December 1, 2025
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver
Jayden Higgins is deserving of more attention off the waiver wire as he cements himself as the team's WR2 behind
Nico Collins for the final stretch of the season. In the 20-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Higgins caught all five of his targets for 65 yards, which was second behind only Collins. It was another solid showing for the 22-year-old pass-catcher out of Iowa State after he had four catches on a season-high nine targets for 38 yards and his fourth touchdown of the year in last week's win over the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. It was nice to see Higgins show plenty of chemistry in quarterback
C.J. Stroud's first game back from a three-game absence due to a concussion. He now has 32 receptions for 359 yards and four TDs in his first 12 games, and Higgins should be viewed as an ascending WR4/flex option for fantasy managers going into a Week 14 showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 1, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that wide receiver
Jalen McMillan (neck) could start doing more in practice this week, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. McMillan is still on Injured Reserve and has not played at all in 2025 after suffering multiple neck fractures and ligament damage during a preseason game back in mid-August. Fellow wideout
Mike Evans (collarbone) could also do more in practice this week and potentially return for a Week 14 divisional clash against the New Orleans Saints. McMillan isn't as far along as Evans, so the 23-year-old probably won't be ready to return from IR this weekend. McMillan was expected to have a role in Tampa's passing attack this year before his serious injury in the summer, but expectations should be tempered for him if he's able to return, especially after the strong contributions from rookies
Emeka Egbuka and
Tez Johnson in his absence.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
December 1, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that "it's a possibility" that wide receiver
Mike Evans (collarbone) could start doing more and practice this week, according to the Pewter Report. Evans remains on Injured Reserve after breaking his collarbone back in Week 7, but reports over the weekend suggested that he could return as early as Week 14 versus the division-rival New Orleans Saints if he has a good week of practice. It would be a huge addition for Tampa's offense as they battle to win the NFC South division. Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler with 11 1,000-yard seasons in his career, apparently has healed quickly from a clean collarbone break, and he could be an asset for fantasy managers in the playoffs from Weeks 15-17. In four games before getting hurt, he had 14 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown on 32 targets. Pick Evans up now off the waiver wire if he's available.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pewter Report
December 1, 2025
Carolina Panthers tight end
Mitchell Evans caught all three of his targets for 20 yards and totaled 5.0 PPR points in Sunday's upset win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Carolina TE played on 53% of snaps in Week 13, his highest percentage since Week 6. In 13 games played this season, Evans has averaged 3.1 PPR points per game. After a bye, Carolina will face the New Orleans Saints for the second time in 2025 in Week 15. Over the last four weeks leading up to Week 13, the Saints ranked 19th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to TEs. When the Panthers last faced New Orleans, Evans was a non-factor, failing to catch his only target. Although the matchup is favorable for TEs, none of the Carolina TEs should be rostered during the fantasy football playoffs. Evans has been targeted more than once in a game four times this year.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 1, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings announced on Monday that they have waived wide receiver
Adam Thielen. The 35-year-old wideout's role on offense in Minnesota had been dropping since their bye back in Week 6. The Vikings will now part ways with Thielen after they made him a healthy scratch for Sunday's blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13. With Thielen out of the picture for the rest of the year in a lost season for the Vikings, it will give
Tai Felton and
Myles Price more chances to contribute as depth options behind
Justin Jefferson,
Jordan Addison, and
Jalen Nailor. However, with second-year quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (concussion) injured and struggling mightily in what is essentially his rookie season, all of Minnesota's pass-catchers have taken a big hit to their fantasy stock in 2025. In 11 games back with the Vikes this year, Thielen only produced eight catches on 18 targets for 69 yards and no touchdowns.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Vikings
December 1, 2025
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Xavier Legette logged another quiet performance in Carolina's Week 13 surprising triumph over the Los Angeles Rams. The Carolina WR caught one of his two targets for one yard. This is the second time in the last four weeks that Legette finished a game with fewer than 10 yards. The Panthers will be up against New Orleans for the second time this season in Week 15 after a bye. In the last four weeks leading up to Week 13, the Saints ranked 20th in Fantasy Points Per Game Allowed to WRs. Legette registered no fantasy points vs. the Saints in Week 10 and was targeted only once. The second-year wide receiver has finished with less than 5.0 PPR points over four of the last six weeks. It is apparent that Legette has no statistical floor, and he should not be rostered heading into the fantasy football playoffs.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 1, 2025
Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan wasn't very busy in Week 13 but still made a notable impact in the Panthers' stunning 31-28 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The rookie WR was targeted just twice, his lowest target count of the season. However, McMillan caught a 43-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter that proved to be the game-clinching score. McMillan has now caught TD passes in three consecutive games, and he finished Week 13 with 11.3 PPR points. In Week 15, after a bye, Carolina will face the New Orleans Saints in a Week 10 rematch. In the first meeting against the Saints, McMillan finished with 60 yards on five receptions. New Orleans ranked 20th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs in the four weeks leading up to Week 13. Although he did not see much volume in Week 13, McMillan has a favorable matchup in Week 15, where he is likely to see more targets. Due to his solid fantasy floor this season, McMillan is worth considering as a WR3 or flex start.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 1, 2025
Carolina Panthers running back
Rico Dowdle rushed for only 58 yards on 18 carries during Week 13's 31-28 upset win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Carolina RB also added 21 receiving yards on two receptions, totaling 9.9 PPR points. It was the first time since Weeks 7-8 that Dowdle ended back-to-back games with less than 12 PPR points. For the first time since being named the starting RB in Week 9, Dowdle was outplayed by
