December 17, 2025
After being eliminated from the playoffs in Week 15, the Miami Dolphins have released veteran pass-rusher Matthew Judon, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The Dolphins granted his wish as he looks to join a contending team for the remainder of the 2025 season. Judon has played in 13 games this season and has yet to record a sack despite playing 41% of the snaps. Judon will likely look to clear waivers first before signing with the team of his choice, but keep an eye out for one of his former teams to be in the market, such as the Baltimore Ravens or New England Patriots. The Dolphins will hope that second-year pass rusher Chop Robinson will step up to replace the veteran.
--Nathan HarveySource: Mike Garafolo - NFL Network
December 17, 2025
The Miami Dolphins announced they will be benching quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa and starting rookie quarterback
Quinn Ewers. While former first-round pick
Zach Wilson was an option as well, they will be rolling with the rookie with their playoff hopes completely eliminated. The 2025 seventh-round pick led the Texas Longhorns to the semifinals in 2024, totaling 3,472 yards and 32 touchdowns in 14 games. In the preseason, Ewers completed 23 of 43 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Ewers is hard to trust for fantasy managers, even against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have given up the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. While running back De'Von Achane will remain an elite RB1, pass catchers
Jaylen Waddle,
Malik Washington, and
Darren Waller all become more volatile options.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
December 17, 2025
The Miami Dolphins are benching quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa for rookie quarterback
Quinn Ewers in Week 16, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. After struggling in Week 15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike McDaniel mentioned the idea of making a change at quarterback, stating, "all options are on the table." Tagovailoa is benched after having a career-worst season, leading the NFL in interceptions (15) and ranking near the bottom of the league in QBR (88.5). The former first-round pick received a massive contract extension that will make it difficult for him to be traded during the offseason. This is a situation to monitor closely as free agency approaches, while fantasy managers can safely drop Tagovailoa in all leagues.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
December 17, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Jayden Reed was the leading receiver in Week 15, hauling in five of six targets for 55 yards in the 34-26 loss to the Denver Broncos. In his first two games back, Reed has returned to his slot role in the offense and has played his traditional snap count at around 65%. With
Christian Watson's (chest) status unclear in Week 16, Reed could emerge as a fantasy asset against the Chicago Bears. Not only have the Bears allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, but they have also allowed the most to slot receivers. With Watson unsure for Week 16 and the Bears' struggles without slot corner Kyler Gordon, Reed is a player to consider starting in the fantasy playoffs.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 17, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum has been breaking out down the stretch of this season, and he did it again in Week 15. Over the past three weeks, Corum has totaled 280 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 30 carries. He totaled 71 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries against the Detroit Lions, who rank among the top run defenses in the NFL. Corum saw his largest workload of the season as well, playing 46% of the snaps, while starter
Kyren Williams (54%) saw his lowest snap count of the season. Both backs are playing well, and with
Davante Adams (hamstring) uncertain to play in Week 16, the Rams will use that run game a ton against the Seattle Seahawks. Corum is a low-end RB2 in Week 16 as he looks to continue his dominance on Thursday Night.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 17, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Bucky Irving took on the majority of the workload in Week 15, totaling just 71 scrimmage yards on 17 attempts. Since returning from shoulder and foot injuries in Week 13, Irving has totaled 233 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 53 attempts, averaging 13.4 PPR points per game. While he started the season as the primary workhorse in this Buccaneers' offense, Irving has been limited to just 54% of the snaps, while backups
Rachaad White (43% and
Sean Tucker (14%) have been factors. Irving faces the Carolina Panthers defense in Week 16, which has allowed the tenth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. In his only two games against the Panthers in his career, he has had over 185 scrimmage yards in both outings. In a must-win game for the Buccaneers and with his favorable history against Carolina, look for Irving to unleash in Week 16.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 17, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell had a monster game in Week 15, as he totaled 126 all-purpose yards (80 on the ground, 46 through the air), played 52 percent of the snaps, and was much more efficient as a runner than backfield mate
Jaylen Warren. That being said, Warren was playing with an illness leading up to the game; however, this has been trending towards an actual backfield split for about six to seven weeks now. Additionally, in PPR formats, Gainwell is seeing all of the running back receiving work; he has 31 receptions over the past five weeks (6.2 receptions per game). At the same time, Warren is seeing two, maybe three targets per game during that same stretch. On the season, Warren is RB19 while Gainwell is RB23. Given the Steelers' Week 16 matchup with the Detroit Lions, who are stout against the run (allowing the third fewest points to the running back position), it appears likely the Steelers might be in a shootout or from behind, meaning it's setting up to be a game where Gainwell sees a ton of volume in the receiving game, giving him low-end RB2/flex value in Week 16.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 17, 2025
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday morning that the New York Jets have agreed to terms with young tight end
Jeremy Ruckert, locking him in for the future. He gets a 2-year, $10M extension with upside to $11M. Ruckert, the fourth-year player out of Ohio State, has underwhelmed in the receiving game since joining the Jets. This year, he has hit career highs in receptions (20) and receiving yards (163), but was drafted in the third round and is an asset to the team primarily because of his willingness and effectiveness to block in the run game. The Jets now have Ruckert and a rookie out of LSU,
Mason Taylor, as their top tight end options for years to come. From a fantasy football standpoint, Ruckert is well off the radar and shouldn't be rostered in any formats.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Ian Rapoport
December 17, 2025
Tennessee Titans running back
