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FFL: Playoff Week 3 | NFL: Week 17

Champions Draft Results

Wed Jul 3 10:36am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Hurts was first quarterback picked


RealTime Fantasy Sports is proud to present you the results of our “Champions Draft." The draft this season once again consists of the top rated fantasy players on our site. We invited players rated near the top of our Top Fantasy Players report. So this is the best of the best on our site.

In this column, we'll give you a round-by-round look at the draft. Each round includes some notes on that round, talking about what just went down. Hopefully, this gives you some insight into the draft and helps prepare you for all your drafts this coming year.

Before we get to that, here is a quick overview of the league format. We used the same rules as we do for the "All-Pro" fantasy leagues on our site. So you can view the entire set of rules on our main page for that game. But here is a brief look. Each team starts a quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, a tight end, a defensive/special teams, a kicker and a flex player (RB, WR or TE). Scoring is pretty standard. Touchdowns are worth six except for passing touchdowns, which are worth four. And it is a points per reception league, giving every player a point per reception. Defenses get points for sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries. The rules are pretty standard with how many leagues operate these days.

ROUND 1

 1. Ballers - Christian McCaffrey RB, SF

 2. Birds - CeeDee Lamb WR, DAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Bijan Robinson RB, ATL

 4. Super Paurs - Breece Hall RB, NYJ

 5. Wreckingcrew - Tyreek Hill WR, MIA

 6. PaurPlay - Justin Jefferson WR, MIN

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Amon-Ra St. Brown WR, DET

 8. Bubbles Army - Ja'Marr Chase WR, CIN

 9. HORNS - Jahmyr Gibbs RB, DET

 10. Goodfellas - Puka Nacua WR, LAR

 11. Suncoast - A.J. Brown WR, PHI

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Saquon Barkley RB, PHI

NOTES: The first round was pretty chalk, going very similar to the current ADP. These savvy owners didn’t take many chances with the first round. There were five running backs and seven receivers picked in Round 1. It was not a surprise to see no tight ends or quarterbacks picked in the first round. The only mild surprise was seeing Jonathan Taylor failed to get picked this round. He normally goes at the end of the first round, but didn’t in this one.

ROUND 2

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jonathan Taylor RB, IND

 2. Suncoast - Garrett Wilson WR, NYJ

 3. Goodfellas - Sam LaPorta TE, DET

 4. HORNS - Travis Etienne RB, JAX

 5. Bubbles Army - Davante Adams WR, LV

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Chris Olave WR, NO

 7. PaurPlay - Josh Jacobs RB, GB

 8. Wreckingcrew - Kyren Williams RB, LAR

 9. Super Paurs - Devon Achane RB, MIA

 10. CRUNCHY - Derrick Henry RB, BAL

 11. Birds - Isiah Pacheco RB, KC

 12. Ballers - Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, ARI

NOTES: Sam LaPorta was the first tight end picked, getting taken by Suncoast this round. He went a tad sooner, having an ADP of 24.99 but he wasn’t going to last to Suncoast when he picked again, so he had to pull the trigger now if he wanted him on his roster. . . . This was a running back heavy round, seeing seven go off the board. This is normally a trend in many drafts with a lot of owners going receiver in the first round. . . .Isiah Pacheco might have been the only surprise running back of this round. The Birds selected him with the 11th pick. This wasn’t too far off his ADP, though, normally going pick 26.62. . . . .Marvin Harrison continues to be the first rookie picked on draft day. The Ballers picked him with the last pick, making him the 24th pick overall.

ROUND 3

 1. Ballers - Drake London WR, ATL

 2. Birds - Michael Pittman Jr. WR, IND

 3. CRUNCHY - Nico Collins WR, HOU

 4. Super Paurs - Deebo Samuel WR, SF

 5. Wreckingcrew - James Cook RB, BUF

 6. PaurPlay - Travis Kelce TE, KC

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Rhamondre Stevenson RB, NE

 8. Bubbles Army - Rachaad White RB, TB

 9. HORNS - Stefon Diggs WR, HOU

 10. Goodfellas - Joe Mixon RB, HOU

 11. Suncoast - Mike Evans WR, TB

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aiyuk WR, SF

NOTES: This round was a little more receiver heavy once again, having seven go off the board. This seems to be a trend in a lot of drafts, having owners get two receivers and a running back after three rounds. . . . .Travis Kelce is the second tight end picked, which is a little unusual for him, but definitely a trend. Kelce has an ADP of 30.8, going after LaPorta in most drafts. Paur Play is hoping he has at least one more big season in him. . . . .It is always interesting seeing how owners value the two top receivers for the Texans. Nico Collins went before Stefon Diggs in this draft. Collins was picked third this round by CRUNCHY while the HORNS picked Diggs with the ninth pick.

