Tue Dec 23 9:50am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Hill might be worth grabbing
Hopefully, you aren’t scouring the waiver wire for options this week. If that is the case, good luck on finding some help. There is not much out there at this time of the season. Sure, we had several quarterbacks go down last week but do you really want to start Chris Oladokun? Ugh.
We do have a few options for you, so here ya go. . . .
QUARTERBACK
Tyler Shough, Saints (37.6% owned). Shough topped 20 fantasy points for the fourth straight game last week. He had his first 300-yard game as a pro. He continues to make strides on a weekly basis and posts solid numbers for fantasy teams. His consistency has been off the charts since getting his chance to start for the Saints.
Kirk Cousins, Falcons (29.4% owned). Cousins is starting to be a help to fantasy teams. He has 21-plus fantasy points two straight games. He has two straight three-touchdown games. Cousins still isn’t the same quarterback as past years but is looking much better than he did last year. He is producing some decent numbers for fantasy teams.
RUNNING BACK
Jawhar Jordan, Texans (18.4% owned). Jordan was the lead back for the Texans last week even with Nick Chubb healthy enough to play. And Jordan topped double-digit fantasy points for the second straight game. He has produced some decent numbers since getting his chance in this Texans offense. Jordan will continue to have fantasy value as long as he keeps his current role.
Raheim Sanders, Browns (0.5% owned). Sanders is kind of the last man standing for the Browns backfield. He got the most work of his career last week, rushing 11 times for 42 yards and caught a pass for four yards. Sanders is a wild card but could be worth a shot for fantasy teams if he is the No. 1 back for the team the rest of this season.
WIDE RECEIVER
Parker Washington, Jaguars (46.3% owned). Washington has been up and down this season but had a huge game last week, leading the way at receiver for the Jaguars. Washington had six receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets last week. He has 50-plus yards each of his last two games. He is not sure weekly thing but has some spot start appeal in the right matchup.
Isaac Teslaa, Lions (17.8% owned). All Teslaa does is catch touchdown passes. He has just 12 receptions this year but five of them are touchdowns. He has touchdowns three of his last four games. He is a clear touchdown-dependent player but as long as he keeps scoring, Teslaa has some fantasy value.
Mack Hollins, Patriots (24.4% owned). Hollins has been targeted 17 times his last two games. He had seven receptions for 69 yards last week. He has double-digit fantasy points four of eight games. Hollins can be a little up and down in this offense, but certainly has the potential for solid numbers any given week in this top passing offense.
TIGHT END
Taysom Hill, Saints (4.8% owned). With the Saints banged up at running back, it was Hill that ended up leading the Saints in carries last week. He ran 12 times for 42 yards, but also had four receptions for 36 yards, giving him 78 total yards. You never know what you will get with Hill but he had his best fantasy game of the season last week, scoring 16.7 points. Maybe he continues to play a big role the rest of the season.
Elijah Higgins, Cardinals (0.2% owned). Higgins was a big surprise in Week 16, catching seven passes for 91 yards on eight targets. The game kind of came out of nowhere but at least puts him on the fantasy radar for the rest of this season, especially this week against the Bengals, a team that has done horribly against the tight end this year.
Mike Gesicki, Bengals (9.0% owned). Gesicki has touchdowns two of three games. He scored 12.5 fantasy points last week. He also has at least four targets four of five games, showing he is getting more looks in this offense. His fantasy value is rising.
