

Wed Jan 7 10:17am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Etienne could come up big
Just because the regular season is over doesn’t mean your fantasy season has to end. We have some unbelievable fantasy playoff contests here at RealTime Fantasy Sports. If you have never played in a playoff fantasy contest, I highly recommend giving one a try. There is so much strategy involved and it is a different way to play fantasy. Check out all our contests here: rtsports.com/playoffs. We have a variety of games and price points to fit all our fantasy needs.
And you can start your own playoff league as well and come up with any rules you would like with our playoff commish product: rtsports.com/playoff-commissioner. There are just numerous ways to keep playing fantasy football during the playoffs.
Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . . .
I really feel like this playoff is the hardest to figure out in a long, long time. We just have so many new teams in the mix and some of the old favorites are out of the mix this year. I know I’m having a hard time coming up with all my fantasy playoff rosters because of this. For now, my prediction is a New England/Seattle Super Bowl. My confidence level is low with that pick, though. I like the path for the Patriots and feel they might be the most complete team on both sides of the ball for the AFC. Seattle is a wild card because of Sam Darnold but if can make some big plays in the playoffs, this team can make a run. The defense is so good and Seattle is pretty battle tested, beating most of the main competition to come out of the NFC already during the regular season. Plus, home-field advantage in Seattle is huge.
Like most, I was shocked with the Ravens parting ways with John Harbaugh. He was one of the last coaches I thought would get fired this offseason. He has been a mainstay with the Ravens for 18 seasons and guided them to a ton of success. He should have no trouble finding work again, though. I guess the Ravens just wanted a new voice at the helm. It does make some sense after some disappointing seasons in recent years. Maybe the message had become stale from Harbaugh. And I’m going to give the Ravens the benefit of the doubt here. Baltimore has a pretty top-notch organization from the top down, so I would expect them to find a good fit for the team going forward. But either way, this was some shocking news this week. Never a dull moment in the NFL.
There are going to be some tough players to rank next year. I have not started yet on my 2026 rankings like some but know I will struggle some with those initial rankings. Both Drake Maye and Trevor Lawrence were top five in quarterback scoring this year. Do you keep those guys near the top of the rankings next season? Tough call.
And where do you put Michael Wilson? He had an unbelievable season half to his season, moving him all the way to 11th overall in fantasy receiver scoring. Is he going to sustain that level of success with Marvin Harrison healthy and the Cardinals likely having a different quarterback or Kyler Murray back. I’m sure ranking Wilson will be polarizing for the fantasy community.
Lastly, Kyle Pitts finally moved back to fantasy relevance, ranking second overall in tight end scoring. Is this going to be the Kyle Pitts going forward or is he going to revert back to the inconsistent player from the past few years? Plus, Pitts could be with a new team next year, clouding things even more. These are just a handful of the tough ranking decisions for 2026. This is what makes it so much fun, though, right?
HOT PLAYS
Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars. Etienne hasn’t produced quite as well down the stretch as he did earlier in the season but the Jaguars are relying more on the pass now, having so much success throwing the ball. Etienne still has 16-plus fantasy points three of his last five games. He is more than capable of the big game. And the Bills have struggled to stop the run all season long. Buffalo allowed the eighth most fantasy points to running backs this season. The Bills allowed more than 200-rushing yards four different times this season. Etienne could have some big-time success in this one.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans. Schultz had one of his best seasons as a pro this year, posting much more consistent numbers. He has been especially good of late, having 11-plus fantasy points three of four games. Schultz has 70-plus yards two of those games. Look for him to make some big plays this week against the Steelers, a team that struggles to stop the tight end. Pittsburgh allowed the third most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Caleb Williams, QB, Bears. Williams had a breakout regular season and will look to carry that over to the playoffs. He gets a Packers team that he had multiple touchdowns against in each of the games he played them this year. Williams finished the season with 21-plus fantasy points three of his last four games. Look for more of the same this week against Green Bay, a team that was more leaky against the pass late in the year.
COLD PLAYS
Omarion Hampton, RB, Chargers. Hampton was rested last week in the Chargers meaningless game but is expected back this week to serve as the lead back for the team. Hampton hasn’t had a ton of success running the ball since returning from injury in Week 14. He has less than 65-rushing yards three of four games. The only thing saving his fantasy value is he is finding the end zone on a pretty regular basis. We aren’t sure he scores this week against the Patriots, though. New England allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points to running backs.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Jaguars. A move to Jacksonville was a great one for Meyers. He has emerged as the No. 1 receiver for Trevor Lawrence. He has cooled some lately, though, after a quick start to his Jacksonville career. He has less than 50 yards three straight games, failing to hit double-digit fantasy points in any of those games. It could be tough sledding again for him this week against the Bills, a team that allowed the fourth fewest fantasy points to receivers.