ROUND 4

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jaylen Waddle WR, MIA

 2. Suncoast - Jalen Hurts QB, PHI

 3. Goodfellas - D.J. Moore WR, CHI

 4. HORNS - DeVonta Smith WR, PHI

 5. Bubbles Army - Josh Allen QB, BUF

 6. Crusty GON Pod - D'Andre Swift RB, CHI

 7. PaurPlay - Patrick Mahomes QB, KC

 8. Wreckingcrew - D.K. Metcalf WR, SEA

 9. Super Paurs - Amari Cooper WR, CLE

 10. CRUNCHY - Kenneth Walker III RB, SEA

 11. Birds - Lamar Jackson QB, BAL

 12. Ballers - Trey McBride TE, ARI

NOTES: This was a quarterback heavy round, seeing four go off the board. Jalen Hurts was the first quarterback selected, getting picked by Suncoast. He went ahead of Josh Allen, who normally is the first quarterback picked in drafts. . . . .Trey McBride was the third tight end picked, going to the Ballers with the last pick in this round. McBride is flying up draft boards this year after this strong finish last season. He has an ADP of 48.2, so this spot for him is not out of the norm. . . .There was just two running backs picked this round after seeing at least four picked each of the first three rounds. D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Walker were the backs picked this round.

ROUND 5

 1. Ballers - Zay Flowers WR, BAL

 2. Birds - Mark Andrews TE, BAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Aaron Jones RB, MIN

 4. Super Paurs - Cooper Kupp WR, LAR

 5. Wreckingcrew - C.J. Stroud QB, HOU

 6. PaurPlay - Alvin Kamara RB, NO

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Kyle Pitts TE, ATL

 8. Bubbles Army - Dalton Kincaid TE, BUF

 9. HORNS - Anthony Richardson QB, IND

 10. Goodfellas - James Conner RB, ARI

 11. Suncoast - David Montgomery RB, DET

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - George Kittle TE, SF

NOTES: David Montgomery was one of the top league winners last year but falls to the fifth round of this draft, going to Suncoast with the 11th pick. Fantasy owners have concerns for a repeat season from Montgomery, having an ADP of 68.9. This could end up being a make or break pick for the defending champ. . . . .Cooper Kupp is another polarizing figure this season. He was a very early pick last year, but goes to the Super Paurs with the fifth pick in Round 5. He has taken quite the fall in drafts, having an ADP of 46.5. . . .There were four tight ends pick this round. Dalton Kincaid is the biggest mover from last year. The Horns picked him with the eighth pick. Kincaid is normally the fifth tight end off the board, so Horns might have gotten a little value with him being the seventh tight end selected with this pick.

ROUND 6

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Malik Nabers WR, NYG

 2. Suncoast - Najee Harris RB, PIT

 3. Goodfellas - Jaylen Warren RB, PIT

 4. HORNS - Zack Moss RB, CIN

 5. Bubbles Army - Christian Kirk WR, JAX

 6. Crusty GON Pod - George Pickens WR, PIT

 7. PaurPlay - Calvin Ridley WR, TEN

 8. Wreckingcrew - Jordan Love QB, GB

 9. Super Paurs - Zamir White RB, LV

 10. CRUNCHY - Tee Higgins WR, CIN

 11. Birds - Jayden Reed WR, GB

 12. Ballers - Tony Pollard RB, TEN

NOTES: The one pick that stands out in this round was the Birds taking Jayden Reed with the 11th pick. He has an ADP of 86.9, so they might have went a little early on Reed. He certainly has potential after scoring eight touchdowns his rookie season, but the Birds might have been able to get him a few rounds later. . . .The quarterback position slowed down a little this round with Jordan Love the only quarterback selected. He goes with the eight pick to Wreckingcrew. Love was fifth overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year, so getting him after the elite guys are gone could turn out to be good value for Wreckingcrew. . . . .Some running backs that could be splitting work this year flew off the board. Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Zack Moss, Zamir White and Tony Pollard were all picked. They all have some question marks about playing time but if one emerges, they could be great value in Round 6.