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.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (concussion) was not seen at Tuesday's practice as he continues to work through the league's concussion protocol. Rice missed the team's Week 16 loss to the Titans after suffering a violent hit from the Chargers' Tony Jefferson in Week 15. With the Chiefs slated to face the Broncos on Christmas night, Rice's absence during the shortened week of preparation does not bode well for his availability come Thursday. Already down two quarterbacks, with Chris Oladokun set to make his first career start, Rice would likely be best kept on the bench even if healthy. Facing an implied point total of just 11.5 points, no Kansas City starters project to factor into many fantasy championships this season.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle) led the team in receptions and receiving yards and tied for the team lead in targets in Monday's 48-27 win over the Colts. Kittle recorded seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown on eight targets, setting a new season high in receiving yards and making his second trip to the end zone in as many weeks. Unfortunately, Kittle suffered an ankle injury during the game that forced an early exit in the third quarter. By Kittle's own reckoning in post-game comments, he avoided a high-ankle sprain, but his status for Week 17 is unknown at this point. If Kittle is unable to go against the Bears, Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell would split the load at tight end. When Kittle was on injured reserve earlier this season, Tonges posted a 22-209-2 line during Kittle's five-game stint on injured reserve.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (knee) was targeted eight times in Sunday's 26-19 win over the Cardinals, but was only able to convert three of them into receptions for 27 scoreless yards. It was the 24-year-old's first game back from injury after missing four straight contests, and despite the high target volume, he was only on the field for 69 percentof the team's offensivesnaps after averaging 92 percent prior to the injury. For those managers who were able to advance despite the poor performance, the 6-foot-4 wideout draws a favorable home matchup in Week 17 against a Rams defense that is much more generous against the pass than it is against the run. Managers should monitor the practice reports throughout the week, but assuming he's got his legs under him now, London figures to be on the field for more snaps on Monday Night Football and should once again be a WR1.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) was not present for the media access portion of Tuesday's practice as he continues to recover from the concussion that kept him out of the team's Week 16 loss to the Titans. The Chiefs face a shortened week as they prepare for a Christmas night divisional matchup with the Broncos, making Thornton likely to miss a second consecutive game if he can not return to practice on Wednesday. Already down two quarterbacks, with fourth-year pro Chris Oladokun prepared to make his first career start against a dominant Denver defense, all Kansas City offensive pieces can be ignored for fantasy championship weekend.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren suffered an as-yet-unspecified injury in the team's Week 16 win over the Lions, and head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday that he will be limited to begin the week. Tomlin did note that he is optimistic about Warren's availability for Pittsburgh's Week 17 matchup with the Browns. Warren is coming off a career-high 143 rushing yards and an RB4 finish in Half-PPR formats, but fantasy managers will need to monitor the team's Wednesday injury report for additional information. Assuming a return to health, Warren should be viewed as a high-upside RB2/Flex against a Cleveland defense that he collected 63 total yards against in a Week 6 victory.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings took yet another trip to the end zone in Week 16, extending his streak to a fourth game. He has at least one touchdown in six out of the 49ers' last seven games. In Monday night's 48-27 win over the Colts, Jennings caught five of his six targets for 71 yards and a touchdown. The yardage was the most Jennings turned in since the 71-yard game he recorded in Week 10. Jennings' fantasy value has been largely touchdown-dependent, as he has averaged just 3.8 receptions and 43.5 receiving yards per game in 2025. Jennings has been one of Brock Purdy's preferred targets, though, and the receiver has a promising matchup in Week 17. In the fantasy football championship round, San Francisco will host the Chicago Bears, who have allowed the second-most touchdowns to opposing wide receivers in 2025.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings took yet another trip to the end zone in Week 16, extending his streak to a fourth game. He has at least one touchdown in six out of the 49ers' last seven games. In Monday night's 48-27 win over the Colts, Jennings caught five of his six targets for 71 yards and a touchdown. The yardage was the most Jennings turned in since the 71-yard game he recorded in Week 10. Jennings' fantasy value has been largely touchdown-dependent, as he has averaged just 3.8 receptions and 43.5 receiving yards per game in 2025. Jennings has been one of Brock Purdy's preferred targets, though, and the receiver has a promising matchup in Week 17. In the fantasy football championship round, San Francisco will host the Chicago Bears, who have allowed the second-most touchdowns to opposing wide receivers in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (hand) has been ruled out for the team's Week 17 Christmas Day matchup with the Lions. McCarthy underwent an MRI after being knocked out of the team's Week 16 win over the Giants, revealing a hairline fracture in his throwing hand. