

Mon Jan 5 12:13am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Stevenson scores three times
That was quite the finish to the regular season, capped off by an epic Sunday night game between the Ravens and Steelers. But this week showed why Week 18 can be so uncertain for fantasy owners. Several teams rested starters and others pulled players after opening the game in the starting lineup. It caused plenty of fantasy headaches. The good news is we still had some huge fantasy games this last week. Hopefully, you had some of those players on your roster if you were still playing this week.
Bucs 16, Panthers 14
Fantasy Stud: Cade Otton. Otton was the surprise leading receiver for the Bucs. He had seven receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. His yardage total was a season high. Otton had a season-high 22.4 fantasy points in the game. It was the first time he hit double-digit fantasy points since Week 10.
Fantasy Dud: Rico Dowdle. There were a lot of fantasy duds in this one but we’ll give it to Dowdle, who most thought would get a heavy workload in this matchup. He ran seven times for just 10 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards. He also lost a fumble, finishing with four fantasy points. It was Dowdle’s worst game since Week 2 of the season.
Game Notes: With Ja’Tavion Sanders out, Tommy Tremble had a much bigger role in the game. He had three receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Seahawks 13, 49ers 3
Fantasy Stud: Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet had 17 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. He also had three receptions for 23 yards. He has found the end zone three straight games for the Seahawks. Charbonnet finishes the season with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Fantasy Dud: Brock Purdy. There were a lot of bad fantasy performances from the 49ers but Purdy might have been the most disappointing. He had been red hot but was just 19-of-27 for 127 yards with an interception. He scored just 7.45 fantasy points. Purdy had 30-plus points three straight games before this poor showing.
Game Notes: Kenneth Walker topped 100 total yards, finishing with 133 total yards. He ran 16 times for 97 yards and caught four passes for 36 yards.
Jaguars 41, Titans 7
Fantasy Stud: Parker Washington. Washington continued his red-hot ways, catching five passes for 87 yard and a touchdown. He scored 19.7 fantasy points, giving him three straight games with 19-plus points. Washington has been the go-to target for the Jaguars passing game down the stretch.
Fantasy Dud: Tony Pollard. Pollard had really picked up his play in recent weeks but struggled in this one. He ran 15 times for just 48 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards. Pollard failed to hit double-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 13. He had four straight games with double-digit fantasy points before this showing.
Game Notes: Trevor Lawrence didn’t even play the full game but had his usual great numbers. He was 22-of-30 for 255 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover.
Vikings 16, Packers 3
Fantasy Stud: Justin Jefferson. Jefferson had his third 100-yard game of the season and first since Week 5. He had eight receptions for 101 yards on 11 targets. He went over 1,000 yards for the season with his big performance to end his season.
Fantasy Dud: Matthew Golden. Golden got the start and was expected to serve as the top receiver for the Packers this week with the team resting starters. This didn’t lead to a big game, though. He had just a catch for eight yards. It was almost a fitting finish to his disappointing rookie season.
Game Notes: J.J. McCarthy was unable to finish the game because of a hand injury. He was playing well before leaving, going 14-of-23 for 182 yards.
Browns 20, Bengals 18
Fantasy Stud: Ja’Marr Chase. Chase had another one of his big games. He caught eight passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. He found the end zone for the second straight game. He had a huge finish to his season, scoring 20-plus points three of his last four games. And he had 19.9 fantasy points in the game he failed to reach 20.
Fantasy Dud: Shedeur Sanders. Sanders struggled to do much in this one, which looked like a favorable matchup for him. He finished just 11-of-22 for 111 yards without a touchdown or an interception. Sanders scored just 7.15 fantasy points. He didn’t exactly cement himself as the franchise starter with his play this year. It will be interesting to see who is under center for the Browns in 2026.
Game Notes: Chase Brown scored a touchdown for the third straight game. He ran 13 times for 72 yards and caught four passes for 18 yards and a touchdown.
