Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco took back over as the lead back for the Chiefs this week, stepping in ahead of veteran Kareem Hunt and taking eight carries for 34 yards while adding six catches for 41 yards in the team's loss to the Titans last week. Pacheco could be in for a heavy workload moving forward, since the team could phase out Hunt now that the playoffs are no longer a possibility. The team could take the next two weeks to evaluate Pacheco and rookie Brashard Smith for their future roles, but Pacheco is in a brutal matchup this week against the Broncos, who have been elite against the run. Pacheco does have touchdown-dependent upside and should get a good workload, but he's still a long-shot flex play to add off the waiver wire this week due to the matchup.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett had a rough week against the Falcons in Week 16, but he should be poised to bounce back in a big way against the Bengals in Week 17. Brissett has thrown multiple touchdowns in eight of his previous nine games, but he only threw for one score and a season-low 203 passing yards last week against Atlanta. The Bengals have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, allowing 30 QB touchdowns (passing and rushing) in 15 games, along with an average of 256 passing yards per week. In what should be a much better matchup, Brissett can be a great addition and streaming play in Week 17 if you need help at the position.

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New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson has been a steady producer for most of the 2025 season, recording 70 receptions for 733 yards and three touchdowns on 93 targets across 15 games. Johnson posted one of his better performances in Week 16 against the New York Jets, hauling in eight catches for 89 yards on nine targets. The Saints placed wideout Devaughn Vele (shoulder) on Injured Reserve leading into the game, which cements Johnson's status as the number two pass-catcher in New Orleans behind star wideout Chris Olave. While Johnson may not have major upside, he's recorded just one game with fewer than four receptions since Week 6. Behind rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, the Saints are playing some of their best football of the season in recent weeks and face another favorable matchup in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable viewing Johnson as a high-floor streamer option off the waiver wire at the tight end position.

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Across 14 games this season, Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland has recorded 42 receptions for 528 yards and four touchdowns on 58 targets. The 21-year-old has provided remarkably consistent production in the second half of the year. Loveland has recorded no fewer than three and no more than four receptions in each of his last seven games. In that stretch, he's also logged between four and six targets and between 29 and 63 receiving yards in every outing. With Bears wideouts Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) potentially set to miss the team's Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Loveland could finally see a production spike. Even if his role remains the same, he's a good bet to continue to provide around 10 PPR fantasy points. In leagues where he remains available, Loveland should be viewed as a low-end TE1 option for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

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Across 10 games in 2025, Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange has hauled in 37 catches for 434 yards and two touchdowns on 49 targets. The 24-year-old had his season interrupted by a hip injury that sidelined him from Week 6 through Week 11, but he's stayed healthy since then, and his production appears to be trending in the right direction. Strange tied his season high with seven targets in Week 16 against the Denver Broncos, recording five catches for 39 yards and a touchdown. Between wide receivers Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Parker Washington, the Jaguars have other capable pass-catchers who could steal opportunities away from Strange. However, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has thrown for 609 yards and eight touchdowns over the last two weeks and appears to be leading the Jacksonville offense to new heights. Strange carries streamer appeal in deeper leagues heading into his Week 17 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

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San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (ankle) limped off the field in the third quarter of the Week 16 game against the Indianapolis Colts due to an ankle injury. He is questionable to return.

Fantasy Spin: Kittle has been ripping it up on Monday night, going for seven receptions, 115 yards and a touchdown before the injury. If he cannot make it back, at least he posted a tremendous stat line for fantasy managers. When his status is updated, we'll pass it along. Kittle and the Niners have a titanic matchup in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.

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Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz has been a steady contributor throughout the 2025 season, recording 75 catches for 685 yards and three touchdowns on 98 targets across 15 games. While he may not be the most explosive player at the tight end position, Schultz provides a relatively stable production floor. Entering his Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the 29-year-old has earned at least five targets and recorded at least 10 PPR fantasy points in six out of his last eight games. Outside of star Texans wideout Nico Collins, Schultz may be the most trusted pass-catching option for Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud. In leagues where he remains available, Schultz can be viewed as a viable streamer at the tight end position for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire heading into Week 17.

