December 16, 2025
Miami Dolphins quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa threw his league-leading 15th interception early in the team's Week 15 Monday Night loss to the Steelers and led a hapless offense that struggled to sustain drives until the game was out of hand. When asked if he is considering a quarterback change, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters on Tuesday, "The QB play last night was not good enough. So everything is on the table." With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 6-8 and were eliminated from playoff contention. Tagovailoa signed a lucrative contract extension before the 2024 season, complicating any potential moves the team intends to make at the position. However, after another disappointing season, it appears that changes are coming to Miami in some form or fashion.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Jordan Schultz
December 16, 2025
New Orleans Saints wide receiver
Devaughn Vele (shoulder) avoided serious injury to his shoulder, according to Nick Underhill, but he is still considered week-to-week, leaving his availability for the rest of the season in question. Vele exited during the fourth quarter of a Week 15 win over the Panthers, having caught five of six targets to that point for 69 yards. He had formed a notable connection with rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough of late, averaging 5.3 catches for 67.3 yards over the past three games while adding a touchdown. With Vele likely unavailable or limited for the duration of the fantasy playoffs,
Chris Olave, who has quietly been the WR8 in Half-PPR scoring, should see an abundance of targets against the Jets and Titans, keeping him in must-start territory.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Nick Underhill
December 16, 2025
Free-agent left-hander
Foster Griffin and the Washington Nationals agreed on a one-year, $5.5 million deal on Tuesday, pending a physical, sources familiar with the deal told Robert Murray of FanSided.com. With incentives, Griffin can make up to $6.5 million. The 30-year-old southpaw will make a return to the U.S. after three seasons pitching for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. Griffin had a nice 2.57 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with a 25.1% strikeout rate in 315 2/3 innings in Japan the last three seasons, and he'll be competing for a spot in Washington's starting rotation in spring training. He was originally a first-round pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2014. Griffin made his MLB debut in 2020 in KC but only appeared in seven big-league games in two seasons, allowing seven runs (six earned) in eight innings pitched.
--Keith HernandezSource: FanSided - Robert Murray
December 16, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Gardner Minshew is in line to start the rest of the season after
Patrick Mahomes (knee) suffered a torn ACL in the Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Minshew completed three of five passes for 22 yards and a game-ending interception in relief of Mahomes in the fourth quarter. The 29-year-old has been serviceable in the past as a starter, with his best season coming in 2023 with the Indianapolis Colts. He completed 62.3% of his passes for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 13 starts. Minshew most recently started for the Las Vegas Raiders last season, where he wasn't quite as effective in a worse offensive environment, throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (nine) over nine starts. Minshew doesn't profile as a fantasy option in standard formats, but he has appeal in superflex leagues for a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Jalen McMillan made his season debut in Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons, catching both of his two targets for 38 yards. McMillan spent the entire season up until that point on Injured Reserve after suffering multiple fractures and ligament damage in his neck during a preseason game, but he made a full recovery and will be a factor in the Bucs' passing game over the final few games. The second-year wideout's upside in fantasy football is limited with all of Tampa Bay's wide receivers healthy at the same time for the first time this season. McMillan's 47.5% route share last week ranked fourth on the team behind
Chris Godwin Jr.,
Mike Evans, and rookie
Emeka Egbuka. While McMillan ended his rookie season on a high note with seven touchdowns over the final five games, his opportunities will likely be too inconsistent to rely on in standard-sized leagues to end this season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Cooper Kupp hauled in five of his seven targets for 46 yards in the Week 15 win over the Indianapolis Colts. It marked Kupp's most receptions in a game since Week 5, and his most receiving yards since Week 10. The former Los Angeles Rams wideout hadn't recorded more than three receptions in a game since Week 5 versus Tampa Bay, with Seattle's passing game flowing almost entirely through
Jaxon Smith-Njigba. With newcomer
Rashid Shaheed's role growing in Seattle's offense, Kupp feels like the clear third option in a low-volume passing game, which caps his upside in fantasy. The 32-year-old is still a tough player to trust in 12-team formats, but he'll be a decent flex option in deeper leagues on Thursday night against his former team.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Houston Texans running back
Dare Ogunbowale has largely been a special-teamer during his nine-year career, but he has seen more work as a runner in the past two weeks. With
Nick Chubb (ribs) and
Woody Marks (knee) dealing with injuries, Ogunbowale scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 14. He handled a season-high eight touches in Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals, with five carries for two yards and three receptions (four targets) for 32 yards as a receiver. The 31-year-old was in just a complementary role after Marks exited against the Cardinals, though, with second-year running back
Jawhar Jordan seeing the bulk of the carries. Jordan handled 15 carries for 101 yards, becoming the first Texans running back to go over the century mark in rushing yards this season. Ogunbowale profiles as the receiving back if Chubb and Marks remain unavailable in Week 16 against the Raiders, limiting his fantasy appeal to just deeper PPR leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
With newly signed outfielder
Adolis Garcia taking over in right field for the Philadelphia Phillies next season, the team is looking to use prospect
Justin Crawford as a center fielder, according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "We believe so," president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. "We'd like to have that happen. "If you're going to give Crawford an opportunity, you've got to give it to him. And that's where we are. We're going to give him an opportunity and have him play a lot."