Giants 34, Cowboys 17
Fantasy Stud: Tyrone Tracy. Tracy had a huge dual-threat performance to end his season. He ran 18 times for 103 yards. Tracy also had eight receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. He finished with 159 total yards and a score. Tracy scored a season-high 28.9 fantasy points.
Fantasy Dud: Dak Prescott. He didn’t play the full game with the Cowboys playing for nothing, but you still expected Prescott to produce a little better. He failed to score a touchdown in this game, going 7-of-11 for just 70 yards. He still had a great year but his finish was a little disappointing for any fantasy team that used him in Week 18.
Game Notes: Jaydon Blue got his most work as a pro, getting a chance to start. He ran pretty well, rushing 16 times for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Falcons 19, Saints 17
Fantasy Stud: Drake London. London had four receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. It was good to see London get it going again since doing little the last several weeks. He had not reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 11. London had 17.8 points in this one. Injuries derailed what looked like a career-best season for London.
Fantasy Dud: Bijan Robinson. Robinson was really quiet in a game he got plenty of work. He ran 15 times for just 33 yards and caught three passes for 10 yards. It was an unexpected showing, especially after his huge game the previous week. Robinson still had a monster season and is likely to be the top overall pick for many fantasy owners next season.
Game Notes: Tyler Shough was 23-of-35 for 259 yards and a touchdown with an interception. He also ran in a score, finishing with 25.35 fantasy points.
Texans 38, Colts 30
Fantasy Stud: Alec Pierce. Pierce had a huge game, catching four passes for 132 yards. And he missed much of the second half after getting ejected for making contact with an official. He could have posted even better numbers. Pierce scored 29.2 fantasy points, which was a season best for him. He had 24-plus points two of his last three games.
Fantasy Dud: Michael Pittman. Pittman played his usual snaps and his team had plenty of success throwing the ball, but Pittman didn’t do much. He had just two receptions for 20 yards. You expected better from the Colts No. 1 receiver with the team having so much success throwing the ball.
Game Notes: Riley Leonard got his first NFL start and played a solid game. He was 21-of-34 for 281 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
Bills 35, Jets 8
Fantasy Stud: Mitchell Trubisky. Trubsiky had a huge game, getting a chance to serve as the Bills starter. He was 22-of-29 for 259 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. It was an impressive performance from the backup quarterback. Maybe this gets him a chance to start again next season.
Fantasy Dud: Adonai Mitchell. There was some hope for Mitchell to have a decent game, getting a chance to serve as the top target for the Jets again against the backups for the Bills. Well, Mitchell didn’t catch a pass in this game. He was targeted three times but was unable to connect on any of them.
Game Notes: Ray Davis had a monster game, rushing 21 times for 151 yards. He also had two receptions for 23 yards and another touchdown.
Patriots 38, Dolphins 10
Fantasy Stud: Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson is red hot right now for the Patriots. He found the end zone three times in this game on just nine touches. He ran seven times for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 22 yards and another score. Stevenson scored 35.3 fantasy points and has found the end zone three straight games.
Fantasy Dud: Drake Maye. Maye played his usual good game but didn’t help fantasy teams with his team scoring four rushing touchdowns. Maye was 14-of-18 for 191 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. Maye scored 17.65 fantasy points, his lowest total since Week 5.
Game Notes: TreVeyon Henderson scored multiple touchdowns for the fourth time this season. He ran 13 times for 53 yards and two touchdowns.
Rams 37, Cardinals 20
Fantasy Stud: Puka Nacua. Nacua had another one of his game-changing performances. He had 10 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Nacua scored 26 fantasy points. He has 26-plus points four of his last five games to end his season. Nacua had a monster season.
Fantasy Dud: Kyren Williams. Williams played fine but had a pretty quiet fantasy performance in a game that the Rams racked up the fantasy points. Williams ran 12 times for 60 yards and caught three passes for 21 yards. It was a ho-hum performance from the Rams top back.
Game Notes: Matthew Stafford was back to his MVP ways this week. He was 25-of-40 for 259 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover.