George Kittle, TE, 49ers. Kittle returned last week from his ankle injury but was pretty quiet, catching five passes for 29 yards. It was his lowest yardage total since Week 7. Kittle gets another tough defense this week, playing Philadelphia. The Eagles have been dominant against the tight end, allowing the second fewest fantasy points to tight ends. You might want to temper your expectations for Kittle in this one.
SLEEPERS
C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans. Stroud has turned around his game the second half of the season, getting the Texans passing offense going. He has multiple touchdowns two straight games and three of four. With the Texans struggling to run the ball, look for Stroud to carry the offense this week against a bad Steelers secondary. Pittsburgh allowed some big plays to the Ravens passing attack last week and gave up the fourth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Luther Burden, WR, Bears. Burden has become the go-to receiver for the Bears down the stretch. He has 11-plus fantasy points three of four games. He has 80-plus yards two of those games. He is making big plays on a weekly basis, showing his ability after the catch to make things happen. We like him to make a big play or two this week against the Packers. He had a solid four catches for 67 yards in his only game against the Packers in Week 14.
Blake Corum, RB, Rams. Corum has formed a nice one-two punch with Kyren Williams. He is getting consistent work in that role, having double-digit carries four of his last five games. He has 13-plus fantasy points four of six games. We like the Rams to run often this week against the Panthers, a team that is very good against the pass but can struggle to stop the run. Corum ran seven times for 81 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers in Week 13. Carolina has allowed at least 140-rushing yards three straight games and five of six.
High/Low Scoring Games
Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low-scoring games for the coming week. In high-scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low-scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.
High Scoring Games: Bills/Jaguars, Packers/Bears, Chargers/Patriots.
Low Scoring Games: Texans/Steelers.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
Interview with the Champ
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has accomplished a lot in his NFL career to this point as both a real-life player and a fantasy QB. However, 2025 was a frustrating season in many respects. Across 16 games, the 27-year-old completed 64.8% of his pass attempts for 3,224 yards, 25 touchdowns, and six interceptions while averaging a career-low 7.1 yards per pass attempt. While Hurts still provided well-above-average production with his legs, his rushing production dipped in comparison to his career norms. After four straight seasons with at least 600 rushing yards and double-digit rushing touchdowns, Hurts totaled 421 yards and eight scores as a rusher in 2025. The Eagles will have a different play-caller in 2026, as the team brought in former Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion in place of former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. While the coaching change could help Hurts, the Eagles may be looking to trade away star wide receiver A.J. Brown after Brown publicly voiced his displeasure with the team at points throughout 2025. Hurts remains a quality dual-threat fantasy quarterback, but his long-term dynasty stock may be fading if his rushing production is slowing down.
From RotoBaller
Across 16 games as a rookie in 2025, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond hauled in 18 receptions for 338 yards on 44 targets. While Bond's overall numbers don't jump off the page, he showcased an ability to make plays down the field by averaging 18.8 yards per reception. However, the 21-year-old failed to earn more than four targets in any game from Week 6 onwards. Across seven games started by Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Bond recorded seven catches for 215 yards. In 2026, Cleveland will have a new play-caller at the helm after replacing long-time head coach Kevin Stefanski with former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Still, the offensive environment around Bond remains a question mark, as Cleveland remains without a clear answer at the quarterback position. Bond should have an opportunity to carve out a consistent role in the Browns' offense in 2026, but he still has plenty to prove to dynasty fantasy managers after his quiet rookie campaign.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs pleaded not guilty on Friday to felony strangulation and other criminal charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his personal chef, according to ESPN. According to court records, the chef told officers that she and Diggs argued about the money he owed her for her work. During a Dec. 2 encounter at his home, she said Diggs "smacked her across the face" and "tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck." Diggs' attorney said he "categorically denies these allegations." "He is completely innocent. He will be completely exonerated," Diggs' attorney, Mitchell Schuster, said. The 32-year-old wideout is next scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing on April 1. In his first year in New England in 2025, Diggs helped the Pats reach the Super Bowl, finishing the regular season as the WR18 in half-PPR scoring with 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He should be one of quarterback Drake Maye's top targets again in 2026.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Brooke Pryor reports that she gets the sense that Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers is "more likely to come back than not" in 2026. The Steelers probably want an answer sooner rather than later from Rodgers, especially with the scouting combine coming up in a few weeks. The difference between this year and last year is that Pittsburgh has QB Will Howard on the roster after they drafted him in the sixth round in 2025. Mason Rudolph is also in the QB room, but new head coach Mike McCarthy is apparently a big fan of Howard and laid out plans to develop the young QB during his head-coaching interview. Rodgers led Pittsburgh to the playoffs and threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season games in his first year with the team, but he finished as the QB19 in fantasy in what was an underwhelming offense. If Rodgers returns to the Steel City for a 22nd NFL season, he'll be a low-end QB2 again with a limited ceiling for fantasy purposes.