5 players trending up (week 17)

Featuring Justin Herbert, Omarion Hampton, and more.

December 23, 2025

Yooo!

Happy Festivus to all who celebrate!

Last night, I asked you where Drake Maye should be ranked in dynasty. 35.1% of you said he should be QB1.

Our take: I’d put him at #1 as well. Mainly because of the 5-6 year age gap vs. Lamar/Allen and because the on-field production has been close enough (QB3 overall and 20.79 fantasy points per game).

Best subscriber comments:

  • QB3: “I love and trust him”

    • Editor’s note: I happen to know this was written by a Pats fan. Trouble in paradise not ranking him QB1??

  • QB2: “With how Lamar has played, Mahomes injury and Burrow hating his life. It's Allen then Maye for me!”

  • QB1: “Pats fan here so, not only is he my Christmas tree topper, he’s gonna get me QB1 vote.”

    • Do you think this person is talking in a cockney accent, or was “me” a typo? Yeah, you’re right. Definitely cockney accent.

Alright, now let’s dive into 5 players trending up for week 17.

Giddy up.

QB - Justin Herbert (LAC)

  • Justin Herbert has been performing exceptionally despite significant team injuries, with the Chargers losing 168 weeks of action across 18 players. Herbert has metaphorically dragged his team toward playoff contention, even playing with a broken non-throwing hand and limited offensive support.

  • His statistical performance has been impressive, with his Passing Success Rate dramatically improving from 30.3% in Week 14 to 72.4% in Week 16, and his EPA per Dropback rising from negative to positive. Notably, Herbert has been exceptional under high pressure, being one of only five quarterbacks to maintain over 70% completion percentage and the only one to reach 300 passing yards in such conditions.

  • The upcoming Week 17 game against the Texans presents a complex challenge. While the Texans have a top-10 pass rush and coverage unit, they've shown recent vulnerabilities. The article suggests Herbert's performance could go either way, acknowledging that eventually, the cumulative team injuries might catch up with the Chargers.

  • Our take: Geno Smith just had 201 yards and 2 TDs vs Houston. That gives me optimism that Herbet can handle this tough matchup. His success vs pressure helps his case too.

RB - Isaiah Davis (NYJ)

  • Davis is emerging as an intriguing option for the New York Jets, particularly in Week 17 against the Patriots, with the article suggesting he could see increased involvement as the team looks toward the future and potentially evaluates young talent.

  • In Week 16, Davis showed promise by recording four receptions for 52 yards, demonstrating potential PPR upside and catching the attention of fantasy managers looking for a sneaky waiver wire pickup.

  • With the Jets' offensive struggles and potential narrative of Davis trying to prove himself, the article hints that he could be a surprising start in deeper fantasy formats, especially given that he's available in 97% of Yahoo leagues.

  • Our take: I’ve had Isaiah Davis on my bench all year in two leagues. I’m just dreaming of a world where Breece leaves, and he becomes a PPR monster next year. Probably wishful thinking, but it’s worth a dart throw!

RB - Omarion Hampton (LAC)

  • Hampton has definitively taken control of the Chargers' backfield now that he is healthy. In a recent game against Dallas, he dominated the workload by out-carrying Kimani Vidal 16 to 5, demonstrating his primary role in the offense.

  • The rookie turned his significant volume into an impressive performance, gaining 85 rushing yards and scoring a touchdown while maintaining an efficient 5.3 yards per carry average. This suggests Hampton is now the primary running back for the Chargers.

  • Even with Vidal continuing to play passing-down snaps, the Chargers have clearly prioritized Hampton for early-down and scoring-area work, making him the preferred running back for fantasy managers.

  • Our take: Makes sense that they would ease him back into action after a lengthy absence. Now Vidal is banged up. If he were to miss time, Hampton could take on an even bigger workload.

Which RB would you want on your dynasty team the most?

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RB - Chase Brown (CIN)

  • Chase Brown has been an exceptional fantasy performer since Week 8, averaging 20.5 fantasy points per game and delivering a standout 32.9-point performance against the Dolphins that included three touchdowns.

  • Brown has demonstrated consistent production with nine consecutive 12-plus fantasy point weeks, accumulating 644 rushing yards and 285 receiving yards, which translates to 116.1 total yards per game and an impressive 5.75 yards per carry.

  • Facing the Arizona Cardinals' vulnerable run defense, which has allowed 32.2 fantasy points per game to running backs since Week 11, Brown is positioned for another potentially explosive fantasy performance, with the Cardinals surrendering 819 rushing yards and 271 receiving yards in recent games.

  • Our take: If I had to guess, Chase Brown is going to be on a lot of championship rosters this weekend. He has really delivered this year after a slow start. He’s currently the RB10. Imagine if we removed that 4-game stretch with Browning at QB.

RB - Kenneth Walker III (SEA)

  • Walker finally delivered the big plays fantasy managers had been anticipating all season, posting an impressive 164 total yards and a touchdown on just 14 touches.

  • His performance suggests he will be difficult to leave on the bench in Week 17, indicating a potential turning point in his seasonal productivity.

  • Walker's explosive game demonstrates his capability to provide high-impact performances and potentially be a difference-maker for fantasy teams in crucial weeks.

  • Our take: After his two worst performances of the year in Weeks 14 & 15 (3.8 and 2.9 points), Kenny 3 Sticks naturally followed that up with his best performance of the year (25.4 points) on everybody’s bench. But hey, that’s baseball.

That’s all for tonight!

See ya pizza,

Joe

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