Lions 19, Bears 16
Fantasy Stud: Colston Loveland. Loveland had a monster game and was the clear top target for the Bears passing game. He had 10 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown 13 targets. He has been targeted double-digit fantasy times each of his last two games. He has 21-plus fantasy points each of those two games.
Fantasy Dud: Luther Burden. There were some high expectations for Burden but he was not much of a factor. Burden had three receptions for 35 yards. It was his lowest catch total since Week 12. He just wasn’t a huge part of the passing game as the Bears struggled to get their receivers involved.
Game Notes: Amon-Ra St. Brown had double-digit receptions for the second game this season. He had 11 catches for 139 yards on 15 targets.
Commanders 24, Eagles 17
Fantasy Stud: Tank Bigsby. Bigsby looked good as the lead back for the Eagles. He ran 16 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 31-yard reception, giving him 106 total yards. Bigsby scored a season-high 17.6 fantasy points.
Fantasy Dud: Jacory Croskey-Merritt. With the Eagles resting many of their starters, Croskey-Merritt was an intriguing fantasy option with his recent solid play. But he didn’t even lead the Commanders in carries in this game. He ran 13 times for just 29 yards and didn’t catch a pass. He had his ups and downs his rookie season but showed some promise at times, so he could be a part of their plans next year.
Game Notes: Tanner McKee got the start and played pretty well. He was 21-of-40 for 241 yards and a touchdown with an interception.
Raiders 14, Chiefs 12
Fantasy Stud: Daniel Carlson. There were few offensive bright spots in this game, so we’ll give the stud honors to Daniel Carlson. He made four field goals, including the 60-yarder to win the game. He put up 17.7 fantasy points in most fantasy formats. It was quite the showing for Carlson.
Fantasy Dud: Travis Kelce. We really thought the Chiefs might force-feed Kelce the ball in what might be his NFL game. That didn’t happen with the Chiefs passing game struggling much of the game. Kelce finished with just three receptions for seven yards. Kelce had another great season at tight end but you would have liked to see him end on a high note.
Game Notes: Ashton Jeanty ran the ball 26 times and had three receptions. He had 29 total touches for 94 yards.
Broncos 19, Chargers 3
Fantasy Stud: Broncos defense. The offenses were almost nonexistent in this game. Denver’s defense had a dominating performance, holding the Chargers to just three points and 217 yards of total offense. Denver also had four sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. It was a fitting finish for a defense that was very good much of the year.
Fantasy Dud: RJ Harvey. There were a ton of poor offensive showings for both teams but Harvey gets the nod for us. He ran 15 times for just 28 yards and caught a pass for five yards. Harvey had touchdowns five straight games before this showing. He also scored just 4.3 fantasy points, his lowest total since Week 10.
Game Notes: Trey Lance got the start of the Chargers and didn’t show a whole lot. He did lead the team in rushing, running nine times for 69 yards. But he threw for just 136 yards and failed to score a touchdown.
Steelers 26, Ravens 24
Fantasy Stud: Zay Flowers. Flowers made two huge plays, leading to a big fantasy performance. He had four receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Flowers scored a season-high 29.8 fantasy points. He finishes the season scoring touchdowns four straight games.
Fantasy Dud: Jonnu Smith. With Darnell Washington out for the season, there was some thought Smith would see an uptick in playing time and targets. Well, that didn’t happen this week. He had just a catch for two yards and ran once for two yards. It was more of the same for Smith in Week 18, posting inconsistent numbers.
Game Notes: Derrick Henry had his fourth straight 100-yard game. He ran 20 times for 126 yards and finished with 1,595-rushing yards.
