NFL fantasy football news and player signals for Thursday, December 18, 2025

Ranked as WR15 in Dvonte Adams' live rankings for Week 16 against Denver. Dvonte Adams prefers Wilson over Marvin Harrison Jr. despite Harrison's return, citing Wilson's strong rapport with quarterback Kyler Murray and the fact that one-game sample sizes of Harrison's prior return do not override Wilson's established chemistry. Placed in the 'feels good' category for Week 16.

Missed the last couple of games with a heel injury and returned to limited practice on Wednesday, putting him in line to return for Week 16 against Denver, though not guaranteed. Ranked as a low-end WR2 in Dvonte Adams' rankings. Concern exists around reinjury risk and potential snap count limitations on lower-body injuries, placing him below Michael Wilson in the depth chart.

Cannot stop scoring touchdowns heading into Week 16 against Indianapolis. The Colts secondary has allowed the third-most fantasy points to receivers and is banged up with Sauce Gardner likely out and Javvarius Ward on IR with a concussion, creating a favorable matchup. Dvonte Adams ranks Jennings very highly as a strong start.

Ranked as a 'feels good' category receiver for Week 16 against Jacksonville. Sutton has regained his form after a mid-season cold spell, finding his footing again over the last couple of weeks. With multiple Broncos receivers returning to practice (Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, RJ Harvey), Dvonte Adams views Sutton as the only viable Broncos receiver to play, describing him as 'a pretty rock solid wide receiver.'

Snap count has collapsed to approximately 50% (down from earlier in the season), with Matt Collins and Kaylen Booty running more routes than him. Receiving yards prop is set at 40.5, which is lower than Jordan Addison and comparable to Darius Slayton tier, suggesting limited upside for Week 16 despite historical production.

Has been inconsistent this year with limited touchdown luck. Baltimore is expected to be run-heavy against New England (which has struggled without Milton Williams on the DL), and Flowers will draw Christian Gonzalez in coverage. Due to offensive inconsistency and unfavorable matchup, ranked in the dub flex tier but not recommended as a strong start.

Must-start for Week 16 against Pittsburgh in a 52.5-point total game at home in the Detroit Dome, where Detroit is a 7-point favorite. Dvonte Adams sees no world where you sit Williams.

Amon-Ra St. Brown is a must-start for Week 16 against Pittsburgh in a 52.5-point total game at home in the Detroit Dome, where Detroit is a 7-point favorite.

Nico Collins is balling out with CJ Stroud and is a must-start for Week 16 against Las Vegas in a game with a 37.5-point total where Houston is a 14-point favorite.

Has become Jacksonville's WR1 and primary safety valve for Trevor Lawrence, running 67% of his routes on the outside. While Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II may shadow both Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. (who runs 80% outside), Meyers' established role as the top target and higher inside-route percentage warrant a top-tier flex ranking for Week 16 against Denver.

Coming off productive recent performances but Dvonte Adams is benching him for Week 16 against Denver due to unfavorable matchup concerns. BTJ runs 80% of his routes on the exterior, making him more likely to draw Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II's shadow coverage. Surtain has shadowed elite receivers like Calvin Ridley, Jamar Chase, and AJ Brown at 60%+ route rates, creating significant coverage risk despite BTJ's recent production.

Darnell Mooney is the top receiver on the Falcons with a receiving yards line of 26.5 in Week 16 against Arizona, which Dvonte Adams describes as 'not great,' indicating limited confidence in his production despite being the team's leading receiver option.

Chris Godwin was inflated by a touchdown and two-point conversion last week but didn't get a ton of involvement. With Mike Evans back, he's being pushed down in the pecking order, making him a secondary receiver option for Week 16.

Mike Evans is rated as close to a must-start in Week 16 against Carolina despite a sneaky low receiving yards line of 58.5. He had 130 yards in his first game back after an extended absence and was limited on snaps but balled out. Dvonte Adams notes Baker Mayfield feels much more comfortable with Evans on the field, making him a top priority for lineups.

Darius Slayton is rated as a shaky flex for Week 16 against the Vikings, reflecting limited upside in the Giants passing game.

Jordan Addison is rated as a shaky flex for Week 16 against the Giants, reflecting limited upside in the Minnesota passing game.

JJ McCarthy has posted good games against weak defenses; however, he faces a tough Minnesota Vikings pass defense in Week 16 that blitzes frequently and employs disguise coverages, limiting his upside.

Keenan Allen is rated as a shaky flex for Week 16; Dvonte Adams clarifies that Allen operates primarily as a slot receiver in the Chargers offense, limiting his upside.

Justin Herbert is dealing with a broken hand heading into Week 16, a significant injury context that has contributed to the Chargers' passing game struggles, with the offense posting under 215-220 passing yards in five straight games.

George Pickens is rated as a feels-good start (not must-start) for Week 16 despite being a roster lock; Dvonte Adams expresses concern about Pickens's effort and on-field engagement late in the season, particularly with Pittsburgh knocked out of playoff contention. The Chargers' elite pass defense also limits upside.

CeeDee Lamb is placed into the must-start category for Week 16 against the Chargers, reflecting his tier-1 fantasy ranking for the week with no caveats or concerns mentioned.