ROUND 7

 1. Ballers - Terry McLaurin WR, WAS

 2. Birds - Jonathon Brooks RB, CAR

 3. CRUNCHY - Rashee Rice WR, KC

 4. Super Paurs - Joe Burrow QB, CIN

 5. Wreckingcrew - Evan Engram TE, JAX

 6. PaurPlay - Diontae Johnson WR, CAR

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Keenan Allen WR, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Austin Ekeler RB, WAS

 9. HORNS - Chris Godwin WR, TB

 10. Goodfellas - Tank Dell WR, HOU

 11. Suncoast - Javonte Williams RB, DEN

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Raheem Mostert RB, MIA

NOTES: Our first rookie running back was picked this round, seeing the Birds take Jonathan Brooks with the second pick. Brooks could start the year slow, recovering from his knee injury, but could be a huge factor down the stretch for the Birds. Brooks went around 10 spots later than normal, having an ADP of 64.3. . . .Rashee Rice is a player facing a possible multi-game suspension. If not for that, he would be going much higher. Instead, he falls to CRUNCHY with the third pick this round. Rice has an ADP of 81.6, so he goes about where he normally does in drafts. If he can end up avoiding a suspension, this pick will be a huge steal for CRUNCHY. . . .Raheem Mostert is another intriguing player to watch in drafts. He was a league winner for many last year but is not getting drafted like that. AlwaysBetOnBlack gets him with the last pick this round. Mostert has an ADP of 84.8, so most drafters are not betting on a repeat of his huge season.

ROUND 8

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brian Robinson Jr. RB, WAS

 2. Suncoast - Marquise Brown WR, KC

 3. Goodfellas - Dak Prescott QB, DAL

 4. HORNS - Nick Chubb RB, CLE

 5. Bubbles Army - Devin Singletary RB, NYG

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Tyjae Spears RB, TEN

 7. PaurPlay - J.K. Dobbins RB, LAC

 8. Wreckingcrew - Blake Corum RB, LAR

 9. Super Paurs - David Njoku TE, CLE

 10. CRUNCHY - Jake Ferguson TE, DAL

 11. Birds - Christian Watson WR, GB

 12. Ballers - Trey Benson RB, ARI

NOTES: Nick Chubb is returning from another major injury and lasts until the fourth pick of Round 8. He has big question marks, but the Horns could take a chance on him with three quality backs already on his roster. . . .The Ballers took a chance on rookie Trey Benson in Round 8. After taking Christian McCaffrey with the first pick, the Ballers filled up other positions on his roster before taking chances on running backs later in the draft. . . . .There were seven total running backs picked this round. Many owners are hoping to find that great mid-round value, looking for the Raheem Mostert of this season.

ROUND 9

 1. Ballers - Zach Charbonnet RB, SEA

 2. Birds - Ezekiel Elliott RB, DAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Kyler Murray QB, ARI

 4. Super Paurs - Ty Chandler RB, MIN

 5. Wreckingcrew - DeAndre Hopkins WR, TEN

 6. PaurPlay - Chase Brown RB, CIN

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Caleb Williams QB, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Jordan Addison WR, MIN

 9. HORNS - T.J. Hockenson TE, MIN

 10. Goodfellas - Gus Edwards RB, LAC

 11. Suncoast - Courtland Sutton WR, DEN

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Trevor Lawrence QB, JAX

NOTES: Three quarterbacks go this round, giving every team at least one quarterback except one. Ballers is the only team that doesn’t have a quarterbacks after nine rounds. The three quarterbacks picked this round were Kyler Murray, rookie Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence. . . .Teams continues to load up on mid-round running backs with five getting of the 12 picks being running backs. None of these backs are sure things but both Ezekiel Elliott and Gus Edwards have some touchdown potential on their teams. . . .DeAndre Hopkins is not getting drafted as he was in the past. He goes with the fifth pick to Wreckingcrew. This spot is even later than normal for Hopkins, who has an ADP of 79.6.