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
San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. spent all of 2025 as the handcuff behind Christian McCaffrey. Now, he'll hit free agency with an opportunity to find a larger role elsewhere. We can't rule out a return to San Francisco, but given that Robinson is a three-time 700-yard rusher, he'll presumably get offers from teams looking to make him their 1B running back, rather than a true backup. Robinson's lone season on the West Coast resulted in a modest 400 rushing yards, 25 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. From a fantasy perspective, his 2026 outlook will heavily depend on where he ends up. He was a top-30 fantasy running back with the Commanders in both 2023 and 2024, so he could get back onto the weekly flex radar if he splits touches with another running back in an average or above-average offense.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt has enjoyed a career resurgence over his last two years with the team. In 2025, he appeared in all 17 games, rushing for 611 yards and eight touchdowns while sharing the backfield with Isiah Pacheco. The veteran running back also added 143 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, and he finished the year as the overall RB31 in full-PPR leagues. Hunt now has 1,658 scrimmage yards over his last two seasons, as well as a whopping 25 touchdowns over his last three seasons. Hunt, an impending free agent, will be 31 years old when the 2026 season gets underway. His efficiency has tailed off, and he's no longer a workhorse back. However, he has shown that he can continue to be a scoring threat while contributing as both a ball-carrier and a pass-catcher. We wouldn't be surprised to see Hunt re-sign with the Chiefs, but no matter where he ends up, he could sneak into the top 36 running backs for fantasy football drafts. His dynasty outlook isn't quite as favorable, though, as he's definitely in the final stages of his career.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor had a solid season for a fourth-round pick. By the end of the year, he had established himself as a top Titans pass-catcher along with Chimere Dike. Ayomanor and Dike, both rookies, stepped into larger roles after Calvin Ridley (leg) broke his fibula mid-season. The former caught 41 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns across 16 games (14 starts). He ultimately ranked as the overall WR52 in full-PPR scoring, but he finished the year on a hot streak with 10 catches, 145 yards, and one touchdown over his final three games. It was encouraging to see Ayomanor flash upside, especially given how poorly the Titans' offense performed in 2025. If the unit (and specifically quarterback Cameron Ward) can take a step forward next year, Ayomanor could become a weekly fantasy option. He'll face some competition, though. In addition to Dike, the Titans will likely welcome back Ridley, and they could also draft a receiver.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris struggled to produce in his depth role as a rookie. Typically fourth on the depth chart, he finished the year with 30 catches, 324 yards, and one touchdown. However, he should have more opportunities during the 2026 season. For starters, Keenan Allen is a free agent, and all signs point to him playing elsewhere next year (or retiring). Not only will Allen's impending departure bump Harris up to third on the depth chart, but the Ole Miss product should also take over a lot of the veteran's vacated targets. In addition to stepping into a larger role, Harris could be auditioning for an eventual jump to the No. 2 receiver role behind Ladd McConkey. Current No. 2 receiver Quentin Johnston has a fifth-year option for 2027. If the Chargers choose to decline that option, Johnston will play out his final year under contract while the coaching staff evaluates whether Harris is capable of filling his role in 2027. That's still a while down the road, but in the short term, managers should expect Harris to take a significant leap in 2026. He's a strong dynasty hold, and he'll generate some late-round appeal in redraft leagues.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had an underwhelming season as the team endured poor quarterback play and inconsistency at the position. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025, starting all of them. He caught 51 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns, posting the lowest receiving yards total and fantasy points per game mark since he was a rookie. He ultimately finished as the overall TE26 in full-PPR leagues. Although it's fair to blame the trio of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer for Hockenson's frustrating year, that doesn't mean he'll magically bounce back in 2026. McCarthy is due back as the Vikings' quarterback next season. Interestingly, Hockenson also struggled with Sam Darnold as his quarterback in 2024, so he really hasn't been a trustworthy fantasy tight end since Kirk Cousins quarterbacked the Vikings in 2023. Hockenson is under contract for two more years, but the Vikings have a potential out this offseason. If Minnesota releases Hockenson post-June 1, they would create $15.96 million in cap space while taking on $5.34 million in dead money. It certainly wouldn't hurt the Vikings to keep the veteran tight end to help support McCarthy's development, but we also wouldn't be surprised to see the team's next general manager capitalize on this opportunity to create cap space.