Guest of the League
just one more
High Stakes $125 - FFL: Playoff Week 3 | NFL: Week 17

LB Shaquil Barrett reportedly set to rejoin Bucs

Sat Dec 28 2:15am ET
Field Level Media

Linebacker Shaquil Barrett, one day after being waived by the Miami Dolphins, is set to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, multiple media outlets reported Friday night.

Barrett, 32, hasn't appeared in an NFL game this season. He most recently played for the Buccaneers, his team from 2019-23. In that span, he earned two Pro Bowl selections, including one after he led the league with 19.5 sacks in 2019.

Tampa Bay released Barrett in February, and he signed with the Dolphins a month later. However, he retired from football in July. Last month, Barrett filed for reinstatement, but he never rejoined the Dolphins, who finally put him on waivers this week.

Last year, Barrett played in 16 games, all starts, for the Buccaneers and registered 52 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles and two passes defensed.

Barrett, who began his career with the Denver Broncos (2015-18), has played 131 career NFL games (85 starts). He has 400 tackles, 59 sacks, three interceptions, 22 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 18 passes defensed.

The Buccaneers (8-7) enter a Sunday home game against the Carolina Panthers tied for first with the Falcons (8-7) atop the NFC South. However, Atlanta swept the season series from Tampa Bay, the first tiebreaker for a playoff berth.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 17

Player Notes
Cam Little Dec 28 2:30am ET
Cam Little

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little should not be heavily considered by managers in fantasy championships in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The rookie kicker has had a solid season, but his fantasy output has been greatly limited by the Jaguars offense. When the Jaguars faced the Titans back in Week 14, they only scored 10 points, leading to a middling fantasy output for Little. He just lacks the proper upside fantasy managers should be looking for in a kicker. He has only hit double digits in three weeks, which came in Weeks 4, 5, and 15. While fantasy kickers are generally not taken seriously, every player matters when trying to win a fantasy championship. Given the inconsistent offense with Mac Jones under center and a tough defensive divisional matchup, there are many better options than Little in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Parker Washington Dec 28 2:10am ET
Parker Washington

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington does not get the targets or have the big-play ability to be considered a reliable fantasy option in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The young receiver flashed back in Week 13 against the Houston Texans with a six catch, 103 yard, and a touchdown performance. Other than that, he hasn't done much this season even with injuries to Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, and Evan Engram. Last week, Washington did put up six catches for 54 yards, but he isn't relied on enough by the already underwhelming Mac Jones. Washington seems to be competing for the second passing option behind Brian Thomas Jr. with Brenton Strange and Travis Etienne Jr. In an already limited offense, Washington lacks the consistent volume and upside to be worthy of starting in fantasy championships in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Travis Etienne Dec 28 1:40am ET
Travis Etienne

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. is a decent start, but not ideal in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The 25-year-old back gets a slight boost in PPR, as his role while playing with Tank Bigsby seems to be the passing down back along with a random number of carries. Given how the Jaguars have oscillated between who gets more touches out of the backfield, it is hard to trust both Etienne Jr. or Bigsby. For example, when the Jaguars faced the Titans in Week 14, Etienne Jr. only got four carries, but the following week he got 14. The volume just isn't there for him to have much upside, making him not a great option for teams competing for a championship. While he has a chance for a decent fantasy day, Etienne Jr. is not an ideal flex option in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Tank Bigsby Dec 28 1:40am ET
Tank Bigsby

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby has decent potential as a flex option, but is a bit touchdown reliant in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The second-year back out of Auburn has had an up-and-down season, having some big games and some letdown games. The main road block he has faced, besides small injuries, is the presence of Travis Etienne Jr. Bigsby has been the more explosive back and better by the goal line, but Etienne Jr. eats into his carry total and passing work. Bigsby has gotten double digit carries in each of his last three games, including 18 against the Titans in Week 14. He only averaged 3.1 yards per carry that game, but he did find the endzone. If Bigsby can improve his efficiency and find the endzone again, he could make for a decent flex in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Brian Thomas Jr. Dec 28 1:20am ET
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is a must-start in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The rookie receiver has been sensational as of late, not caring how difficult his opponent is or who is throwing him the ball. Against the Titans in Week 14, BTJ put up eight catches for 86 yards. He didn't find the end zone, but he got double digit targets, which he has now gotten in four straight games. His big play ability combined with the huge talent gap between him and his target competition means his floor and ceiling are both high. As long as Mac Jones continues to pepper him with targets, the LSU product will remain a stud despite a difficult matchup. Out of all Jaguars offensive players, BTJ is easily the best one to have in lineups in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Aidan O'Connell Dec 28 1:10am ET
Aidan O'Connell

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell led his team to their third win of the 2024-25 campaign by defeating the Jaguars in Week 16. However, it still wasn't the best fantasy showing, with the 26-year-old throwing for 257 yards while not finding any of his receivers in the end zone. With the Saints on tap for Week 17, O'Connell is hoping for a strong finish to the season in his next two appearances. Unfortunately, with only four touchdowns (and three interceptions) this season, O'Connell shouldn't be anywhere near a fantasy lineup in Week 17. That will remain the same for Week 18 as well.

