January 4, 2026

Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. has emerged as a playmaking threat lately, and he could step into a significantly larger role during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New England Patriots. Wease has three catches, 95 yards, and one touchdown over his last two games, showcasing upside as a big-play option in Miami's offense. This week, he'll likely handle increased volume with Darren Waller (groin) on IR and Jaylen Waddle (ribs) sidelined. At worst, we expect Wease to operate as the Dolphins' No. 3 receiver, but he could ascend higher than Malik Washington or Cedrick Wilson Jr., too. The rookie has played at least 27% of the snaps in each of his last two games, so we know that the Miami coaching staff is looking to get him involved. His big-play upside makes him somewhat of a boom-or-bust option. He could easily get into WR3/flex territory, but he also has a low floor. Managers should only consider starting Wease in deep leagues with at least 14 teams. He has more appeal in DFS formats and prop bets.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Darius Cooper could handle a much larger workload than usual during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Washington Commanders. Head coach Nick Sirianni indicated that he will rest several starters on Sunday, and although he didn't specifically list which players will be resting, it's fair to speculate that wide receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown could be among the group. If so, Cooper would likely step into the No. 2 wide receiver role behind Jahan Dotson. Cooper hasn't ascended higher than third on the depth chart this season, so we don't know exactly what his role would look like if he earns the start opposite Dotson. With that being said, he has flashed potential lately. He caught two passes for 29 yards on a 30% snap share in Week 15, and he caught one pass for four yards on a career-high 31% snap share just last Sunday. There's a strong chance that the 24-year-old rookie plays more than half of the snaps if Brown and Smith are sidelined, and that could give him low-end WR3/flex appeal in very deep leagues. Once the Eagles announce which starters are resting, managers could consider adding Cooper to be a desperation WR3/flex play in fantasy leagues with at least 14 teams.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson will take on increased responsibilities in the backfield on Sunday. Wilson figures to take over as the lead back with Josh Jacobs (knee, ankle) unlikely to play. The Packers have little incentive to play Jacobs with their postseason seeding already decided. Wilson should take over a majority of the carries for the regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. Wilson has posted strong stat lines when he gets over 10 carries in a game. Fantasy managers should expect him to continue to have success, assuming Jacobs remains on the sideline. There's RB2 upside here with Wilson probably getting double-digit carries in this game.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 4, 2026

Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright will likely move into the lead-back role for the upcoming Week 18 matchup versus the New England Patriots. The Dolphins have decided to play it safe and ruled out De'Von Achane (shoulder) for the regular-season finale. His absence should mean an extended look for Wright and Ollie Gordon II during Sunday's game. Wright has shown he's capable of making plays when he's given increased touches in the backfield. The 22-year-old rushed for 107 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown against the New York Jets in Week 14. The Pats have a much better defense, but Wright should still get a ton of chances. Fantasy managers with championship games in Week 18 needing a FLEX spot, or looking for a cheaper option in DFS contests, might want to consider Wright with an increased workload.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 4, 2026

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason is set to be the lead back for the Week 18 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Mason is set for an increased workload with the Vikings ruling out Aaron Jones Sr. (hip) for the regular-season finale. When Jones missed time early in the season, Mason rushed for over 50 yards in each of those games with three total touchdowns. The Packers are unlikely to play their starters on defense, as their postseason seeding is already determined. Mason is primed for a strong performance, so fantasy managers should strongly consider him for DFS contests or in leagues still playing for a fantasy championship. He offers borderline RB1 value without Jones in the mix and comes in as RotoBaller's RB10 in the latest rankings for Week 18.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 4, 2026

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. is expected to have an expanded role in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints will be without Chris Olave (illness) and Mason Tipton (groin) for the regular-season finale. The absence of those players should push Austin into the No. 1 wideout role in this offense. With all the injuries to the Saints' wideouts, Dante Pettis should also see an increase in target share on Sunday. Austin made himself known to the league when he hauled in four receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown in Week 17's win over the Tennessee Titans. Austin was able to do that with Olave healthy for that game, which means he should be able to produce more without him this weekend. Fantasy managers with something on the line this week can use Austin as a FLEX play, or in DFS contests, might want to target Austin as he's priced at only $3,400 on DraftKings.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 4, 2026

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee will start under center for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Washington Commanders. The Eagles have opted to rest starter Jalen Hurts with the team already locked into the second or third seed in the postseason. The assumption is that the Eagles will rest most of their starters, given their little incentive to win. On paper, this is a plus-matchup for McKee against a struggling Commanders secondary, which ranks at the bottom of the league against the pass. With Philly likely pulling their starters, it's going to be tough for McKee to have much success. Outside Superflex or 2QB leagues, fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help as McKee is unlikely to light up the box score in Week 18.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

January 4, 2026

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer should continue to operate in a high-volume role during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders recently placed Brock Bowers (knee) on injured reserve, ending his season and putting Mayer into the starting role for the final two games of the year. Last weekend, he exploded as the top target in Geno Smith's offense, catching nine of 10 targets for 89 yards. In total, throughout the three games that Bowers has missed and Mayer has played this year, the latter tight end has 15 catches, 149 yards, and one touchdown. A quarterback change is expected in Week 18, though, as Kenny Pickett steps in for the injured Smith (ankle). Pickett struggled to the tune of 64 yards and one turnover in his lone start this year, but he should still be able to support a fantasy-relevant role for Mayer on Sunday. At worst, Mayer will operate as a security blanket in case Pickett struggles to throw the ball deep or needs to get the ball out quickly. As it stands, he ranks as the overall TE8 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 18.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