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa got off to a slow start in 2025, but he seemed to turn a corner near the end of the regular season. Over the final three weeks of the season, he caught eight of 12 targets for 119 yards and two touchdowns, ranking as the overall WR17 in half-PPR leagues during that span. It was an encouraging end to his rookie campaign, and while anything could happen during the upcoming offseason, it seems like he's trending toward being the Lions' established No. 3 receiver in 2026. If TeSlaa remains the third receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, he could have occasional WR3/flex appeal while also being an appealing injury handcuff. Managers in dynasty leagues should hold TeSlaa for now, but there could be an opportunity to buy low before free agency gets underway.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton has shown flashes of upside plenty of times throughout his career, but he continues to struggle to emerge as a consistent fantasy threat week over week. Part of the difficulty for Slayton has been quarterback play, but that changed in 2025 when rookie Jaxson Dart took the reins of the offense. However, the other part of the problem has been Slayton's role on the depth chart, and the outlook there remains bleak. We did temporarily jump to second on the depth chart behind Wan'Dale Robinson after Malik Nabers (knee) tore his ACL -- resulting in 37 catches, 538 yards, and a touchdown --he'll drop back to third if Nabers is healthy for the start of 2026. Plus, tight end Theo Johnson will continue to command plenty of targets, and the same can be said about running back Cam Skattebo (ankle). If there's any glimmer of hope for Slayton, it's the fact that Robinson is an impending free agent. However, the Giants have been very outspoken about their plans to bring Robinson back. It seems likely that Slayton will remain the Giants' No. 3 receiver in 2026, leaving his value to hinge on a teammate's injury. He's not worth drafting in typical redraft leagues, and he can be stashed on the bench only in deeper dynasty formats.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. continued to deliver decent contributions in the passing game last season, which was his first with the team. He finished the year with 72 catches, 727 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns, his highest marks in those categories since 2021. He also rushed for 75 yards and an additional touchdown on the ground. Although it was a good but not great year by Samuel's standards, he still finished as the overall WR25 in full-PPR leagues, cementing himself as a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3/flex on a weekly basis. Samuel restructured his contract with the Commanders to become a free agent this offseason, so he'll hit the open market in March. A return to Washington seems possible, but he'll presumably explore all of his options before putting pen to paper. Samuel fits best on a team with an established No. 1 wide receiver, so that he can operate as the No. 2 receiver with contributions as a gadget-type player behind the line of scrimmage or in the short-to-medium passing game. His 2026 fantasy outlook will depend on his landing spot and his eventual quarterback pairing, but for now, we'd expect him to remain a top-30 fantasy receiver.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks exceeded expectations as a rookie in 2026. He quickly took over the backfield from Nick Chubb and finished the year with 703 rushing yards, 208 receiving yards, and five touchdowns across 16 games (eight starts). Perhaps most eye-opening was a four-week stretch in the back half of the season, during which he averaged 21 touches per game with a modest 65.8 scrimmage yards. By year's end, he was averaging a suboptimal 3.6 yards per carry. Given that the Texans are a contender for years to come, they'll likely look to upgrade the running back position during the offseason. Adding a 1A running back so that Marks can be a change-of-pace or 1B option makes plenty of sense. That's not necessarily bad news for Marks or his fantasy managers; that shared backfield dynamic could allow him to be more consistent and less boom-or-bust, especially while giving him plenty of targets in the passing game. Managers in dynasty leagues should hold Marks right now, because he still has top-36 running back appeal for the 2026 fantasy football season.