By Winsto (12/23/2025)
We are in play-off season for many of you, and for some, this is championship week. Here are players who can help tip the balance in your favor.
NOTE: Reminder here that these are players rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
QUARTERBACK
Philip Rivers (Ind)–Look, he probably can’t throw it further than 50 yards, but he still has the ability to read the defense and take what is there. As long as Indy is in contention—I believe a Houston victory over the LAC could spoil that on Saturday, Rivers is a viable option. Jacksonville, his Week 17 opponent, is probably going to force this game to be a high scoring affair.
Tyler Shough (NO)–He has at least 1 TD (passing/rushing) in 4 straight games and squares up against a Tennessee defense that as given up the 9th most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season.
Deeper League Adds:
Shedeur Sanders (Cle)–His 55.1% completion rate is not good, and his YPA (6.6) has dropped recently, which is also not good. What is good, then? His rushing potential and remaining schedule: Pit and Cin, who are both very generous to fantasy QBs.
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.
RUNNING BACK
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) and Cory Kiner (RB-Ari) will see some snaps, but Carter should pace this backfield. If you were ever to play Carter this season, it is in Week 17 against Cincinnati.
Blake Corum (LAR)–Kyren Williams (RB-LAC) leads this backfield, but Corum has had at least 48 rushing yards and a score in four straight games. In addition, if your league goes into Week 18, Arizona would be the opponent.
Dylan Sampson / Raheim Sanders / Trayveon Williams (Cle)–Quinshon Jenkins (RB-Cle) will miss the remainder of the season. Somebody has to carry the ball. Regardless, a Week 17 matchup against a fairly stingy rush defense (Pit) is not ideal. HOWEVER, if your league plays in Week 18 and some clarity emerges in this backfield, Cincinnati, Cleveland’s Week 18 opponent, is very generous to the RB position. If I needed to pick, I think Sampson is the best bet here, though he has missed the last few games due to injury.
Jawhar Jordan (Hou)–He may have earned more playing time, even with a return of Woody Marks (RB-Hou). Marks has been fine, despite the low YPC (3.5) this season; much of the issue is due to the offensive line. However, Jordan, in limited time, has a 5.1 YPC. I do not see him going away.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Was)–He has scored a TD in 5 of his last 8 games he has played and has seen double-digit touches in 5 of the last 6.
Emanuel Wilson (GB)- Josh Jacobs (RB-GB) is banged up. Wilson would benefit greatly with increased touches in this run-oriented offense.
Tyler Allgeier (Atl)–He has double digit touches in TEN of the 15 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). The Week 17 matchup, however, is not great: LAR.
Deeper League Add(s):
Sean Tucker (TB)–Do you want someone who is a good bet to get 6-8 fantasy points due to goal line usage? Tucker, the apparent goal line back for Tampa Bay, is someone to consider, especially considering Week 17’s opponent (Miami).
Brian Robinson Jr. (SF)–He has seen 5+ touches per game the last seven games. 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.
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 as long as he can return from injury himself. San Fran’s offense could force Chicago into a passing game script, as this has shoot-out potential in Week 17.
Mack Hollins (NE)–The offense could be missing Kayshon Boutte (WR-NE) in Week 17, which should give Hollins more of a bump in usage—he is already pacing the WR room in snaps played. There is a solid floor here.
Parker Washington (Jax)–If you want to go for more of a ceiling play, however, Washington would be the guy. My main hesitation here is the playing time—he has not seen more than 56% of the snaps when both Brian Thomas Jr. (WR-Jax) and Jacobi Meyers (WR-Jax) have played. Still, a 6-145-1 on 10 target stat line needs attention. What also deserves attention are the remaining defenses: Ind and Ten. Neither of those secondaries have fared well against the WR position.
Deeper League Add(s):
Chimere Dike (Ten)–I am not a fan of his limited playing time, but his return yardage and scoring 3 TDs in the past 5 games is noticeable.
Adam Thielen (Pit)–D. K. Metcalf (WR-Pit) will be missing some time due to his suspension, The Steelers are in need of another pass catcher. Thielen is a pass catcher. He is already playind the 2nd most snaps at the WR position for the team. It should now be the most for the next two weeks. This is a longshot addition, but he may have some value down the stretch.
TIGHT END
Jake Tonges (SF)–This is dependent on the health of George Kittle (TE-SF), as he left the game against Indianapolis in Week 16. If Kittle were to miss, Tonges has already proven himself capable of relevant fantasy success earlier in the season when Kittle missed time.
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):
Jonnu Smith (Pit)–Again, with the Metcalf suspension, other players will see more opportunities.