Retired quarterback Philip Rivers is expected to field interest as a head coaching candidate during the upcoming NFL hiring cycle, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. While Rivers retired from playing in the NFL for a second time last week, it appears he could return to the league very soon in a coaching capacity. Rapoport writes that "the current belief is Rivers gets at least one opportunity to interview, possibly more." As it stands, only the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants have head coaching vacancies. However, teams like the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons could all have openings after the regular season wraps up. Rivers, who went 58-for-92 passing with 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions from Week 15 through Week 17, already has experience in coaching. He spent time coaching at the high school level between his two NFL stints. Of course, there's a big difference between taking interviews and actually being offered a head coaching job, so it's far from guaranteed that we see Rivers back on NFL sidelines next season. Nevertheless, it sounds like there's real interest from pro teams.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ian Rapoport

January 4, 2026

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a stinger on the team's final offensive play during Saturday's Week 18 loss against the Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan (via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). Purdy took a hit while throwing an incomplete pass late in the fourth quarter. He remained down on the field and received medical attention for a brief period of time, but he was able to stand up and walk off the field under his own power. After the loss, Shanahan said that Purdy was okay and could have gone back into the game if San Francisco got the ball back. This bodes well for Purdy's status heading into Wild Card Weekend. Barring a setback, we expect him to suit up. The 49ers' first-round opponent will be decided when games go final on Sunday in Week 18. San Francisco will be either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ian Rapoport

January 4, 2026

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ribs) is not expected to play in Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New England Patriots, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Waddle had been listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity. His absence will worsen the chances of the Dolphins, who are incredibly short-staffed, pulling off an upset against the AFC East-leading Patriots. Not only is Waddle sidelined, but Miami also remains without De'Von Achane (shoulder), Tua Tagovailoa (coach's decision), Darren Waller (groin, IR), and Tyreek Hill (knee, IR). This offense might limp to the finish line during the final week of the season. Look for Malik Washington to step up as Quinn Ewers' top target against a Patriots defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest yards to opposing wide receivers in 2025.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Adam Schefter

January 4, 2026

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (shoulder) is not expected to play in Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New England Patriots, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. This is hardly a surprise, given that Achane had been listed as doubtful entering this weekend. Assuming he is confirmed as inactive on Sunday afternoon, Achane finishes his third NFL season with a career-high 1,350 rushing yards. He also logged 67 catches, 488 receiving yards, and 12 total touchdowns while ranking as the overall RB5 in full-PPR scoring to this point. His absence this weekend should create more opportunities for Jaylen Wright, the second-year back who has flashed real upside this season. On a 52% snap share in Week 14 against the Jets, Wright had 24 carries, 107 rushing yards, and one touchdown. Additionally, over his last two games, he has 14 carries, 91 yards, and a trip to the end zone. Wright ranks as a solid RB2 despite playing against New England's top-tier run defense.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Adam Schefter

January 4, 2026

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers turned his season around following a mid-year trade from the Las Vegas Raiders. He posted double-digit fantasy points (full-PPR) in five of his first six games with the Jaguars, and he has at least eight points in each of his last seven contests. Since joining the Jaguars, he ranks as the overall WR16 in fantasy football. Meyers has clearly benefited from a high-volume role in Jacksonville's strong offense. This is a unit that is capable of moving the ball down the field, and Trevor Lawrence has distributed the ball well enough to support many different fantasy-relevant performances. For example, while Meyers has been the Jaguars' most consistent receiver since his trade, Parker Washington has been explosive in the last two weeks, and Brian Thomas Jr. and Brenton Strange have both played well. Meyers should feast in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, whose pass defense has been very disappointing this season. Tennessee has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards and fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2025. In his last game against the Titans, Meyers caught six passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. We wouldn't be surprised to see the 29-year-old enjoy similar success on Sunday, and we expect him to handle a heavy workload because Jacksonville is still fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. As it stands, Meyers ranks as the overall WR21 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 18.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill delivered an impressive fantasy performance just two weeks ago, but he's unlikely to replicate that success during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. Hill had 18.32 full-PPR points in that Week 16 victory, taking on an increased role passing, running, and catching the football. In the aftermath of his big game, it was reported that New Orleans made a concerted effort to get him more involved because the 35-year-old could retire, so that was potentially his final home game in New Orleans. Indeed, his productivity took a massive step back just one week later, when he was held without a touch and played just 13% of the snaps. We expect a similar story in Week 18, with both Audric Estime and Evan Hull getting more involved out of the backfield than Hill. The veteran playmaker should be avoided in all fantasy leagues ahead of what could be the final game of his career.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

January 4, 2026

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will look to finish out the season on a high note in a Week 18 matchup against a middle-of-the-road Las Vegas Raiders' defense. While Kelce hasn't been the fantasy superstar we've grown accustomed to for quite some time now, even at 36 years old, he's enjoying a productive season. Chris Oladokun's inexperience undoubtedly caps some of Kelce's ceiling, although the former didn't look totally overmatched in Week 17's loss to Denver. Moreover, Kelce led the team in yards (36), targets (six), and receptions (five) in that contest. This Sunday, he'll face a Raiders' defense that's been roughly league average. They'll also be without star defensive end Maxx Crosby (knee). With the veteran still a focal point, fantasy managers can rely on Kelce as a back-end TE1 for the matchup. He'll officially land as RotoBaller's PPR TE12 for his meeting with Las Vegas.--Alex Ciulla
Source: ESPN