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier continued to carve out standalone value in his role behind Bijan Robinson throughout the 2025 season. Allgeier had his ups and downs, making it difficult to know when to start or sit him. His role wasn't exactly matchup dependent or even game script dependent, so he spent most of the season as a risky RB3/flex in a boom-or-bust role. However, on a positive note, he played all 17 games and finished with yet another solid stat line. He rushed for 514 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries, posting a new career-high in touchdowns as he vultured a lot of Robinson's goal-line work. He also caught 14 passes for 96 receiving yards. Allgeier ranked as the overall RB39 in PPR leagues, and he has now posted a top-43 finish in each of his four NFL seasons. Robinson's steady availability has left Allgeier in a backup role, but it's worth noting that he's arguably the most valuable fantasy handcuff and would jump to the top-12 range if Robinson were to miss time. Between his modest standalone value and his upside as Robinson's backup, Allgeier will continue to be a solid fantasy option for 2026. In dynasty leagues, he's a "hold" for most managers, but he's an important "buy" for managers with Robinson on their roster.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud took another step backward in 2025, completing 64.5% of his passes for 3,014 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 14 regular-season games. He was also tripped up in the playoffs. Houston took down Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round, but then, Stroud threw four interceptions on a 42.6% completion rate in the Texans' elimination against the Patriots. Stroud was the overall QB11 despite missing two games as a rookie in 2023, but he fell to QB18 in 2024 and QB21 in 2025. The former No. 2 pick is still expected to have his fifth-year option picked up, but he needs to re-find his rookie form and prove that he's worthy of being the Texans' franchise quarterback long-term. He certainly has the weapons needed to produce; Nico Collins is a budding superstar, Dalton Schultz took major strides last season, Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins had big rookie seasons, and Tank Dell (knee) is presumably nearing a return. Stroud is worth holding in dynasty leagues right now, but he's a bit too risky to "buy low."
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson took a while to get going, but he finally found a groove near the end of his rookie campaign. He had just five catches through the first four weeks, operating as the third or fourth option on the depth chart behind Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and sometimes Davis Allen. However, he saw his snap share jump to a season-high 78% in Week 15, and over his next three games, he totaled six catches for 93 yards and a pair of touchdowns. With Tyler Higbee headed for free agency, it seems like Ferguson has a real chance to step up as the Rams' 1B tight end alongside Parkinson next year. It may be a bit early to pursue him in redraft leagues, but he's trending up as an intriguing buy in dynasty formats.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (hamstring) was taking on a large role as a rookie before being placed on injured reserve for the final three weeks of the 2025 regular season. Neal had 246 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns over his final four games, ranking as the overall RB23 in full-PPR leagues during that span. The dynamic in New Orleans right now is very interesting. On one hand, the Saints have a somewhat crowded backfield with Neal, Alvin Kamara, and Kendre Miller (knee). On the other hand, the competition for the lead-back role is wide open. Neal, of course, peaked at 20 touches in a single game last year and is coming back from injury. Miller is also returning from an injury and has struggled to break out through three years in the league. Finally, Kamara is a former superstar but is likely in the final stages of his career after posting new career lows in yards per carry (3.6) and receptions (33). As a result, it seems like there's a real path for Neal to produce in 2026, assuming the Saints don't bring in top-tier running back talent via free agency, trade, or the draft. He's a very appealing "buy" in dynasty leagues this offseason.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough said that he wants wide receiver Terry McLaurin to get at least 10 targets per game. "This thing's going to be built around how do we get Terry 10 targets a game and get him explosive receptions after explosive receptions to kind of flip the field," Blough told WUSA9's John Doran. That's an aggressive goal to set, especially when stated publicly. McLaurin averaged just six targets per game in 2025, albeit with an inconsistent quarterback mix of Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, and Josh Johnson. Furthermore, he posted double-digit targets just once: in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos, with Mariota as his quarterback. Daniels is due back from an elbow injury in time for the 2026 season opener, which is a good sign for McLaurin's volume. The 30-year-old receiver averaged 11.4 full-PPR points per game last season and should rank as a mid-to-high WR2 ahead of 2026 fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
Across 15 games in 2025, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings recorded 55 receptions for 643 yards and nine touchdowns on 90 targets. With 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk (knee) sidelined for the entirety of 2025 by a knee injury, Jennings emerged as the team's WR1. The 28-year-old is now set to hit unrestricted free agency, but 49ers' general manager John Lynch recently expressed public interest in signing Jennings to a new contract. If Jennings does indeed re-sign with San Francisco, he could see an even greater role in the team's passing game in 2026. San Francisco lost star tight end George Kittle (Achilles) to a torn Achilles in the NFC Wild Card Round in early January, which means Kittle could miss a sizable chunk of the 2026 season. Additionally, 49ers WR2 Ricky Pearsall has had major difficulty staying on the field to this point in his NFL career, playing in just 20 games across his first two professional seasons. Jennings may not carry elite fantasy upside, but he's solidified himself as a reliable producer over the last two seasons in San Francisco.
