By Winsto (12/16/2025)
Bye Weeks are now a thing of the past (at least for this season). Here are players who can help for maybe a week fill-in or down the stretch.
NOTE: Reminder here that these are players rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
QUARTERBACK
We have another “not a good week here” for options, but my guess is some of you need a QB after the depressing injury to Patrick Mahomes (QB-KC). Here are the options:
J. J. McCarthy(Min)–Look, the jury is still out on him as a good QB, but the jury has already delivered the verdict that his Week 16opponent, the New York Giants, is not a good defense, giving up the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing QBs.
Deeper League Adds:
C. J. Stroud(Hou)–Stroud showed some fantasy relevance in Week 15 against Arizona,throwing for 260 yards and 3 TDs. He has Las Vegas’s average passing defense up next.
Kirk Cousins (Atl)–He fared well in Week 15 against Tampa Bay (373 passing yards and 3 TDs). He gets an Arizona defense in Week 16 that is not scary.
Aaron Rodgers (Pit)–Detroit’s secondary is up next in Week 16, and it has given up the 4th most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Again, we are talking about deep league adds.
Tyler Shough (NO)–He has at least 1 TD (passing/rushing) in 3 straight games and squares up against a New York Jets defense that just had its DC fired. In addition, he has a favorable matchup in Week 17 (Tennessee).
RUNNING BACK
Jawhar Jordan (Hou)–This practice squad call up as an add is entirely dependent on the health of Woody Marks (RB-Hou) and Nick Chubb (RB-Hou). Reports are that Marks is fine, but I would keep track of this situation, as Las Vegas’s defense is up next in Week 16. UPDATE: Houston has signed Jordan off the practice squad to the active roster. This could be a sign of more use, questions surrounding the injuries of Marks and Chubb, or another team possibly looking to sign him.
Michael Carter (Ari)–He is the only left standing here in this backfield, with Bam Knight (RB-Ari) probably missing some time and Trey Benson (RB-Ari) not returning this season. Emari Demercado (RB-Ari) could see some snaps, but Carter handled 80% of the snaps in Week 14, and the remaining schedule is as follows: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Los Angeles Rams.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB-Was)–Rumours of his fantasy demise were apparently premature, as he had 96 rushing yards and 1 TD in Week 15. Now, before we rush to add, he only saw 52% of the snaps and did not have to share with carries with Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB-Was), who missed the game with an injury. IF, however, Rodriquez Jr. would miss again, “Bill” is an okay option.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Was)-IF Rodriquez Jr. is healthy, however, I “think” he is the preferred option here. He has scored a TD in 4 of his last 7 games he has played in, and has seen double-digit touches in 4 of the last 5.
Sean Tucker (TB)–Do you want someone who is a good bet to get 6-8 fantasy points? Tucker, the apparent goal line back for Tampa Bay, is someone to consider.
Tyler Allgeier (Atl)–He has double digit touches in NINE of the 14 games Atlanta has played this season, and he has also scored a TD in seven of those games, with 8 total TDs on the season. He is a decent flex play, and he seems clearly locked in as part of this offense and the hand-cuff to Bijan Robinson (RB-Atl). Arizona’s 5th most generous defense to the RB position is on deck.
Blake Corum (LAR)–Kyren Williams (RB-LAC) leads this backfield, but Corum has had at least 71 rushing yards and a score in three straight games . Corum is one of those lottery tickets that could pay off.
Deeper League Add(s):
Emanuel Wilson (GB)- This is the time to start consolidating your team and look to add your RB hand-cuffs in case something were to happen.
Brian Robinson Jr. (SF)–He has seen 8+ touches per game the last five weeks. He is a decent hand-cuff.
Tank Bigsby (Phi)– This is the time to start consolidating your team and look to add your RB hand-cuffs in case something were to happen. For Saquon Barkley (RB-Phi) fantasy managers, Bigsby is next in line. There would be a drop-off, though, as he is more of a 2 down back, and I believe Will Shipley (RB-Phi) would also see a bit As well as serve as the 3rd down option on the team.
Jaylen Wright (Mia)/Ollie Gordon II (Mia)–Not really certain who is the hand-cuff, but Miami shows ability to run the ball.
WIDE RECEIVER
Luther Burden III (Chi)–Rome Odunze (WR-Chi) may be missing more time with a stress fracture in his foot, so Burden should continue to see opportunities. We will have to see to Burden III’s healthy, as he left Week 15 with an injury (ankle) himself.
Adonai Mitchell (NYJ)–The 2024 2nd round draft pick has also seen 6 or more targets in 5 straight games (40 total targets during that stretch). He, however, is not the model of efficiency, only hauling in 18 for 236 and 2 TDs during those 5 games. Still, that is something.
Jalen Coker (Car)–Two straight weeks with at least 60 receiving yards and 1 TD. Week 16’s opponent, Tampa Bay, should allow further opportunities for the 2nd year player.
TIGHT END
Colby Parkinson (LAR)–Here are two things we know: Matthew Stafford (QB-LAR) throws many touchdowns and Davante Adams (WR-LAR) will probably miss some time. Parkinson, who is already coming off a 6 game stretch where he has scored in 5 of those games, should continue to see opportunities. He probably won’t repeat his 75-yard receiving performance (career high) in Week 15, but TD opportunities are there for him.
Darren Waller (Mia)–If you are in need of help at the position for the stretch run and are willing to swing for the fences, Waller is the perfect addition. He has almost no floor but is a decent TD option. It seems like there is a correlation between his ceiling games and game script requiring Tua Tagovailoa (QB-Mia) to throw the ball. In the two games where Tua has thrown for 250 yards or more (and Waller has played), Waller has at least 1 TD and 66 yards receiving. The question for Week 16 is will Cincinnati, coming off being shut-out in Week 15 by Baltimore, force a game-script where Miami will need to throw the ball.
Colston Loveland (Chi)–If you want 4-7 targets for about 40-60 yards and maybe a TD, he is your guy.
Deeper League Add(s):
Oronde Gadsden Jr. (LAC) and Dalton Schultz (Hou) are also options, but I am not rushing to start them due to their opponents (Dallas and Las Vegas respectively) for Week 16.