Week 17 sends the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Hard Rock Stadium in an effort to salvage their sinking season for a Sunday morning showdown against the Miami Dolphins. This analysis reflects FantasyPros consensus ratings as of 12/26/25, with the understanding that ratings may change slightly as analysts update projections closer to the start. For updated rankings, visit FantasyPros.
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Game environment
The forecast in Miami calls for warm, calm conditions with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures near 78 degrees and light wind should keep this matchup weather neutral, removing any external limitations on offensive game plans.
Field Marshals
Baker Mayfield checks in as QB11 this week with a projected PPR average of 17.7, and his season-long production backs up that placement. Mayfield has scored a total of 249 fantasy points this season, averaging 16.6 points per game, with multiple outings over 20 points. The volatility is real, but the overall work keeps him firmly in QB1 territory. If the Buccaneers look to advance to the playoffs, they will need a multi-touchdown game from Mayfield and company.
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Dolphins rookie QB1 Quinn Ewers ranks much lower at QB26 with a 13.4 projection. His limited usage this season and sub-12 points per game pace make him an emergency or deep league option only. I wouldn’t expect Ewers to finish among the top 12 quarterbacks this week, or all season, for that matter.
runners
De’Von Achane leads the position as RB6 with a projection of 16.4. His 244.6 total fantasy points and 16.3 points per game tell the story of a high-end fantasy asset who has consistently delivered when active. His biggest limitation is having a touchdown stolen from him later in the game by one of the running backs behind him.
Bucky Irving follows as RB15 with a projection of 13.4. Despite missing time, Irving is averaging nearly 12 points per game and has produced solid performances when healthy, including multiple double-digit outings late in the season. He is the clear RB1 in Tamps. That said, his biggest limitation from a fantasy perspective is that the Buccaneers absolutely love Sean Tucker in the red zone.
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Rachaad White and Sean Tucker remain much riskier options behind Irving. White is projected to have 6.1 points and Tucker 5.4, lining up with their season averages of 6.5 and 5.5 points per game, respectively. Both have had sporadic spikes, but neither has shown consistency week after week. Personally, I would favor Tucker given his use of the red zone, but if you watch the Buccaneers, you know that White is capable of making a big play every time he steps on the field.
Jaylen Wright rounds out the group at RB58 with a 4.5 projection. His limited workload and 35.6 total points keep him under the radar outside of deep formats.
Wide receivers
Mike Evans leads the way for Tampa Bay at WR9 with a 12.6 projection. While his season total is lower due to missed time, Evans has produced when active and remains the primary ceiling play in the passing game. He looks like the most hyped player in Tampa right now and will be considered the lifeblood of the receivers room this season.
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Jaylen Waddle comes in at WR23 with a 10.7 projection. His 129.4 total fantasy points reflect a season of consistent participation, although his weekly production has fluctuated. The rookie quarterback is concerned about Waddles’ fantasy points this week, but if you’re in a pinch, I wouldn’t mind holding out for an upside week for the Dolphins wide receiver.
Chris Godwin ranks at WR31 with a 9.5 projection. His 32.4 total points highlight how limited his season has been, making him more of a volume-dependent option than a true difference-maker. “Third and Godwin” is real, making it a must-start in leagues where you get bonus points for first down receptions.
Emeka Egbuka is close behind at WR41 with a projection of 8.5. He has quietly racked up nearly 130 total points and has logged several usable weeks, even if his overall average is below nine points per game. The coaching staff has expressed a desire to get Egbuka more goals early in the game. It certainly worked out for both sides in the first five weeks of the season.
Further down the board, Malik Washington, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson remain low-floor players, each projected for six points or less based on limited and inconsistent production. I can see Washington starting in deeper leagues and Johnson in leagues that award kick return points.
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tight ends
Darren Waller checks in as TE14 with a 7.6 projection. His season average of just over eight points per game makes him a viable streaming option, although his usage has been inconsistent. Regardless of the quarterback, this guy is a weekly positive play. If you don’t have one of the elite tight ends, I’d say deploy Waller against a Buccaneers team that struggles in coverage.
Cade Otton is listed at TE25 with a 5.0 projection. His 44.5 total fantasy points reflect a low-ceiling role that requires a touchdown to return value.
kickers
Chase McLaughlin remains a reliable fantasy kicker, rated K9 with a 7.6 projection. His 140 total points and consistent weekly scoring keep him firmly in play.
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Riley Patterson is ranked K23 with a 6.9 projection. He has produced usable weeks but lacks McLaughlin’s consistency.
Fantasy takeaway
This matchup offers a mix of high-caliber announcers and decent deep fantasy football plays. Achane and Mayfield headline the safest fantasy options, while Irving and Evans provide upside if their workloads hold up. Beyond that level, the data and rankings point to caution. Many of the secondary options on both sides have low floors, which reflects well in their projections and season averages, but as we know in fantasy football, anything can happen. As always in medium PPR formats, relying on players with sustained use and proven production remains the most reliable path to follow.
FantasyPros Consensus Rankings (Average PPR Score)
Quarterback Rankings
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Runner classification
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RB6 De’Von Achane (MIA)
Wide Receiver Ratings
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WR31 Chris Godwin Jr. (TB)
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WR62 Malik Washington (MIA)
Tight End Ratings
Kicker Ratings
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K23 Riley Patterson (MIA)
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Breakdown of Bucs vs. Dolphins Week 17 Half PPR Fantasy