Brandon Marsh will likely be the left fielder, at least against right-handed pitchers. The Phillies are unlikely to add another outfielder this offseason. There's plenty to like about the 21-year-old Crawford in fantasy baseball after he hit .334/.411/.452 with seven homers and 46 steals at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025. His defense is a work in progress, but for his speed alone in a stacked Philly lineup, Crawford's stock is on the rise. Per MLB Pipeline, Crawford is the Phillies' No. 3 prospect.
--Keith HernandezSource: Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
December 16, 2025
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Rashid Shaheed had five catches for 74 yards on seven targets in the Week 15 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Shaheed hadn't been a big part of the offense in the first four games after being acquired from the New Orleans Saints at the trade deadline, playing 47.9% of the snaps and totalling just four receptions for 37 yards on 11 targets. His role has expanded in the past two games as he's gotten more acclimated in the offense, with nine catches for 141 yards on 12 targets. Notably, his snap share spiked to 68.3% in Week 15, his highest mark with Seattle by 12 percentage points. Shaheed's 18.2% target share in the past two weeks is second only to
Jaxon Smith-Njigba for Seattle, and his big-play ability makes him worth a look off the waiver wire, as he could be in for a nice finish to the season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Baltimore Ravens running back
Keaton Mitchell is emerging as an explosive backfield complement to lead back
Derrick Henry as the Ravens push for a playoff spot in 2025. Mitchell played a season-high 39% of the offensive snaps in Sunday's shutout victory over the Cincinnati Bengals and had a season-high eight carries for 66 yards (8.3 yards per carry). He was unable to haul in his only target in the passing game.
Rasheen Ali found the end zone on a 16-yard reception, but the 23-year-old Mitchell had only three fewer carries than Henry on the day, and he now has 173 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in the last three contests. Injuries have slowed Mitchell down early in his NFL career, but the third-year back has always been explosive (7.1 yards per carry in 23 games) and is definitely worth a waiver-wire pickup going into a Week 16 date against the Patriots on Sunday night. Mitchell is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 16, 2025
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said he doesn't expect wide receiver
Luke McCaffrey (collarbone) to be activated from Injured Reserve for the final three weeks of the season, according to Ben Standig. McCaffrey suffered a broken collarbone in the Week 9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and won't be back in 2025. The 24-year-old former third-round pick in 2024 out of Rice will finish his second year in the NFL with 11 catches on 15 targets for 203 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. McCaffrey averaged a healthy 18.5 yards per reception as a deep threat down the field for quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels (elbow) and
Marcus Mariota, but for fantasy purposes, he was much too inconsistent to trust in starting lineups in most leagues. McCaffrey will be looking to become a more consistent part of Washington's offense in his third year in the league in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ben Standig
December 16, 2025
In 44-year-old quarterback
Philip Rivers' first NFL game in five years with the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday's 18-16 loss to the hosting Seattle Seahawks, wide receiver
Josh Downs caught his lone touchdown pass. Downs played a season-high 72% of the offensive snaps in Week 15 in Rivers' first game replacing
Daniel Jones, who is out for the year with a torn Achilles. The 24-year-old wideout was tied for second on the team with five targets, catching three of them for only 13 yards and his fourth touchdown of the year. All in all, it wasn't anything special for fantasy football production, but it was notable that Downs tied
Michael Pittman Jr. in targets, with
Alec Pierce seeing just one look from Rivers. With Rivers shotputting balls to his receivers, Downs could become a more attractive short-area target over Pierce to close out the season, making him worth a look off the waiver wire as WR depth. Downs is rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 16, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Tre Tucker is still technically the team's top wideout, but he didn't record a single catch on three targets in the 31-0 beatdown at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Tucker has been the Raiders' second leading receiver this year behind star tight end