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who came on in relief on Sunday, is expected to make his second career start on Thursday. His previous start came in a disastrous Week 13 loss to the Seahawks, in which he threw four interceptions and zero touchdowns. Fantasy managers who have survived a rough season from All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson and managed to reach their fantasy championship face another tough decision, with Jefferson best left on the bench despite coming off his first top-24 finish at the position since Week 11.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had another explosive performance in Week 16. McCaffrey ran for 117 yards on 21 carries and caught six of his eight targets for 29 yards and two touchdowns in the 49ers' 48-27 win over the Colts on Monday night. It was one of McCaffrey's better running performances of the season, having averaged 3.6 yards per carry coming into the game. McCaffrey's recent downward trend in receiving yards continued, though he was back to being one of the team's leaders in targets, due in part to Ricky Pearsall's (knee, ankle) absence. McCaffrey is now 151 yards away from achieving 1,000 yards in the rushing and receiving categories for the second time in his career. His next opportunity to add to his total will be against the Bears, who have allowed their opponents 348.1 offensive yards per game.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) has now missed three consecutive games with a foot injury, but head coach Ben Johnson told reporters on Tuesday that his second-year wideout is right on track in his injury recovery and is expected to help the team again this season. The Bears face the 49ers in a Week 17 Sunday night tilt that could reshuffle the NFC playoff picture, so fantasy managers will need to monitor Odunze's status throughout the week and have a pivot ready in the event he becomes a game-time decision. The game features one of the highest projected point totals of the week, and with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams having thrown multiple touchdown passes in three straight games, Odunze is very much in play for fantasy championship weekend if he is able to suit up.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. continued his recent stretch of success in Sunday's 26-19 win over theCardinals, hauling in seven of nine targets for 57 yards and a touchdown. It was the fourth straight game with at least eight targets and at least six catches, and the 25-year-old has quickly vaulted himself into the position of second-ranked tight endfor fantasy this year after recordingfour touchdownsin the last two weeks alone (five on the season). The 6-foot-6 pass catcher was able to perform in Week 16 despite the returnof Drake London (knee),whoplayed just 69 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Pitts draws a home matchup against the Rams in what is most likely the championship round of the fantasy playoffs for most managers, a defense that is middle of the packin terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, although the Seahawks'AJ Barner just registered a 4-49-1 line in Week 16 against Los Angeles. With a solid role in the Atlanta offense, Pitts will surely be a TE1 in Week 17.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy came through in a big way for those relying on him for a Monday night miracle to advance to the fantasy football championship round. Purdy went 25-for-34 for 295 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception in the 49ers' 48-27 win over the Colts. Two of his touchdown throws went to running back Christian McCaffrey, with tight end George Kittle and wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Demarcus Robinson each getting one. Once again, Purdy concentrated the majority of his attempts on McCaffrey, Kittle, and Jennings, though Kendrick Bourne worked in for five targets with Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) out. Purdy and the 49ers host the Chicago Bears in Week 17. It will be a welcome matchup for Purdy, as the Bears have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season.
From RotoBaller
According to head coach Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White could be given a larger role during their contest against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon. When asked about White's usage during their loss to the Panthers in Week 16, Bowles noted that he "completely agrees" that White should have been given more rushing attempts, given the success he enjoyed in his limited opportunities. In this contest, White took five carries for 45 yards and two receptions of 15 yards. Over the previous two games, White showed similar upside, tallying 73 yards on 12 rushing attempts. White's eight rushing attempts on Sunday placed him second on the depth chart, above Sean Tucker's four carries and behind Bucky Irving's 19 carries. Given that White seems poised for a larger role in Week 17, managers in deeper 12-team formats could consider him as a viable FLEX play facing a Miami defense that is allowing the eighth-most PPR points to opposing RBs.