Quarterback
Biggest Winner: Brock Purdy (49ers)
In the wackiest season in recent NFL history, it's only fitting that the hero of the fantasy playoffs ended up being Purdy. After throwing a pick 6 on the first play from scrimmage, Purdy didn't make another mistake of consequence for the rest of the game as he shredded the Bears for 303 YDS and 3 TD's through the air and 28 YDS and 2 TD's on the ground in an exhilarating shootout win for the 49ers that gives them a chance to clinch the top seed in the NFC with a win over the Seahawks at home on Saturday night. Assuming he can remain healthy for the rest of this season, Purdy will be a low-end QB1 option for 2026.
Honorable Mentions: Drake Maye (Patriots), Jaxson Dart (Giants), Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)
Biggest Loser: Jalen Hurts (Eagles)
Hurts was in full-blown game manager mode in an unexpected defensive struggle with the Bills, throwing for 110 YDS and a TD and rushing only 3 times for 5 YDS as the Eagles stole a road win after the Bills ballsy attempt to win the game in regulation with a 2 PT-CNV following a Josh Allen rushing TD backfired. This was a mixed bag of a season for Hurts as he set a new career-high in passing TD's (25) but posted the lowest rushing totals (454 YDS, 8 TD's) of his 5 seasons as the Eagles full-time starter. Despite his decreased fantasy usefulness in 2025, his elite dual-threat ability should keep him in the top 5-8 overall QB range heading into next year's drafts.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jared Goff (Lions), Matthew Stafford (Rams), Jacoby Brissett (Cardinals)
Running Back
Biggest Winner: Derrick Henry (Ravens)
John Harbaugh and Todd Monken got killed all week long for not giving Henry a single touch after scoring a TD that gave the Ravens a 24-13 lead with 12:50 left in the 4th quarter in an embarrassing home loss to the Patriots. With their playoff lives on the line against the Packers last Saturday, they atoned for their sins in a big way by riding Henry to a huge win. The future Hall of Famer was in vintage unstoppable workhorse mode- turning 36 carries into a whopping 216 YDS and 4 TD's. Who knows what kind of player he'll be next season at 32, but given the way he's playing right now, I'm not comfortable betting against Henry's ability to remain one of the most dominant backs in the league until there's overwhelming evidence that he's indeed a mortal man.
Honorable Mentions: Bijan Robinson (Falcons), Chase Brown (Bengals), Christian McCaffery (49ers)
Biggest Loser: Josh Jacobs (Packers)
Thought Week 16 was the bottoming out point for Jacobs? Think again! The very clearly hobbled back only logged 5 touches (4 carries, 1 receptions) for 4 YDS as the Packers got smacked by the Ravens and are now officially locked into the #7 seed in the NFC Playoff Bracket. Jacobs didn't even come close to recapturing the magic of his 2024 campaign during his sophomore season with the Packers and will likely drop down to the 4th/5rh round range in 2026 as a result of his largely underwhelming play.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions), Bucky Irving (Buccaneers), Jaylen Warren (Steelers)
Wide Receiver
Biggest Winner: Chris Olave (Saints)
Olave wrapped up his resurgent 2025 fantasy campaign with another excellent performance, reeling in 8 catches for 119 YDS and a TD in an impressive comeback road win over the Titans. His budding chemistry with Tyler Shough, ability to suit up every week after missing 9 games in 2024 and career-high production (100/1,163/9) makes Olave a strong WR2 candidate heading into next year.
Honorable Mentions: Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals), Stefon Diggs (Patriots), Christian Watson (Packers)
Biggest Loser: Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins)
A week after he was Quinn Ewers' favorite target in the rookie's first career start, Waddle was basically invisible against the Bucs. The star wideout failed to catch his lone target and only action of the day came on a carry that he turned into a 7-YD gain. Even with Tyreek Hill being sidelined for the bulk of the season, Waddle was volatile as hell this season and only rarely looked like the star he was from 2021-2023. Depending on who is playing QB for the Dolphins next year, Waddle will be on the WR2/3 borderline.
Dishonorable Mentions: Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers), D.J. Moore (Bears), Drake London (Falcons)
Tight End
Biggest Winner: Trey McBride (Cardinals)
McBride was rewarded for being a ray of sunshine during the dark days of 2025 for the 3-13 Cardinals by setting a new single-season reception record (117 was the record-breaker, he currently sits at 119) for tight ends after nabbing 10 receptions for 76 YDS and a TD in a blowout loss to the Bengals. McBride's newfound affinity for getting into the endzone (11 TD's in 2025 after scoring just 6 times from 2022-24) has eliminated the one weakness in his game and it would be a shock if he wasn't a top 15-20 pick in fantasy next season.
Honorable Mentions: Colston Loveland (Bears), Hunter Henry (Patriots), Juwan Johnson (Saints)
Biggest Loser: Kyle Pitts (Falcons)
The heater Pitts has been on for the past month died a painful death last night as he mustered just 2 receptions for 16 YDS on a night where Bijan Robinson powered the Falcons to a stunning upset victory over the Rams. Pitts is set to hit free agency this offseason, and it'll be fascinating to see what his market looks like after putting together his best season (82/875/5) since his 1,000-YD+ rookie campaign in 2021.
Dishonorable Mentions: Darren Waller (Dolphins), Mark Andrews (Ravens), Evan Engram (Broncos)
Defense/Special Teams
Biggest Winner: Vikings
Anybody who was smart/brave enough to fire up the Vikings against the Lions on Christmas were rewarded big time. Brian Flores' group absolutely destroyed Jared Goff and co. and were the primary reason the Max Brosmer-led Vikings were able to pull off the upset as they got 5 sacks, 2 INT's and 4 fumble recoveries in the 23-10 victory. If Flores doesn't leave for a head coaching gig in the offseason, this group should remain one of the better D/ST options in fantasy next season.
Honorable Mentions: Eagles, Saints, Seahawks
Biggest Loser: Packers
Derrick Henry's evisceration of the Packers led to a big fat lump of coal appearing in the stockings of the people that continued to ride a group that had been one of the best in the league for most of the season. The Pack only ended up with only 1 sack and 0 takeaways in this demoralizing 41-24 loss at Lambeau. While they have talent elsewhere (Xavier McKinney, Edgerrin Cooper, Evan Williams, Rashan Gary), Micah Parsons was the driving force behind their success this season and his return to action can't come soon enough.
Dishonorable Mentions: Buccaneers, Chiefs, Broncos
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