Brock Bowers, catching 46 of his 75 targets for 574 yards and five touchdowns, but he's been in a funk lately. The 24-year-old doesn't have more than three catches or 28 receiving yards in any of the last four games. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues are probably looking to drop him following his donut in Week 15, especially with a terrible upcoming matchup this weekend on the road against the Houston Texans and their No. 1 defense. However, with
Tyler Lockett (wrist) banged up and quarterback
Geno Smith (shoulder, back) potentially returning in Week 16, there's a glimmer of hope that Tucker can rebound in a tough matchup.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 16, 2025
New York Giants running back
Devin Singletary was a popular waiver-wire addition following the team's Week 13 loss to the New England Patriots, when he recorded 102 scrimmage yards and a touchdown following
Tyrone Tracy Jr.'s hip injury on a Monday night. Tracy had the Week 14 bye to heal up, though, and he returned as New York's clear lead back in Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Washington Commanders, leading the backfield with 15 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown. Tracy also caught all three of his targets for 27 yards and a second score through the air. Singletary was quiet, carrying the ball five times for only 13 yards and catching his only target for a one-yard gain. The lackluster day ended a stretch of three straight games with at least 40 rushing yards for the 28-year-old Singletary. Tracy will be the RB1 again in Week 16 versus the Vikings, but Singletary is a high-end handcuff option for fantasy managers for the final three weeks of the 2025 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 16, 2025
University of Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava signed a new deal with the program to return in 2026, according to USC's official X account. The Hawaii native began his career at UNLV before heading to Los Angeles ahead of the 2024 campaign. While splitting time with Miller Moss as the Trojans' starting quarterback in 2024, he threw for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions in seven games. After Moss left for Louisville in 2025, Maiava entered the season as the starting quarterback and completed over 66% of his passes for 3,341 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight picks. He also ran for six touchdowns. USC improved from 7-6 to 9-3 (pending bowl game) from 2024 and 2025, and the program could continue its upward trend in the Big Ten with another year of Maiava running Lincoln Riley's offense.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: USC Football on X
December 16, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson said last week that he was "feeling better" after battling through multiple lower-body injuries this season, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Although Jackson's performance was pedestrian in the 24-0 shutout win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the team snapped a two-game losing streak, and Jackson looked more like himself. He had the fewest completions of his eight-year career in a full game with eight, throwing for 150 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The two-time MVP's 136 passing yards were his most in a first half this season, and he was back to producing touchdowns and stretching the field. Jackson ended a career-worst streak of five games without multiple TD passes. The 28-year-old's production has dipped recently in tandem with his reduced practice time, as he's missed at least one full practice in each of the last five games due to ankle, knee, and toe ailments. If Jackson is indeed putting his injuries in the rearview mirror, we could finally start to see the high-end QB1 version, although it might already be too late for fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
December 16, 2025
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said tight end
Tyler Higbee (ankle) will remain sidelined for the team's Week 16 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, per Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Higbee was placed on Injured Reserve following Week 11 due to an ankle injury. Across nine games before getting hurt, the 32-year-old had recorded 20 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns on 30 targets. The Rams operate with one of the deepest tight end rooms in the NFL, as all three of
Davis Allen,
Colby Parkinson, and
Terrance Ferguson have played at least 15 offensive snaps in every game since Higbee went down. Parkinson has stepped up as the leading receiver of the group, recording six touchdowns over his last five games. With Higbee sidelined and Rams wideout
Davante Adams (hamstring) potentially out as well, Parkinson could be a viable streaming option at the tight end position for fantasy managers in Week 16.