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard could be trending towards a timeshare during their week 17 contest against the Saints. According to OC Nick Holtz, the split workload between Tyjae Spears and Pollard was "how he envisioned" their usage given their respective skill sets. In their victory over the Chiefs, Pollard took the bulk of the carries on the ground, logging 21 compared to Spears' 13. However, in the passing game, Spears took the load as he was targeted five times and brought in all five for 53 yards, while Pollard was not targeted once. While Pollard's upside as a pass catcher may continue to be limited, he is finding his footing on the ground, averaging a strong 122.3 rushing yards per game over his last three contests. During these three games, Pollard has only drawn two total targets in the receiving game. Pollard should still be viewed as a high-floor RB2 in all formats heading into a Week 17 tilt against the Saints. Spears has entered FLEX territory for those in deeper PPR formats.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo had one of his better games of the 2025 season in Week 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs, recording six catches for 44 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. Across 15 games this season, the 26-year-old has hauled in 51 receptions for 503 yards and a score on 67 targets. Okonkwo is averaging exactly five targets per game over his last five contests and has scored at least seven PPR fantasy points in four out of his last six games. However, his ceiling is limited by the presence of Titans tight end Gunnar Helm, as Tennessee has split playing time between its two tight ends throughout the second half of the season. Still, Okonkwo has proven that he can provide a relatively stable production floor. In fantasy leagues with 14 or more teams, he could be a viable streaming option in his Week 17 matchup against the New Orleans Saints for managers in need of help at the tight end position.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said on Tuesday that wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (concussion) is in the NFL's concussion protocol, per ESPN's Mike Reiss. Boutte will need to clear the league's testing to be available for New England's Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets. Across 13 games this season, the 23-year-old has hauled in 31 receptions for 527 yards and six touchdowns on 42 targets. Boutte's production has tailed off a bit of late, as he has not recorded more than 35 receiving yards in a game since Week 8. If he's unable to play in Week 17, Patriots wide receivers Mack Hollins and Stefon Diggs would likely both see a slight increase in target share. Additionally, rookie wideout Kyle Williams could step into Boutte's role as the team's top deep-ball threat.
From RotoBaller
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle) "felt confident he didn't suffer a dreaded high-ankle sprain" during the team's Week 16 win, but "didn't sound as certain" about his availability for the team's Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Across 10 games this season, Kittle has recorded 52 catches for 599 yards and seven touchdowns on 62 targets. The 32-year-old has been particularly effective in recent weeks, hauling in 15 receptions for 203 yards and two scores on 17 targets over his last two games. If Kittle is unable to play, Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges would likely split tight end snaps for San Francisco against Chicago. Across the five games Kittle missed earlier this season with a hamstring injury, Tonges recorded 22 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns on 31 targets.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said on Tuesday that running back TreVeyon Henderson (concussion) is in the NFL's concussion protocol, per ESPN's Mike Reiss. Henderson was forced to exit early from New England's Week 16 win over the Baltimore Ravens after suffering a head injury. He will now need to clear the league's testing to be available for the Patriots' Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets. Across 15 games this season, the 23-year-old has racked up 997 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 183 touches. Coming into Week 16, Henderson had recorded at least 75 scrimmage yards in seven straight games, scoring seven touchdowns in that stretch. If he's unavailable in Week 17, Rhamondre Stevenson would likely be in line to dominate New England's backfield snaps against the Jets.
From RotoBaller
After recording more than seven touches in just one game before Week 16, New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill saw a significant workload increase in his team's Week 16 win over the New York Jets. Hill recorded 12 carries for 48 yards and four receptions for 36 yards on six targets. The Saints will be without running backs Kendre Miller (knee) and Devin Neal (hamstring) for the remainder of the 2025 season, and veteran back Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) has missed four straight games. If Kamara remains sidelined for the Saints' Week 17 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Hill could see another week with a sizable role in the offense. Hill has proven to be a red zone threat throughout the course of his career, as he's scored 34 rushing touchdowns on 486 career carries. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Hill is a player to target on the waiver wire heading into Week 17.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Sam Darnold led his team to a big win last Thursday against the Rams, throwing for 270 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He's had a few down games lately, but has also thrown for at least 249 yards in three straight games. When the touchdowns are there, he's typically a solid, QB2 or low-end option in single-QB deep leagues. Darnold and the Seahawks have a tough matchup on the road against the Panthers in Week 17, in a battle of teams pushing towards the playoffs. He's not in an elite spot, but he still brings enough upside to be a decent pickup if you need help at the position in two-QB formats or deep leagues.
From RotoBaller