December 28, 2025
Arizona Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride caught 10 of his 13 targets for 76 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. McBride continues to be the top-scoring tight end in fantasy football this season, and he widened the gap between himself and the rest of the tight end position on Sunday afternoon. Along the way, he also set a new NFL record for most catches by a tight end in a single season. It's safe to say that McBride is the best and most dependable tight end in the league. He should continue to be deployed as a high-end TE1 in a pass-heavy game approach against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18. He also figures to be the first tight end off the board (and a potential first-round pick) in 2026 fantasy football drafts.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen completed 23 of his 35 pass attempts for 262 yards, zero passing touchdowns, and zero turnovers during Sunday's Week 17 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also registered seven rushing attempts, 27 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. Allen hadn't led a scoring drive until the fourth quarter, when he called his own number and ran into the end zone on two different occasions. As a result, he turned around his fantasy performance and now ranks as the fifth-highest-scoring fantasy quarterback with four Week 17 games remaining. Despite the big game, he actually fell to the No. 2 spot in the 2025 quarterback fantasy points leaderboard after
Drake Maye's five-touchdown performance. However, the gap between Allen and Maye is small, and the former could reclaim his top spot next week against the New York Jets. The 29-year-old signal-caller should continue to be started in all fantasy leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
New York Giants quarterback
Jaxson Dart completed 22 of his 30 pass attempts for 207 passing yards during Sunday's Week 17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He also rushed for 48 yards, took two sacks, and didn't turn over the football. The rookie didn't score any touchdowns through the air, but he did add two rushing touchdowns. Dart continues to showcase an impressive tendency to scamper into the end zone; he has 13 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns through 11 games. The Ole Miss product's willingness to put his body on the line for big plays will always cause managers to hold their breath, but you can't argue with the results so far. Dart has been one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the NFL this year, and he could make a late push for Rookie of the Year while scoring touchdowns and limiting turnovers. It doesn't look like New York will rest any key starters in Week 18, so Dart should be a low-end fantasy QB1 with all of the Giants' top weapons at his disposal.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Burrow completed 24 of his 31 pass attempts for 305 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 17 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He also rushed for two yards and took three sacks. Burrow played turnover-free football and earned the win for the second week in a row. During that two-game span, he has 614 passing yards and six touchdowns. Outside of an ugly loss to the Ravens, the former No. 1 pick has been playing at an elite level despite Cincinnati being eliminated from playoff contention. It doesn't seem like the Bengals will rest any key starters against the Browns next Sunday, so Burrow should continue to be viewed as a strong fantasy QB1 with all of his top weapons at his disposal.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback
Geno Smith (ankle) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 17 loss against the New York Giants. He was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. The veteran signal-caller finished this game with a 71.4% completion rate, 176 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and two interceptions. He also took three sacks. Smith entered this game with the most interceptions in the NFL, and his total only grew prior to his early exit. He has been one of the lowest-scoring fantasy quarterbacks in 2025, keeping him on the waiver wire in most leagues. Smith, who injured himself while tackling on a Giants interception return, wouldn't be a reliable fantasy option against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18, even if he's cleared to play.
--Andersen PickardSource: Las Vegas Raiders
December 28, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) is inactive for Sunday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17. He had been listed as questionable after the Bears added him to the injury report on Sunday morning. The late addition created plenty of concern about his status, and in the end, he won't be able to suit up. This is a significant loss for the Bears, who had already ruled out wide receiver
Rome Odunze. With Zaccheaus and Odunze sidelined,
Caleb Williams should target
DJ Moore and
Luther Burden III more often. Moore is a strong WR2, while Burden can be deployed as a solid WR3/flex. Meanwhile, Zaccheaus is droppable in most redraft leagues, since he'll likely be the Bears' No. 4 wide receiver upon his return.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chicago Bears
December 28, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
DJ Moore (illness) is officially active for Sunday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17. He had been listed as questionable after the Bears added him to the injury report on Sunday morning. There had been some concern about his status, but in the end, he was able to shake the illness and feels healthy enough to play. Moore has impressed lately with nine catches, 166 yards, and three touchdowns over his last two games. He played a major role in last week's win over the Packers, highlighted by a big game-winning touchdown catch in overtime. This week, Moore and
Luther Burden III will operate as some of
Caleb Williams' top targets with
Rome Odunze (foot) and
Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) ruled out. The 28-year-old is a solid WR2 option in fantasy football.
