Welcome back to another weekly Tampa Bay fantasy football breakdown. We’re diving into and breaking down the Buccaneers matchup this Sunday against this week’s opponent, the Miami Dolphins, using FantasyPros consensus rankings, half-PPR scoring, and fantasy points to date to help make sense of the decisions that matter most in Championship Week for most fantasy managers.

Week 17 sends the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Hard Rock Stadium in an effort to save their sinking season for a Sunday morning matchup against the Miami Dolphins. This analysis reflects FantasyPros consensus rankings as of 12/26/25, with the understanding that rankings can shift slightly as analysts update projections closer to kickoff. For up-to-date rankings, visit FantasyPros.

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 constraints on offensive game plans.

Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield checks in as QB11 this week with a 17.7 half-PPR projection, and his season-long production supports that placement. Mayfield has cleared 249 total fantasy points this season, averaging 16.6 points per game, with multiple outings north of 20 points. The volatility is real, but the overall body of work keeps him firmly in QB1 territory. If the Buccaneers are looking to advance to the playoffs, they will need a multi-touchdown game from Mayfield and company.

The Dolphins’ rookie QB1 Quinn Ewers sits much lower at QB26 with a 13.4 projection. His limited usage this season and sub-12-point-per-game pace make him a deep-league or emergency option only. I wouldn’t expect Ewers to finish in the top-12 quarterbacks this week, or for the duration of the season, for that matter.

Running backs

De’Von Achane headlines the position as RB6 with a 16.4 projection. 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 getting a touchdown vultured by one of the running backs behind him later in the game.

Bucky Irving follows as RB15 with a 13.4 projection. Despite missing time, Irving is averaging nearly 12 points per game and has produced strong performances when healthy, including multiple double-digit outings late in the season. He is the clear RB1 in Tamps. With that said, his most significant limitation from a fantasy perspective is that the Buccaneers absolutely adore Sean Tucker in the redzone.

Rachaad White and Sean Tucker remain far riskier options behind Irving. White is projected at 6.1 points and Tucker at 5.4, aligning with their season averages of 6.5 and 5.5 points per game, respectively. Both have had sporadic spikes, but neither has shown week-to-week consistency. I would personally favor Tucker, given his redzone usage, but if you watch the Buccaneers, you know that White is capable of a big play anytime 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 off the radar outside of deep formats.

Wide receivers

Mike Evans leads the way for Tampa Bay as WR9 with a 12.6 projection. While his season total sits lower due to missed time, Evans has produced when active and remains the primary ceiling play in this passing game. He seems like the most hyped up player in Tampa at the moment and will be looked to as the lifeblood of the wideout room for the duration of this season.

Jaylen Waddle comes in at WR23 with a 10.7 projection. His 129.4 total fantasy points reflect a season of steady involvement, though his weekly output has fluctuated. The rookie quarterback is concerning for Waddles fantasy points this week, but if you’re in a pinch, I wouldn’t mind hoping for a week with upside for the Dolphins wideout.

Chris Godwin slots in 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, so he is a must-start in leagues where you get additional points for first down receptions.

Emeka Egbuka follows closely at WR41 with an 8.5 projection. He has quietly accumulated nearly 130 total points and has posted several usable weeks, even if his overall average sits below nine points per game. The coaching staff has expressed a desire to get Egbuka more targets earlier in the game going forward. It certainly worked for both parties in the first five weeks of the season.

Further down the board, Malik Washington, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson remain low-floor plays, each projected for six points or fewer based on limited and inconsistent production. I can see starting Washington in deeper leagues and Johnson in leagues that award kick return points.

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, though his usage has been inconsistent. Regardless of the quarterback, this man is a weekly upside play. If you don’t have one of the elite-tier tight ends, I would say roll out Waller against a struggling Buccaneers team in coverage.

Cade Otton sits 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 continues to be a reliable fantasy kicker, ranked K9 with a 7.6 projection. His 140 total points and steady weekly scoring keep him firmly in play.

Riley Patterson ranks K23 with a 6.9 projection. He has produced usable weeks but lacks the consistency of McLaughlin.

Fantasy takeaway

This matchup offers a mix of high-end anchors and decent fantasy football depth plays. Achane and Mayfield headline the safest fantasy options, while Irving and Evans provide upside if their workloads hold. Beyond that tier, the data and rankings point toward caution. Many of the secondary options on both sides have low floors, which are well reflected in their projections and season averages, but as we know in fantasy football, anything can happen. As always in half-PPR formats, leaning into players with sustained usage and proven production remains the most reliable path forward.

FantasyPros Consensus Rankings (Half-PPR Scoring)

Quarterback Rankings

QB11 Baker Mayfield (TB)QB26 Quinn Ewers (MIA)

Running Back Rankings

RB6 De’Von Achane (MIA)RB15 Bucky Irving (TB)RB46 Rachaad White (TB)RB49 Sean Tucker (TB)RB58 Jaylen Wright (MIA)

Wide Receiver Rankings

WR9 Mike Evans (TB)WR23 Jaylen Waddle (MIA)WR31 Chris Godwin Jr. (TB)WR41 Emeka Egbuka (TB)WR62 Malik Washington (MIA)WR70 Jalen McMillan (TB)

Tight End Rankings

TE14 Darren Waller (MIA)TE25 Cade Otton (TB)

Kicker Rankings

K9 Chase McLaughlin (TB)K23 Riley Patterson (MIA)