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard didn't quite live up to expectations during the 2025 season, finishing the year with 1,082 rushing yards, 206 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. He did still manage to finish as the RB23 in full-PPR leagues, but his fantasy scoring was a bit skewed due to a three-week stretch during which he exploded for 367 yards and three touchdowns. It seemed like Pollard's 2025 fantasy value would hinge on whether Tyjae Spears played well, but in reality, both Pollard and Spears saw their outputs depend on the state of the Titans' offense. Tennessee limped to the finish line with the second-worst offense in terms of total yards, making it difficult for either running back to make much of a fantasy impact. Heading into 2026, we can't rule out a shakeup to the Titans' backfield. The Titans structured Pollard's three-year deal to give them a potential out prior to the third season, and the clock is now ticking on that decision. The Titans could be incentivized to release the veteran running back; doing so would create $7.25 million in cap savings with just $2 million in dead money. If he does hit the open market, Pollard would likely be viewed as a 1B running back -- someone who can join a backfield with another average ball-carrier. Of course, fantasy managers would prefer that team to be a contender so that Pollard can consistently handle valuable and meaningful touches in 2026. With so much uncertainty, dynasty managers might consider selling high on Pollard and using his RB23 finish to tempt other managers into a deal.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence came into the league with sky-high expectations after being selected first overall in the 2021 draft, but following four disappointing seasons, he had fallen to the low-QB2 range in dynasty formats. However, after one year with new head coach Liam Coen and an identity-redefining season that saw him receive MVP votes, Lawrence is back into the QB1 conversation in dynasty startups. The biggest change to Lawrence's game in 2025 was his ability to keep drives alive with his legs. Throughout the regular season and playoffs, 333 of his career-high 390 rushing yards came on scrambles, and his nine rushing touchdowns almost doubled his previous career high. It was an element that Coen previously helped bring to Baker Mayfield's game, and one that could continue to boost Lawrence's value as he looks to take advantage of the rare continuity around him, heading into year six.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson spent most of his rookie season as the team's primary receiving back, but following a late-season injury to fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins, he was given the opportunity to serve as Cleveland's lead back for the final two games of 2025. Unfortunately, playing behind an offensive line that struggled throughout the year to open running lanes or keep a revolving door of quarterbacks off the ground, he finished those two games with only 59 yards on 21 carries. With Judkins' status uncertain for the beginning of 2026, Sampson will likely get first crack at primary duties yet again, but unless Cleveland is able to drastically overhaul their offensive line in year one under new head coach Todd Monken, the bulk of his value will still come through his passing work. Sampson will look to improve on his 33 receptions as a rookie, but given his current surroundings, he is not a player who needs to be aggressively pursued.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel had a quiet rookie season, in which he finished seventh on the team in targets and was held without a reception through two playoff games, but the 2025 third-round pick at least showed flashes throughout the year. He put up a combined 140 yards in what was his best two-week stretch against the Seahawks and 49ers, but he was unable to build on that success, and he all but lost his role in three-receiver sets when Christian Kirk returned from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for three weeks. The 23-year-old is currently being drafted as an afterthought in dynasty startups, but with Kirk no longer under contract heading into a new league year, there is a strong chance Noel will reclaim primary slot duties, making him a player potentially being slept on heading into 2026.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars 25-year-old tight end Brenton Strange is currently being drafted outside of the top 12 at his position in dynasty startups after a 2025 season in which he showed glimpses of taking his game to the next level. After a strong start that saw him catch 19 of 23 targets across his first four weeks, he was slowed by a quad injury that landed him on Injured Reserve and cost him five games. Upon his return, he became an integral part of Liam Coen's expanding offense, closing the year on a 17-game pace of 63 receptions for 816 yards and seven touchdowns, numbers that would have put him right in line with the top five at the position. Entering into year two of Coen's offensive installation, Strange could see his role expanded and his value rise, making the 2023 second-round pick a clear target in dynasty leagues.