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Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa had the best game of his young career in Week 16, recording four catches for 52 yards and a touchdown on seven targets against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While TeSlaa has hauled in just 12 receptions on the season, the 23-year-old has turned five of those catches into touchdowns. Most encouragingly, TeSlaa's playing time has spiked in recent weeks. After failing to play more than 28 offensive snaps in any game from Week 1 through Week 12, TeSlaa has now played at least 41 offensive snaps in each of Detroit's last four contests. He's been a favorite end-zone target of Lions quarterback Jared Goff in that stretch, recording three touchdown catches. Additionally, top Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's injury report ahead of the team's Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day. Based on his touchdown potential and emerging role in Detroit, TeSlaa could be worth targeting on the waiver wire for deep-league fantasy managers.

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Across 15 games this season, Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has hauled in 39 receptions for 313 yards and two touchdowns on 65 targets. While his numbers don't jump off the page, Zaccheaus has moved into a more prominent role in the Chicago offense in recent weeks, thanks to injuries to Bears wideouts Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle). With both Odunze and Burden III sidelined in Week 16, Zaccheaus played 86% of his team's offensive snaps and was targeted five times. Odunze is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot that has held him out since Week 13 and may keep him on the shelf through the end of the regular season. Since Odunze went out, Zaccheaus has played at least 79% of Chicago's offensive snaps in every game. While it has not led to big production yet, Zaccheaus may be in line for another game of significant playing time in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers. He could be a viable injury replacement for deep-league fantasy managers off the waiver wire.

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Denver Broncos TE Marcedes Lewis might be promoted to the 53-player roster ahead of Week 17 if TE Nate Adkins (knee) cannot go. Lewis has reached his limit of three practice-squad elevations.

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New Orleans Saints running back Evan Hull is coming off a very disappointing performance against the New York Jets. As a result, he can be left on waivers in most fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 17 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Although there had been some speculation that Hull would lead New Orleans' backfield on Sunday with Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) sidelined, that never came to fruition. Instead, he handled just five carries for three rushing yards on a 21% snap share. Audric Estime (three catches) was far more productive than Hull in the receiving game, and veteran playmaker Taysom Hill (12 carries) handled the bulk of the volume on the ground. If Kamara misses another game, Hill is the early favorite to lead the team in carries while Estime gets involved in the passing game. That leaves Hull as the odd man out, despite facing a Titans defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to running backs in 2025.

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New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has been heavily targeted lately, but he's a risky fantasy option heading into a tough matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 17. To his credit, Mitchell has enjoyed a career resurgence since being traded to the Jets, commanding at least six targets in each of his last six games. However, he has caught just 45.6% of his targets since the trade, averaging a modest 8.6 full-PPR points per game during that span. This week's matchup is far from ideal for Mitchell, especially as he adjusts to the quarterback play of inexperienced rookie Brady Cook, who will earn another start on Sunday. The Patriots have allowed the seventh-fewest catches and ninth-fewest receiving yards to wide receivers in 2025. Mitchell has a high ceiling and low floor, which makes him a risky option as the fantasy playoffs continue. He's only worth adding off the waiver wire in leagues with at least 12 teams.