From RotoBaller

Mac Jones Dec 28 1:10am ET
Mac Jones

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones is not a great start in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The former Patriot had a solid outing last week against the Raiders, but he struggled mightily the last time he faced the Titans in Week 14. He threw two interceptions and no touchdowns, leading the team to just 10 points. Jones has flashed in some weeks, but the Titans stout pass defense is not likely to be one of those weeks. On the bright side, Jones does have exceptional rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to throw the ball to, who happens to be a big play waiting to happen. If one of those plays were to happen, maybe Jones could have a decent fantasy day. Despite that, Jones is just too difficult to trust with fantasy championships on the line in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Bellinger Dec 28 1:00am ET
Daniel Bellinger

New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger hasn't had a great year. He's appeared in 15 games, catching only 12 passes for 116 yards. The 24-year-old also hasn't found the end zone since his rookie campaign. With Malik Nabers (toe) questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts, there's a good could be a few extra targets up for grabs. However, Bellinger isn't likely to be a beneficiary, and his outlook is even worse with Drew Lock under center.

From RotoBaller

Wan'Dale Robinson Dec 28 12:50am ET
Wan'Dale Robinson

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson has already had the best season of his career. He's appeared in 15 games, catching 78 passes for 585 yards and two touchdowns. While the wideout has improved, he still hasn't been a productive fantasy option. However, with Malik Nabers (toe) questionable, Robinson may be in line for more work in Sunday's game against the Colts. When Nabers missed two games this season, Robinson combined for 11 catches. Granted, Darius Slayton was more productive in those contests. Yet, Robinson has flex potential if Nabers is ruled out, although his outlook isn't as favorable with Drew Lock under center.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slayton Dec 28 12:40am ET
Darius Slayton

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton has had a down year. In 14 appearances, he has 38 catches for 541 yards and one touchdown. However, with Malik Nabers (toe) questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Colts, there's a good chance Slayton could get more involved. Nabers missed two games this season back in October. In those contests, Slayton combined for 22 targets. Granted things are much different at this point in the season for the Giants, with Drew Lock now under center. Yet, fantasy managers can consider Slayton at least a flex option if Nabers is ruled out, although his presence in fantasy lineups still wouldn't be without risk, especially with Lock playing so poorly.

From RotoBaller

Devin Singletary Dec 28 12:30am ET
Devin Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary began the year as the team's No. 1 option out of the backfield. However, as the season progressed, he found himself behind Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle). With Tracy moving in the right direction, at least it seems, for Sunday's matchup with the Colts, there may not be enough room for Singletary to get involved. Granted, Tracy likely won't be fully healthy if he plays, so there's a chance Singletary could steal some touches. But with or without the rookie on the field, Singletary can't be trusted to occupy a spot in fantasy lineups in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Tim Patrick Dec 28 12:10am ET
Tim Patrick

Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick spent his entire career in Denver before injuries led him to his current team. While he was more productive with the Broncos, he has still played better than expected with the Lions. The 31-year-old has appeared in 14 games during the 2024-25 campaign, totaling 31 catches for 379 yards. But after amassing three touchdowns combined in meetings with the Packers and Bills, Patrick went cold against the Bears by failing to catch his only target. It's obvious Patrick can still play well. However, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on the field, Patrick could struggle to get anything going on Monday night versus the 49ers, making him an extremely risky fantasy option.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Dec 27 11:50pm ET
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) has been cleared to play in Week 17 against the Giants. While the matchup is favorable versus a New York squad that currently has the No. 1 pick in next year's draft, Pierce doesn't typically garner enough attention to warrant starting in season-long fantasy. The 24-year-old has caught two passes or less in eight of the 14 games he's played, although he's managed five touchdowns on the season as Indy's deep threat. The speedy wideout leads the NFL in average depth of target (aDOT) by a wide margin at 21.58 yards per target, so he's always got a good chance to break off a chunk play, but the volume likely won't be there. Anthony Richardson is in danger of missing the contest and if Joe Flacco is under center, then Pierce's targets could be a bit more accurately thrown. However, he's still only a boom/bust WR6 for Week 17 regardless of QB, and not a preferred option in fantasy championships.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Rush Dec 27 11:30pm ET
Cooper Rush