--Will BradySource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
December 16, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver
Isaiah Bond notched his most receiving yards of the season in the Week 15 loss to the Chicago Bears, catching two of his four targets for 89 yards. Bond posted his highest route share (73.8%) since Week 6 and continues to be a dangerous deep threat for rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders. The undrafted rookie out of Alabama's two deep shots accounted for just over half of Sanders' 177 passing yards for the game. Bond has established himself as a big-play threat in Cleveland's offense and has a growing connection with Sanders, giving him upside as a deep-league boom/bust flex option for the Week 16 game against the Buffalo Bills.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell is set to enter the transfer portal, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3 and Rivals. The rising redshirt junior was a four-star recruit out of Orlando in the 2023 recruiting cycle, but he's been unable to carve out a big-time role in the Florida offense. In 22 career games, he's hauled in 38 receptions for 404 yards and three touchdowns, including 19 receptions for 177 yards and one score in his final year in Gainesville. He's a talented player with a strong prospect profile, so he should have several suitors as he hits the open market.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Transfer Portal on X
December 16, 2025
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) will not practice on Tuesday but has not yet been ruled out for the team's Week 16 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night, per ESPN's Sarah Bishop. Adams suffered a hamstring injury that forced him to exit early from the Rams' Week 15 win over the Detroit Lions. Given the short turnaround, Adams may be trending towards missing his team's crucial Week 16 matchup against Seattle that may decide which team gets the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Across 14 games this season, the 32-year-old has hauled in 60 receptions for 789 yards and 14 touchdowns on 114 targets. If he is sidelined, Rams wideouts
Konata Mumpfield and
Tutu Atwell could see an increase in playing time. Star Los Angeles wide receiver
Puka Nacua would likely be in line for an even larger target share in Week 16.
UPDATE: Adams could end up being a game-time decision on Thursday.--Will BradySource: ESPN - Sarah Bishop
December 16, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Noah Brown (ribs) has been placed on Injured Reserve, per JP Finlay of NBC 4 Sports. The team has also signed veteran wideout
Chris Moore from the practice squad to the active roster as the corresponding move. The IR placement ends what has been an injury-ravaged season for Brown. He appeared in just four games this season for Washington, recording five receptions for 83 yards on 10 targets. The 29-year-old has had a difficult time staying healthy in recent years, playing in just 25 games over the past three seasons. With Brown sidelined, Commanders wideouts
Treylon Burks and
Jaylin Lane should see more opportunities alongside Washington's star wide receiver duo of
Terry McLaurin and
Deebo Samuel Sr.--Will BradySource: NBC 4 Sports - JP Finlay
December 16, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie tight end
Gunnar Helm delivered another promising outing in Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, hauling in all four of his targets for 49 yards and his second touchdown of the season. Helm left the game during the second half with a toe injury, but was able to return and still finished with another promising performance. The rookie fourth-rounder has recorded the most receptions by a rookie tight end in Titans franchise history, with three games still left to play. While his routes have still been limited as he splits reps with
Chig Okonkwo, Helm has been a strong target earner with 29% targets per route run since Week 11, ranking second among tight ends with at least 75 routes over that stretch. He has at least four receptions in four of the past five games and has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise poor Titans offense. Helm is worth consideration as a potential streamer in fantasy football for Week 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have been eliminated from the playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Since returning in Week 13 from an ankle injury that caused him to miss two games, Cincinnati Bengals running back
Samaje Perine has recorded 135 scrimmage yards on 38 touches across three contests. While Bengals back
Chase Brown remains the lead rusher in Cincinnati, Perine plays a third-down role that has led to a consistent snap share this season. He's played at least 37% of Cincinnati's offensive snaps in every game since returning from injury, giving him a chance at standalone fantasy value every week. Still, Perine's main utility for fantasy managers is as a handcuff option to Brown. If Brown were to go down over the final weeks of the season, Perine would likely dominate backfield snaps in Cincinnati. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Perine is worth targeting on the waiver wire and stashing in a bench spot.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 16, 2025