Tony Pollard has caught fire of late, running wild for 265 rushing yards and three touchdowns over the past two weeks, which has earned him back-to-back top 10 running back performances. After landing on most analysts' "sit" list for most of the season due to his lack of effectiveness and how bad the Titans' offense has been, Pollard is showing some life in the fantasy playoffs and should be back on the fantasy radar in Week 16. Unfortunately for Pollard and the Titans, they have a tough matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, who allow the seventh fewest points to the running back position. That being said, Pollard should continue to see the volume he's seen over the past two weeks and project to see 10-15 carries, which keeps him in the RB3 conversations in Week 16. Backfield mate,
Tyjae Spears, has been involved, playing about 50 percent of the snaps, but is not nearly seeing the amount of running back carries as Pollard has been getting, as most of Spears' production has been as a pass-catcher.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 17, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie tight end
Colston Loveland has been solid for fantasy managers of late and has been providing a safe floor in most of his matchups since Week 8. Over that stretch, he has seen at least four targets in every game and has scored four times over that stretch. While he doesn't provide much of a ceiling, his safe floor can reassure fantasy managers that it's very likely he will score five to seven points at least in PPR formats. Additionally, a lot of the pass catchers for the Bears, such as
Cole Kmet (ankle, knee),
Rome Odunze (foot), and
Luther Burden III (ankle), are all dealing with injuries. If any of the three miss time, it should move Loveland up the pecking order for additional targets, only increasing his chances at a higher floor and boom potential. The Bears (10-4) take on the Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) in a pivotal NFC North showdown at the top of the NFC North. In their last matchup in Week 14, Loveland saw five targets and turned that into four receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown (10.90 fantasy points). Loveland will be on the TE2 radar in Week 16.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 17, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter is set to lead the backfield following
Bam Knight (ankle) being placed on Injured Reserve. The Cardinals' backfield has been ravaged by injuries this season, and now Carter is the next man up. The 26-year-old played 53 of 66 snaps in the Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans, recording 14 carries for 56 yards while adding four receptions (four targets) for 38 yards as a receiver.
Emari Demercado returned after missing the past three games with an ankle injury, but he wasn't very involved, playing just seven offensive snaps with three touches. Carter is expected to be the every-down back with Knight out of the picture, as he handled 78% of the running back rushing attempts and ran 72% of the routes in his absence. Carter had one game earlier this season with a similar workload back in Week 5, where he was inefficient as a runner with 18 carries for 51 yards, but found the end zone and added five catches (five targets) for 22 yards, finishing with 18.3 PPR points. Carter profiles as a top waiver-wire pickup this week and can be immediately plugged into lineups as an RB3/flex in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 17, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
D'Andre Swift has enjoyed a bounce-back season in his second year with the team, compiling 191 carries for 935 yards and seven touchdowns to go with 29 receptions for 254 yards and another score on 41 targets. Swift has maintained a slight upper hand on the touches over rookie
Kyle Monangai in the Bears' backfield lately, and notched his first two-touchdown game of the season in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns. The 26-year-old back has been one of the most reliable weapons in an explosive Chicago offense all season, missing just one game. He's posted double-digit touches in all but one game, including at least 15 touches in all but two contests. Swift remains a must-start in fantasy football lineups, but he will have a tougher matchup in Week 16 against the division-rival Green Bay Packers this Saturday night.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 17, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars running back
Travis Etienne Jr. exploded for three receiving touchdowns in the Week 15 blowout win over the New York Jets. Etienne added 12 carries for 32 yards and three catches for 73 yards on four targets in the game. The 26-year-old continued his breakout campaign, becoming the eighth player this season and the first running back with three receiving scores. Etienne entered the game with only three career receiving touchdowns, but he doubled that mark on Sunday. There have only been four other running backs to record three touchdown catches in a game since 2015. Despite averaging just 3.0 yards per carry over the last three games, Etienne has totalled the fourth-most PPR points among running backs (57.8) during that stretch. He is firmly entrenched as one of the best weekly running back options in fantasy, even in a tough Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 17, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Mack Hollins continues to establish himself as a potential waiver wire option in deeper leagues ahead of Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. Hollins has been heavily involved in the Patriots' offense, averaging six targets and 9.2 full-PPR fantasy points over his last seven contests. During that span, he ranks as the overall WR40. He has also played at least three-quarters of the offensive snaps in each of his last five games. The veteran receiver is coming off an impressive, high-volume contest against his old team, the Buffalo Bills, in which he converted eight targets into four catches for 41 yards. During that Week 15 contest, he totaled 136 air yards, which ranked eighth-most among all NFL wideouts. Quarterback
Drake Maye trusts Hollins as one of his most reliable receivers on the perimeter, which bodes well for his Week 16 outlook. The Ravens have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025, as well as the 14th-most fantasy points to wide receivers who play on the perimeter. Hollins isn't the flashiest name, but his consistency, reliability, and high involvement make him a solid WR3/flex play for Week 16.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 17, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt operated as the team's lead runner in Week 15, with
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) ruled out with a groin injury. Croskey-Merritt delivered a strong performance, handling 18 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown in Washington's win over the New York Giants.
Jeremy McNichols actually drew the start for Washington, but JCM ended up doubling him in carries. The rookie seventh-rounder found the end zone for the first time since his breakout performance in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he totalled 150 yards and two touchdowns. JCM looked decisive and explosive against the Giants, who notably have one of the worst run defenses in the league, but it was great to see the rookie deliver for fantasy managers who plugged him into their lineups for the first round of the fantasy playoffs. Croskey-Merritt could potentially work himself back into a more significant timeshare with McNichols and Rodriguez upon his return, creating a messy situation to sort through. He remains worth rostering and would project favorably again on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles if Rodriguez is out again on a short week.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
RADIO