Chuba Hubbard, who registered 20.4 PPR points on 124 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown. The workload between the two RBs was split, and Hubbard took the most snaps (59%). In Week 15, Dowdle and the Panthers face the New Orleans Saints for the second time this season after a bye. In the last four weeks leading up to Week 13, the Saints ranked 13th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. During the Panthers' prior game against New Orleans in Week 10, Dowdle finished with 63 scrimmage yards and a rushing TD. With the possibility of Dowdle now being in a timeshare with Hubbard, he cannot be regarded as a must-start player regardless of matchup anymore. But he should still be a good start against the Saints, because the surprising Panthers may totally control the flow of the matchup. If Carolina rolls to a big win, you should see Dowdle get into the end zone at least once.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 1, 2025
New Orleans Saints rookie running back
Devin Neal made the first start of his NFL career in Sunday's 21-17 loss to the hosting Miami Dolphins in Week 13. Neal handled a team-high 14 carries for 47 yards (3.4 yards per tote) while also adding three catches on three targets for an additional 22 yards through the air. The 22-year-old got the opportunity after veteran
Alvin Kamara (knee) suffered an MCL sprain in last week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Neal played a season-high 82% of the offensive snaps, with
Evan Hull seeing five rushing attempts as his backup. Although his production wasn't exactly head-turning on Sunday, Neal deserves more attention on the waiver wire this week (he's rostered in 57% of Yahoo leagues) since there's a good chance Kamara will miss more time. Neal will be at least an RB3/flex in fantasy in Week 14 against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers if Kamara is out again.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 1, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Jayden Reed (foot, shoulder) has been out since breaking his collarbone way back in Week 2, but he's been practicing in recent weeks and figures to be activated from Injured Reserve to make his return for a crucial Week 14 divisional clash against the Chicago Bears this weekend. The Packers will most likely ease Reed back onto the field after his long layoff due to a broken collarbone and after having surgery for a broken foot, but the 25-year-old is definitely deserving of being stashed in fantasy leagues for managers who have a shot at competing in the playoffs. Reed is widely available in Yahoo leagues, as he's only rostered in 38% of leagues heading into Week 14. Green Bay has a vast array of wideouts that they rotate on game days, but Reed has scored 18 total touchdowns in 35 career games and should have a key role once he's back up to speed following his injuries.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
December 1, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Mike Evans (collarbone) has not played since breaking his collarbone in Week 7 and is on Injured Reserve, but he could be a factor for fantasy managers in the fantasy playoffs, which typically run from Weeks 15-17. The Buccaneers originally were optimistic that the 32-year-old veteran and future Hall of Famer would be able to return before the end of the regular season because of the fact that he suffered a clean break of his collarbone. Reports over the weekend suggested that Evans could even return as early as the team's Week 14 game on Sunday, Dec. 7, against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Evans is currently rostered in only 58% of fantasy leagues, so if your team has a shot at playing beyond Week 14, he's someone to seriously consider picking up and stashing for the stretch run.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
December 1, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin Jr. saw a steady increase in workload during Week 13's 20-17 win over the visiting Arizona Cardinals, reeling in 3-of-5 passes for 78 yards. The veteran saw a decent uptick in snap share this past weekend, eclipsing 50% of plays, and notching a team- and season-high with his yardage total. It's an encouraging outing for Godwin Jr., who has spent most of the season battling ankle and fibula injuries. He should continue to see his involvement rise over the coming weeks as he's further removed from the latter, and may hold some fantasy value yet down the stretch. The Penn State product's roster percentage is at one of its lowest rates in years, so now is a good time for fantasy managers to buy back in, particularly with a solid matchup in the New Orleans Saints slated for Week 14.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 1, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Alec Pierce posted a nice bounce-back effort in Sunday's 20-16 home loss to the Houston Texans, corralling four of five looks for 78 yards and a touchdown. The former Cincinnati Bearcat was a letdown in a tough Week 12 meeting with the Chiefs, but he rewarded fantasy managers who stuck with him this past weekend and remains a critical piece of the Colts' attack. Pierce's TD -- his second of the campaign -- was another impressive downfield contested catch. While it may be difficult for him to surpass his career-high in touchdowns (seven) with only five games remaining, the 25-year-old is well on his way to smashing the rest of his personal bests. Currently, Pierce is still available in over 40% of leagues, and is a top waiver-wire target for fantasy managers in need of aid at the WR position.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 1, 2025
Indianapolis Colts defensive back Sauce Gardner (calf) is considered week-to-week after injuring his calf in Sunday's 20-16 loss to their division-rival Houston Texans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Gardner was forced out of Week 13's home clash early due to a non-contact injury, so the fact that it's just a sprain is excellent news for the team. However, the issue is considered "mild," and the "hope" is that the fourth-year pro will be able to return by the end of the regular season, Rapoport notes. For now, teammates Mekhi Blackmon and Jaylon Jones figure to see increased playing time in Gardner's stead. While he'll miss some time, it's fortunate that the 25-year-old avoided a significant injury.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ian Rapoport
December 1, 2025
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Jalen Coker was a bright spot for the team in their rain-soaked 31-28 win against the visiting Los Angeles Rams, compiling a 4/74/1 line on six targets. The second-year pro was a key contributor in the upset victory, posting team-highs across the board, while snagging his first touchdown of the campaign. Since returning from a quad injury seven games ago, Coker has racked up 18 receptions and 224 yards (25 targets). The numbers are modest at best, although he's just 63 receiving yards behind teammate
Xavier Legette, who is only ten catches ahead of him despite making four more appearances. Quarterback
Bryce Young has been up and down, but he looked good on Sunday in a tough matchup with less-than-ideal conditions, and Coker has displayed explosiveness getting off the line. He's firmly on the fantasy radar.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
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