Last Updated on December 16, 2025 3:58 pm by Jon Mosales | Published: December 16, 2025

Congrats for making it to the final four of your fantasy leagues! It’s quite an accomplishment to make it this far into the season, and hopefully my waiver suggestions have played a small part in your success. Don’t relax now though, it’s time to gear up for one last run, even if that means being a week early on a few guys with stellar matchups. Before we get there, I never talk about defenses, but the Saints are the best option rest of season. They play the Jets led by Brady Cook this week, and the Titans next week, who have been atrocious all year offensively. Unless you’re desperate for a position player, I would burn priority and my fair share of FAAB on them. The Chiefs are a good backup option as they play the Titans this week. The Patriots play the Jets week 17. Keep those two on your mind if they are on waivers by chance.

Quarterbacks

Tyler Shough, NO (11%) – The Saints face the Jets and Titans in the final two weeks of the season, both currently sitting in the top ten most points allowed to signal-callers. Now, we get to the production. Over the last three weeks Shough has scored 18.4, 22.3, and 18.1, good for QB8 overall in that timespan. (FAAB: 20%)

JJ McCarthy, MIN (30%) – Coming off back-to-back multi-touchdown games, the first year starter looks to make it a third. The New York Giants shouldn’t challenge him too much seeing as they give up the 4^th most fantasy points to QB’s. New York is tied for 9^th most passing TD’s (24) allowed and tied for 31^st in interceptions (5). Only the Jets (0) have less. Week 17 brings on the division rival Lions, who are also a top five matchup for QB’s and just lost safety Brian Branch (Achilles) for the year. (FAAB: 15%)

Marcus Mariota, WSH (17%) – I don’t know that I like the matchup this week against an Eagles defense that has given up the 25^th most fantasy points to QB’s, but week 17 serve up the best case scenario in the Dallas Cowboys. They are the worst defense against QB’s by more than three PPG. If you don’t have a stud QB, try grabbing the veteran a week early for a smash start in the championship game. (FAAB: 10%)

Running Backs

Blake Corum, LAR (43%) – Since week 13, the second year running back is the RB4, and that is just ahead of the actual starter Kyren Williams (RB5). There’s a lot of talk about schedule this time of year because of the week-to-week nature of the fantasy playoffs, but Corum should be rostered, and probably started, in all formats regardless of the matchup. HC Sean McVay just knows how to scheme up a good running game no matter what. (FAAB: 75%)

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WSH (46%) – With Chris Rodriguez being a late scratch, I recommended on Twitter that JCM be picked up and started. If JCM continues to be the top back, he should remain amongst the top 30 options with the Eagles and Cowboys in line to finish the fantasy season. The Eagles have underperformed as a run unit on defense, and the Cowboys have been defending the run much more successfully down the stretch. (FAAB: 15%)

Wide Receivers

Packers trio Jayden Reed (44%), Romeo Doubs (23%), Matthew Golden (32%), Dontayvion Wicks (4%) – Just as Christian Watson (shoulder) was heating up, his season likely comes to an end with another injury. The Green Bay receiving room is always a crap-shoot, often feeling like a game of Russian-Roulette rather than managing a fantasy football team. Jayden Reed has the most pure talent, and has assumed his normal, pre-injury workload quickly. He will likely fill in the big play role as a guy they like to get the ball to in multiple different ways. Romeo Doubs should see an uptick consistency as well. I don’t know what to expect from rookie Matthew Golden with nothing to show thus-far. I think at this point, we know what Wicks is. With him, it only takes one play to make it all worthwhile though. I would prioritize them in the order above. (FAAB: Reed 50%, Doubs 20%, Golden 5%, Wicks 5%)

Luther Burden III, CHI (22%) – Fresh off of a career game for the young fella, Burden caught 6 of 7 targets for 84 yard. Rome Odunze (heel) re-aggravated a pre-existing injury, so it’s anyone’s guess how long he may be out for now, or if he misses anymore time at all. Despite a tougher matchup against the Packers, Burden would be in the flex radar if Rome misses week 16. The Packers defense took a major hit after Micah Parson’s was diagnosed with a torn ACL. This should allow for the Bears offensive line to have better success pass protecting, allowing more time for Caleb Williams to find Burden and the likes downfield. (FAAB: 25%)

Jalen Coker, CAR (6%) – Coker has finishes as a top 24 receiver in three of the last four weeks. The Tampa Bay pas defense isn’t some unbeatable opponent, making him a decent bet to find the end zone for the third straight game. The biggest issue with his game right now is the lack of volume, although not even Tetairoa McMillan has that going for him. The Panthers are run heavy, but Coker is among the leaders in the clubhouse in targets on any given week. He’s risky, but if you’re desperate for an option after losing Davante Adams, this may be your best bet. (FAAB: 15%).

Tight Ends

Dalton Schultz, HOU (50%) – Same as last week’s article, but now add a nine target, eight reception, 76 yard, one touchdown TE7 finish to it. He’s become their second most important passing weapon, and it looks like the Texans are hitting their stride down the stretch. I’m not sure there will be 10 other tight ends you’d want to start the next two weeks based on volume, though the matchups on paper STINK (Raiders, Chargers). (FAAB: 20%)

Theo Johnson, NYG (43%) – Johnson is also looking like he’s quickly become the second most important passing weapon on his team. Wan’Dale Robinson is the only other consistent player the Giants have to throw the ball to, meaning they will likely continue to give Johnson all he can handle. He has had some drops this season, but Dart seems to love this guy and continues to trust him by throwing him the ball. The second year tight end has steadily improved over the course of the year, having six top 12 weeks thus far. (FAAB: 15%)

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Anthony Quaranta( Senior Contributor )

Hi I’m Anthony, and I’m just happy to be here. From late January through early September you’ll find me in the best ball lobbies of your favorite platforms while I share everything I can right here at SportsEthos. I fell in love with the game of football at five years old, and that passion hasn’t faded. As we get older, our physical abilities start to slowly decline and our bodies fall apart. Once I became an Achilles rupture survivor at the prime age of 32, I knew my playing days were all but over. Fantasy football became a way to still connect with the sport I grew up enjoying so much. Join me while I venture into the depths of this space and shamelessly talk ball on the internet.

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