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense is coming off a lackluster performance against the Dallas Cowboys last week. This defensive unit allowed backup quarterback Cooper Rush to carve them up for nearly 300 passing yards. The Cowboys put up 26 points as the Bucs secondary really had no answers all night long. The hope is that things get better against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17. However, the Panthers have been clicking lately on offense and put up 23 points during their last meeting in Week 12. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect an elite performance from this defense. There's certainly worse options for a defense in Week 17, so the Bucs should be ranked as middle of the pack.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Allgeier Dec 27 11:30pm ET
Tyler Allgeier

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier garnered double-digit carries in back-to-back weeks for the first time all season after last week's 11-carry performance. Unfortunately for fantasy, the 11 carries came with just 22 scoreless yards of production, although he did manage to snag one pass for nine yards. With Michael Penix Jr. making only his second career start in Week 17 and the Commanders allowing the second-most fantasy points to RBs on the season, Allgeier looks primed for another double-digit effort, even if some comes simply from giving Bijan Robinson a breather. The 24-year-old does receive some goal-line work, but has just three TDs in 15 games, so without big yardage totals the BYU product figures to be nothing more than an RB4 or low-end Flex play with slight upside were he to find paydirt.

From RotoBaller

Brenton Strange Dec 27 11:20pm ET
Brenton Strange

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange is tough to trust in fantasy championship lineups in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The sophomore tight end put up just two catches for 22 yards and fumbled last week against the Las Vegas Raiders after an 11 catch, 73 yard performance against the New York Jets in Week 15. That all came after a one catch, 21 yard performance in Week 14, the last time he faced the Titans. Strange also has been dealing with a shoulder injury for the past few weeks, which limited him at practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but he fully practiced Friday and has no injury tag heading into Sunday. For fantasy managers looking for a tight end to stream this week, Strange is just too unpredictable and a bit banged up to boot to put in fantasy lineups in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Dec 27 11:00pm ET
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts caught a single pass last week, the fifth time in the last seven games in which he's caught just one pass or fewer. Bijan Robinson, whose involvement in the passing attack has diminished recently, has 27 targets over the last seven games compared to Pitts' 24. As the fifth option in an offense that has a quarterback making only his second career start in Michael Penix Jr., Pitts makes for quite the gamble in Week 17 against a Commanders defense that has been fairly good at limiting production to TEs, not having allowed any single tight end to surpass more than 66 receiving yards on the year. The former first-round draft pick has theoretical upside, but hits his floor more often than not, so should not be trusted at this critical time of the fantasy season. The 6-foot-6 pass catcher is a low-end TE2 for Sunday's matchup in Washington, D.C.

From RotoBaller

Ray-Ray McCloud Dec 27 10:40pm ET
Ray-Ray McCloud

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III caught three of four targets in Michael Penix Jr.'s first career start last week, but totaled only 19 yards on those receptions. The 28-year-old has had a pretty reliable target share in this offense all season, working as the third option behind receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney but ahead of tight end Kyle Pitts. While the yardage totals won't typically amount to much and he's scored only once all season, the sixth-year pro's usage can be somewhat useful in PPR formats. With Penix Jr. making only his second career start this Sunday, McCloud's short 6.08 aDOT could again come in handy if the young QB is looking for a safety valve. Unless desperate, however, fantasy managers vying for championships shouldn't be relying on the Clemson product as he projects as a WR5/6 on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Allen Lazard Dec 27 10:10pm ET
Allen Lazard

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard caught two of his five targets for 20 yards in a Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Lazard will look for a bigger performance on the road against the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. The Bills represent a middle-of-the-road matchup for Lazard as they are allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to the position this year. Lazard could see a larger role heading into Week 17 as the Jets have listed Davante Adams (hip) as questionable. While Adams expressed optimism that he would be able to take the field, Lazard would slot in as the team's No. 2 receiver if the former ultimately can't play. Fantasy managers will want to monitor the situation leading up to Sunday as Lazard could be used as a sneaky flex option if Adams is ruled out. Lazard went for 114 yards and a touchdown back when the Jets faced the Bills in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Conklin Dec 27 10:10pm ET
Tyler Conklin

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin was productive in a Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, catching five passes for 59 yards. He will look to keep rolling in Week 17's road matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have been solid against tight ends this season, allowing the 15th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Conklin has 12 catches over his past three games but he hasn't shown much of a ceiling in fantasy this year, leaving him as a low-end TE2 heading into Week 17.

From RotoBaller