ROUND 10

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Xavier Worthy WR, KC

 2. Suncoast - Dallas Goedert TE, PHI

 3. Goodfellas - Ladd McConkey WR, LAC

 4. HORNS - Keon Coleman WR, BUF

 5. Bubbles Army - Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, SEA

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Jerome Ford RB, CLE

 7. PaurPlay - Jameson Williams WR, DET

 8. Wreckingcrew - Rico Dowdle RB, DAL

 9. Super Paurs - Mike Williams WR, NYJ

 10. CRUNCHY - Brian Thomas Jr. WR, JAX

 11. Birds - Curtis Samuel WR, BUF

 12. Ballers - Brock Purdy QB, SF

NOTES: Round 10 is the round of the rookie. There were four rookie receivers picked this round, including Xavier Worthy, Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman and Brian Thomas. These are four receivers that all have the chance to emerge as top playmakers in their respective offenses. . . . .Ballers is the last team to take a quarterback, picking Brock Purdy with the last pick in Round 10. Purdy was seventh overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year. . . . Suncoast was the last team to select a tight end, taking Dallas Goedert with the second pick. Goedert can be erratic but has a high weekly ceiling in his offense.

ROUND 11

 1. Ballers - Kendre Miller RB, NO

 2. Birds - Josh Downs WR, IND

 3. CRUNCHY - Rome Odunze WR, CHI

 4. Super Paurs - Gabriel Davis WR, JAX

 5. Wreckingcrew - Brandin Cooks WR, DAL

 6. PaurPlay - Jahan Dotson WR, WAS

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Cole Kmet TE, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Brock Bowers TE, LV

 9. HORNS - Jerry Jeudy WR, CLE

 10. Goodfellas - Jayden Daniels QB, WAS

 11. Suncoast - Tyler Lockett WR, SEA

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aubrey K, DAL

NOTES: We had our first team take a second quarterback. Goodfellas took rookie Jayden Daniels with the 10th pick. They picked Dak Prescott two rounds earlier, giving him what could be a potent one-two punch at quarterback. . . .Our first kicker was picked. Brandon Aubrey was taken with the last pick this round by AlwaysBetOnBlack. It is a tad earlier than normal for our first kicker. Aubrey has an ADP of 133.1. . . .The top tight end in this year’s draft, Brock Bowers, was picked by Bubbles Army with the eighth pick. Bubbles is hoping Bowers is the Sam LaPorta of this year’s rookie class.

ROUND 12

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Dallas Cowboys Def/ST, DAL

 2. Suncoast - Jakobi Meyers WR, LV

 3. Goodfellas - Kimani Vidal RB, LAC

 4. HORNS - Khalil Shakir WR, BUF

 5. Bubbles Army - MarShawn Lloyd RB, GB

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Antonio Gibson RB, NE

 7. PaurPlay - Justin Herbert QB, LAC

 8. Wreckingcrew - Pat Freiermuth TE, PIT

 9. Super Paurs - Jared Goff QB, DET

 10. CRUNCHY - Kirk Cousins QB, ATL

 11. Birds - Tua Tagovailoa QB, MIA

 12. Ballers - Chuba Hubbard RB, CAR

NOTES: AlwaysBetOnBlack took the first kicker and followed that by picking the first defense. The Cowboys defense is the first off the board, giving AlwaysBetOnBlack both the Cowboys kicker and defense. . . . .There were a couple rookie running backs picked this round. Kimani Vidal and MarShawn Lloyd don’t have a clear path to playing time with their respective teams but have some potential if given the opportunities. . . .Four teams took backup quarterbacks this round. It is interesting to see Justin Herbert fall so far, but he has question marks because of a new offense and lack of playmakers in the passing game.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Player Notes
Will Dissly Dec 24 7:10pm ET
Will Dissly

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) was limited in practice on Tuesday. Additionally, tight end Hayden Hurst (illness) did not practice on Tuesday. Dissly has missed two straight games with the injury so his return to practice at this point in the week is encouraging. Dissly is not very fantasy-relevant on his own, but he is an important offensive piece for the Chargers, especially quarterback Justin Herbert. Hurst was the No. 1 tight end for the Chargers in Week 16 in Dissly's absence. However, Hurst was returning from a hip injury that had sidelined him since Week 11. As such, he only received one target which resulted in one catch for eight yards. Hurst's absence with an illness is not concerning at this point in the week but it is worth monitoring as the week wears on. Neither player is on the fantasy radar this week, but both are important for the prospects of Herbert's fantasy play. Hopefully, both tight ends will be able to take the field together for the first time since Week 10.

