With only a couple of weeks left in the fantasy football regular season, every single matchup is crucial to getting your team into the playoffs. If an injury or sudden decrease in production has led to a hole in your roster, the following four players, who are all available in over half of ESPN fantasy leagues, could be a major help in forging your path to the playoffs.
Let’s go over these four players, alongside some honorable mentions, and why they could push your team into the playoffs, or even all the way to your league championship! Let’s get into the list!
Jameis Winston (QB, NYG)
3.1% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
In classic fashion, Jameis Winston’s second start with the New York Giants resulted in some unforgettable moments. Winston passed for 366 passing yards, along with two touchdowns and an interception. The veteran quarterback even brought in a 33-yard receiving touchdown, adjusting to the football and evading his defender for an incredible score.
Winston’s starts always carry plenty of highs and lows, usually ending with several deep offensive scores and multiple turnovers. However, it’s important to know that Jameis Winston is usually at least somewhat fantasy-relevant when he is under center.
The journeyman backup also has a fairly favorable fantasy playoff schedule, including matchups against Washington, Minnesota, and Las Vegas during Weeks 15 through 17.
Winston is the perfect quarterback to stash on your bench heading into the last part of the fantasy football season. He always has the chance to finish as a top-five quarterback on a weekly basis due to his explosive offensive tendencies, and if you’re in need of a quarterback during the playoffs, Winston could be the reason you win a crucial matchup.
Devin Neal (RB, NO)
1.8% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Devin Neal was a very solid prospect coming out of Kansas before being drafted in the sixth round by the New Orleans Saints during the 2025 NFL Draft. Neal displayed great patience as a runner and solid athleticism in college, and could finally be getting his shot in Week 13 due to some outside circumstances.
Veteran running back Alvin Kamara suffered a knee injury during the Saints’ loss to the Falcons in Week 12. His status is currently up in the air regarding the team’s game against Miami this coming week, which means that Neal could get the starting nod if Kamara were to miss time.
On Sunday, Neal carried the ball seven times for 18 yards and secured five of his seven targets for 43 yards.
Devin Neal is at least worth a pick up in deeper leagues, especially if he is the starter. He displayed plenty of talent in college, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see some of that impressive production translate to the professional level.
Tez Johnson (WR, TB)
26.3% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson has been proving the doubters wrong all year, and it seems like he’s really found a home in Tampa Bay this season.
After a strong pre-draft process, Johnson was selected by the Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Oregon. Johnson’s speed and route-running were some of his best traits, but his physical profile held him back a bit from truly rising to become an elite prospect.
ESPN lists Johnson at 165 lbs, making him one of the lightest pass-catchers in the entire NFL. Many were worried about his ability to withstand the physicality of the league, but so far, Johnson has been playing bigger than his size, making some huge plays for Tampa Bay’s passing attack in 2025.
Johnson brought in three of his four targets for 21 receiving yards and a touchdown on Sunday night.
He’s been used in a variety of different ways, displaying his versatility. Johnson has also stepped up in the absence of receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, both of whom have struggled with injuries this season.
Specifically, Tez Johnson has been a fantastic weapon in the red zone. A whopping five of his 23 receptions this year have been converted into touchdowns, which is an extremely promising rate. If he can continue to make big plays for the Buccaneers’ offense, they will be forced to make him a consistent part of their offensive game plan.
Overall, Johnson has filled a major need for Tampa Bay at the wide receiver position and has looked every bit as talented as he did in college. He has a bright future ahead of him and could finish the fantasy season strong.
Brenton Strange (TE, JAX)
10.9% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Brenton Strange is easily one of the most underrated fantasy assets of the 2025 fantasy football season. He’s only played in six games this season, but has been fairly consistent in terms of fantasy production among tight ends.
On the field, Strange has been one of the more reliable pass-catchers on the Jaguars’ roster when healthy. He can be a safe option for quarterback Trevor Lawrence at all times and is clearly capable of leading the team in receiving yards during any given game, something he did on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Strange took in all five of his targets for 93 receiving yards against Arizona in his first action since Week 5. It’s clear he’s going to be a massive part of the passing attack on a weekly basis, so he needs to be a priority pick up if you are in desperate need of tight end production.
Jacksonville’s receiver room has struggled with drops this season, hurting the offense’s ceiling and efficiency. If Strange can continue to be one of the top targets on this team, he could be one of the main focal points of this offensive unit that is in need of a sure-handed tight end.
Strange has the chance to finish as a top-ten tight end in terms of fantasy points per game this season. At a volatile position, Brenton Strange is worth picking up.
HM. Chimere Dike (WR, TEN)
HM. Jayden Higgins (WR, HOU)
HM. John Metchie III (WR, NYJ)
HM. Parker Washington (WR, JAX)