East Carolina is pursuing North Texas offensive coordinator Jordan Davis to be its next offensive coordinator, reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel. The 33-year-old aided former UNT head coach Eric Morris in leading the Mean Green to the No. 1 total offense (504.3) and scoring offense (44.8) in 2025. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker had a breakout season under Davis, passing for over 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. Davis began his coaching career at Texas Tech in 2016 as a graduate assistant before stints at Incarnate Word, Washington State, and North Texas. If the two sides reach a deal, he will be tasked with replacing John David Baker, who has been hired as Ole Miss' offensive coordinator for 2026.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 16, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Tre' Harris had his best game of the season in Week 15 versus the Kansas City Chiefs, collecting three receptions (five targets) for a season-high 49 yards. His big day was the direct result of fellow wideout
Quentin Johnston sitting out with a groin injury. Harris recorded a 75.8% route share, which only trailed
Ladd McConkey in the game. It was the rookie's highest mark since Week 6, and only his third game at 50% or higher. With an increased role, Harris should be on the fantasy radar as a potential deep-league flex option for a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys if Johnston misses another game. The Cowboys rank last in passing yards and touchdowns allowed, which could set Harris up for a breakout game if his uptick in playing time sticks.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end
Brenton Strange had a down week in Week 15, recording just one catch for 26 yards on three targets against the New York Jets. However, the 24-year-old had earned 15 targets over his last three games heading into Week 15. Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence is playing some of his best football in recent weeks, throwing for 1,059 passing yards and 12 touchdowns over his last four outings. With the Jacksonville passing game finding its groove, Strange should have opportunities for high-value targets every week. The Jaguars have a difficult matchup in Week 16 against the Denver Broncos before a more favorable matchup in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts. For fantasy managers in leagues with 12 or more teams in need of help at the tight end position, Strange could be a solid streaming option to target on the waiver wire.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 16, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (knee) "appears to be hellbent" on returning for Week 1 of the 2026 season, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in Kansas City's Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, ending his season. The 30-year-old underwent surgery on Monday, so a return in Week 1 of 2026 would be right around nine months of recovery time. While it's obviously too soon to know exactly when Mahomes will return, it's noteworthy that the initial plan is to be ready for the start of the season. By his lofty standards, the two-time MVP had a down year in 2025, completing a career-low 62.7% of his pass attempts for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions across 14 games.
Gardner Minshew is the current fill-in for Mahomes in Kansas City, but he will be a free agent at the end of the season. If Mahomes were to miss time in 2026, it's unclear who the Chiefs would turn to under center.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
December 16, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back
LeQuint Allen Jr. hasn't played a significant role this season behind
Travis Etienne Jr. and fellow rookie
Bhayshul Tuten, but he is likely to see an uptick in snaps with Tuten set to miss a few weeks with a finger injury that will require surgery. Allen handled five touches for 16 yards in the Week 15 blowout win over the New York Jets, his most since Week 11. The rookie seventh-rounder will step into the RB2 role behind Etienne and becomes an interesting deep-league option heading into the Week 16 game against the Denver Broncos on the road. His appeal is limited to deep leagues only, but he could have some standalone value with more touches likely coming his way.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Across 14 games this season, Philadelphia Eagles running back
Tank Bigsby has recorded 41 carries for 237 yards. The 24-year-old's playing time is limited by the presence of star Eagles running back
Saquon Barkley, who dominates backfield snaps in Philadelphia. Bigsby has played double-digit snaps in just two games this season, so he holds little to no standalone fantasy value as long as Barkley is healthy. However, if Barkley were to get injured, Bigsby would be in line for a significant workload increase. He's proven he can be effective in a larger role, as he recorded 766 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 168 carries across 16 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Bigsby is worth rostering just in case Barkley goes down over the final weeks of the season.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 16, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Malik Davis saw more action in Week 16 when
Javonte Williams left briefly in the first half with a shoulder injury in Sunday night's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but Williams returned in the second half. Davis took advantage of his increase in opportunities in the first half, handling eight carries for 21 yards and a touchdown to go with two receptions (three targets) for 16 yards as a receiver. He had only played 52 total offensive snaps entering the game, but played 37 in the loss to the Vikings. The 27-year-old has proven to be a quality backup behind Williams this season, adding more explosiveness to the Cowboys' backfield. It seems Williams will be good to go for Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers, but his status will be worth monitoring this week. Davis should be added as a strong contingency option in an elite Dallas offense.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
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