From RotoBaller

J.K. Dobbins Dec 24 7:00pm ET
J.K. Dobbins

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) was limited in practice on Tuesday. Dobbins' running mate Gus Edwards (ankle) was also limited. Dobbins has been on injured reserve since Week 12 with his injury. He had been putting together a nice bounce back season with 766 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games. The Chargers need Dobbins for the last bit of their playoff push. Edwards has been the main rusher in Dobbins' absence. He has racked up 365 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season. He is coming off his best game of the season in which he ran for 68 yards and two touchdowns against the Denver Broncos in Week 16. The Chargers will face the New England Patriots in Week 16. The matchup is great for running backs. It seems likely that both players will be active. Given that Dobbins is coming off a long-term injury, it will be difficult to trust either player in fantasy this week. For now, fantasy managers should monitor the situation and see how practice reps evolve over the course of this week.

From RotoBaller

Jaleel McLaughlin Dec 24 6:50pm ET
Jaleel McLaughlin

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadricep) was limited in practice on Tuesday. McLaughlin missed Denver's Week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers with the injury. His return to practice this early in the week suggests that McLaughlin has a good chance of being available when the Broncos travel to Cincinnati this weekend. McLaughlin is part of a robust running back committee that includes Javonte Williams, Audric Estime, and Tyler Badie (back). McLaughlin has had a few solid games this season en route to 388 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, despite a great matchup in Week 17, McLaughlin is not much of a fantasy option. There simply is no way to know which Broncos running back will receive the majority of the workload on a week-to-week basis. Leave McLaughlin on the waiver wire for fantasy championship weekend.

From RotoBaller

Matt Prater Dec 24 6:40pm ET
Matt Prater

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (left knee) was limited in practice on Tuesday. Prater was recently designated to return from injured reserve and has been practicing in his 21-day window for the past week. Prater has not played since Week 4, so it is no surprise that the Cardinals are easing the 40-year-old back into action. Prater is one of the better kickers in NFL history. Before his injury, he had not missed a kick this season. However, if he were to be activated ahead of Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams, he would be a risky play in fantasy. The Cardinals offense can be inconsistent at times, and Prater may need to shake off some rust. Even so, it is good to see Prater progressing from his injury.

From RotoBaller

Trey Benson Dec 24 6:30pm ET
Trey Benson

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) was limited at practice on Tuesday. Rookie running back Trey Benson (ankle) was also limited. Conner picked up his injury in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers. There has been much speculation as to whether or not Conner would be able to play in Week 17, especially since the Cardinals have been eliminated from playoff contention. Conner's participation in practice in any capacity on Tuesday is a very encouraging sign for his availability this weekend. Benson missed Week 16 with his ankle injury. His availability on Sunday would be a great sight for depth behind Conner or for Benson's standalone value. Conner has been on fire lately. He has rushed for 90 or more yards and scored a touchdown in three straight games. Fantasy managers have been riding Conner all the way to championship weekend as a result. Conner has rushed for his second 1,000-yard season in 2024. He has also caught 45 passes for 410 yards. If Conner is active this weekend, he should pick up where he left off in Week 16 when the Cardinals face the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Dec 24 6:20pm ET
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (ankle/knee) was limited to kick-off Week 17 preparation. Higgins often receives rest for various ailments throughout the season. However, he has not been listed with an ankle injury recently. That suggests that he picked up the ankle issue on Sunday, but the fact that he practiced in any capacity is encouraging. Higgins has put together a strong stretch of games recently. He has scored in four of his past five games and is receiving solid target volume. Higgins is having a solid season all-around with 727 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games. The seven touchdowns match Higgins' career high. The Bengals will face a tough defense when they host the Denver Broncos in Week 17. However, matchups do not seem to matter with the way quarterback Joe Burrow is currently playing. Additionally, Higgins' ankle injury is worth keeping an eye on as the week progresses, but it is relatively unconcerning for now.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Dec 24 6:10pm ET
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (right wrist/knee) was limited in practice on Tuesday. Burrow has been on the injury report with the wrist injury throughout the season. He has also been limited with the knee injury for the past several weeks. As such, his limited participation on Tuesday is not concerning. Burrow is amid one of the best stretches of his career. He has thrown for three or more touchdown passes in every game since Week 9. He has also not thrown for less than 251 passing yards since Week 8. He has racked up 4,229 passing yards and 39 touchdowns in 15 games this season. He is the reason why many fantasy managers are in their championship games. The Bengals face a tough matchup with the Denver Broncos in Week 17. However, this team has been unstoppable lately and they are playing for their playoff lives. A win this weekend would go a long way toward their playoff hopes.