Xavier Worthy becomes 'kind of interesting' and enters the conversation as a shaky flex if Rashee Rice misses Week 16; when Rice is off the field, schemed-up line-of-scrimmage targets shift toward Worthy. Dvonte Adams notes Gardner Minshew is capable of leading an offense, positioning Worthy as a potential beneficiary of Rice's absence.

Dvonte Adams explicitly recommends not starting DK Metcalf in Week 16 fantasy playoffs. However, Metcalf has been hot the last couple weeks with big plays and touchdowns, and the matchup against Detroit is phenomenal: Detroit's secondary has allowed the second-most fantasy points to WRs this year and the 52.5-point total is very high. Adams places him in the bottom of the feels-good category as a top-15 to top-18 option for Week 16, though he typically scores 8-9 points without TD upside.

Rashee Rice re-entered concussion protocol after being hit hard on Sunday and missed Wednesday practice due to lingering symptoms, putting him on a tight timeline to clear before Week 16. Dvonte Adams assesses he is 'on the wrong side of being ready for this game.' If he clears, would move to 'feels good' category with Vegas projection of 5.5 receptions; however, current trajectory suggests he will miss or be limited. Adams also notes Rice needs to be moved down to the bottom of the 'feels good' category for Week 16, indicating declining confidence in his production.

If Tee Higgins clears concussion protocol and plays in Week 16, he moves into the 'feels good' category and should be in lineups; conditional on health clearance but positioned as a strong play if available.

Jaylen Waddle is ranked in the 'dub flex' (doubt flex) category for Week 16 due to dual concerns: QB downgrade from Tua to Quinn Ewers (not an upgrade for Waddle despite Tua's struggles) and expected shadow coverage from Bengals CB DJ Turner, a newly elite defender. Dvonte Adams explicitly states 'I don't feel confident about him' and rules out feels-good or must-start placement.

Quinn Ewers, the backup quarterback starting for Miami against Cincinnati in Week 16, is not particularly accurate downfield and operates as a short-to-intermediate passer. While this style may fit Mike McDaniel's system and the Dolphins' need for decisiveness, Ewers' limited arm talent constrains the passing game's ceiling compared to Tua Tagovailoa.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami's $200 million quarterback, is being benched in favor of backup Quinn Ewers in Week 16 against Cincinnati. This depth chart move removes the Dolphins' primary passer and significantly impacts the passing game's efficiency and upside.

Falls at the bottom of the shaky flex category in Week 16 against Cleveland. The Buffalo Bills passing game faces a poor matchup, and Dvonte Adams explicitly states he does not want Jeudy in lineups for this game.

Rated as a rather-not for Dvonte Adams in Week 16 against Chicago. While he could technically fit into the shaky flex category, Adams explicitly states he doesn't want Doubs in lineups, placing him outside the viable start range for the matchup.

Lacks a proven ceiling in the Packers offense, having not shown the ability to consistently exceed 10-11 points this season. With Christian Watson healthy and expected to play in Week 16 vs. Chicago, Reed remains a secondary option rather than a focal point. Dvonte Adams places him at the top of the shaky flex tier, noting he's 'fine to have in your lineup' but wouldn't feel better about him unless Watson was out.

With Luther Burden (ankle) and Roma Donce (stress fracture) both trending toward not playing for Chicago, the passing offense runs through DJ Moore in Week 16 vs. Green Bay. Coming off a two-touchdown game and scoring two touchdowns in two of his last four games, Moore becomes a super viable flex option. However, Dvonte Adams notes volatility concerns given the Bears' inconsistent passing game this season.

Returned to practice after hospitalization with odds stacked against him; expected to play in Week 16 vs. Chicago. Dvonte Adams feels very good about starting him if healthy. Watson is the number-one receiving option for the Packers with Vegas projecting him at 52.5 receiving yards. Adams rates him as a top-tier start, positioning him at the top of the dub flex category.

Shaky flex option for Week 16 with limited ceiling since Terry McLaurin's return to health. Dvonte Adams would play him over Rashid Jahed but expresses low confidence in his upside. Vegas projects him at 46.5 receiving yards against Cleveland, falling into the dub flex/shaky flex conversation alongside Khalil Shakir and Jaden Reed as a borderline sit decision.

Likely to see heavy coverage from Quinan Mitchell shadowed on the outside in Week 16 vs. Washington; downside risk from coverage and game script. However, Dvonte Adams expects more good games than bad since McLaurin's return to health. Positioned as flex with caution, similar tier to DeVonta Smith.

Backup wide receiver option in Rams game with unclear snap/target distribution; Dvonte Adams projects 13.5 receiving yards and suggests sprinkle bets rather than lineup starts due to uncertainty in rep splits amid mishmash of receiving options.

Backup wide receiver option in Rams game with unclear snap/target distribution; part of mishmash of receiving options with low projections; Dvonte Adams suggests sprinkle bets rather than lineup starts due to uncertainty in rep splits.

Must start recommendation for Week 16 vs. Rams; primary receiving option for Seahawks with strong role in offense.

Must start recommendation for Week 16 vs. Seattle; elevated role expected with Davante Adams out; will see heavy dosage of targets and touches in Rams offense.

Out with hamstring strain for Week 16 game vs. Seattle; directly impacts start/sit decision and removes a primary receiving option for the Rams offense.