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Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has strengthened his status as a must-add player on the fantasy football waiver wire in Week 17. The rookie enjoyed another dominant performance against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, catching four passes for 34 yards and a touchdown. He handled an 86% target share in the loss, largely due to the continued absence of fellow tight end David Njoku (knee). Fannin now has 22 catches, 239 yards, and three touchdowns over his last four games, ranking as the overall TE3 in fantasy football during that span. His upside depends on whether Njoku is in the lineup, but even if the veteran tight end returns to action this week, Fannin should remain a top-five fantasy tight end while operating as Shedeur Sanders' favorite target. He'll now be tasked with facing off against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points, fourth-most catches, fourth-most receiving yards, and second-most receptions to opposing tight ends in 2025. Fannin is a priority addition who should be rostered and started in all leagues.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. has been a consistent target on offense, and his steady role should make him a priority waiver wire target for Week 17. Godwin has 24 targets, 17 catches, 183 yards, and one touchdown over his last four games. He has tallied double-digit fantasy points in three of those four contests, and he ranks as the overall WR31 in half-PPR leagues during that span. Although Godwin remains the No. 2 option behind Mike Evans, he has been able to carve out solid volume in all of his games. He should continue to handle plenty of targets as this Baker Mayfield-led offense pushes for a playoff berth. The 29-year-old receiver ranks as a strong WR3 option ahead of Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the 10th-most touchdowns to wide receivers in 2025. The struggling Dolphins just allowed Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to combine for 162 yards and a touchdown.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Konata Mumpfield took on a larger role last Thursday, and he continues to trend up ahead of Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons. Mumpfield has earned more targets lately with Davante Adams (knee, hamstring) sidelined. While the door remains open for Adams to face the Falcons, he faces an uphill battle to suit up. Therefore, Mumpfield has an opportunity to produce once again. Last week, as Matthew Stafford's No. 2 option in the passing game, the rookie caught three of his eight targets for 40 yards while handling a 46% snap share. His target share might regress this weekend, but his overall production should benefit from a matchup against the Falcons, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points and fourth-most catches to wide receivers in 2025. Mumpfield is a potential WR3/flex this week, and he's an intriguing waiver wire target, especially in deeper leagues.

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Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson remains a top target on the waiver wire heading into Week 17. Although Parkinson let down his fantasy managers with just two catches for 21 yards last Thursday against the Seahawks, this game was likely an outlier and can be attributed to a tough matchup. Prior to that subpar outing, he had put together an impressive six-game stretch with 22 catches, 230 yards, and six touchdowns. He's a particularly appealing option given that Davante Adams (knee, hamstring) is trending toward missing Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons. Adams has been a major threat in the red zone this year, scoring 14 touchdowns. Given Parkinson's success around the goal line lately, he should take over as one of Matthew Stafford's favorite red-zone targets in Adams' absence.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Chiefs did not practice on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Thornton missed Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, and it now appears that he's at risk of missing a second consecutive game, albeit on a short week. Kansas City faces the Denver Broncos on Thursday, giving Thornton just a few days to clear the NFL's five-stage concussion protocol. The 25-year-old hasn't been a major contributor this year, catching just 19 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns. However, with Rashee Rice (concussion) also sidelined, Kansas City's receiving corps needs all the help it can get. Managers invested in Thornton's availability should stay tuned for additional updates when the Chiefs publish their subsequent injury reports on Tuesday and Wednesday. Chris Oladokun will quarterback Kansas City in Week 17, lowering the floors of all Chiefs pass-catchers in fantasy football.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Chiefs conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Rice missed Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, and it now appears that he's at risk of missing a second consecutive game, albeit on a short week. The 25-year-old's absence will be felt, given that he had been averaging 6.6 catches, 71.4 yards, and 0.6 touchdowns per game when healthy. Managers invested in Rice's availability should stay tuned for additional updates when the Chiefs publish their subsequent injury reports on Tuesday and Wednesday. If he can't suit up, Xavier Worthy will remain in the No. 1 role while catching passes from third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (knee) has been diagnosed with a knee sprain, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. The 26-year-old receiver said he feared that he might have suffered a significant knee injury, so he's relieved that additional testing revealed only a sprain. With that being said, Flournoy isn't sure if he'll be able to play in Thursday's Week 17 contest against the Washington Commanders. He was estimated as limited following Monday's walkthrough, and he now has three days to get healthy before the Cowboys' divisional contest on Christmas Day. Flournoy has impressed with 18 catches, 207 yards, and two touchdowns over his last two games, but as long as CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are healthy, he's stuck in the No. 3 receiver role and isn't a consistent option for fantasy football.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James is active for Monday's Week 16 contest against the Indianapolis Colts and is on track to make his NFL debut. The rookie had previously been a healthy scratch, but he's getting a chance to play on primetime television, perhaps in a mix of special teams and offensive depth roles. He's taking the spot of fellow rookie Isaac Guerendo, who is a healthy scratch for the first time in his young career. Guerendo has contributed on special teams this year, but he doesn't have an offensive snap yet. Both running backs remain buried on the depth chart behind Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr.

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