From RotoBaller

Tank Dell Dec 24 5:40pm ET
Tank Dell

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) tore his MCL, LCL and ACL in the Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday and also dislocated his knee and suffered meniscus damage. He has a long road of recovery ahead of him that will require multiple surgeries. "It would be great if he could participate at some point next season, but it's far from guaranteed he will play at any point next season. It's similar to what happened with Browns running back Nick Chubb. They're both knee dislocations, but not all knee dislocations are the same. This is a much more complicated surgery process," Dr. David Chao said. It's the second straight year that Dell's season has been cut short due to a serious leg injury. However, this one is much more serious and will affect his long-term fantasy value heading into 2025. Despite playing three more games in 2024, Dell wasn't as productive as he was in his rookie campaign, catching 51 of 81 targets for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Badie Dec 24 5:40pm ET
Tyler Badie

The Denver Broncos have opened the 21-day practice window for running back Tyler Badie (back) to return from Injured Reserve after he collapsed on the sideline after suffering a back injury in the Week 4 win over the New York Jets. It means that Badie will be back at practice with the team this week, but it won't guarantee that he'll be active this Saturday in a big game on the road in Cincinnati against the Bengals. The 24-year-old had to be carted off the field back in Week 4 but has now recovered from his back injury and is ready to get back onto the practice field. When healthy, he'll be buried on the Broncos' RB depth chart behind Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) and rookie Audric Estime, putting him well off the fantasy radar. In three games this year, Badie had only 11 carries for 86 yards while catching three passes for minus-two yards.

From RotoBaller

Bradley Chubb Dec 24 5:30pm ET
Bradley Chubb

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that pass-rusher Bradley Chubb (knee) will not be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list in order to play in the final two weeks of the season despite returning to practice three weeks ago. The 28-year-old linebacker has been recovering all year from a torn ACL and other damage in his knee that he suffered a full year ago and will end up not playing a single game for the Dolphins in 2024. Barring a setback in the offseason, Chubb should be fully ready to take part in offseason workouts and for the start of the 2025 season next fall. The former fifth overall pick of the Denver Broncos in 2018 out of North Carolina State was on pace to set a new career-high in sacks in 2023 before suffering his knee injury. Miami's pass rush will be much better off if Chubb is healthy in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Justice Hill Dec 24 5:20pm ET
Justice Hill

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (concussion) did not practice at all this week and has officially been ruled out for Wednesday's Christmas Day game against the Houston Texans. This was the expectation after Hill suffered a concussion in last Saturday's divisional win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With a quick turnaround in Week 17, Hill was never expected to clear the league's concussion protocol. He will now hope to recover in time to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Jan. 5. Derrick Henry will continue to operate as Baltimore's clear lead back versus the Texans on Wednesday, with Keaton Mitchell and rookie Rasheen Ali seeing expanded roles as change-of-pace options behind Henry. Neither Mitchell or Ali will likely see enough touches to warrant standalone fantasy value.

From RotoBaller

Nelson Agholor Dec 24 5:20pm ET
Nelson Agholor

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion) has been ruled out for Wednesday's Christmas Day game against the Houston Texans in Week 17. Agholor didn't practice all week and will miss his second straight game after suffering a concussion in Week 15 against the New York Giants. The 31-year-old will now be hoping he can recover from his head injury in time to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday, Jan. 5. Zay Flowers (shoulder) is questionable for Wednesday, so there's a possibility that Rashod Bateman serves as Baltimore's No. 1 receiver if both Flowers and Agholor are out. If that comes to pass, Tylan Wallace could be a sneaky DFS sleeper against a Texans defense that has allowed the seventh-most half-PPR points to opposing receivers in 2024. As of right now, Flowers is on the right side of questionable.

