Fantasy football is a game all about taking the past and using it to predict the future. While things change, trends from last season could help fantasy players this year. Therefore, let’s look at four players with significant second-half performances from 2025 and examine their impact and potential fantasy value for the 2026 season.
Fantasy Football Trends to Know
Chase Brown (RB – CIN)
Unfortunately, the Bengals’ offense fell apart when Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury early in the year. Thankfully, it improved after the team traded for Joe Flacco. More importantly, Cincinnati held onto Flacco this offseason, giving the team a high-end backup quarterback and one fantasy players who draft Ja’Marr Chase love. Meanwhile, Brown’s production exploded once Burrow got back under center after struggling with Flacco and Jake Browning starting.
The former Illinois star was the RB16 over the first two weeks, averaging 13.5 PPR fantasy points per game. Brown had a few spike weeks but scored 13.2 or more fantasy points in only three of those 11 contests. By comparison, he was far better when Burrow returned from his toe injury. Brown was the RB2 from Week 13 through Week 18, averaging 22.3 fantasy points per game, scoring 18.3 or more in all but one contest.
Yet, the veteran didn’t see a change in his role in the passing game. Brown averaged a 23% target per route run rate and a 13.6% target share over the first 12 weeks last year. By comparison, he averaged a 23% target per route run rate and a 13.5% target share once Burrow returned from his injury. More importantly, Brown has averaged 17.1 fantasy points per game in the 24 contests the superstar quarterback has started over the past two years.
Javonte Williams (RB – DAL)
Williams was one of the best fantasy football draft values last season. Despite being the RB36 in ADP, the former North Carolina star ended the year as the RB12, averaging 15.2 PPR fantasy points per game. The Cowboys signed the veteran running back to a long-term extension this offseason following his breakout year, making him the team’s clear-cut featured guy again in 2026. However, Williams’ production trailed off at the end of last season.
The former North Carolina star had 11 rushing touchdowns in 2025, matching his career total entering the year. Williams was outstanding the first half of the season with CeeDee Lamb missing time and playing through a high-ankle sprain injury. He was the RB5 over the first eight weeks, averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game, scoring eight rushing touchdowns. However, Williams’ production slipped significantly once Lamb returned to the lineup at near-100 % health.
After ranking as the RB5 over the first half of the year, the veteran was the RB29 from Week 9 through Week 18, averaging 11.8 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Williams had only three rushing touchdowns during those eight contests. Yet, he saw the same volume of work, averaging 15.5 rushing attempts from Week 1 through Week 8 and 16 from Week 9 through Week 18. While Williams is a solid RB2 option for fantasy players, don’t expect high-end touchdown production.
Jameson Williams (WR – DET)
Anyone who plays in best ball fantasy football leagues loves the thought of drafting Williams. The former Alabama star is one of the most dangerous players in the NFL when at his best and can score a touchdown on nearly any play. Unfortunately, his fantasy production can be hit or miss, especially when the Lions’ offense is at full strength. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs are the focal points, leaving Williams to compete for volume with Sam LaPorta.
Last year, the former Alabama star finished as the WR12, averaging 12.9 PPR fantasy points per game. However, Williams needed a massive second half of the season to finish as a top-12 wide receiver. He was the WR34 over the first 10 weeks, averaging 4.8 targets and 10.9 fantasy points per game. During that span, LaPorta averaged 5.4 targets and 11.9 fantasy points per contest. Unfortunately, the star tight end missed the final eight weeks of the year with a back injury.
With LaPorta sidelined, Williams became the clear-cut third option in Detroit’s offense. He was the WR9 from Week 11 through Week 18, averaging 7.4 targets and 15.2 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, his target per route run rate (19% vs. 16%) and target share (18.3% vs. 15.6%) improved after LaPorta suffered his season-ending injury. Meanwhile, many believe new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will lead to a breakout year for LaPorta, which would make Williams a bust at his WR25 ADP.
Michael Wilson (WR – ARI)
While Marvin Harrison Jr. had high expectations entering the NFL, the former Ohio State star has been a massive bust. Yet, he showed signs of breaking out last year with Jacoby Brissett under center, ranking as the WR7 from Week 9 through Week 10, averaging 18.5 PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, injuries derailed Harrison’s season starting in Week 11, forcing him to miss five of the final eight contests. However, that led to Wilson becoming a league winner for fantasy players.
The veteran finished last year as the WR10, averaging 13 fantasy points per game, thanks to his massive second-half performance. He was the WR76 over the first 10 weeks, averaging 4.2 targets and 5.7 fantasy points per game with a 12% target per route run rate. By comparison, Wilson was the WR2, averaging 11 targets and 21.2 fantasy points per game with a 29% target per route run rate over the final eight weeks. However, he was only a fantasy star when Harrison was sidelined.
Wilson averaged 4.8 targets and 7.6 fantasy points per game in the 12 contests with Harrison, posting a 13.4% target share and a 14% target per route run rate. By comparison, he averaged 11 targets and 21.2 fantasy points per game, posting a 30% target share and a 33% target per route run rate in the five contests without Harrison. Even if Harrison struggles again, there is no reason to believe Wilson will take over as Arizona’s No. 1 wide receiver.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.