistent option and has recorded at least eight points per game in six out of the last eight weeks. Overall, he's converted 29-for-34 on field goals and 31-for-32 on PATs through 16 contests. McLaughlin can be used as a streamer for the regular season finale and comes in as the ninth-ranked kicker in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 18.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
January 2, 2026
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan is coming off his worst game of the season last week against the Seahawks, catching only one of his four targets for five yards. The eighth overall pick in the 2025 draft has been held below 43 yards receiving in four of his past five games. However, he draws a favorable matchup for a rebound against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. He had his second-best fantasy output against the Bucs in Week 16, catching six of 10 targets for 73 yards and a touchdown. McMillan is 71 yards short of reaching 1,000 yards this season and should be in line for a heavy dose of targets again as the Panthers' clear WR1 in a must-win game. He ranks as RotoBaller's WR18 in PPR leagues in Week 18.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 2, 2026
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson had the best game of his season last week against the Jets, handling eight carries for 47 yards and a touchdown to go along with a season-high five receptions for 55 yards and another score as a receiver. Despite rookie
TreVeyon Henderson being cleared from the concussion protocol and handling 19 carries, it was Stevenson who wound up with the touchdowns and the big fantasy performance. The backfield remains split between the two, and it will be tough to expect a repeat performance from Stevenson in the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins. Miami has allowed the eighth-fewest PPR points to running backs over the past five games. The 27-year-old back is ranked as RotoBaller's RB19 in PPR formats in Week 18.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 2, 2026
Chicago Bears rookie tight end
Colston Loveland is emerging as a go-to target in the offense and has all the makings of a future star. Loveland commanded a season-high 10 targets in last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers, catching seven of them for 96 yards and a touchdown. The rookie first-rounder matched a season-high of six receptions and the most yards since Week 9 at Cincinnati. His role continues to expand in the ascending Bears offense, and his efficiency has been at a rare level for a rookie, recording the most total receiving EPA by a rookie tight end since 2017. With receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) likely sidelined again, Loveland is a must-start in a divisional Week 18 matchup with the Detroit Lions that is projected to be a shootout with the highest total of the week (50.5).
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 2, 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Colby Parkinson recorded a season-high six catches for 53 yards while finishing second on the team with seven targets in last week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. After scoring six touchdowns in Weeks 10-15, Parkinson hasn't scored in each of the past two weeks with receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) out of the lineup. The 26-year-old tight end's run of full playing time could be nearing its end, however, with
Tyler Higbee (ankle) on track to be activated from Injured Reserve this week. It remains to be seen how head coach Sean McVay will deploy his tight end group on Sunday, but the Rams have used plenty of three-tight-end formations and should put up plenty of points against a soft Arizona defense. The Cardinals have allowed the ninth-most PPR points per game to tight ends this season, and with Adams' red-zone targets vacated again, Parkinson should have a good shot at finding the end zone. Parkinson is firmly in borderline TE1 territory for the regular-season finale.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 2, 2026
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen to a long-term extension on Friday. The two sides have agreed on a three-year, $51 million deal, which includes $32.5 million in guaranteed money. The fifth-year lineman has earned a new deal after posting a 75.9 PFF pass-blocking grade and 78.9 PFF run-blocking grade, which both lead the team. Van Lanen has moved all over the place this season, seeing time at every position on the offensive line besides center. The 27-year-old is a former sixth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2021. He was traded to Jacksonville in 2022 and has now become a significant factor on this offensive line.
--Andy WebbSource: Adam Schefter
January 2, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Mike Evans will need to be at his best for the must-win game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. Evans mostly struggled last week until he snagged a four-yard touchdown in the final moments of the loss to the Miami Dolphins. The veteran wideout will look to extend his two-game touchdown streak during this Week 18 contest. Since returning in Week 15 from a broken collarbone, Evans has seen 28 targets and has hauled in 14 of them for 194 yards. The expectation is that Evans will continue being a focal point in the passing game for this must-win contest. The 32-year-old has done enough to earn the respect as a WR2 in fantasy football for this Saturday afternoon contest.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
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