From RotoBaller

Zay Flowers Dec 24 5:10pm ET
Zay Flowers

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (shoulder) returned to a limited practice on Tuesday and is officially listed as questionable for the Christmas Day game on Wednesday against the Houston Texans. Flowers injured his shoulder in last Saturday's win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and was a DNP on Sunday and Monday. Despite the questionable tag, the 24-year-old wideout is expected to play. However, fantasy managers still alive in the playoffs will want to double-check Flowers is available on Christmas Day. If he's active, he should be deployed in most starting lineups, especially with Nelson Agholor (concussion) missing a second straight game. Despite injuring his shoulder last weekend, Flowers hit 100 yards on the nose on five catches in the win over Pittsburgh. Consider him a low-end WR2 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah Likely Dec 24 4:30pm ET
Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely put up a respectable performance in Week 16 and ended up as the TE9 in half-PPR formats. He saw a 66% snap share and 13% target share against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Week 17, he'll go up against a Houston Texans team that is one of the tougher teams against the position, allowing 8.2 fantasy points per game. Justice Hill (concussion) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) have both been ruled out though, and Zay Flowers (shoulder) is considered questionable. That means Likely may see a bigger target share and lineup at some more wideout spots in this matchup, making him a bit of a risky play.

From RotoBaller

Rashod Bateman Dec 24 4:30pm ET
Rashod Bateman

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has surpassed almost every career high this season except for receptions. He's even quadrupled his previous-best touchdown mark (eight this season). In the Ravens' Week 17 matchup with the Houston Texans, they'll be without Nelson Agholor (concussion) and Justice Hill (concussion), and Zay Flowers (shoulder) is considered questionable. Bateman may be the number-one wideout on the depth chart, but he'll remain the primary deep threat even if Flowers plays. The Texans allow 29.6 fantasy points per game to receivers in half-PPR formats, so Bateman has a borderline WR2 ceiling in this game.

From RotoBaller

Derrick Henry Dec 24 4:20pm ET
Derrick Henry

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry decided to flip the script the last two weeks after putting up a dud against the Giants, he came back and posted 162 yards on the ground against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. On Christmas Day, he takes on the Houston Texans who give up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing backfields. They still allow 106.8 rushing yards per game but only nine touchdowns and forced 10 fumbles. However, it looks like Henry may get even more work in this game since Justice Hill (concussion) has been ruled out. He remains a must-start for any fantasy managers trusting him in their fantasy championships or playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Mark Andrews Dec 24 4:20pm ET
Mark Andrews

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews heads into the team's Week 17 matchup with four straight finishes in TE1 territory and nine of them overall. He also leads the position in touchdowns with nine after scoring against the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time in Week 16. Even though the Houston Texans allow only 8.2 fantasy points per game against tight ends, Andrews could see more snaps and targets with Nelson Agholor (concussion) and Justice Hill (concussion) ruled out on top of Zay Flowers (shoulder) being tagged as questionable. Andrews still holds TE1 value heading into this Christmas day matchup.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Dec 24 4:10pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has come out of the team's Week 14 bye with a vengeance after posting big-time performances against the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, in a short week, he goes up against the Houston Texans who allow 17.4 fantasy points per game (12th most) to opposing quarterbacks. The last time these two times faced off in last year's playoffs, Jackson finished with four total touchdowns, 152 passing yards on 16-for-22 throwing, and 100 yards on the ground. The QB1 on the season remains a set-it-and-forget-it type of play.

From RotoBaller

Justin Fields Dec 24 3:10pm ET
Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) was limited in practice the last two days and is listed as questionable to play on Christmas Day on Wednesday versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Fields did not suit up for the Saturday loss to the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, but he could return as Russell Wilson's backup on a short week. Even if he does, the 25-year-old signal-caller obviously shouldn't be used in any starting fantasy lineups as the clear backup in Pittsburgh. Fields last started a game for the Steelers back in the Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Wilson has since taken over and been a big boost to the team's passing attack. Since Week 6, Fields has attempted just one pass and has carried the ball seven times for 58 yards in four games. If Fields doesn't get cleared to be active on Wednesday, Kyle Allen will operate as Wilson's backup.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson Dec 24 3:00pm ET
Russell Wilson

The Kansas City Chiefs defense will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. The Chiefs defense held the Houston Texans to 19 points while collecting two interceptions and two sacks in Week 16. The Chiefs secondary has been active lately, catching six interceptions in the past two weeks, but they may have their hands full with Russell Wilson this week. Wilson has thrown just four interceptions this season, but two have come in the last two weeks. The Steelers offense has scored the 12th most points this season, just three fewer points than the Kansas City offense. The Chiefs defense is ranked as the ninth-best defense in our RotoBaller rankings this week. Fantasy managers should feel confident starting the Kansas City defense in the fantasy playoffs.

From RotoBaller