--Andersen PickardSource: Lindsay Thiry
December 28, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is officially active for Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears in Week 17. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. Having Pearsall available is key for the 49ers, who will be without
George Kittle (ankle) on Sunday night. While Kittle is irreplaceable, Pearsall's return from a one-game absence fills a significant void in the passing game. He should handle a heavy dose of targets alongside
Jauan Jennings and
Jake Tonges. As it stands, Pearsall ranks as a mid-range WR3/flex against a Bears defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025.
--Andersen PickardSource: Matt Barrows
December 28, 2025
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle (ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Chicago Bears. He had been listed as questionable, but the odds were stacked against him after he missed all three practices this past week. The 49ers left the door open for him to play, but after Kittle tested his ankle during pre-game warmups, the team decided to hold him out. It's a crushing blow for managers who were hoping to have the star tight end available as the fantasy playoffs continue. Instead,
Jake Tonges will operate as the 49ers' top tight end. He's a viable replacement on Sunday Night Football, but his ceiling and floor are both lower than Kittle's. Tonges will rank as a fringe top-12 fantasy tight end in his pass-catching role behind wide receivers
Jauan Jennings and
Ricky Pearsall.
--Andersen PickardSource: Matt Barrows
December 28, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase gave fantasy managers a strong performance during championship weekend. Chase has seen his fantasy value go back to elite status since the return of quarterback
Joe Burrow. On Sunday, the duo connected for two touchdowns in the win over the Arizona Cardinals. Chase snagged a 13-yard score in the first quarter and found the end zone again for an eight-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He hauled in seven of his nine targets for 60 yards and two scores in the victory. Chase will look to surpass the 1,400-yard mark during the Week 18 divisional matchup versus the Cleveland Browns. He'll be a must-start, elite WR1 for all fantasy managers still playing for something in the regular-season finale.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback
Geno Smith (ankle) is questionable to return for Sunday's game against the New York Giants due to an ankle injury that he suffered in the fourth quarter after limping off the field. The fact that the Giants have a double-digit lead in the final quarter likely means that Smith is done for the day. He completed 20 of 28 passing attempts for 176 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions before leaving this contest. Backup
Kenny Pickett will take over under center and could potentially start in Week 18 against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs if Smith is unable to play. Smith's season ending early due to injury would be a fitting end to a dismal first year in Las Vegas.
--Andy WebbSource: Ryan McFadden
December 28, 2025
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough threw for 308 yards last week and was able to top that on Sunday. The rookie quarterback continues to look better each week. On Sunday, Shough completed 22 of 27 passing attempts for 333 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions in the win over the Tennessee Titans. The 26-year-old was down 13-0 early in this game, but he was able to settle in and help his team get the comeback victory. Shough is working with mostly a skeleton crew on offense, but luckily, he still has his favorite target in receiver
Chris Olave. The two of them connected on a 19-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Shough will look to surpass his new career-high in passing yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18. Shough has made a realistic case to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin Jr. exceeded expectations during Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. Before this game, Godwin recorded 50 combined receiving yards in his last two games. On Sunday, Godwin hauled in seven of his eight targets for 108 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Godwin saved his best performance of the season for the fantasy football championships. It should be noted that over half his yardage came on a 59-yard play in the fourth quarter. He figures to continue being heavily involved in the passing game next week. Godwin has seen five or more targets in five straight games. The Bucs will need to be at their best with the division title on the line against the Carolina Panthers in Week 18.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence saw his five-game streak with multiple passing touchdowns come to an end on Sunday. Lawrence didn't have great success through the air, but he was still able to get the job done versus the Indianapolis Colts on the road to put the team one win away from locking down the AFC South division. He completed 23 of 37 passing attempts for 263 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Lawrence was able to salvage his fantasy value with two rushing touchdowns and 26 additional yards on the ground. He'll continue to be a strong QB1 option for fantasy managers heading into next week's contest against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. The Jags could clinch the AFC South with a win or a Houston Texans loss to the Colts.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He exited the contest with a groin issue and wasn't able to return during Sunday's win, but the good news is that before departing the Week 17 contest, Fannin was able to haul in his sixth touchdown of the year. The rookie tight end is set to undergo an MRI on Monday, at which point we should have a better idea of whether he'll be able to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Jan. 4. The Browns could be in trouble at the tight end spot with
David Njoku (knee) being sidelined since Week 14. If Fannin sits out next week and Njoku misses another game,
Blake Whiteheart and
Brenden Bates would likely be asked to step up in Week 18. Fantasy managers will need to check back for the MRI results later on Monday, but the Browns think Fannin aggravated a groin injury he suffered in practice on Friday. The 21-year-old played through a questionable tag going into Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.
--Andy WebbSource: Zac Jackson
RADIO