From RotoBaller
A third-round selection out of the University of Iowa in the 2025 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson appeared to have an opportunity to play a significant role in his team's backfield as a rookie. Instead, the 22-year-old spent the 2025 season buried on the Steelers' depth chart and barely got a chance to take the field. Across 10 games played, Johnson recorded just 78 yards from scrimmage on 29 touches. Veteran Pittsburgh running backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell dominated the team's backfield work throughout the year, as each back topped 180 touches and 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Gainwell is set to hit unrestricted free agency this spring, which could eliminate one obstacle from Johnson's pathway to playing time. However, even if the Steelers do not bring Gainwell back, Johnson did little as a rookie to convince Pittsburgh that it should not bring in another veteran to complement Warren in 2026. Johnson is still very young, and he could work his way back into the team's plans with a full offseason of development. However, his fantasy stock in dynasty formats has taken a major hit after his underwhelming rookie campaign.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III solidified himself as one of the NFL's best running backs in 2025, racking up 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 309 carries across 17 games. The 26-year-old also impacted the game as a receiver, hauling in 33 receptions for 291 yards and two scores. Cook III has always been an efficient player, but he was able to reach new production heights in 2025 thanks to an increase in workload. After logging 239 touches across 16 games played in 2024, Cook III recorded 342 touches in 2025 and still averaged a highly efficient 5.6 yards per touch. Cook III signed a four-year extension with Buffalo before the start of the 2025 season, so he's locked in as the team's lead rusher for the foreseeable future. The Bills also promoted former offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, so it seems unlikely that the team would radically shift its offensive approach going forward. Now that he's proven he can handle a significant workload, Cook III profiles as a high-end running back option for fantasy managers in dynasty formats.
From RotoBaller
Heading into the 2025 season, San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges had not recorded a single catch across 20 career NFL games. However, the 26-year-old took advantage of his opportunity in San Francisco, recording 34 receptions for 293 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games played. The majority of Tonges' production came in a five-week stretch from Weeks 2 through 6 when star 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was sidelined by a hamstring injury. In that span, Tonges hauled in 22 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns on 31 targets. However, Tonges may see a similar opportunity in 2026, as Kittle suffered a torn Achilles tendon in San Francisco's NFC Wild Card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles and is expected to miss time next season. Tonges is set to hit restricted free agency this spring, but it seems likely that the 49ers prioritize bringing him back, given Kittle's injury situation. In dynasty formats, Tonges may be a tight end to target for his chance at 2026 production and the possibility that he could be the long-term successor to Kittle in San Francisco.