From RotoBaller
Wide receiver Keenan Allen has played 12 of his 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. While he enters the 2026 season without a contract, he has recently stated that he fully intends to continue his career and isn't considering any team besides the Chargers. After playing one season in Chicago, Allen returned to Los Angeles in 2025 and led the team in targets and receptions, while playing in all 17 games. With the Chargers welcoming in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, there is little doubt that their offense will see an influx of pre-snap motion, which should help to create space for a receiving corps that saw no player top 800 yards in 2025. Assuming Allen's return on another short-term deal, the question then becomes where he fits in, with Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston both seeing stints as the team's most reliable wideout, and second-rounder Tre Harris handling an increased role down the stretch. Regardless of where he lands in the pecking order, Allen is a practically free pickup in dynasty leagues for contenders looking to add fill-in depth.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (thumb) had successful surgery on his thumb, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. A full recovery is expected this offseason for Al-Shaair, although he might not be fully ready for the start of offseason workouts. The 28-year-old was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025, recording 103 tackles (48 solo), a career-high two interceptions, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 16 regular-season contests. It was the third time in Al-Shaair's seven NFL seasons that he reached 100 total tackles. He's a big reason why the Texans had one of the stingiest defenses in the league last year, and he should be in play again in IDP fantasy leagues for his tackling ability as he heads into the final year of his current contract.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos safety JL Skinner (shoulder) announced on his Instagram account that he underwent surgery to fix his labrum. Skinner played with an entirely torn labrum all season long and fought through the pain to play in all 17 regular-season games in his third year in the league with the Broncos. The 24-year-old defensive back also injured his quadriceps in the playoffs and was unable to play in the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots. He was mostly a special-teamer for Denver this year and played only 34 defensive snaps over 17 regular-season games. Skinner finished the regular season with just 12 tackles (eight solo) and a fumble recovery.
From RotoBaller
After an electric rookie season in 2024 that saw him lead his team to the NFC Championship Game, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels battled through a miserable follow-up campaign in 2025. The 25-year-old suffered a knee injury in Week 2, a hamstring injury in Week 7, a dislocated elbow in Week 9, and finally a season-ending re-aggravation of the elbow injury in Week 14. Overall, Daniels was limited to just seven games played and completed 60.6% of his pass attempts for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 278 yards and two scores on 58 attempts. In addition to the reduced volume, Daniels' efficiency as both a passer and a rusher also suffered. After averaging 7.4 yards per pass attempt and 6.0 yards per rush attempt in 2024, Daniels averaged 6.7 yards per pass attempt and 4.8 yards per rush attempt in 2025. In 2026, former Commanders' assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough will take over for Kliff Kingsbury as Washington's offensive play-caller, throwing some uncertainty into the offensive environment around Daniels. Daniels high-end dual-threat potential means he still carries elite fantasy upside in dynasty formats, but he will have to prove he can stay healthy in 2026.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal emerged as a viable NFL rusher in 2025, recording 643 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 155 carries across 13 games played (10 starts). Vidal was thrust into a feature role in the Chargers' backfield early in the season after Los Angeles backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris went on Injured Reserve with ankle and Achilles injuries, respectively. A first-round draft pick in 2025, Hampton looks like the long-term RB1 in Los Angeles as long as he can return to full health in 2026 and beyond. However, Vidal may have done enough in 2025 to prove he is worthy of maintaining a role alongside Hampton. Additionally, the Chargers have brought in former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator heading into 2026. In his time in Miami, McDaniel's best offenses supported quality fantasy production from multiple running backs. Vidal's dynasty upside is limited by Hampton's presence, but he still may be worth rostering as a solid handcuff option with some level of standalone appeal.
From RotoBaller
Heading into his draft year in 2024, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was widely considered to be a sure-fire superstar at his position. So far through his first two NFL seasons, the 23-year-old has struggled to live up to the hype. Across 12 games played in 2025, Harrison Jr. recorded 41 receptions for 608 yards and four touchdowns on 73 targets. He also dealt with myriad injuries before eventually ending the season on Injured Reserve due to a foot issue. In fairness to Harrison Jr., Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray missed most of the season with a foot injury of his own, furthering an already unstable offensive environment in Arizona. Heading into 2026, Harrison Jr. will be working with a new coaching staff, with former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur taking over as the Cardinals' head coach. While LaFleur's presence could help kick-start Harrison Jr.'s career, 2026 looks like a make-or-break season for the young wideout's fantasy value, which is trending downwards in dynasty formats.
From RotoBaller