From RotoBaller
A first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was expected to take over as the team's unquestioned QB1 in 2025. However, the 23-year-old struggled mightily in his first chance to be an NFL starter this past season. Across 10 starts, McCarthy completed 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He was able to add some value with his legs, rushing for 181 yards and four touchdowns on 37 attempts. However, injuries and availability have also been a major issue for McCarthy. After missing his entire rookie year with a torn meniscus, McCarthy missed time in 2025 with a high-ankle sprain, a concussion, and a fractured hand. Heading into 2026, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has stated that the team aims to have a "competitive" quarterback situation in training camp. While McCarthy is still young and could still be the long-term answer in Minnesota, his fantasy stock in dynasty formats is trending in the wrong direction.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward (shoulder) sprained his right shoulder in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but the injury has not impacted his offseason training since he has been working mostly on footwork. However, ESPN's Turron Davenport writes that Ward's rehab, paired with learning offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's new offense, will likely be a challenge. The Titans are hoping that Daboll can help Ward make a Year 2 jump after he helped Bills QB Josh Allen go from a raw rookie to an All-Pro. Ward showed flashes in his first year in the NFL and finished on a high note, but overall, he was too inconsistent and struggled with accuracy. The first overall pick in 2025 completed 59.8% of his passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while adding 159 rushing yards and two TDs in 17 starts. The good news is that Ward's throwing shoulder should be 100% for training camp this summer.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent wide receiver Mike Evans has not discussed his future with the team yet as an unrestricted free agent, but ESPN's Jenna Laine writes that Evans, 32, is "less likely to retire," based on conversations with those closest to him. The future Hall of Famer had the worst year of his career in 2025, thanks to a broken collarbone that limited him to just eight games. Evans finished his 12th year in the league with 30 receptions on 62 targets for 368 yards and three touchdowns. With limited time remaining in his NFL career, will he choose to go elsewhere for a better shot at a Super Bowl ring? It remains to be seen, but at the moment, he appears to be leaning toward returning for the 2026 season. The six-time Pro Bowler began his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons before last year's injury-plagued campaign. If he stays in Tampa in 2026, he should be the No. 1 wideout again, albeit in a crowded receiving room that also includes Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan.
From RotoBaller
It's a foregone conclusion that the Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on impending free-agent wide receiver George Pickens this offseason after his breakout 2025 season. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport wonders if the Cowboys would be willing to slap the franchise tag on Pickens and then turn around and trade him. Dallas acquired the 24-year-old from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a third-rounder, so in theory, the Cowboys could entertain the idea of flipping Pickens for a potential second-rounder. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has shown in the past that he's not afraid of trading star players (see Micah Parsons just last year) for high-end draft capital. Alongside CeeDee Lamb, though, Pickens took Dallas' offense to another level in 2025, and he finished with a career-high 1,429 yards, 93 receptions, and nine touchdowns in 17 games. If Pickens stays in Dallas in 2026, he'll be a strong WR1 target in fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Seattle Seahawks could use the franchise or transition tag on impending free-agent running back Kenneth Walker III this offseason, even though the franchise tag would pay Walker around $14 million in 2026. The 25-year-old went Beast Mode in Seattle's three postseason games this year, carrying the ball 65 times for 313 yards and four touchdowns while adding nine catches for an additional 104 yards. The former second-rounder had 27 carries for 135 yards in the Super Bowl LX win over the New England Patriots and was named MVP. Walker made himself a lot of money for the 2026 season with his playoff exploits. It sounds like the Seahawks want to keep him around. He has been solid in his four years with Seattle, but lower-body injuries have been an issue. With Zach Charbonnet (knee) returning in 2026, there will be bust potential for Walker coming off the high of his postseason performance.
From RotoBaller
Veteran wide receiver Miles Boykin has announced his retirement from playing football. Boykin was the Ravens' third-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2019. His first two pro seasons were the best of his career as he totaled 32 catches, 464 yards, and seven touchdowns. However, he peaked as the overall WR99 in PPR leagues in 2020, and he never returned to the top 185 receivers after that. After three seasons in Baltimore, he spent two in Pittsburgh. He also spent part of 2024 with the Seahawks and part of 2025 with the Bears, but he never appeared in a game for either organization. The 29-year-old is now hanging up his cleats and said (via Instagram) that he's "excited for this new chapter in my life."
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren had the best fantasy finish of his career in 2025, and he could take another step forward with less competition next season. Warren entered the 2025 campaign as the Steelers' preferred running back after Najee Harris departed in free agency. The expectation was that Warren would gradually lose touches to Kaleb Johnson, but instead, he found himself in a split backfield with Kenneth Gainwell. While sharing touches with Gainwell, Warren tallied 958 rushing yards, 333 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. He finished as the overall RB17 in full-PPR leagues, while Gainwell was the RB16. Gainwell is expected to hit free agency this offseason, and early rumors indicate that the Steelers don't plan to re-sign him. Presumably, they'll bring in another running back or give more touches to Johnson. However, as the incumbent starter, Warren should maintain a heavy workload and fantasy relevance. He has shown an ability to produce as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher, and he flashed a nose for the end zone by doubling his previous career-high touchdown total. Warren is a solid hold in dynasty leagues, and he projects as a mid-range RB2 option in redraft leagues for 2026.
From RotoBaller